My after-vacation vacation

I had a blast at Disney World, but it wasn't really a "relaxing" vacation. Oh sure, we spent a couple hours by the pool, lounging and not doing much, but only because we planned it. 

What I did plan, though, was a short trip to Napa Valley with my friend Michelle. I actually planned it prior to the Florida trip. If I'd known I was going to Florida, I'd have scheduled Napa a little farther out, but hey, it all worked out for the best. What I really needed after Disney was to relax. And all we did in Napa was...relax. See how life just works out for you sometimes?

After arriving in Napa late in the afternoon, we borrowed a couple bikes from the hotel and pedaled downtown in search of lunch. 

It was a gorgeous afternoon, and it got even better when the waitress brought our food--chicken stuffed with cheese, asparagus and bacon, and glasses of viognier. It was all fantastic!

After lunch, we moseyed over to the candy shop, where we sampled more wines, paired with chocolate and chocolate-covered strawberries. We thought about visiting another tasting room afterward, but already had a nice, warm buzz going, and decided we should ride back to the hotel before we endangered ourselves on the busy streets.

We did make a great find on the way home--a giant chair! Which I had to get a photo in, of course.

But no worries, the fun thing about Napa is that there are great wines wherever you go. We returned to the hotel just as a wine-tasting was beginning. A local vintner was happily pouring, so we grabbed a few glasses and a seat out in the back, alongside the river. It was gorgeous out there.

It was such a great day, we didn't want it to end. We remembered the hotel concierge saying the pool was heated, so we donned our bathing suits and waded in...up to our big toes, because turns out "heated" meant all the way up to 82 degrees. Which, it turns out, is not all that warm, even after a few glasses of vino.

We woke bright and early, ready to get into the grape. A smiling taxi driver delivered us to our first winery. During our 15 minute drive, we learned that she'd grown up in Napa, was enjoying her morning, recently had surgery, surgery didn't go well, and she was feeling pretty down about it. About life in general, actually. She idled at a red light, lost in her melancholy thoughts, while Michelle and I wondered how the conversation had gone south so quickly. We actively refused to make eye contact, afraid that we'd set each other off into inappropriate giggles.

But the winery tour went much better. It was an awesome tour, with 90% of it out in the vineyard. We learned all about the farming, science and theory behind growing grapes--usually the tours spend a few minutes showing how the grapes are crushed, fermented and bottled--this tour spent almost all our time out in the vines, and we loved it.

Our next driver showed up after our tour. I'd hired a sedan to drive us around, but apparently that car was busy, so we got this one instead.

 

Michelle and I just laughed when we saw it--it was so big, opulent, and...big. Nothing discreet about this car, but what can you do? We just made friends with our driver, James, and (literally) enjoyed the ride.

We visited Goosecross Cellars, one of my favorites. I didn't realize it was lunchtime, until Michelle and I got caught attacking the pretzel sticks and honey mustard samples. James drove us for sandwiches, and we found my very own street along the way!

 

We enjoyed our lunch--where else?--in the vineyard. 

Next up was Darioush Winery. On the way over, we learned that James was a recovering alcoholic, which was a little awkward, as he was driving our happily buzzed selves to another winery. But we cheered and congratulated him on being seven years sober, and for making a difference as an alcohol and drug counselor. We were just glad he kept driving us to wineries, and not to rehab.

Darioush was a beautiful Persian winery, decorated with tall columns decorated with double half-horses on top. The winery was highly recommended by numerous people, so we were eager to try the wines. Unfortunately, that never happened. The sommelier handed us a menu, which listed a tasting fee of $40 for 5 pours. FORTY DOLLARS. EACH. 

We considered it for a moment, realized $80 was ridiculous for two tastings, and went off in search of James. He shared our outrage, then noted it in his book.

"I'm new on this route," he told us. "So I'm taking notes." We gave him lots of advice after that!

Our last stop was Luna, where were greeted right at the car door.

"How many in your party?" the man asked, as we stepped out. He looked past Michelle and I, and in to the limo. "Just you two?"

"Yep," Michelle answered. "Do we need a reservation?"

"Oh, no," he told her. "I just thought there were more of you...usually, 9 or 10 people spill outta these cars." 

We just giggled. We weren't used to riding in such big, fancy cars alone either.

The wine at Luna was amazing, and a great way to end our trek. Our new best friend Jams drove us back to the hotel, where we fought our urge to nap and instead dined on light appetizers.

"I'm sorry," Michelle said sadly, as we paid the check. "I don't think I'm going to make it past dark." 

I just laughed. I assured her it was okay, and that I probably wouldn't, either. Besides, we had to get up at 5:15 the next morning to catch our flight home, so an early bedtime actually sounded really good.

So, even though our trip was really short, it was just what we needed. There were no naggy kids around fighting for our attention. None of our meals included a kid's menu (but every meal included wine!), no one complained they were bored, and we got to watch whatever we wanted on TV as we drifted off to sleep. It was restful, relaxing, and just what we both needed.

Can't wait for the next trip!