It seems like a good idea to wait and update after long vacations are over, but in hindsight I've realized that I can't possibly remember all of the memorable-worthy moments. So this time when I say I'll be better about updating, I mean it.
Our first trip to the west coast was a way fun and busy one.
Lodi (our home base, so to speak) actually produces more wine grapes than Napa Valley so we chose to go on our wine tasting endeavours right where we were. Some places don't have tasting fees, and the ones that did waived it for us citing our unemployment as the reason. I don't want to hold a grudge against the one place that did make us pay, we just assume they didn't give themselves the chance to get to know us first. We went to the Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi winery for a tour and were the only two there so we got quite the extensive golf-cart tour from the wonderful Karen. When we were done and about to go in for tasting she saw grape trucks roll up, so she spoiled us for a bit then we got to go see the actual process taking place. Pretty neat. We also go to eat some of the cabernet grapes so if you buy a bottle of Woodbridge's 2009 cabernet, know that our hands have touched some of those grapes so there is a little extra love in that bottle. Karen then continued to let us taste all of the wines on the list and then some. We bought a bottle of Tempranillo (a spanish grape I'd never heard of since I'm new to this whole wine education thing) as a thank you.
We got to go on some fun family outings such as Big Trees to see all of the Redwoods and we got to see the cute kiddies get ready for Halloween. Colin asked what I was going to be and I told him we were going as his babysitters and it got a little scream out of him. We figured our costumes would be too scary for other kids to see so went to watch the Gamecocks dominate the Vols at PoisonApplebees instead.
Other things on the agenda included a taping of the Jay Leno show with Dr Phil (we should've gone to Conan. Next time.), being touristy in Hollywood (walk of fame or whatever it's called, Kodak Theatre, Beverly Hills/Rodeo Dr. Okay, pause. We were told to go use the bathroom in the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in BH which is where Pretty Woman was filmed. This bathroom was awesome. Each stall was it's own little private room so you could have complete privacy to take care of things. I recommend it if you ever visit. Okay, unpause. We walked around Pepperdine University (it is ridiculous how beautiful that campus is. Not to mention the view from campus. Seriously I feel like for what private schools cost you get a little more bang for your buck there just from looking out the window.), saw some cool beaches in San Diego (Diago), and met with old friends in San Francisco where we got to take in a lovely view of the city from Dolores Park.
ANNNDD at the top of the list of things we saw in Californ-i-a-a-a are these two glorious sights:
That's right. Two things we are deprived of here in Hawai'i. Oh the sacrifices one must make living in paradise. Eating those chikin minis tasted almost as good as the first time, and nobody in Hawai'i drives over 60mph so I was able to fulfill my little need for speed.
Well, now here's a little treat for you. Our in-house entertainment, Madeline "Maddie" Elliott. This is just a teaser. Just wait until we get her dancing along with Dancing with the Stars. Priceless.
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