B & D's USA Hideout: Napa, CA

Wine Stats:

1 grape cluster = 1 glass

75 grapes = 1 cluster

4 clusters = 1 bottle

40 clusters = 1 vine

1 vine = 10 bottles

1200 clusters = 1 barrel

30 vines = 1 barrel

We arrived in Napa Valley, the world famous wine growing region, just in time to celebrate our four year anniversary. Grape vines are grown in the straightest of rows all over the valley and up and down the rolling hills. All the big name wineries are in Napa. Robert Mondavi, Beringer and Sterling to start plus five hundred and some odd vineyards total in the area. It would take you almost two years to visit each one! We found a nice state park to camp called Skyline Wilderness Park on the outskirts of town. On our day, we drove up to Calistoga and started the morning in the mud. A two for one mud bath special got us good and relaxed for the day. We had a yummy breakfast at a local cafe and then hit a couple nearby tasting rooms. We wanted to get a big winery experience so we stopped at Sterling Vineyard. Our all access pass included a gondola ride, a self guided tour and seven samples of their wine and complimentary glasses. It was lovely. We returned home for a little nap and then Brian took me out for a fancy four year anniversary dinner. We ate at a farm to table restaurant called Torc. It was very very good. Fun fact, Brian and I have spent every anniversary together. That might not sound like much but considering how many holidays and other events Brian is away at work for, it is very special.

The next day we spent cleaning the camper and truck. It wasn’t glorious but it was necessary. I also had a flat on my bike tire that Brian brought to get fixed. Even with all our efforts, things have continued to not go our way. It is becoming almost comical. Leaving Napa, we headed northwest for route 1 so we could take the scenic route up the coast. What we didn't think of was how steep and winding the road would be. My bike somehow came loose and fell off the rack. My new bike! With its newly fixed tire! We recovered it, thanks to a super nice couple who pulled over to get it out of the road. It now has a bent handlebar and some road rash but otherwise survived. I also somehow deleted Brian’s phone. Don’t ask me how because I don’t really understand “the cloud” or how to sync or backup iPhones. I’m a Google girl. I was able to restore his contacts but not some pictures. Ugh.

But we know these things are petty.

Recently the American cargo ship El Faro went down in the wrath of hurricane Joaquin off the coast of the Bahamas. Details are still unclear but the last transmission to the Coast Guard reported that ship was at a 15 degree list and they had lost propulsion. So far all they’ve found is a life ring. All I can picture is the chaos and panic happening onboard. I wonder if they donned immersion suits or deployed life boats or if there wasn’t any time at all. Why were they steaming into a hurricane? What went wrong? Not all the names have been released but 2 were Mass Maritime graduates, 4 from Maine Maritime, 33 people overall were onboard, 33 families didn’t get to say goodbye and we are connected by just 1 degree of separation. Tragedies happen everyday and all over the world but this event hits very close to home and has been weighing heavily on our minds and hearts. Needless to say, I’m holding my sailor extra tight.

Rest in peace mariners.