Sailplaning...

One of the first times "W" and I came to Napa was in 1996! Wow. That was 20 years ago.  At that time we decided we would go Sailplaning.

What is it? It's where a plane takes you up in a glider to about 4,000 ft and lets you go.

It is truly an amazing experience, and if you have the stomach for it, DO IT.

 So, after our first experience, they moved the location.  We were sad.

But this trip "W" found another place that does this amazing adventure!

And we could not wait to do this again.

So, here are the pics.

(and the pilot gave us a few exhilarating moves, like I think we went upside down or something)

We were pretty crammed in there.

We were about to release and be on our own.....

You get pretty darn close to those mountains

In the distance you could see the Pacific Ocean

this was when we were doing a loop de loop (I think)

yes, pretty sure, or a dive straight down....

that right there is a hiking trail...oh my

and we made it!

Safe and sound!!!

Have a great day y'all!

kb

We LOVE Napa! Part II

Yesterday we had the pleasure of having a driver take us around to about 5 boutique style wineries out here in Napa and Sonoma.

If you go, do this.  I'm serious.

Not only is it safer, they are very knowledgable about the wineries and it will exponentially enhance your experience while you are out here.

Our driver was Andrew.

And he was terrific.

First, we had to take the obligatory pic at the French Laundry.

I know, I know, it's won the James Beard award more times than you can count, but honestly, it is not my favorite, nor is it "W's.  But we still had our pic made.

Ya know? We just don't like to sit at a table for 3 hours eating quarter size food of which we aren't sure what we are eating.

That the reason.

So, then we had to take the obligatory pic of the castle.

Didn't go inside, because as I said, this was our day for visiting boutique wineries.  And that my friends is what we like to do when we come to Napa!

So.

Here we go.

And by the way,  every one of the wines we tasted were some of the best we've had since coming to Napa for 30 years straight.

oops, this was from yesterday ;)

The Castle

they had lots of animals.

First stop Speedy Creek.

Ya'll, the moss hanging over the wine tasting was just beautiful!

I just became a Rose' drinker.

and the wonderful owner of the winery made us homemade bread.  Let me tell ya, it was GOOD.

Can I tell you how proud of my hubs?

He has lost 40 lbs.

(the right way, by eating right and working out)

Our driver

Next up

Aonair

um....yum.

I'm going to paint this barn.

This was Marone

We bought everything we tasted.

Plus he was really, really fun

Today? we will be in a glider, attached to a plane up in the mountains of Napa and let go to glide down.  I absolutely cannot wait!

(hope to see you tomorrow) (wink)

Have a great day ya'll!!!

kb

We Love Napa!

The Road to Napa

The only thing "I" don't love about Napa is that I wake up at 2 a.m.

"W' sleeps til 5.  Not sure how in the world he does it.

And I really want a Nespresso, but the dang thing it SO loud that it would not only wake him but all of our neighbors.

So.

Our annual trip to my favorite place on earth.

I like to think that it's my little surprise after a grueling two weeks in a small RV in about 115 degrees selling art.

It's my piece of heaven.

and "W's too

This time we are staying in Yountville.

In a beautiful, beautiful little boutique hotel where you can leave the doors open and feel (and smell) the 48 degree weather along with the aroma of the well, dead grape vines.  They still smell heavenly.

Well, everything in Napa smells heavenly.

So.

We got here Wednesday and had to have an obligatory pork chop at Mustards Grill (yum)

along with a huge pile of dietary fried onion strips. (which will fill you up)

Then on to a few wineries.

Plumpjack.  yummy

Got to the hotel around 5, (I had been awake since 1:30 a.m.) and I crashed.  I don't even rembember "W" bringing me a pizza.

I do remember that it was good.  Especially the next morning.

So.....yesterday. OH HOW FUN.

First stop?

A yummy breakfast

Then on to my very favorite wine of ALL time

Far Niente

No really y'all. The best

We took a little tour first of all the really cool stuff he has and we were just in awe.

It amazes me also how clean everything is round here.  But then again, I guess it has to be huh?

please forgive the overposting of the grape leaves.  I couldn't help myself.

Finally some leaves that don't look dead like the ones back in the south....

 

Far Niente was built around 1830.

next up?

Cliff Lede Vineyards.  Very, very cool.  He's a big fan of Rock n Roll

"Poetry" is my all time favorite wine.

And we may have snagged a bottle of 1993 for tonight

(we may need to save it however for our "sail planing adventure on Saturday)

this will be my next painting!

Have a great day y'all!