TravelsandEscapes

Last Sunday was the perfect day to watch the #1 Women’s College Soccer Team in action. Stanford hosted Arizona. It’s easy to see why Stanford is #1. These women play as a team, all have super foot and control skills, they play smart and they can run.

It didn’t hurt that the temps were in the high 70’s to low 80’s, sunny with no wind. Plus Stanford is a beautiful university. The finals start this weekend and Stanford is ranked #1 for those as well. If you are around, head to Palo Alto to see a great game this Sunday. Game time is 1:00.

Auberge du Soleil in Napa Valley, with its terraced accommodations sits nestled in along and down the hill side. You sort of see the cottages, maison rooms and main guest house as you wind up the driveway.

If you are in the area and don’t have an extra $500 to $4500 to spend on a night, stop by the terraced bar for a drink. Go prior to sunset for views worthy of photographs and paintings. Watch as the sun changes the hills from greens to grays to pinks.

When visiting many different wineries in the Napa Valley area, take time to check out the art. These toadstools are really sculptures at Domaine Chandon. But they look so real.

Many wineries have fountains, waterfalls, and water features. This huge fountain was soothing to look at as it was to listen to at Groth.

Cliff Lede Vineyards showcases this sculpture by pop artist Jim Dine.

All these are free and worth looking into the next time you visit. More later…

Traveling this past week to Houston, Texas I was reminded that not everyone is as savvy about airport security as I think. I often take for granted that all travelers know about Zip-loc bags, 3 ounce containers and what exactly to do with them. Not so my dear fellow travelers. On more than one occasion did the security line grind to a halt while patient and not-so patient TSA folks tried to explain the process. The concept of clear bags, little bottles stuffed in all corners of some one’s purse and “yes we really do mean all containers of liquids” was explained to a passenger.

One TSA agent was astute enough to take the confused person off to the side and let the rest of the shoe-less line get through security.

So, I have decided to take extra bags with me in my purse and hand them to anyone in line that doesn’t have one. Mind you, I’m not going to explain the rules…but at least they will get a bag.

Or they could just read this blog and find out what to do with their bottles of hand lotion and hair conditioner.

I have been in airports that have extra bags for passengers. Houston does not. Don’t really know how they expect a passenger to find a bag once they are already in the security line, but perhaps that is not their problem.

Did you know that Napa Valley has over 400 vineyards? And did you know that those more than 400 vineyards produce about 4% of the state’s wine? The focus here is quality not quantity.

In the town of Napa there are 18 tasting rooms within walking distance of one another. A $20 Taste Napa Downtown card gets your a pour at 13 of them. Officially the winery tasting rooms are supposed to charge you 10 cents for a taste, but most do not. Check out www.napadowntown.com for more info.

What does a cat do when he’s done reading “Success Magazine”? Take a nap in his favorite basket, of course.

I’m off to Houston for the Women Business Owner’s Conference. Myron, Mable and Rick will have to fend for themselves.

More blog entries when I return. Unless, of course, Myron gets ideas from his magazines.

Sometimes a destination is close to home. Our mountains (hills) to the west separate us from Napa Valley. This marine layer is good for the grapes.

Yesterday the marine layer was lingering throughout the hills.

Cotton candy looking clouds formed a bank that hung suspended from the sky. You could see forever under and over the layer of clouds.

Above the clouds…aka marine layer.

Traveling this fall? Want to compare airlines on their baggage fees, carry on sizes allowed or what they charge for overweight bags?

This site is a favorite of mine…www.smartertravel.com. I can compare a whole bunch of airlines and their particulars in one handy ultimate guide.

Check it out.

We were at a BBQ in the vineyard at Chase Family Winery last weekend. Colors were awesome…food was good…wine was wonderful.

These leaves showcased the true colors of fall.

These Zinfandel vines have grapes ready for picking.

If you are in the Paso Robles area of California, check out this winery. Calcareous is named for the limestone type of soil found here. Grapes do well in this poor looking dirt.

Lloyd was from NW Iowa. His wine making career started in the Paso area and his daughter is now carrying on for her dad.

Inside the tasting room, everything is done first class. From orchids to wines…

And of course every winery needs animals. Calcareous has three dogs. This one doesn’t believe in wasting any good sunshine.

Twisted Sister…well you just have to taste it. You won’t be disappointed.

Not only is the winery, tasting room and plaque a fitting memorial to “Moose”…but the wines are first class as well. Definitely worth a trip. And most definitely worth looking for the Calcareous wines.