NAPA & SONOMA

Ron with Marcia at her Napa home

Old Mill & River Walk; Napa River Inn far left

We were fortunate that Marcia, yet another friend we met on the World Cruise, was at her house in Napa the day we arrived.  Combine a brilliant sun,  roses blooming and the beauty of her 25 acres and you have the picture of  tranquility.   We enjoyed lunch at the Oxbow before Marcia headed back to her home in Sausalito and we drove over to the Napa River Inn in the Old Mill District.  This was a deal from luxurylink.com (described in an earlier blog).  It included 2 nights at the Inn with a bottle of wine, breakfast and complimentary wine tasting cards.  We had a lovely room overlooking the Napa River.  

 Mission Sonoma

We spent several days in Sonoma County with the charming town of Sonoma at its heart. Sonoma is the northernmost point of the Mission Trail 1523 - 1823.  The trail went as far south as Guatemala and covered what is now 11 states.

Fayemarie, Ron, Geri & Jules

After a few relaxing days in Sebastopol, a little sun and getting caught up on laundry and correspondence, we headed back to Napa to visit Fayemarie and Jules.  They were on the World Cruise with us from San Francisco   to Beijing. 

Wine tasting at Stag's Leap

Their home is high on a hill with an expansive view of Napa Valley.  We had a wonderful time dining and wining with Jules, Fayemarie and her sons, Ian and Devin.  The highlight was a private wine tasting at Stag’s Leap.  The winery is one of California's oldest and has 90 acres of vineyards.  One could become intoxicated on the setting itself.  The wine is good too!

Gardens at Stag's Leap

Vineyards at Stag's Leap 

TRAVEL TIP: Groupon and Livingsocial have also come in very handy in our travels.  I simply put in the area we are going to visit and deals with considerable savings on lodging, meals, massages, salons etc. are emailed to me.