Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Wine a Bit. You'll Feel Better.

The RemembeRED memoir prompt at Write on Edge this week is to write about wine, coffee, or chocolate.

One of the best vacations my husband and I have ever taken was in the wine country. Are you surprised? I didn’t think so.



We talk about it all the time like it is part of an era gone by. Vacations are a whole lot different nowadays with a child.

We had been to Sonoma before this trip. This particular trip was more off-the-beaten-path, north of Sonoma/Napa, north of Santa Rosa. We were in the Dry Creek and Russian River Valley around Healdsburg and Windsor. We stayed an entire week at a small resort and mostly did biking tours of the surrounding wineries. (It helps that I have experience with biking and drinking as I explained here.)



Although I would never call myself an athletic-type, I can kick ass physically sometimes. I just typically keep my prowess on the down low.

The hazy memories I can recollect include the fact that a majority of the pourers at the wineries were intoxicated at some level. Rarely, did we pay for a tasting, and the pours were typically generous.

The most memorable winery was Christopher Creek. We happened upon it by accident down a gravel road. The pourer was a warm, friendly man with a generous spirit. The grounds were simple, but the views amazing, so we bought a bottle and picnicked there.



Armida was interesting as well. The vineyard dog greeted us at the entrance and walked us up to the tasting room. Once inside, he passed out at our feet. The pourer inside was blasting Pearl Jam and seemed to be quite intoxicated. He sold us on a special vintage called “Poizin” – a Zinfandel.

We biked over this bridge a few times on our journeys over the Russian River.



We took two days off from biking while we were there to enjoy the resort pool. So, if we were not drinking and biking, we were drinking and swimming.





We had no child at the time. We would roll up to the pool with our cooler and plastic cups. When laying in the sun, I listened to my iPod. At the time, I listened a lot to Gorillaz, specifically Clint Eastwood:

"I ain't happy but, I'm feeling glad
I got sunshine, in a bag
I'm useless, but not for long
The future is coming on...

Finally someone let me out of my cage!
Now, time for me is nothing 'cause I'm counting no age."

I could barely hear Richard laughing at me as I sang and rapped along to the tune no one could hear but me.

I am now totally lost in reverie, hoping for warmer weather and moments of lying like broccoli with ENTIRE VINEYARDS of wine nearby. Sigh. Summer?? Vacation?? I need you now…

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed your post. The photos brought back memories of my own trip to Napa Valley. I want to go back, too. One day. Since my son lives north of there, it's a good chance I'll go again in my lifetime. It's only 3000 miles away. There's just a spectacular beauty to the vineyards. Thanks for sharing.

Sweaty said...

Those pics were gorgeous, Kristy! Mr. LA and I went to a few vineyards a long time ago, and the views were always amazing. I often wondered what it would feel like to live in one. Heaven! :)

It's so sweet that you're remembering those beautiful moments you've spent with your hubby. I think it's important to walk down that memory lane from time to time, especially after we become parents. It's a great chance to remind ourselves of the relationship that existed even before the children came along :)

Kenya G. Johnson said...

Oh I enjoyed going on vacation and having wine with you guys for a minute. Love the photos!

Gina said...

This was fantastic! I love the drinking and biking or swimming and drinking! It's great you had this time just to yourselves. Sounds like my kinda trip! Great pics, too!

Nancy C said...

Oh, Heaven.

I want to go to there. Every aspect of that trip (esp the Gorrilaz) seems perfectly divine.

Barbara @ de rebus, via Write on Edge said...

What an amazing trip! How envious and I? Maybe one of these days...

Anonymous said...

Great post! Love the pictures! This is one of our dream vacation ideas as well.

Natalie said...

That sounds like a wonderful vacation! Your photos are gorgeous!

~Julia said...

That does sound like a dream vacation. A great read on a gray drizzly day like today. The pictures were also amazing! Thanks for taking me there!

Jill @ Craft in a Northern Town said...

I'm soooo jealous. We've been wanting to take that kind of vacation for years! Hopefully soon!

HumorSmith said...

Very nice....I love that area.

Babes Mami said...

I would LOVE a vacation without child!!

Bonnie said...

I thought I was the only one who still learned to "Clint Eastwood," by the Gorillaz. Haha!

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Missy | Literal Mom said...

Sigh. I want to go on a wine country vacation so badly but I'm married to a non-wine drinker. The horror!

Looks like you guys had a blast.

Jessica said...

This makes me want to vacation at a winery. Now.

My Inner Chicl said...

--I would love to vacation at a winery & drink lots and lot of wine and make lots and lots of love.

xxx haaaa

Lady Mama said...

That is pretty much my dream vacation. It looks wonderful!

Jackie said...

That looks like the perfect vacation! I think that I need to plan something like that for this summer! In northern Michigan there are several wineries that you can tour that I haven't been to yet! Sad, isn't it?

Sandra said...

You've made me nostalgic and I haven't even been there...sigh...a vacay without children...sigh...by the way girl, I'd kill to have a waist like yours!