Monday, August 30, 2010

Destination West: Napa Valley, (my adopted) home.

California is the state where mine and Forrest's story began almost four years ago. A lot has happened since that evening spent watching 'Eurotrip' (Oh God) at my sister's apartment, where Forrest spent the entire evening talking to his feet because he was too shy to look at me.

Now we are arriving in Sacramento- where a family birthday party is being held- and Forrest's parents are giving us bear hugs, referring to us both as their children and me feeling like I've come home. As far as the 'in laws' lottery goes- I hit the jackpot.




So after a night of sleeping like we meant it, we were up and at 'em and on our way to Napa Valley where Forrest grew up; my adopted home. Forrest was in constant motion, squirming and fidgeting as he declared more times than I could count about how he could not wait to be reunited with his motorbike. YES DEAR, I know. He'd been waxing lyrical about it for the past five days. By now I knew it better than my own name. The bike was waiting at his parents house and I thought he'd cry when he saw it.


I could stay in Napa forever, but if I'm only getting three days then I'd spend them doing exactly this:

*Meeting the baby goats- Nova and Austin- who have ears like Jar Jar Binks. Wonderful!

*Catching up with friends Nate and Tammy who treated us to the best meal I've eaten since forever, and who's gorgeous kids make me think: Definitely, someday.

*Becoming reacquainted with the motorcycle and submitting to a ridiculous T-shirt tan.

*Riding to the cheese factory in Petaluma. Buying cheese. Eating cheese. Eating more cheese. Cheese.

*Dropping in on Sonoma- my favourite town for coffee, fudge, beehive cakes and...dish towels, actually.

*Spending time with Forrest's parents. Plus Moni's legendary breakfasts. Yums.


Also: Salsalito, Lappert's ice cream, Route 1, California weather, Armstrong & Getty on the radio, Chip & Olly (our old turtles) and In 'n' Out Burger. YES Please.



10 comments:

  1. What a luscious trip you two have been on! It's been so much fun reading about your adventures, seeing your photos, and of course, your wonderful paintings! nancy

    ReplyDelete
  2. Been to these great places you mention visiting my brother out there--Sterling, Sabastin and Christan Bros--favorite stops, too...and the Cherry Juice Stand..love your photos and writings..

    ReplyDelete
  3. Louise, you have set off the wanderlust in me. Your photos are lovely but your drawings and paintings are spectacular. What skill you have! I am envious of your travels and your artistic prowess. You go girl!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Lol at the story =) It's so sweet!
    I love the drawings, as always!

    ReplyDelete
  5. It's nice to have good in-laws, it makes life so much easier!
    I'd like to vist the cheese factory.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm having great fun with this! I have to ask though, did your husband get to bring his bike back home? Fabulous sketches as always!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh my goodness, you are right in my back yard. I live in Sebastopol. Great drawings!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Raena, yes I can indeed report that the bike and the boy are not to be parted any longer- much to his delight! (I'm secretly pleased too....I'm a happy passenger!).
    Thanks everybody for visiting!....it's fun to hear whose hometowns I'm passing through. Next stop, the Moab Desert.... :)
    Louise

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a happy post. Thanks for sharing. I love the drawings!

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a delight to hear of your happiness.

    ReplyDelete