August 6-13.2023

Sonoma County

Sunday August 6th was moving day, we packed up from Willamette and headed south towards California. It was sure nice to drive over the bridge at Lake Shasta and see the water level be at the almost full mark. Houseboats were on the water in full force towing ski boats on this iconic lake. One night stop in Weed, CA at a small campground then hit the road early Monday for Sonoma County. We arrived at our Harvest Host Mayo Winery, only one space here so we back into our spot and visited the winery. This is a small family winery that produces some good wines with friendly staff and owners. Drove over to Walt Winery in downtown Sonoma to check our this division of Hall Winery. We are members here so fun to go meet the staff and taste some of our favorites from Hall and Walt. Tuesday morning we drove to a new RV spot near Healdsburg, River Bend RV Park was a small very nice place right on the Russian River. Spent the day in downtown Healdsburg checking it out. First wine stop was at Arista Winery for their Signature Tasting menu. Met with Kim, the wine club manager and had a perfect setting on the patio to taste these delicious grapes. Louie and Isabella double hosted us, explained the Arista family story and poured a few wines to go with the cheese and nuts that are always a warm welcome when tasting wines. Twomey Winery was right down the road so we had to stop in and say hello. Keith was getting ready to shut down for the day but wanted us to stay a for wines before he did. Very nice family man that was a pleasure to spend some time with and share some Silver Oak wines. Dinner at Willi’s Seafood and Raw Bar, sat at the bar and had a great dinner with fresh oysters, fish tacos and a nice bottle of Jordan Chardonnay. Wednesday morning was time for a walk along the river and check out the rest of the campground. Packed up and started the short drive over to Napa Valley.

Napa Vally

Arrived at the Skyline Wilderness Park just south of downtown Napa, set up and met with Julie at the front gate to give her some of Pat’s famous carmels. She remembered them from out last stay there and was very excited to see that we brought her and the staff some more to enjoy. Off to Hall Winery in Saint Helena where Celeste hosted Glenna and I for another great wine tasting experience in the members lounge. Hard to beat their varieties of grapes from the Pinot’s to the big bold Cabernets that never disappoints the expectations. Dinner at one of our local favorites, Taylor’s Refresher also know as Gott’s. We tried the heirloom tomato, buratta cheese, basil with a balsamic glaze drizzeled throughout on a toasted chibatta bread. Added some Ahi Fish tacos to split and sat on the patio and reminisced about all the great times we have had in Napa with family and friends over the years. Thursday morning was a golf day, we played at Chardonnay Golf Club in Napa. Met up with a third who was a very good golfer and played the round that worked it’s way all through the vinyards with big elevations tee to green. After a good round of golf on a beautiful summer day, it was time to visit a couple wineries. First stop was Pina Cellers where we stopped to buy some Chardonnay, one of our favorites then drove up the Silverado Trail to Rombaurer. We love to just get a glass of wine sit on the balcony and enjoy the view overlooking the valley below. Friday morning Pat got up and went to the Model Bakery to buy some of their famous English Muffins for the family back home. Lunch with our friends at Oakville Cross Winery, Jack and Ruthie. They prepared a wonderful lunch at their house with salmon, salad, bread, deserts and of course a bottle of their 2014 Oakville Cross Cabernet. Had a great visit catching up with some of our favorite Napa Valley friends. Stopped by to see Pat Vinatieri at a bottleing company where he was bottleing his 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon. Went over to his house where he opened up his wines and we spent the evening visiting with him and his grandson, Jack.

Paso Robles

Saturday morning we took off as the sun came up over the hills in Napa, really enjoyed the early morning drive down the 101 towards Paso. Checked into the Wine Country RV Resort, changed to a nicer spot near the spa with a way easier in and out space. Only one stop in Paso Robles at Thatcher Winery and Vineyard, tasted some good wines sitting outside near the vines watching a momma and baby deer checking out the grapes along with some wild turkeys nipping at the deers hoofs. Back to the RV Resort, dinner at the Mexican food truck they brought in for the weekend and called it a night. Sunday morning started early for a day of driving trying to beat the traffic through Los Angles and back home. Good safe drive and back at the Ranch in Aguanga.

Great to see a lot of family, friends, golf courses, National Parks, wildlife, lakes, boats, marina’s, wineries and much much more. Here are a few fun facts from our trip this year:

2 Countries: USA and Canada

8 States: California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Washington, Oregon

2 Provinces: Alberta and British Columbia

3, 884 miles

Way to many potholes to count

17 RV Resorts

49 days

PRICELESS MEMORIES!!!!!!

Travel Safe my Friends!!!!

Camping in the vines

Glenna, Kim and Pat

Glenna and Keith at Twomey (Silver Oak)

See the sign? Eat oysters live longer

RV spot at River Bend

Glenna at the beach on the Russian River

Hall Winery Iconic Rabbit out front

Chardonnay Golf Club in Napa

Vines on the course

Wine at Rombaurer

Here is the view from the Rombaurer balcony

Great sandwich at Gott’s

Jack and Pat with the new 2021 bottle

Best English Muffins ever!!!!

Pat’s vineyard in Yountville

Great looking grapes that are in the verasion stage

Enjoying the wines at Thatcher

In a few years, this will age and be another awesome wine and yes I will share it with my family and friends!!!!!