Knitting in Napa

Knitting while in Napa was necessary.  There was only so much tasting I could do before I felt like I was "tasted out."  I'm not a huge connoisseur of wine, although I do appreciate good wine.  So my while my companions tasted on I pulled out my yarn and needles and listened to their observations about the wine.  It made for some perfect days.

Napa in November

Napa in November was very nice.  Steve and I went with two other couples and spent five days sightseeing and wine-tasting.  Definitely plan to go back and see more!

Spring travel

Joan, Bear, Sam and I are in Mobile, AL for a few days. It's spring break for Joan, and she asked if we could go somewhere, so I selected Mobile as our destination. Fresh seafood, river and bay views, art, museums, shops, and the nearby towns of Daphne, Fairhope, and Foley give us plenty to enjoy. As an added bonus, trains rumble through across the street from our hotel and Bear finds them fascinating.

Taos was lovely

The countryside around Taos was absolutely breathtaking - and we took a lot of pictures.




Our room had a wonderful balcony with two chairs and a small table. We spent as much time as possible out there enjoying the view of the mountains, the trees, and the sky. We ate, read, and knit on that balcony. It was so serene.





Penny and I spent a good bit of Friday afternoon and Saturday morning walking around Bent Street. There was so much to see and do in that tiny bit of town.





(I really liked this truck that was parked on Bent Street!)





While we were there, I worked on this pair of socks, finishing them the day after I returned home. Now they remind me of our time in Taos, New Mexico. A perfect souvenir.

Wool-gathering

Penny and I have "gone fishin' " - except that we're actually wool-gathering. We're in New Mexico enjoying the sights of various sites, and attending a Wool Festival. Be back next week!

Hot Springs, AR is aptly named

We had a fun and educational time in Hot Springs. I guess I'd never given any thought to the name of the place and neither had the kids. So we were surprised that the water from the springs was HOT - 143 degrees Fahrenheit.


We spent a few hours in the old downtown admiring the old spas (see two of them across the street behind Sarah, Sam, and Jacy?) and the old hotels.


After a delicious supper at Bubbalu's we ambled down the promenade built in 1958 and marveled at the number of springs that were capped and admired a few that sent hot water and steam down the hill into pretty pools and streams.


I loved this old building. It dominated the skyline and we could see it from our hotel, which was some distance away.

On the road again

Sam, Sarah, Jacy and I are heading to Arkansas today to take Jacy to camp. Steve decided I should rent a car, and this bright red vehicle is what the rental agency brought out for me. The idea was that I'd be driving a full-sized car to get a feel for the next car we might buy. This one is not what either of us had in mind.

But I think it's going to be fun to drive it!

High tea

Thankfully, Chuck and Kim actually brought their camera on Saturday and took pictures as we walked around the resort. (I never remember to do that. I wanted to get a picture of Beth and me together and I completely forgot to get my camera out.)

My "little" brother and me:


Chuck, Kim, Steve and I enjoying our tea:



Chuck and Kim on our balcony:

The Grand Del Mar

Chuck and Kim came to see us at the hotel on Saturday afternoon and spent about four hours with us. It's so ironic - here we live 4 houses apart in a tiny town in Alabama and we never see one another. Too busy. But they were in San Diego for an educators' convention while we were in La Jolla on a trip with the company Steve works for and we spent a greater chunk of time together on Saturday than we have in the past three years - holidays included.



I knew Kim would love the hotel. She took a lot of pictures. When she and Chuck flew out to San Diego on Thursday, they sat next to Erin, the woman who works for The Grand Del Mar and who booked our company trip for the resort! She told them so much about the resort that they were able to educate us when they came to see us. And while they were there, they saw Erin again and thanked her for telling them about the resort. We all toured the hotel, then had high tea on one of the many balconies. Steve said the highlight of the trip for him was Kim's delight at the beauty of the hotel and its setting.



Now I'm trying to find a good book about Addison Mizner, the man whose architectural style influenced the design of The Grand Del Mar.

Packing

Living without a dryer is so hard I'm leaving home and going to the Bahamas. Actually, Steve and I are going to the Atlantis Resort on a company-sponsored trip for a few days. The dryer should be repaired before we leave. (Last year when we went on the company trip the heat pump died and had to be replaced.)

I've packed my clothes, books, and knitting. Just have to throw in my toothbrush, hairbrush, and sunglasses the day we leave, and I'll be set.