Well, we've been here for a good chunk of time and unlike other vacations where I feel restless and ready to move on, I am actually a bit sad to go. I want to come back. Actually, I just don't want to leave at all. I guess the markings of a great holiday away from home.
We playfully tossed around the idea of moving here...what kind of work would we do? Where would we live? We even went as far as to check our local real estate on Trulia.com to see what the average home prices and taxes were. In this pretend world, we would buy a small ranch, something easy to upkeep with at least three extra bedrooms to comfortably house friends and family when they came to visit. It would be centrally located - somewhere not too far from the 128 or 29 and preferably in Napa closer to Yountville. We would have lots of friends that were like us - loved the weather, good wine and wanted escape the noise of city living. We would hang out at different local eateries on the weekends, all love our jobs during the week and take holidays up to Tahoe or down to San Francisco. Island getaways meant going to Hawaii, another place I wish I could access easier throughout the year.
I know this is all wishful thinking...but dreaming gives me hope and hope gives me something to look forward to. I guess I have to ask myself - what stops making this dream a reality? Well, it really all boils down to our roots. Our roots are in NY & NJ. Our roots have been deeply planted and honestly, while my parents are still in NY I just cannot imagine going anywhere else. I would miss them too much. So for now, this remains a dream and something I can fondly hold onto until our next vacation......to Aruba in June. tee hee.
Day Four Itinerary
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Though I couldn't get a reservation at French Laundry, at least we can get a nice photo op outside. It's a consolation prize, but one that I appreciate since it saved us $225pp for dinner.
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Add caption V Marketplace for souvenirs and the place folks in the blogosphere recommend going. Right across of Bottega. I wish I didn't just bring a carry-on...otherwise I may have picked up a few spices and other yummy snacks. http://www.vmarketplace.com/index.php |
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Domain Chandon - what a beautiful winery. The grounds are lovely with a pond, ducks, a cinema room and a display from different local artists featured throughout the year. Picked up my souvenir magnet.
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| Mondavi - Initially I passed on this, but after doing a bit more reading and after meeting a number of interesting folks throughout our tours, we realized that we couldn't pass up a visit to the grandfather of wine's vineyard. It was lovely and had the best gift shop of all the wineries we visited. |
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| Stag's Leap - Four flight tasting...resulted in a six bottle purchase. |
Lunch stop at
Gott's Roadside and then off we are to an adventure in San Francisco!
