Apr 27, 2010

NAPA ONE

Well, we are back from Napa and we had a wonderful time. Napa Valley is a beautiful place. I must say I wasn't expecting it to be so pretty. This was the first time in our vacation history that I haven't been ready to get back home. It was a was so much fun. We ate and drank our way through Napa  (and I am paying for it now).

The older girls took turns coming home from school and stayed with #3 and the dogs. They did a good job. This is the first time we have ever left them home alone. I don't tend to do things like this too easily.
I think they were very ready for us to be home. I think the dogs gave them a run for their money!

I am having a hard time deciding which of the 350+ pictures to post so I thought I'd break it down into several days.

We left Raleigh at 6:30 am and we landed in Sacramento a little after lunchtime. We had an hours drive to Napa and we drove straight Silver Oak Winery. The man of the house made a reservation for us  there. That was one of his "must see" places. We did a private wine tasting and food pairing.  We learned so much.  I am not a big drinker and we definitely are not big party people.  I would rather have a glass of wine over an all out party any day.



The main lobby was very impressive.







On our tour we walked through the barrel room, I wish you could smell all of the oak barrels.



We stayed at the Vintage Inn in Yountville. 





All of the rooms are in little cottages, down little landscaped paths. 
It was so nice and peaceful.






That night we went to eat at Redd. Of all of the restaurants we went to it was my least favorite.
The food was good, but overall it was a little too stuffy  and quiet for me.
Since we were still on east coast time, we could not wait to get back to our room and go to sleep.

We had to get up early for our hot air balloon trip the next morning. 

Another 5:30 am start to the day!

Two early mornings in a row does not equal good eyes!!!


















The view.....



...another balloon...






Getting ready to land by opening up the top and letting the hot air out.



So glad this is not my job! 
They were wringing the air out of the balloon and it was a very intense job.





We went of a group tour after breakfast and saw four different wineries.
Those pictures are coming tomorrow!

10 comments:

Darla DiStefano said...

beautiful photos! Looks like y'all had a great time!

Linda said...

So glad that you had such a wonderful time and that you're home safely now. I can't wait to read all about your fantastic trip! I was thinking about you this weekend since you were in CA with me!

The hot air balloon ride must have been amazing! Your pictures are gorgeous!

Formerly known as Frau said...

Wow! Love all the pictures looks like you both had a fab time. I have this on my list for our 25th anniversary! I can't wait to see more of your pictures.

Joyce said...

I"m so glad you had a wonderful time...I'm going to take notes as its on my list of places to go. Hubs has been (with work of course) but I haven't.

Can't wait to see more pictures. Welcome home!

MCW said...

It's so nice that you two got to get away together...
I am sure 1,2 and 3 had a great time together!

Love Being A Nonny said...

The Vintage Inn looks like my kind of place! Oh, I would love to spend a week there!

I cannot believe you went up in a hot air balloon! I am too chicken. What beautiful pictures though!!

By the way, you look just like your middle daughter in these pictures...and that is a compliment!

Carrie B said...

That looks like great fun! I'm thinkin' we really need to do this too. And so much easier for us since we are so close. Nevermind the daughter is at school less than a short drive away! That's probably why we don't think of it. Ha
Looking forward to the rest of the pictures and resturant names!

odomfamilyfun said...

Love reading about your trip and looking at the pictures. My father-in-law has a hot-air balloon and no, it's not fun to get the air out. When we help crew for him it's awful :) Fun to go up though....most of the time! Looks like a fun trip.

Tales From My Empty Nest said...

What a wonderful trip you had. You are a brave gal to ride in a hot air balloon. I don't know if I would be brave enough to do that or not. The scenery there is so beautiful. Will be anxious to see more of your pictures. Love & blessings from NC!

Marilyn *Pink Martinis and Pearls* said...

I love the Napa Valley. We went on the balloon ride for our 10 year anniversary which was 16 years ago - oh my - but I would love to go again. Could you believe how quiet it was up there except the 'shhhhh' of the fire? So glad you had a good trip. :) xoxo