Wild Wild West

Mike and I started talking about a trip for our anniversary several months ago and tossed around a bunch of different ideas. Maybe go back to Amelia Island like we did last year or any beach that wasn't too far from Atlanta but in talking more and more about places we love and want to see again and explore a new time, California kept coming back up. We went to San Francisco and Napa three years ago but Mike flew out only for a weekend while I was out there for business so it was a very quick trip and we always wanted to back and explore it again. So, after a couple weeks of talking and researching, we decided we wanted to go back west to San Francisco and Napa but also explore somewhere new, somewhere we have wanted to explore for awhile, Yosemite National Park. After an emotional goodbye at the Atlanta airport (Ella knew we were leaving and was crying and breaking our hearts as we said goodbye but DeeDee called 5 minutes later to say she had already calmed down and was fine) and several delays, we finally made it to San Francisco. We were lucky enough to get the BofA discount at the Ritz Carlton in downtown and the hotel, like all others we have stayed in was amazing.
As we checked into the hotel, the front desk man commented on what a nice room we had and they only had a couple of these rooms in the entire hotel. As we walked in our corner room, we heard music coming from the stereo and thought we might have the wrong room but then saw a special note from the hotel welcoming us and also giving highlights of 2004, the year we married along with a note saying the cd was music from 2004 and ours to keep. A moment later, someone knocked on our door and delivered us roses for our anniversary. I have to say, they definitely go above and beyond at the Ritz and I could really get used to that kind of pampering.

After getting settled in, we ventured out for dinner and explore some of the streets. You don't need to go to the gym while you are visiting San Francisco with all the hills you walk. No wonder everyone is in shape in that city. We had a restaurant recommendation from someone Mike works with for a great sushi restaurant and while it was a total hole in the wall, it was the best sushi we have ever had in our lives. So authentic and just really fresh. Still a little jet lagged, we headed back to the hotel because we knew we had a big day ahead of us the next day.

Still on East Coast time, we woke up bright and early the next day and after finding a great little breakfast spot near the hotel, we started walking towards Fisherman's Wharf to rent bikes. We had decided ahead of time that we wanted to rent bikes and ride over the Golden Gate bridge, through Sausalito and finally end up in Tiburon for a late lunch.

We were lucky that it was a perfect day, sun was shining (which doesn't always happen in SF with all the fog) and perfect temperature for a 20 mile hilly bike ride. Along the ride, we had some of the best views of the city and of course the Golden Gate. At the point we took this picture, we thought, wow, this looks far away, are we going to make it??

We are looking a little dorky with our bike helmets but safety first, right?

A view through trees as we started making the climb up the steep hill to cross the bridge.

One final picture and a quick rest before crossing the bridge.

Crossing the bridge and it was packed with people riding bikes, walking, running, etc.

After crossing the bridge, we rode through the town of Saulsalito and it was very crowded on the streets with bikes and cars so there really wasn't anywhere to stop and take pictures so we just kept riding along. At the bike shop, they recommended riding to Old Mill Park in the town of Mill Creek to see some of the biggest redwoods in the area.

They also told us about a great little bar to stop and have a beer along the way. On a 20 mile bike ride, you need to take at least one break for a refreshment and we loved this little place we found. Turns out the bartenders wife went to college just outside of Charlotte and he has been there many times, such a small world. After a beer and pretzel, we were ready to complete the final leg to Tiburon.

We also got several recommendations to have lunch at Sam's, a famous lunch spot right on the water in Tiburon and after that ride, we were happy to be sitting down and have a water view.

We took the ferry back from Tiburon to downtown San Francisco and dropped off our bikes and did more walking through the city back to the hotel.

We walked back right by the famous Lombard Street. We were walking but we saw several cars driving down the winding street.

And no rest for us, we went back to the hotel and changed and then headed out to see a Giants baseball game.

We ended up just scalping tickets on the walk there (yes, I said walk again!) and they were lower level right by the 3rd base. Pretty good seats, too bad the Giants didn't play better.

Despite the Giants poor performance, it was so neat to see the stadium right on the water and the boats that pull up to McCovey cove.

The following morning, we woke up early again (still not fully adjusted) and then went to rent a car and head out of San Francisco to our next adventure, Yosemite. Mike and I love hiking and after seeing the pictures online and on tv of Yosemite, we knew we wanted to try and explore it.

As we drove into the park, the front gate is about 25 miles from the valley so there are plenty of chances to stop along the way and take pictures. I know we have a ton of these pictures but it was just so beautiful, we couldn't stop taking pictures.

The famous tunnel view landscape. Probably the most recognizable picture from Yosemite and it did not disappoint.

Of course, we had to get pictures taken from every angle.

Brideveil falls is the waterfall you see in the background of the tunnel view picture and up close, it is huge. It is peak waterfall season right now in Yosemite with all the snow and ice melting.

We were a little bit obsessed with all the waterfalls, so there are a lot of waterfall pictures but they were so powerful and the water was rushing so hard and so fast. In fact, the mist from the waterfalls could be felt a long way away so even if you weren't close, you still go wet.

The trees were so amazing and so tall. We thought we saw tall trees on our bike ride in SF but nothing like these.

Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls. They said these are the world's fourth largest or tallest (can't remember which) waterfall in the world and biggest in the US.

Mirror Lake with half dome in the background.

Closer view of half dome

Like I said, these are some big trees!

This was our favorite tree!

Most of the lodging in Yosemite is small cabins or just pitch your tent sites but they did have this one very nice lodge.

After our fun day in Yosemite, we headed out to stay in the closest town outside Yosemite which happens to be Groveland, CA. Haven't heard of Groveland?? Shocking because it's only about 10 buildings in the town but we found this great little inn, Hotel Charlotte that is celebrating it's 90th year in business and we stayed there for the night. I was very leary of it at first but it turned out to be great and the ladies who run it are so sweet.

After dinner, Mike convinced me to go across the street to the Iron Door Saloon to have a drink. How could I say no when it clames to be the oldest saloon in Califronia, established in 1849, same year as the gold rush.

After a delicous breakfast, we said goodbye to Groveland and off to our next destination, Napa!

After we dropped our bags off at our Inn, which was amazing by the way, we headed out for a sandiwch at the Oakville Grocery. A famous spot to grab a quick gourmet sandwich and then headed out for wine tasting. We had to make one of our first stops by our favorite Silver Oak.

And it was good as we remembered from our last trip and this time, they moved into a new spot with a much bigger tasting area.

And they even let us go behind the counter to take a picture and once we know we will the lottery and build a wine cellar, we will be back to buy this big bottle.

And a lot of these bottles as well!

Next stop, Cake bread where they are known for really good white wine but actually had some really good red as well. And have I mentioned that every place we went to poured us generous amounts of wine, in fact, a little too generous!

The place we stayed, Rancho Caymus Inn was adorable and the best location in Napa. Walking distcance to a bunch of vineyards and restaurants and each room was so cute with it's own fireplace.

We were lucky that the night we were there, the vineyard across the street, Elizabeth Spencer, had an evening summer concert series so we headed there for a quick tasting before dinner.

The band was great and the weather was perfect for an evening concert.

The great thing about this little vineyard we found out was that the owner actually grew up in Virginia and went to UVA. We didn't hold that against him and actually spoke with him for awhile and him and his wife were so nice. We loved the Charlottesville and the Outer Banks signs! A little bit of East Coast out in Napa!

Then we walked across the street to Rutherford Grill for a delicous dinner.

On our final day in Califronia, we did a little more wine tasting and a lot of relaxing. Our friend in Charlotte is a wine distributor and he was nice enough to set us up with some tastings and tours and this was one was at Whitehall Lane. As you can tell, the landscape was amazing!

We drove up the hill the final afternoon to have a great view of the valley and it is truly a beautiful place and one that we hope to return to again.

After a long flight, we made it back to Atlanta and were so excited to see our little girl who we missed like crazy. But, our trip was pretty amazing and I am so lucky to have someone who loves to travel and experience so many things along with me. From biking 20 miles, to taking in some of the best biews we have ever seen to finally tasting the most delicious wines, it was a trip to remember.