We're back!
We just got back from our WONDERFUL anniversary trip! I have to say, I never imagined Washington wine country to be half as beautiful as it was. My goodness! I was one shutter-happy fool over there. ;) Too bad my digi is waning and some of the pictures came out a bit noisy, but I'm still happy.
Ready? Saturday morning we left Seattle at about 6am. We shot this picture in the car. Notice it's dark outside the windows!
As we crossed the Snoqualmie pass the sun began to rise, and it was beautiful.
Here's my husband, focused on the road.
I, on the other hand, had less to do for the 3 hour drive.
I have a thing about taking pictures of my feet.
Em, I took this one for you! I thought of you a lot as we passed Ellensburg, because I knew you were graduating that day!
We pulled over at a overlook point. The view was so pretty.
You'll notice we have a lot of self-shots during this trip. I guess that's what happens when it's just the two of you!
Finally we arrived in Prosser, WA where our wine tour was picking us up. I ran into the hotel there and changed quickly. Then we had a few minutes to enjoy the scenery.
We were wandering around when we noticed a small tornado.
Here we are, all ready for the coach to pick us up!
Finally the tour coach arrived and we headed off to the first winery, which was the Kestrel Winery.
We got the first of many winery tours, which all included basically the same information. Informative the first time, but repetitive from there on. My favorite part of each of the tours was always the barrel rooms. I loved the smell of the French oak.
The thing that sucks is when you hand your camera over to someone to have them take your picture, and you get it back and see it's pure blur. Oh well.
Here's Ben, smelling a delicious Merlot.
We bought a minimum of two bottles at each stop, and now our wine rack is full!
Here we are outside the Kestrel Winery.
I was in awe of the skies during our trip. We just don't see clouds like this in Seattle.
Another winery we visited that day was the Alexandria Nicole Winery, which was my second favorite of the trip. The folks there were so friendly and it wasn't busy at all. The owner brought us a large plate of hot foccacia to much on while we tasted. I could have stayed all day.
A few more scenery shots, because I was so enamored the with the landscape.
I don't know what it is about wineries, but they definitely bring out the romance!
At the Waddel Family Winery we had lunch with the tour group. It allowed lots of time for wine drinking and photo taking.
Here's our group having lunch.
Yum! I was never a red wine drinker, but we purchased many bottles of truly drinkable red wines.
In honor of our anniversary, we got a shot of our rinks with one of the barrels.
We stopped at one estate winery (where the grow the grapes on-site) and there were so many picture opps. They had a cherry orchard on the same acreage.
This is the last winery we stopped at on Saturday. I wish I remembered the name... they had lovely white wines, which was rare!
We stayed that night in Sunnyside. After dinner we took a walk around the Sunnyside Central Park where kids were playing in the spriklers. It was hot!
Sunnyside was such a dated town. I just had to laugh when I saw this building.
Our hotel was a rat hole. Yuck. I told Ben when we got there, "Okay, I may or may not cry." Because of that, I love this picture that Ben took of me as we were leaving the morning of our anniversary.
We only stopped at two wineries on the 11th, we were sort of wined-out.
I'm so glad we stopped at the Sagelands Vineyard. It was hands down my favorite winery of our whole trip. Not only were the grounds jaw-dropping, their wines were the best I tasted. I was so happy!
Here are our two cases of wine sitting in the car.
We spent some of our afternoon at the Yakima famer's market.
The Yakima Capitol Theatre was so neat.
Some of Yakima was a little backwards, of course...
This pic was taken at the Yakima Cellars, which was unfortunately closed on Sunday.
Our hotel in Yakima was SO much better than the Sunnyside motel.
We had a small deck overlooking the Yakima river.
Another shot of the river.
My Mom and Dave had this gorgeous bouquet of peonies delivered to our room. They were on the table when we arrived!
I just had to lay out the wine we had bought to get a picture.
This picture makes me laugh. As you all probably know, World Cup started last week. Ben was intent on catching at least a few games.
Finally this morning it was time to head home! Although we had a lovely trip, I was looking forward to sleeping in my own bed. :)
Ready? Saturday morning we left Seattle at about 6am. We shot this picture in the car. Notice it's dark outside the windows!
As we crossed the Snoqualmie pass the sun began to rise, and it was beautiful.
Here's my husband, focused on the road.
I, on the other hand, had less to do for the 3 hour drive.
I have a thing about taking pictures of my feet.
Em, I took this one for you! I thought of you a lot as we passed Ellensburg, because I knew you were graduating that day!
We pulled over at a overlook point. The view was so pretty.
You'll notice we have a lot of self-shots during this trip. I guess that's what happens when it's just the two of you!
Finally we arrived in Prosser, WA where our wine tour was picking us up. I ran into the hotel there and changed quickly. Then we had a few minutes to enjoy the scenery.
We were wandering around when we noticed a small tornado.
Here we are, all ready for the coach to pick us up!
Finally the tour coach arrived and we headed off to the first winery, which was the Kestrel Winery.
We got the first of many winery tours, which all included basically the same information. Informative the first time, but repetitive from there on. My favorite part of each of the tours was always the barrel rooms. I loved the smell of the French oak.
The thing that sucks is when you hand your camera over to someone to have them take your picture, and you get it back and see it's pure blur. Oh well.
Here's Ben, smelling a delicious Merlot.
We bought a minimum of two bottles at each stop, and now our wine rack is full!
Here we are outside the Kestrel Winery.
I was in awe of the skies during our trip. We just don't see clouds like this in Seattle.
Another winery we visited that day was the Alexandria Nicole Winery, which was my second favorite of the trip. The folks there were so friendly and it wasn't busy at all. The owner brought us a large plate of hot foccacia to much on while we tasted. I could have stayed all day.
A few more scenery shots, because I was so enamored the with the landscape.
I don't know what it is about wineries, but they definitely bring out the romance!
At the Waddel Family Winery we had lunch with the tour group. It allowed lots of time for wine drinking and photo taking.
Here's our group having lunch.
Yum! I was never a red wine drinker, but we purchased many bottles of truly drinkable red wines.
In honor of our anniversary, we got a shot of our rinks with one of the barrels.
We stopped at one estate winery (where the grow the grapes on-site) and there were so many picture opps. They had a cherry orchard on the same acreage.
This is the last winery we stopped at on Saturday. I wish I remembered the name... they had lovely white wines, which was rare!
We stayed that night in Sunnyside. After dinner we took a walk around the Sunnyside Central Park where kids were playing in the spriklers. It was hot!
Sunnyside was such a dated town. I just had to laugh when I saw this building.
Our hotel was a rat hole. Yuck. I told Ben when we got there, "Okay, I may or may not cry." Because of that, I love this picture that Ben took of me as we were leaving the morning of our anniversary.
We only stopped at two wineries on the 11th, we were sort of wined-out.
I'm so glad we stopped at the Sagelands Vineyard. It was hands down my favorite winery of our whole trip. Not only were the grounds jaw-dropping, their wines were the best I tasted. I was so happy!
Here are our two cases of wine sitting in the car.
We spent some of our afternoon at the Yakima famer's market.
The Yakima Capitol Theatre was so neat.
Some of Yakima was a little backwards, of course...
This pic was taken at the Yakima Cellars, which was unfortunately closed on Sunday.
Our hotel in Yakima was SO much better than the Sunnyside motel.
We had a small deck overlooking the Yakima river.
Another shot of the river.
My Mom and Dave had this gorgeous bouquet of peonies delivered to our room. They were on the table when we arrived!
I just had to lay out the wine we had bought to get a picture.
This picture makes me laugh. As you all probably know, World Cup started last week. Ben was intent on catching at least a few games.
Finally this morning it was time to head home! Although we had a lovely trip, I was looking forward to sleeping in my own bed. :)