vacation highlights
Amazing view from our hotel the first night and the first taste of California salad and wine.
Hiking down the mountain from our front door to get to the Muir Woods, wandering off the path without a map, food, or water, and being pointed back the right way by a nice hiker.
Dinner at Redd, which was the best meal of the trip, other than the obvious. Yellow tail tartare with crisped rice was stunning.
The French Laundry, obviously. Yes, it was Big Money. Was it worth it? Well, it was a dream of Dawn's to go there for years, we were in the area, and we saved for a long time, so yes. I probably couldn't justify it again. Every aspect, from start to finish, was perfect and then some.
Ending up at the bar at Hurleys every night because they showed the tennis when I asked, were open late, had great cocktails, and were very nice. We made subsitutions and split every meal. Even ordered off menu.
Our Bike Tour of Wineries, not because of the stunning wines, but because of the beautiful weather and lovely ride. We did get little reminders of our trip at every stop, though. :)
Chatting to the bartender and some random traveller at Ad Hoc on our last night in Yountville.
Being recommended Ehlers by a sommelier at our B&B, making the trip through St Helena on the way out of town, and tasting some of the best wine on the trip. Profits go to a heart foundation, the wines are organic, and it has been a winery continuously since 1886, i.e. through Prohibition. Winner of the most expensive souvenier award and far better wines than our impromptu tasting at Cakebread on our way out of the valley.
Catching up with Bob, Neal, and Aunt K's boys over several days in Sacto.
Renting a cute single speed bike and tottering down to Old Sac.
My niece walking down the aisle in her dress. Always a good time to shed a tear. There aren't many women on earth that could have worn that dress, either. Wish we could have managed to meet up during the week as planned.
Being sat at the lesbian table at the wedding. That was interesting...
Having good chats with Grandma Barb.
The hotel in the old Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory in SF. OMG. Service like I've never experienced and an upgraded room with a private balcony looking out to Alcatraz. We had three bathrooms, for f*cks sake! And STAIRS! Spent a couple nights just in the room, watching DVDs, drinking beers from the fridge. Just enjoyed having a livingroom -- which we've not had for two months -- and a place to rest.
Real Dim Sum; California sushi and very good sake; clam chowder in sourdough (always!) with crab cocktail and bay shrimp caesar salad at a proper grotto behind a stand at fisherman's wharf; requisite nice last meal including cioppino and warm cracked crab.
Our Tour of the Castro was good, but the tour of Alcatraz was great. Too bad I left the wife on the island and it took us an hour and a half to meet up back at the hotel!
Trying to pack all sh!t we bought and working out what Virgin Atlantic will charge us for it. Couldn't be helped. Need wine pets. Clothes are s00per cheap, particularly at Gap & CK outlets. And most of all, the damned tray made from the top of a wine barrel (purchased after all those tastings...) LOL
Finally, we don't own a car, but our SatNav was the best prep for the trip we could have made! Aside from all my excellent planning, of course. :)
Hiking down the mountain from our front door to get to the Muir Woods, wandering off the path without a map, food, or water, and being pointed back the right way by a nice hiker.
Dinner at Redd, which was the best meal of the trip, other than the obvious. Yellow tail tartare with crisped rice was stunning.
The French Laundry, obviously. Yes, it was Big Money. Was it worth it? Well, it was a dream of Dawn's to go there for years, we were in the area, and we saved for a long time, so yes. I probably couldn't justify it again. Every aspect, from start to finish, was perfect and then some.
Ending up at the bar at Hurleys every night because they showed the tennis when I asked, were open late, had great cocktails, and were very nice. We made subsitutions and split every meal. Even ordered off menu.
Our Bike Tour of Wineries, not because of the stunning wines, but because of the beautiful weather and lovely ride. We did get little reminders of our trip at every stop, though. :)
Chatting to the bartender and some random traveller at Ad Hoc on our last night in Yountville.
Being recommended Ehlers by a sommelier at our B&B, making the trip through St Helena on the way out of town, and tasting some of the best wine on the trip. Profits go to a heart foundation, the wines are organic, and it has been a winery continuously since 1886, i.e. through Prohibition. Winner of the most expensive souvenier award and far better wines than our impromptu tasting at Cakebread on our way out of the valley.
Catching up with Bob, Neal, and Aunt K's boys over several days in Sacto.
Renting a cute single speed bike and tottering down to Old Sac.
My niece walking down the aisle in her dress. Always a good time to shed a tear. There aren't many women on earth that could have worn that dress, either. Wish we could have managed to meet up during the week as planned.
Being sat at the lesbian table at the wedding. That was interesting...
Having good chats with Grandma Barb.
The hotel in the old Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory in SF. OMG. Service like I've never experienced and an upgraded room with a private balcony looking out to Alcatraz. We had three bathrooms, for f*cks sake! And STAIRS! Spent a couple nights just in the room, watching DVDs, drinking beers from the fridge. Just enjoyed having a livingroom -- which we've not had for two months -- and a place to rest.
Real Dim Sum; California sushi and very good sake; clam chowder in sourdough (always!) with crab cocktail and bay shrimp caesar salad at a proper grotto behind a stand at fisherman's wharf; requisite nice last meal including cioppino and warm cracked crab.
Our Tour of the Castro was good, but the tour of Alcatraz was great. Too bad I left the wife on the island and it took us an hour and a half to meet up back at the hotel!
Trying to pack all sh!t we bought and working out what Virgin Atlantic will charge us for it. Couldn't be helped. Need wine pets. Clothes are s00per cheap, particularly at Gap & CK outlets. And most of all, the damned tray made from the top of a wine barrel (purchased after all those tastings...) LOL
Finally, we don't own a car, but our SatNav was the best prep for the trip we could have made! Aside from all my excellent planning, of course. :)