Wordless Wednesday

From Sandy's Porch...

Wine Country - Day Two

Three walls of the guesthouse are windows - I awoke on day two to a view of the most beautiful hillside draped in grapevines. The sunshine danced over the hills creating the most gorgeous array of colors imaginable. The scene changed quickly and dramatically with the rising of the sun. I would love to have been able to freeze each moment in time and replay them over and over again.

We slept with the windows open. The temperature dipped down in to the 40's overnight and it was lovely to slowly wake up under the warm blankets surrounded by so much beauty. It was like an instant shot of energy! The air was crisp and cool and we were definitely ready for another day.

Our first stop was the Robert Young Winery. Sandy had arranged for a private tasting and tour at 10:00 AM. Our host at the winery was Bill and we couldn't have asked for a nicer or more knowledgeable gentleman to discuss the wines with us. The Robert Young wines were delicious (the Senor believes them to be the best he sampled during the trip) and a case is scheduled to arrive at our home any day now. Bill also graciously took us on a tour of the Robert Young caves while we were there which was quiet a treat.

Next we met up with some more dear friends, Bob and Cathy, at the Sausel Winery. There we paid a visit to Bob and Cathy's good friend Dave Demostene. Dave showed us around his winery and even allowed us the opportunity to partake in two barrel tastings one of which was from their Century Vines - some of those vines were planted over 130 years ago!

We stopped and had a quick bite of lunch with Sandy, Bob and Cathy and then were on to more wine tasting adventures. Thank goodness for Sandy who was deemed our "designated driver"!

The remainder of the afternoon we visted the Simi, Ridge and Mazzacco wineries. Each had its own distinct character, the folks pouring were fun and informative and, again, several cases will be showing up on our front steps in the next few days. (Yes, you'll notice a pattern here!)

The lovely Cathy joined Sandy, the Senor, brother-in-law and I for dinner that night. We dined at the fabulous Bistro Ralph in Healdsburg. The food and wine were flawless. The friends and family I shared it with are more special than any of them will ever know.

As I drifted off to sleep that night all I could think of was that perhaps I had died and gone to foodie heaven!

Wine Country - Day One

Our time in the wine country was spectacular. We were given the opportunity to visit many beautiful wineries, taste scrumptious wines and dine on fabulous food created by local chefs.

We arrived in the wine country about a week after the final grapes of the season had been picked. The wine makers were busy at work; their grapes picked, cleaned and on to the initial stages of their life-cycle, one day to become wine.

The only grapes left on the vines when we arrived are known as "second growth". They are small and will not produce the plump, juicy grape the growers need for making wine. However, the grapevines that covered the rolling hills were beautiful. I was amazed by the brilliant shades of green, gold and purple leaves that covered the vines although I later learned that even though the colors are beautiful they are indicative of late season leaf curl and not something desired by the growers. Still, through my eyes, they were beautiful!

The Senor, brother-in-law and I left Muir Woods and made our way up through Napa Valley. While passing through Napa we stopped by Artesa Winery, Darioush Winery and Merryvale for tastings. Each of them had wonderful offerings. We decided a bite to eat was in order before continuing on our adventure so we stopped in at the Silverado Brewing Company for a quick bite and cold beer to cleanse the palate.

We took the very scenic Hwy 128 from St Helena to Geyserville. Fantastic little windy road for we awe-struck tourists to meander through! After loads of meandering and basically being very lost (and late) we made it to our destination.

Our host and hostess during our visit to Sonoma were our dear friends Bob and Sandy. Sandy is a grower in Sonoma and lives on her farm there. Her place is simply charming with not a detail missing.

The night of our arrival we had dinner in Geyserville at a fabulous little Italian restaurant, Scopa. The food and wine were spectacular. Standouts of the meal were an appetizer of flash-fried Padrone peppers, bruschetta with goat cheese, eggplant and roasted tomato and the most delicate ravioli I have ever put in my mouth.

The next two days were comprised of complete sensory overload. There are simply no words to describe the food, wine, scenery or kindness we encountered everywhere we went.

Day Two To Come...

A Holy Place...

"This is the best tree-lovers monument that could possibly be found in all the forests of the world." ~John Muir

Since I was a little girl I have fantasized about living in the forest...you know, in a hallow tree, much like the one in Ashdown Forest with Pooh and Christopher Robin. For me, there has always been something fairytale-like about towering trees, trickling brooks and crisp forest air.

Seven years ago the Senor surprised me by taking me to Muir Woods. We had just become engaged and had gone to San Francisco for a few days. He told me he had a surprise for me, loaded me up in a rental car and off we went.

During the 12 mile trip through the woods I began to ask a lot of questions. You know, fair questions such as, "where are you taking me?", "have you ever been there?" "do you know where you're going?", "are you trying to get rid of me?"

I mean come on, if he regretted the engagement and wanted rid of me surely we could talk about it!

And then, we were there.

He knew of my love for trees and he took me to see the greatest trees of all.

Could there be a sweeter or more romantic gesture?

Muir Woods, with her towering redwoods stood before us.

As we walked the trails of Muir Woods I was overcome with emotion. The splendor of God's wonder surrounded me. Without realizing it I whispered when I spoke. The Senor asked me why I was whispering and I said, "this is a holy place".

Last week we visited Muir Woods again. It still contains all the wonder of our original visit.

My brother in law made the trip with us and as we walked the trails he turned to me and said something along the line of, I feel like any minute I'll run in to God in here.

I tell you, it's a holy place.

********************
I've been to church
I've read the book
I know he's here
But I don't look
Near as often as I should
Yeah, I know I should
His fingerprints are everywhere
I just slowed down to stop and stare
Opened my eyes and man I swear
I saw God today

R Clawson
M Criswell
W Kirby
********************

The Streets of San Francisco

A few images from the streets of San Francisco...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My photos could never do the wonder of this city justice.

The diversity of the many cultures represented there; as well as, the history of the city are seen everywhere one looks.

The neighborhoods of San Francisco are a cultural marvel. I love listening to the various dialects and taking in the smell of fresh baked goods and spices.

There are corner grocers and bakeries and flower shops. Not to mention, some very interesting butcher shops in China Town!

And then there's the shopping in Union Square...shoppers PARADISE!

One could try to eat their way through San Francisco but, of course, that would mean they would never leave. The Wharf has the freshest seafood and North Beach is a pasta lover's dream. Oh, and let's not forget Dottie's Cafe - aka Breakfast Heaven in my book.

It's easy to see why many a heart has been left in San Francisco.

Having Fun Is Hard Work...

We have returned and cliches and quotes are at the forefront...

Wine is bottled poetry. ~Robert Louis Stevenson

Having fun is hard work. ~Unknown

The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart. ~Elisabeth Foley

No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow. ~Lin Yutang

Some people go to priests; others to poetry; I to my friends. ~Virginia Woolf

What you've done becomes the judge of what you're going to do - especially in other people's minds. When you're traveling, you are what you are right there and then. People don't have your past to hold against you. No yesterdays on the road. ~William Least Heat Moon, Blue Highways

As you change in life, no matter who you become, there is always a bottle of wine to greet you. ~Sandy Comstock

The trip was spectacular. Filled with delicious cuisine, breathtaking sights, fruit of the vine and food for the soul.

Until later...