California, Diversion, Road Trip, Travel

An Unexpected Day – Clear Lake and Healdsburg

There’s a whole world out there waiting to be explored. When things don’t go as you planned, make the most of it and revel in the opportunity to find something you hadn’t expected to find.

California, Road Trip, Wine/Cocktails

Daou is a Definite Wow!

There’s a whole world out there waiting to be explored. Sip the wine, be awed by the view and enjoy the stories along the way.

California, Wine/Cocktails

Stay Far, Far From Far Niente

Choosing a winery to visit among the seemingly endless list in California can be a challenge. We sought out Far Niente because we enjoy their wines and we embrace the Italian belief of “dolce far niente” … the sweetness of doing nothing.

California, Food, Travel

Dining in Napa Valley – Angèle and Oenotri

One of our travel traditions is to set aside a night or two on every trip to visit a really nice restaurant wherever we are. California’s famed Napa Valley had me wondering how to choose.

California, Road Trip, Travel

Ragged Point and Elephant Seals

The drive was peppered with overlooks and pull offs where people stopped for selfies and panoramic shots of the coast.

California, Food, Travel, Wine/Cocktails

Indulge Yourself at The Canyon Villa

Just outside Paso Robles, California is a Tuscan-inspired villa sitting atop a hill, overlooking a vineyard-covered valley. As the front gates swing wide, you ease your way up the winding, tree-lined driveway toward the meticulously maintained villa. It feels like you’ve suddenly been transported to Tuscany!

California, Food, Road Trip, Travel, Wine/Cocktails

Wine Tasting – Personalized

We stepped onto the patio to a table set for two adorned with a fresh glass for each of the wines we would taste and shaded by an umbrella.

California, Road Trip, Travel

It’s In The Air

On our recent California road trip, with the top down, Greg and I realized you can smell all kinds of things you’d miss with the windows rolled up.  It reminded me of family trips when I was a kid. We had a great big station wagon with wood panels on the side. On vacations, we’d… Continue reading It’s In The Air

California, Musings, Travel

I Love L.A.

Recently, our granddaughter proclaimed she wanted us to take her to Los Angeles next year for her 10th Birthday “Trip With the Grands” (her older brother opted for some Arizona desert adventures). Whether she’ll still want to do that a year from now remains to be seen, but it was a reminder that, despite my trash talk, L.A. is in my blood.

Road Trip

What Was That?

On a last-minute trip to the San Fernando Valley over the weekend, we decided to take the “long way” home.  From Santa Clarita we headed out the 14 Freeway to Pearblossom Highway and up curvy mountain roads to Crestview. We meandered through Big Bear with a stop for lunch and down the mountain, navigating hairpin… Continue reading What Was That?