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Looking out over the terrace at Round Pond Estate Winery.

Along the rows of vines at O’Brien Winery.

Ornamental cabbage

The mustard has started in between the rows. Must mean the Mustard Festival can’t be far behind.

As airlines keep hiking their checked-bag fees, there’s more incentive than ever to carry bags onto the plane with you. And there are good ways to do this. Just don’t be a jerk, follow a few simple etiquette rules, and everything should work out fine, travel experts say.

Experienced airline travelers, bloggers and travel Web sites generally agree on practices for handling carry-on bags to keep clutter, confusion and conflict to a minimum. Here are their top 10 tips:

• Obey government and airline rules on the size and number of items.

You can use the template at the gate, but it’s better to know your items comply before you get there.

Dimension limits can vary, so what works on one airline may not work on another. Be sure to check with your specific carrier’s Web site, and get out your tape measure.

• Don’t attempt to bring prohibited items such as sharp objects or bottles of liquids.

The Transportation Security Administration sets these rules, and it’s not fooling around. Don’t even think about trying to sneak something through; in the current security climate, straying from the rules is likely to delay you and everyone in line behind you.

• Stow your bag in the overhead bin with the wheels in first.

This leaves the handle where you and others can grab it to reposition the bag to make room for more stuff in the bin.

• Don’t put bags in lengthwise.

More bags will fit in the bin if they are all positioned perpendicular to the aisle, preferably standing on edge. If your bag is too large to fit that way, it should be checked. And remember: smaller jets mean smaller bins.

• Put your larger item up top, your smaller item at your feet.

This reduces the clutter at your feet, allowing you and others in your row to ride more comfortably and get in and out more easily.

• Use the bin directly over your head, or as close as possible.

Letting your bag squat in someone else’s bin is just uncool. It robs others of space that is rightfully theirs and singles you out as a self-serving boor. It also isn’t likely to speed your egress from the plane, as the aisle is going to be jammed after landing no matter where your bag is stowed.

• Don’t commandeer another passenger’s under-seat space.

You are entitled to the space under the seat directly in front of you, and that’s it.

• Make sure your bag is light enough to lift over your head yourself.

There will be exceptions, of course, in cases of age, infirmity or injury. Kind fellow passengers often will be willing to help, but you should not count on it — and certainly not demand it.

• Get your stuff before takeoff.

Before settling into your seat, retrieve from your bag any items you’re likely to need during the flight — book, pen, medicine, PDA — so you won’t have to stand up and rummage through the overhead bin during the flight.

• Wait until everyone’s bags are stowed, then lay your coat on top.

Bags take priority in the overhead bin. Ask a flight attendant if there’s space in a forward closet for your coat. If not, hold it in your lap until all bags are stowed, then get up and try to jam it in on top. If there’s no room, drape it over your seat and sit on it.

Bridges of San Francisco on Sunday…Golden Gate

Crossing the Golden Gate

Bay Bridge

In the back yard by the pool is a Meyer Lemon tree…a very small tree in a pot. I planted it in hopes of harvesting a Meyer Lemon crop one day. This lonely, but deliciously sweet, lemon is (was) my harvest this year. It was picked Saturday.

It joined some friends in my fruit bowl for a day. Once it acclimated to the indoors…it did what it was meant to do.

It became part of a tasty sauce for our grilled shrimp. This lemon traveled happily to our plates.

Don’t throw away those disposable shower caps that some hotels give. Use them to keep shoes from getting scuffed or from getting the rest of your clothes dirty from the soles. Wrap them up before packing them in your suitcase.

You can also use those shower caps for packing moist items.

Or use them to keep a camera dry when out and about.

Anyone know what these plants are?

Up in the tree…it’s a plane…it’s a ?? Any guesses?

Here are some more travel resolutions you could aim for in 2010.

Relax… Maybe you are one of those vacationers who is up at the crack of dawn for a full day of activities. All well and good if you need to get somewhere early. But how about taking one day to sleep in, people watch, have a glass of wine at lunch or get a massage?

Take better photos… Learn to master some of the settings and functions on your camera this year and you will come back with photos that do justice to your travel memories.

Sample a new delicacy… Even if it’s close to home, try something that you have never eaten before. Seek out the local street food cart with the longest line or ask the waiter for the house specialty.

Strike up a conversation… Make an extra effort to talk to your taxi driver, your waiter or the hotel staff. Ask about their favorites in the city or country you are visiting. You might find more interesting information and things to see than you would get from your guide book.

How many of us make New Year’s Resolutions…and then totally forget about them? Or maybe you think you’ll make some this year…and all of a sudden it’s February.

Well here’s a few you may be able to make…and keep this year. After all they relate to travel. So how hard should this be?

Get a passport. If you don’t have one, now would be a great time to apply for one. Canada, Mexico and much of the Caribbean now require a passport. If you have one, check to see if yours is close to expiring. Some countries won’t let you travel to them or back to the US if it expires within six months of your travel date.

Learn 10 phrases. A few simple phrases can make your life easier and earn you a smile. Grab a pocket sized phrase book and practice a few like “thank you”, “please”,or “excuse me”.

Upgrade your travel gear. Get a new piece of luggage and learn to pack it lightly. Look for some of the new light weight ones and maybe try a color other than black.

More tomorrow…bet you can’t wait.

This lovely dinosaur had to go to Denver on a plane…Southwest flight attendant made a big deal of having a “roboraptor dinosaur” on his plane. Quite the thrill for all the passengers.

Lights around the pool.

Christmas Day by Vacaville.

Just found these fun superstition facts on Budget Travel…

Japan: traditional funeral rites dictate that bodies be laid out with the head to the north. Hotels often position beds to point east, south or west so the afterworld doesn’t get the wrong idea.

UK: it’s lucky to cross paths with a black cat. Steer clear of crows or ravens, though.

East Asia: the number 4 is avoided in hotel floors and office buildings as it sounds like the word for “death” in Japanese and Mandarin.

Italy: the number 17 is unlucky here. As a courtesy to passengers from Italy and countries where the number 13 is unlucky, Lufthansa Airlines has removed rows 13 and 17 from its planes.

Ireland: a four leaf clover brings luck…but you must carry it about on you and never give it away or your luck will run away.

It was a little steamy in the hot tub for Philip.

Glorious colors at Solano Lake County Park.

Guarding the hallway…you just never know when those cats will come out.

Reflections at Lake Solano.

Red berries…green leaves on a Laurel Tree.