Scenes From Napa Valley

Winery stop #1 -  Reynolds Family Winery

Nice sitting area to sip your vino.

More vineyards in Napa Valley than you can shake a stick at.

Winery stop #2 - Hagafen Winery

Typical entry way from main road into a winery.

Winery stop # 3. Can't remember the name of this one. We looked but didn't taste.

They had a nice sitting area, as well.

A beautiful valley!!!

Guess what? I found a brewery!!! Silverado Brewing Co.

Winery stop # 4. Bet you've heard of this one. Beringer Winery

Little patio for you wine and cheese.

Little History

Charlotte heading to the "Reserve" tasting room.

This one's for you, Linda. (Linda's a friend that does stain glass work)

Added ambiance.

Some more of the grounds at the Beringer Estate.

Winery stop # 5. Charlotte at the entry way to V Sattui.

Bottle of wine, cream cheese with artichokes and crackers. Fitting end to a wonderful day.

Tuesday we traveled about 190 miles northwest from Ahwahnee, CA to Vacaville, CA.  We will use this park as a home base for exploring Napa Valley and San Francisco. The campground is fittingly named the Vineyard RV Park.  We got up Wednesday morning and headed to the valley. There are vineyards everywhere and wineries to boot. The scenery is very pleasing and serene. A rolling country side filled with perfectly landscaped vineyards and the occasional orchard. Wineries set back off the road typically with a long picturesque driveway leading to them. You sometimes don't realize they are there until you see a sign indicating they are open for tastings, etc. We were overwhelmed with the number of them and found it difficult to decide where to stop. Because Napa Valley is not noted for the type of wine we have grown to like we didn't partake in too many tastings. As noted above, we did find a brewery and I got to sample their wares and enjoyed a little lunch. We ended our day sitting in a park like area outside V Sattui winery enjoying a little wine, cheese spread and crackers and soaked up the ambiance. We will probably revisit the area in a few days. Took today off and rested up with plans to take the ferry into San Francisco tomorrow. 

Views from The Valley Floor, Yosemite National Park

A site to behold as you come around the bend.

A geologic spectacle.

One of the many falls.

There is beauty everywhere you turn.

As I said, one of many.

Simply Gorgeous!

Listen.......can you hear the roar???

Would love to bottle some of this.

Can't get enough!!

Just another picture.

Bring you back to earth with a pesky "happy camper"

These dogwoods dotted the roadside as we traversed the park.

 Its at least a 30 mile drive from Glacier Point down into the valley floor. You descend about 3000 ft winding your way down at 35 mph. There are overlooks,  a tunnel and people and cars everywhere. But, oh my, what a destination. If you haven't and you get the chance, ya gotta. We walked around the park village and took in the museum before enjoying some lunch from the park deli. There are all kinds of things to do here. Camp, hike, horseback ride, bike, fish, swim and more. And, so far, I can't think of a more beautiful place to to do it in. The drive back out is thrilling as well. Charlotte drove back out and I was in the passenger seat looking out and down thousands of feet with no guardrail between us and the edge. Charlotte says " are you nervous??"

Views from Glacier Point Yosemite National Park

Talk about a beautiful morning drive.

Remnants of that weather we experienced yesterday.

Breathtaking!!!

Stair-step falls cascading to the valley floor.

Majestic

Looked like a good place for a  bear and her cubs to be frolicking but not today.

One of those pesky "happy campers".

Sorry, but it looks beautiful from every angle.

Just a pretty picture, I think.....

Looking down on Yosemite Valley

Another slightly different angle.

Yet another falls cascading into the valley.

Another one of those pesky "happy campers"

Sorry again, it just kept capturing my eye.

Closer view of the stair-step falls.

We got up early Sunday morning, grabbed breakfast at McD's and headed up the mountain in hopes of beating the crowds to Yosemite. We were successful as there was no wait at the gate. As you can see from the photo's it turned out to be a wonderful morning! It was about 53 miles from our camp to Glacier Point. You wind your way up the mountain to 7200 ft through some beautiful forest. When you do get there you realize the journey was definitely worth it.

A Day not Totally Wasted

The Southern Entrance

This Panhandler waddled up the road as we waited in line to get into the park. He knew what he was do'in.

I look like the bird that ate the canary in this pic. 2nd wine tasting of the day.

We arrived at the Sierra Meadows RV Park in Ahwahnee,CA Friday afternoon. Its a nice little park about 2.5 miles out of Oakhurst, CA. Oakhurst is a neat little town nestled in a valley just before you begin your assent up into the mountains toward the southern entrance of Yosemite National Park. Saturday morning we set out to explore Yosemite. It was overcast in the valley and as we ascended the cloud cover grew and we got rain and a smattering of snow. As we approached the entrance to the park the traffic was backed up about 3/4 of a mile and it took us about 30 minutes more or less to get to the gate. We drove on in to the first visitors area and there were people everywhere. I grabbed a couple of coffee's and some cookies at the park store while Charlotte waited about 20 minutes in line to go the the bathroom. It was damp, cold and crowded. As we sipped our coffee and indulged in a cookie or two we decided this wasn't for us. So we headed on back out of the park with hopes of a better day in Yosemite on Sunday. The rest of our day was spent wine tasting in Mariposa, CA and grocery shopping in Oakhurst. All was not lost.

Sequoia National Park and King's Canyon

Interesting stand of trees in front of this residence.

Pretty lake and accessories on way to the forest.

There's snow in them there hills.

Entrance to the park.

Canyon view.

Single file caravan to the top via some park road construction.

And we weren't disappointed.

Wonderful drive.

And Giants they are!!

Photo's don't do this drive justice.

If you had a tree house in this big boy you'd need an elevator to get to it.

Enough firewood for years.

I've seen pictures now you've seen pictures but ya just gotta be there.

Growing up from the forest floor near the General Sherman Tree

Those pesky "Happy Campers"

I want to grow up just like you, Dad...

View into Kings Canyon

The mountain on the right hosts the largest Sequoia grove in the world. I think about 1200 of those giants.

If I keep eating and drinking like this I'm going to be as big around as one of those trees.

We had a great day on Wednesday exploring Sequoia National Park and peering into Kings Canyon National Park. Again, the scenery was spectacular. We got to the entrance of the Sequoia around eleven thirty in the morning. Road construction had narrowed the path to the top to one lane and they were only letting vehicles through at the top of every hour.  We headed on up and manage to get there in time for a little lunch while we waited our turn to get through. It was like driving on a dirt path carved from the side of the mountain with those concrete barriers keeping you from veering over the cliff. Little added excitement. We meandered through the park's winding roads for about 4 hours, enjoying the scenery around every bend, before we came out the northern entrance and head back to our home base. Since it was about supper time we elected to stop in Visalia  for some grub at Brewbaker's Brewing Co. Probably one of the best pizza's I've ever eaten. Had never had artichoke hearts on pizza before but won't be my last. Oh, and in case you're curious about those trees: General Sherman: 275 ft. tall, 36.5 ft wide at the base, weighs 1385 tons and is 2200 years old.