Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/14774
6A – Daily News – Saturday, August 14, 2010 Agriculture & farm Jean Barton My plane to Denver was sched- uled to leave Reagan National Air- port at 8:55 a.m Tuesday, and our hotel was 26 miles away. It had taken us 45 minutes to drive that distance at 1:30 a.m. when we arrived. What would it be like dur- ing morning rush hour? Cousin Ric, father of the bride, said I could be a "slug," and he would take me to the airport on his way to work. Thanks to the Inter- net, this is an explanation of slug- ging: “Slugging is a term used to describe a unique form of commut- ing found in the Washington, DC area. It has thousands of vehicles at its disposal, moves thousands of commuters daily, and the best part, it’s free. Not only is it free, but it gets peo- ple to and from work faster than the typical bus, metro or train. It's unique because it is not a government spon- sored commuter program, but one created out of inge- nuity from local citizens to solve commuter problems. “The system of slugging is quite simple. A car need- ing additional passengers to meet the required 3- person high occupancy vehicle (HOV) minimum pulls up to one of the known slug lines. The driver usually positions the car so that the slugs are on the passenger side. The slugs first in line for that particular destination then hop into the car, normally confirming the destination, and off they go. “No money is exchanged because of the mutual ben- efit: the car driver needs riders just as much as the slugs need a ride. Each party needs the other in order to sur- vive. “Normally, there is no conversation unless initiated by the driver; usually the only words exchanged are ‘Thank you’ as the driver drops off the slugs at the des- tination. “There doesn’t need to be any discussion about the destination, such as giving directions, because the drop- off points are generally understood. "Rosslyn" means the Metro station in Rosslyn, not at some other point along the way. The "Pentagon" means the curb along Fern Street, not the North Parking Lot. “It’s hard to believe that slugging has been around in the Northern Virginia and Washington, DC, area for about 35 years, shortly after the HOV lanes were opened to carpools and vanpools. Of course, the exact date is uncertain” Ric picked me up at 7:05 a.m., and stopped to fill the car with gasoline at the nearby gas station, then we pulled into a huge parking lot where men and women were lined up in different groups. Evidently we pulled into the Pentagon line because a well dressed man climbed into the backseat, confirmed destination and we were off. Cruising in the double HOV lane headed toward Washington, DC while the three lanes of regular traffic were bumper to bumper and very slow. We got off the HOV at the Pentagon exit, people were directing traffic Courtesy photo Visitors were admiring the brilliant flower beds at Steve and Elena Albaugh's home. as we maneuvered to the drop-off site, and the man said “thank you.” Then a few more streets and Ric was drop- ping me off at the airport. All of this in just a half hour. HOV is the way to travel in that area. I was impressed. *** We enjoyed the 12th Country Garden Tour of the Wayside Garden Club in the Pittville area of McArthur, along with several other Red Bluff residents that signed the guest books. First stop was Steve and Elena Albaugh’s colorful yard, with large beds of pink, burgundy and white petu- nias. A raised bed of mixed colors of zinnias and a large green lawn. I asked Elena her secret, because it was beautiful, and she replied “a new well” because she now had plentiful water. Then I learned there would be a wedding this weekend when their daughter Trina is mar- ried in a garden ceremony. Elena had planted a cutting garden of burgundy, pink, rose and white zinnias from seed that will be used for the table arrangements. She said when the plants were four to six inches tall, they had a frost but it didn’t kill them. Learned that the frost was colder in the Hat Creek- Cassel area, and there would be no apples or peaches this year. The gardens we visited had trees with green fruit. Jack and Terese Hayes had a beautiful vegetable gar- den, but we stopped to see the falling water and stream that dropped into a pool beside a patio. Looked very relaxing. They had a tall fence around the vegetable gar- den, and a shorter fence outside, perhaps to discourage the rabbits. The carrots and swiss chard were under net- ting to discourage the birds. A garden started in 2004 by Jack and Toni Davis was impressive. They had a shaded stream with footbridge that flowed from a pool, and a water wheel that dropped water into the pool. They had made rock jacks for the fence, plus rock walls for the raised flower beds, since there was an abundance of lava rocks when they started. A weed free vegetable garden behind another fence and fruit orchard inside the fenced yard. Our lunch stop was at Brad and Cindy Royce home with large trees, a lawn, raised flower beds and extensive use of different mints. They had a newly fenced veg- etable garden, and the berry bushes were under netting to keep out the birds. The yard was built on a hillside with gentle sloping. The fenced green bushes planted in rows were lilacs that Tami and Brian Humphry grow commercially. Nearby were their sons horses, and in the yard by the house were the roping dummies. I loved the deep shade the old, tall trees surrounding Season Tomatoes LIC #808524 Call For Free Information Toll-Free (800) 464-1403 or (530) 365-1403 6183 MEISTER WAY ANDERSON, CA 96007 (530) 365-1403 (800) 464-1403 Make your tomato season last longer. These tomatoes will keep producing until it freezes Garden Center Red Bluff 766 Antelope Blvd. (Next to the Fairground) 527-0886 Cool the two story home of Tom and Marie Vestal gave the lawn in the back yard. I have never seen a locust tree with the circumference as that tree.. Another visitor was commenting on the tall red bud. Marie had planted many perennial plants and begonias were at the base of some trees. Old wagons and implements were scattered around the edge of the yard. Another delightful garden tour, since I didn’t mention all the gardens we visited. *** The Sept. 18 Beef N Brew has at least eleven busi- nesses planning to offer beef appetizers 5-7 p.m. Those saying yes include Balloons & More, California Kitchen & Co, Countryside Café, Crystal Art & Apparel, Dis- cover Earth, Gayle’s, HeartFelt Designs Gallery, Prairie Rose Boutique, Sparrows Fine Art & Antiques, T J’s Antiques Gifts and Sweet Shop and Village Pottery. ranch More D.C. travels and Country Garden Tour