on the road: Vineyards and Family

We woke up bright and early after showers, dumped the black and grey water tanks, filled up water and propane at the RV Park and hit a few vineyards on the way to see our western family, Jaime and Dave Malia, Eric and Olivia and the new baby, Mason. We drove through Napa but didn't stop there as Sonoma is more our style and we really wanted to visit several of the vineyards that interested us there.

We hit Cline Vineyards first, which had incredibly gorgeous grounds, a very nice wine connoisseur, many dog lovers and some incredible wines. Boo was not allowed in the tasting rooms but so many people fell in love with him that we got an invitation to join a touring group, and, even while I shopped in the gift shop, Boo was the subject of many a conversation between Jim and other people who appreciated the way we are about Boo. I won't bother you with too many pictures or wine notes (we don't want you to know how many we tasted!), our favorite was the Heritage Zin. We bought one bottle and saved it for our first California beach experience, which luckily was the next day!

We stopped for lunch at Maya and had some much missed Mexican food and, yes, had to indulge in a margarita, which, as Tamilou had told us, was one of the best yet!!

Is this legal in Sonoma?

Our last vineyard was the most northern and one that I had visited before with my UVM friends, Chateau Ste. Jean. It is so beautiful, has a wonderful gift shop and some fabulous Chardonnays-we did buy a few bottles-surprised?

Chateau Ste. Jean

Then, onward to our new home at the Petaluma Coast Guard Training Center RV Park. There were six sites-everyone else was retired military.

Can you spot Maxine?

Our pond at the RV park-there were many families of geese like this.
It must be spring!

Yep-that's Max!

Our beautiful view-reminded us of Bucks County, PA

The pond- Jaime and family are right up the hill- an easy walk....

Unless, it's so hot that Boo needs a break on the walk up to the Malia homestead. We hit a heat wave on this day-100 degrees.

The only shade around

Eric greeted us as soon as he got off the bus from school, Olivia came shortly after that and then Jaime and Dave walked down with Mason. We sat in Maxine and chatted and loved each other up for awhile until it was time for everyone to go to bed. We didn't get a single picture, as I was too excited to see everyone.

But the next day.......