Happy Birthday Day to Me!

We started the day with a non-alcoholic event at the local Petrified Forest where they brag about having the largest petrified trees anywhere. I believe them.  It’s a bit unfair because nowhere else has live trees this size. As the result of a volcano 3.4 million years ago a bunch of Redwoods were knocked over and eventually their molecules were replaced by silica and other sand and ash elements creating the most amazing ‘stone’ trees. Huge!

do you see how little Jim looks?

The non-alcoholic part was short lived as our next stop was Chateau St. Jean in Sonoma. We had never heard of this winery until our stop in Wilsonville Oregon a couple of days ago where our host said it was a worthwhile visit. It was. And it is the English Jean, not the French, so very appropriate for my birthday. Have I said that we are watching our budget on this trip? I only mention that because we bought a $75.00 bottle of wine at this stop. I know, ridiculous, but I’d had a few tastings by then and the barista had been in the US Foreign Service so we got into a lively travel discussion.

it was 78F again today

We went back over the hills to Napa after a picnic lunch; the roads between the valleys are CRAZY narrow, twisty and windy, with Beringer as our goal. I’d been thinking we really should go to Robert Mondavi since he was the real visionary behind the whole California wine scene, and lo and behold, there it was, so we nipped in for a look-see. Of course it is gorgeous with an old world established feel that is so much more authentic than the Castello di Amorosa of yesterday. We did eventually get to Beringer, Jim was driving again by then, and they were doing Super Bowl specials so there went the budget again!

the art at Mondavi was amazing

and the trees are in bloom in this early spring weather

I’ve had my nap now and we are watching the SB before going to dinner at Jolé which I hope will live up to its billing. And even if it doesn’t, I’ve had a FAAABULOUS birthday. Thank you all for the messages and good wishes.

We are leaving this area tomorrow and my liver is very happy about that, with an unknown destination for tomorrow night on our way to a week in the ultimate of crazy, Las Vegas.