THE Trip - Day 2 (aka Napa Valley)

Our goal for Day 2 was to stay along the Interstate 5 near the exit for Mt. Lassen Volcanic National Park.  We wanted to be in position to get an early start for a full day in the park to do some short hikes.  But the Interstate 5 is like many interstates…fast; but definitely lacking in interesting stopping points and scenery.  So, since we were up early and had plenty of time, how to maximize the drive?   Easy decision, given the choice of driving I5 or driving through the Napa Valley… it was Napa by a landslide.  Even with a little overcast weather, it was a great choice.  Then, the sun god blessed us with a beautiful sunny 76 degrees by the time we cleared the busy Silicon Valley.

If I say “wine country” to other Californians, most of them will immediately think about the heart of the Northern California wine growing region – Napa Valley.   After that first thought, many other excellent areas start to be added to the list.  But Napa is an amazing place with many wineries whose produce never makes it to a retail market.  So many wineries…and so little time.

Our first stop, led to wine tasting and a tough decision on what wines to buy.  Space in our small SUV was at a premium and resulted in a long discussion on number of bottles to buy and number of winery stops to make.  Compromise and trade-offs are no fun.   But adult behavior won and I didn’t leave my husband, clothes, or knitting behind.  I did vow, however, to drink all three bottles before I bought more wine!!!!! 

Lunch outside in St. Helena was delightful with another opportunity to taste the local vintage.  In walking around both Napa and St. Helena, it is clear that they still retain their ability to draw visitors and plenty of people who would love to relocate there.

After leaving Calistoga at the very north end of the Napa Valley, we missed our road to Clear Lake and were 10 miles into the mountainous cross-over to the Sonoma Valley before we realized our mistake.  The scenery was just breathtaking.   The backtracking to our route north was no problem as it gave me the opportunity to stop for a “memory picture”.