Return to the wine country ......

[Stumpy]

Well arrived yesterday late afternoon after an odd day of airline travel. Flight to US was overbooked and created a long delay for take off getting it sorted and then 2 hrs before landing at SFO an older lady had a mild stroke causing some panic on the plan. I helped with the stewardess gals being I used to be a volunteer firemen and rescue. She seemed OK but had seriously low BP and wasn't able to move her extremities well and one pupil wasn't responding well. I stand up guy up in Business class gave up his seat so we could lay her down to be in comfort and reduce the commotion in the plane. I flew Premium economy so my seat would not have helped that much. Anyway Landed at SFO and SF emergency responders got on the plane and got her off quickly and off to the hospital. By the time I got off the plane and got my luggage I had missed my bus so I had to wait 2 hours for the next one. No problem. I was standing in 18c weather in beautiful SF.

Well This trip is a mix of pleasure and business. I am passing off my youngest daughter at her wedding this weekend. My Job is done. Both daughters are off on life now.



After getting off the bus in the wine country on the way to my parents place I stopped off at our little liquor store and picked me up a bottle of WP. Nice Small Batch Rye.

Good to be back to see family and friends.

[DrWilly]

How long are you there for? I’ve just been doing 9 days in Indonesia and the time just melts away!

[david44]

Have a great trip, I have only happy memories of my time in CA and a Rye to die for , you are living the dream

[Stumpy]

How long are you there for?

About 2.5 weeks KW

d a Rye to die for

WP distills an outstanding Rye.

[Stumpy]

Took my first morning walk through the Vineyards this morning. 7c at 7am. High today will be about 22c. After all the rain, the wild grass is about 2 feet tall and the valley is a rich green







Its late April and the vines are just starting. At this point all they do is disc the rows to keep the weeds down.



2nd year now on the new Cabernet Sauvignon vines. At least 2 more years before they produce in high quality grapes.



Stopped by my local Taqueria for some Carnitas Tacos.



Picked up two 4 packs of one of my Fav beers. Belgian Style Golden Ale. A very nice 7.6 ABV

[misskit]

I miss Northern California. And, I really miss good tacos.

Have a great time and enjoy family.

[Stumpy]

I miss Northern California. And, I really miss good tacos.

Have a great time and enjoy family.

Thanks MK. Yeah there are just some things in Thailand (as much I love living there) that you just can't get.

speaking of that......



Picked up some beautiful porterhouse steaks for the grill tonight.

[bsnub]

Stopped by my local Taqueria for some Carnitas Tacos.

Those are some proper tacos! The valley looks so lush right now.

[qwerty]

Have fun! This is the perfect time of year to visit that area. If you have a chance, try spending a day canoeing on the Russian River followed up with dinner at one of the Italian Restaurants in Occidental.

[Topper]

I am passing off my youngest daughter at her wedding this weekend.

Do you really ever pass them off? Congratulations on the occasion and I'm looking forward to more commentary and pics?

[Topper]

Picked up some beautiful porterhouse steaks for the grill tonight.

Aren't those T-Bones? I do miss a nice bone in steak...

[Norton]

Aren't those T-Bones? I do miss a nice bone in steak...

Porter house. T-bones have less meat on one side of the bone.

[Norton]

Enjoy the trip in my young lad stomping grounds Stumpy. Perhaps you will be there for the poppy bloom.

Can see Mt. St. Helena off in the distance in one of the pics.

Thanks for sharing.

[Joe 90]

Cool thread and pics JP!

Enjoy your holiday.

[panama hat]

Congratulations on your daughter's marriage, best wishes.

[Stumpy]

Do you really ever pass them off?

Well Topps, She will always be my daughter and we are extremely close, but she is getting married and now she is off on her life.

Porter house. T-bones have less meat on one side of the bone.

A man who knows his steaks..

Enjoy the trip in my young lad stomping grounds Stumpy.

I always enjoying returning back to the wine country. This little valley is such a cool place and really remains unchanged due to the controls in place by the area to keep it the Wine country.

Cool thread and pics JP!

Thanks Jo. The wedding rehearsal is tomorrow and the wedding Saturday. Busy day today and will be a mad dash until Sunday morning.

Congratulations on your daughter's marriage, best wishes.

Thanks PH. Proud moment as a dad for sure.

[Stumpy]

Few more pics from our dinner last night and some lunch.



If you are gonna grill'em...Do it right.



Nothing "Dry" about these steaks. No gravy required. . Perfect dinner with Taters and sautéed Zucchini and then watched the Golden State Warriors win Game 5.





Picked up some Spicy Pork sausages from the butcher. Grilled a few up for my Dad and I for lunch today and enjoyed a nice IPA while the buns got charred a bit.

[Buckaroo Banzai]

My Job is done. Both daughters are off on life now.

Congratulations on your daughter's wedding coming up. A joyous occasion for sure.
I am sure you know your job is never done, but good try, It just changes.
Hope in your next trip you will chasing a bunch of rugrats
Very jealousies looking at your pictures, If there is one thing I miss the most (after my daughter) about the US iIt would be the food.
OMG!! Look at those steaks. A dozen naked Holyrood movie stars could walk by , and I would say, 'Yea but look at that steak" and I don't mean the moviestar's rear. LOL
I also miss a good Boars Head Ham and Swiss sandwich. Next time you walk in deli please post pictures.
Anyway. Enjoy your stay stay , amd please post lots of pictures.

[BLD]

Pretty exciting time for your daughter and i bet shes chuffed you flew in to attend. I suspect you do more than just attend. Its one thing to live and work on one side of the world while having close family the other side of the world. I hope its a great day for her. Awesome you are there for her. Great thread

[Shy Guava]

Hope your parents are coping with their situation and that it is not too much of a downer for their grand-daughter's big day. Good luck and best wishes with it all.

[Stumpy]

Hope your parents are coping with their situation

Thanks SG. My Dad and Mom will not be attending the wedding. My Mom's cancer has taken it's toll and she is unable to leave the house and also can't be left alone. So they will see pics and vids when I return back afterwards.

However life goes on and it will be a huge day for her.

[Stumpy]

i bet shes chuffed you flew in to attend. I suspect you do more than just attend.

She has been excited since I sent her my air flight itinerary.

And yes. I am not just here to watch. I will be walking her down the aisle to hand her off to the groom. Will be pretty emotional and exciting.

Today is rehearsal at the wedding location followed by a Tea Ceremony. Tomorrow the big day. It's going to be very busy next few days and not much sleep.

I will add a few pics from the event.

Cheers BLD.

[BLD]

Fantastic stuff stumpy. Great memories for your whole family. Crack on. Wishing the bride and groom all the best.

[Reg Dingle]

Return to the wine country

Where's the bloody vino?

Hope her big day goes really well.

[Stumpy]

Where's the bloody vino?

Hope her big day goes really well.

Thanks RD. Up early today. A bit of work for work, then on the road.

As for Vino, I don't drink the stuff, never have. Didn't like the smell or taste. Tried it a few times. Just never enjoyed it. I think the other thing to was at numerous dinner parties many of the wine drinkers were snooty douchebags. They seem to go well together.

My daughters wedding is at a vineyard but good news, it's an open bar afterwards for the reception so I will have options.