Our 50th Anniversary Trip

We arrived in San Francisco on 

Saturday, October 18. 

Got in the car and drove to Walnut Creek. We had lunch with Britta and Alex, at the club. They have a lovely little house in a beautiful neighborhood. We enjoyed it very much.

It took us an hour and a half to drive to our resort in the little town of Windsor, in the Sonoma Valley. We were so tired from traveling all day, we decided we did not need dinner. So we went straight to bed.  We actually slept all night.

Sunday

After we got up we drove to the little town of Windsor and had a lovely breakfast. On our return, we went straight to the clubhouse and scheduled a body 

massage. I scheduled an organic herbal salt scrub body massage.  We were both very happy with our masseuses. 

After a rest we decided to drive to Healdsburg. It is a lovely little town and we decided to eat at a place called Mateo's.  I had lamb enchiladas and Bill had pork tacos. And of course, let's not forget margaritas. It was very good but kind of expensive for a Mexican restaurant. I wouldn't mind going back there again someday.

Monday 

We decided it was time for a mud bath. We made several phone calls before we just decided to drive to Calistago and just walk in for an appointment. We were pleasantly surprised that they had room for both of us. We had about 45 minutes before our appointment, so we decided we had enough time for our espresso. It's a coffee shop called Yo la Reye.  They had organic coffee and gluten-free cookies. What more could we ask for?

Still time for shopping. Bill wanted a light quilted vest like mine. And he found one, it's green. He really likes it, looks good on him. 

We were almost late for our appointment.We had what they call "the works": mud bath, Jacuzzi, sauna, wrapped up in a 

blanket, facial, and an hour massage. 

Fantastic! 

After our massage we strolled down the street and found a organic burger bar. We both had hamburgers, no bun, no cheese. It was very nice.

We came back to the apartment watched two movies and went to bed. I might add the two movies we saw we have seen before. 

Tuesday 

We decided to drive to the Pacific Ocean. Before we got in the car to make our day trip, I fixed us breakfast: farm fresh eggs, fresh mushrooms from the local farmer, and organic spring onions, cooked with California organic olive oil. It was quite tasty. All the ingredients were purchased at the farmers market in Windsor.  

Now with our Tummy's happy we can set off for the day. First stop, Windsor for some cash. Second stop, Armstrong Redwood Forest. That is an amazing place! We drove 

to the very top, it is called Bullfrogs Pond. It saddens me to report there is no water in the Bullfrogs Pond.  

We continued our drive over to the Pacific ocean. We turned north on Route one toward Jenner, we are looking for a coffee place. (The little town of Jenner is at the mouth of the Russian river.) That didn't work so we turned around and started south on Route 1. We stopped at the end of Bodega Bay at Fishermen's Cove for a lovely fish lunch.  On our way back to the apartment in Windsor we came through a little town called Sebastopol and there we found 

another little coffee shop. After our afternoon espresso, we found a lovely organic grocery store.  

Wednesday 

Breakfast. Pedicures and manicure in Windsor. Then to Healdsburg to the Toad Hollow Winery Shop for some wine tasting. Robin William's brother owns it. We joined their club and sent a case back to Florida to be delivered to Dan's house because he stays home more than we do. Dan said he would save the empty bottles 

for us. It was time to leave the wine shop and go back to our room. Back in our place we soon decided we were hungry. A coupon for Tomi Thai's took us back to Windsor, which must take us at least 10 minutes to get to town. A small neighborhood restaurant with close tables, good food but could not use coupon 

because we were not hungry enough. We gave our coupon to the people beside us. They had a bottle of wine already on their table and they were having appetizers and soups and entrées they were going to be there for a while so they got our 10% off coupon. Back to our place and a glass of wine. Sweet dreams!

Thursday

It was time to go to some vineyards. After our slow morning we set out to Napa Valley. A large circle was on the plan, thus meant we would have to use some roads that we had already been on. We really don't like to retrace unless we find something we have to visit again. Another mud bath would be good if it 

were free. Alas, it is not. . So, we did smile as we drove through the lovely little town of Calistoga. Ah fresh memories of mud, food, espresso, and let us 

not forget the nice people who took care of all our needs. Now we are off to the Sterling Vineyard. This was came recommended by cousin David. Sorry  David. They wanted too much money to ride to the top of their hill and they would not sell us any wine with a tasting below. We already spent our money on 'mud'! Back in 

the car and down the road we went without any events.  

Of course we still had to stop in the town of Napa. There was construction on the main streets in town because of the earthquake they had about six weeks ago. We decided to go to the visitor center. The lady there just loved living in Napa 

and suggested that we look around their little town. So we went to a restaurant right on the river, it was very nice. 

Then we went out to the area she told us to look at for housing and see what the place was like it look like a very nice little town.

We also drove around Santa Rosa in town and out around the outskirts. Just a scenario running through our minds. We weren't impressed with Santa Rosa. So after a coffee at Pete's Café we continued up the road. It's too early for wine; we still have a ways to go to get home. According to plan it was time to jump on 

the highway route 101 and head back to Windsor. The place we called home this week. 

Friday. 

We finally took this ride on Friday our special day on our way to San Francisco. 

Fly in a WWII plane. Sonoma Valley. It was really nice. We actually flew to SF to see the city and the Golden Gate Bridge that was trying to hide behind the clouds. That was the only time I was a bit nervous. It truly was a smooth ride. 

We called Chris several times trying to set a time but the weather just was not cooperating with us. Chris kept saying it was not a good day for a ride. He was a very nice man and didn't want to go up if we couldn't see the beautiful vineyards.