Tour to Butte County Roney Ranches, 16 May 2004

      With the Slooper Monument Bautastein firmly planted and duly dedicated in Napa, it was time to let our Norwegian visitors see a little more of the region of the western United States to which they had come.  Given a choice between touring the famous Napa Valley wineries or a longer drive north into the Sacramento Valley to visit the ranches of the Slooper Roney family, the resounding choice was for the trek to the Valley ranches along with a traditional western barbeque. It must be remembered that most of the visitors were from farming regions themselves.
1

Bunader & other ceremonial dress packed up & loaded in to son Kent's pickup to be transported back to San Francisco, we checked out of Napa's River Terrace Inn.
2

In our 2 vans & 1 station wagon we drive north through the Napa Valley - up over the mountains at the southeast end of Clear Lake - & are soon driving by miles of freshly sprouted  Sacramento Valley rice fields. 
3

Nearing our destination northwest of Chico in Butte County, we enter rich farm land covered with large orchards.
4

After this long drive it is time to visit one of the Roney ranch homes for a barbeque lunch - but first our visitors are confused by the the Slooper Roney twins -- Who is Emma & who is Emily?! [Emily left, Emma right]
5

Emily & Emma welcome the group with a little history of the ranch with help from son Roy (right), & Ivar Lygren (center) acting as interpreter & Einar Slogvik (left) standing by.
6

Our Norwegian guests listen attentively in the large comfortable ranch home of Emily's daughter Cathy & her husband Ed Oviedo.
7

Welcoming & introductions continue - left to right: Emma, Cathy, Ivar, Emily, Roy, & Keith.
8

The twins explain some of the historical treasures on display in this lovely home. [Emily left, Emma right]
9

Those of us eating inside get to be seated at this very special table, a table that used to belong to Slooper son Andrew J. Anderson. Slooper Serena most probably ate at this table. Roney brothers Elwin & George, who married the twins, sit at the far end of the table.
10

Einar is given the privilege of sitting between the twins.  We wonder if he can tell which one he is talking to...? [Emma left, Emily right]
11

Some of the guests & hosts get to eat outside in the shade of huge trees, in true barbeque style.
12

When dessert time comes, hosts Cathy & Ed bring out a most appropriately decorated "Norwegian flag" cake.
13

The well organized "Farm Tour" starts at the homestead ranch headquarters with an explanation of the specialized equipment used on this large spread to raise & harvest many acres of almonds.
14

Moving out in to the orchard areas, we eagerly learn about how these orchards are managed for best production.
15

Explanations are given on the life & care of both almond & pistachios, 2 of the main crops raised on this ranch complex (although plum trees are also now being raised to maturity).
16

As most of our Norwegian guests have some farm background, they find the explanations given by George (right) of great interest.
17

Leaving the thousands of trees behind, we drive out in to a more barren valley area where son Wally Roney runs a gravel quarry.
18

We also get a chance to see the valley grazing area where Elwin, Emily & Wally run their cattle during the winter months.
19

Next we go to Emma's ranch which was settled by her Slooper grandparents in 1906.
20

The main crop of interest on this ranch is the extensive planting of kiwi fruit, although walnuts are also grown commercially here.
21

Kiwis, as well as almonds & pistachios, were of much interest to our guests because they cannot be commercially grown in their more northern country.
22

Proud Emma shows some of her prize kiwi fruit.
23

As the afternoon shadows grow long it will soon be time to head back to the city. Here Tysvær's Cultural Officer Ingvar Frøyland expresses his gratitude by giving Emma & George one of the Tysvær books.
24

Sjur Slogvik also makes a presentation of thanks by giving George & Emma a section of one of the original timbers from the old ancestral Slogvik home. We must now say goodbye and drive back to San Francisco, this time via I-80 & the Bay Bridge.

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