Our wine trail has started!

As the rain begins to subside we have taken advantage of the clearing skies. Today we started our visits to vineyards. We have decided to pace ourselves.  Today took us on a short drive to the Dry Creek Valley. 

First stop - Truett-Hurst The farm setting at this small vineyard  was quiet and cozy. It had a great outside sitting area, although still rain soaked from the recent storm it showed promise of a great stop along the trail. 

Next was a much larger vineyard - Dry Creek The grounds alone are worth a visit. The tasting room also serves as a small store offering some unique items. Oh yeah, and the wines are enjoyable - worth taking home a few bottles.

Russian River Cottage: Healdsburg, CA

Here we are, we finally reached our destination! 
The house tucked in Fitch mountain, about 3 miles from the center of town. It is very comfortable and we were able to quickly get settled. And then the rains came...

We dodged all of the storms crossing the country but it has been raining since we got here. Today was the biggest storm of the past 20+ years, so we have heard. Once the heavy rains started the just never stopped, all day. Here is a peek at what the river looked like from our deck. 

Guess how we weathered the storm!

Healdsburg House

We are quickly settling into our Healdsburg Cottage.





It is right on the Russian River which is steadily flowing and soon to raise much higher if we get the predicted rain over the next few days.  

The house is only about 3 miles from town but the last mile is up and down a winding mountain road. Fitch Mountain is right behind us. Bailey has not figured out how to navigate the turns yet she keeps falling off the seat into the well. We actually have to stop and get her out of it from time to time.

Amazing, Breath Taking Day in Death Valley

Dec. 4: Another day well planned. The weather is absolutely beautiful. High 60's low 70's what more can we ask for. 

This place has to be a hikers dream. For us it will be a full day in the car. The valley is massive with something that catches your attention everywhere you look. As the sun changes so do the effects it has on the mountains and you are surrounded with it all no matter where you look. 



Pictures do absolutely no justice to the beauty that surrounds you. I'll post more pictures when I get a chance.

Getting Closer: Today we will get to California

Dec. 2: Leaving the house of problems - to bad it could have been a nice cozy place. Today's destination is Needles, California. Yes we are almost there... BUT we are planning to take a few detours to avoid the bad weather and heavy rain that is expected along the California coast. 

Desert driving all day long. 

We're in search of Route 66!

We've been seeing evidence of it here and there as we turned off for gas. 

Arrived early afternoon - got settled in our hotel - not much to do in Needles. Russ took a nap but by 3:30 I was ready to get out and see what was around. Signs indicated that the "Historical National Highway" was nearby. So why not... we set out to find "Route 66". Maps indicated that we were just miles away. So we drove, and drove, and drove 30 miles to determine that there was NOTHING on most of Route 66 and many sections are closed. 

What we did see is trains...  we were following a key section of the Santa Fe Railroad. Trains at least 1-2 miles long with 4 engines along a very very deserted road. With it getting darker and darker we turned off the first chance we got - on to the highway 30 miles back to our hotel. 

 Not much around for dinner so Juicy wins! Everyone says its the best home cooking around... that's because it is the only place around. We figured it must be OK because while we were on our hour ride to nowhere the parking lots around here are all filled with truckers. More truckers that I have ever seen in one place. At least 30-50 trucks. 

In the morning as we checked out we shared our experience and the staff behind the desk just laughed. They then informed us that there was nothing for 3 hours in any direction from Needles except desert. And we did experience what is left of most of Route 66... nothing. However we were ON the old Route 66 (all 2 blocks of it). He encouraged us to take a picture to verify we had found it. 

Putting Needles and Route 66 behind us... we are on the road again!