|
|
|
A hectic week of surfing toned our bodies and generated pain in muscles we didn't know we had, so we were ready to get out of the tent and into a hotel bath in San Fransisco, possibly one of the prettiest cities we have visited so far on the US trip.
A wonderful drive up the coast was a bit hairy in places, due to the thick pea soup fog that seemed to waft in without warning, but we reached the city by sunset on the Friday night and had a traditional diner meal on the waterfront. V's coke float (coca cola with icecream) seemed very decadent after a week of eating healthily!
Saturday was spent wandering around the waterfront, before hopping on a "trolley bus" driven by a mad mexican for a tour of the city. Happy that he decided to show us the bottom of the crookedest st rather than attempt to drive down it, we spent the afternoon at the wonderful Museum of Modern Art. Rob dragged V out of the museum when it closed to head off down to the Mission District for a genuine mission burrito. This filled flatbread was definitely bigger than V's mouth but a strong effort ensued to try not to throw it around her entire face. A couple of coronas washed it down well!
Sunday was a beautiful summy day so we headed across the Golden Gate bridge northwards towards wine country, stopping at the rather wonderful Charles Schultz museum on the way. V has been a fan of Sparky's work for over 30 years, and was delighted to see some original Peanuts Strips, including some of the first few years showing Snoopy as a puppy!
As we got towards the Sonoma Valley (one valley over from Napa, and the site of the older vines, wine buffs) a campsite was located nearest to the most prestiguous appelation in the region, that of the Robert Young vineyard. For the princely sum of ten dollars a night we had a great camping spot nearby to both this vineyard and another few in the area. We took ourselves off on a walking tour so as to avoid any drink/drive issues, but seemed to stop at pretty much every vineyard that we could - just to get shade from the 100 degree heat, you understand.
The Robert Young vineyard was fantastic, with a very patient Bruce showing us round the caves and answering all our questions on the history of the place. We may be a little biased but we thought that the wine was the best we had tasted in the area. www.ryew.com shows a little bit more about the place. I just wish that they could send their wines internationally - apparently they are too small scale at the moment. We have bought a few to sample over Independence day weekend with friends, though.
Our journey up the Californian coast continued along beautiful highway 101, and into Oregon.
previous travel blog entry
Would you like to comment or ask a question?
Sign up for a free account, or sign in (if you're already a member).