Thursday February 16

Travel Day

Today we set off on our cross-country journey to Napa Valley with an 8:45 am flight to Denver.  The flight was on time and went very smoothly - about 4 1/2 hours.  We landed early and had an hour and a half to recharge our devices and grab a muffin before boarding for the final 2 1/2 hour flight to San Francisco.  As we approached the Bay area we flew over some beautiful mountains which reminded me of our trip last summer to Alaska.  

Our luggage didn't take long to arrive and we were soon on the train to the rental car facility where we were first in line to get our car - a Mazda 3 - and we set the GPS for Calistoga.  We were surprised to only be on the Interstate for about five minutes before spending the rest of the nearly two hours on Highway 1 and 101.  The first exciting event of the trip came as we rounded a corner and suddenly, just like a post card...... 

And it does look just like the post cards.  The views from the Golden Gate bridge were spectacular - from what I could tell as I drove!  The scenery all the way north was pretty cool, especially for two Floridians used to flat land and scattered palm trees.  Lots of hills and big, steep inclines and declines coupled with twisting and winding two-lane roads eventually led us to the small town on the northern edge of Napa Valley - Calistoga - and our destination the Wine Way Inn Bed & Breakfast.  

Karrie and Randy were waiting on the front porch and we soon met Max who is the manager.  Just a quick kudo to him - not only did he call us early today to confirm our reservation and ask if we had any questions or needed anything for our trip, he also texted us.  First time that has ever happened.  And it wasn't an automated text as I replied and he sent me a reply to that.  We checked into our room upstairs which has it's own private balcony and opens onto a three-level deck.  

After meeting the other guests and having a couple of glasses of wine, the four of us headed out to dinner at Redds.  

For those of you who commented that I must be drinking kool-aid, this is a California Rose wine!  Our dinner was delicious - more than delicious actually.  The twins posed for a post-dinner photo in front of a cool fireplace.  What a great start to the trip.  Tomorrow is our first day of adventure as we have an 11:30 am appointment for a tasting and tour of Peju winery.