On the way to NAPA (not the car parts store the valley)

We left Green Acres for Napa bright and early. Today’s trip was a relatively short one as I had not planned initially to visit Napa and stuck this one in between sites. So today was only a little under 4 hours.

This trip was more rolling hills and golden grass similar to what we saw in the old westerns. No scary roads though still a lot of ups and downs and winding roads. The only potential interesting part of the trip was that the normal entrance my GPS wanted me to go to was closed for construction and a map they sent by email showed us going around the back of the park on Juarez street. And this was an expo center (fairground) in the middle of the city. But we found it without a glitch and with the help of a security guard who will be mentioned later we found our level pull through site onto a level cement pad and hooked up quickly.

The next day we headed out to see the wine growing areas. And took a wrong turn and gave up lol since we had a reservation for noon at the Clos Du Val winery recommended by friends. We took a right turn and found the winery with time to spare. The reservation said there could be 1-6 people but ours was just for us two in turned out. We had a nice young lady sommelier who wasnt wine snobbish and answered all our first time questions and then some. The wines we tasted were blends which I didnt know was a usual thing but for this winery was. We started with a white and then 4 reds. I didnt finish all mine as I was driving but Jo did lol. The setting was what I think Italy would look like…….just beautiful. Oh and the dip they had to eat with veggies and crackers was to die for. Cream Cheese, Feta, topped with ground pistachios, honey and 100% sure garlic was involved lol. Mmmm

We headed back to the Airstream for a nap before heading out to a restaurant recommended by friends. We dont usually go out to eat on the road but decided to take a break from cooking and enjoy a night out. I think we were out of our league or the staff was having a bad night but we felt rushed from the minute we walked in. My duck was very good and Jo’s halibut though good was just ok. I suspect the waiter was a bit miffed he didn’t get a couple that ordered multiple drinks but instead had root beers on the rocks lol. I think I am just spoiled having Jo cook.

Oh getting back to the security guard we met on arrival…..It was pretty brisk our first morning in Napa. We typically walk Mocha before leaving him for an outing and thought we would walk around the grounds. We saw a field on the expo grounds that was in the sun and headed there only to have the guard come driving order saying we needed to stay behind the fence. We were walking on gravel and there were no buildings nearby but we must have been shady looking and had the killer dog. Gave him something to do I guess but we felt like rule breakers in Napa of all places.

During the night I awoke to strange sounds coming from the AC/Heat pump over our bedroom again. The last time I thought it was from icing up and defrosting but this time it was in the mid 40’s so shouldn’t be struggling. We have another AC/ Heat-pump unit and a separate gas furnace so no biggie but just another middle of the night do I need to get that fixed moment. I shut it off and switched to the from unit and quickly went back to sleep. Not so much poor Jo who is an incredibly light sleeper and between my messing with the thermostat and my runny nose didn’t go back to sleep. 😦

The next AM we had a leisurely breakfast and camp breakdown as the next leg of this changed itinerary was only a 2 1/2 hour drive. Easy peasy.

On the road to a gold mining town. And I have my panning equipment coincidentally…..not!