I think I’ve said this before but I’m pretty sure that I should just create my own food and wine blog, the greater portion dedicated to the latter. Here's a preview....
I went wine tasting in Santa Barbara County over the weekend. Although non-work related, it was the perfect way to unwind and relax after a crazy, stressful week. Great food and wine, great company and beautiful, unending views of the California countryside. When I think of California, I don’t think of the beaches, or Hollywood, not San Francisco or Los Angeles- I think of the Central Coast and its golden, rolling hills. They look smooth and silky and are dotted with friendly, roaming cows and sapient oak trees who have seen sunset after sunset. I’d like their life. Just one month ago, the vineyards were teeming with diligent pickers who were trained to select the best grapes with the most tender of fingers. The air filled with the pungent smells of fruit and dirt and autumn…. Yah I wasn’t actually there but I WISH I was!! Doesn’t that just sound fabulous?
Anyway, back to my visit… if you’re looking for wineries to visit in the Central Coast area, please take my suggestions below….
-Tres Hermanas- this was my favorite winery of the day. A small-scale, family owned winery, Tres Hermanas produces vintages that are crafted after Italian and French style wines. Their sangiovesse (balanced well with the right amount of dryness and spice) and rose (mineral notes with a finish comparable to a pinot noir) were both highly complex and surprising- good surprising. Ended the flight with a vertical tasting of their 06, 05 and 04 Syrah’s- all completely different but dynamic and wonderful in their own ways. Purchased the 06 Syrah and enjoyed it with tender beef brisket, fresh greens and good company.
-Firestone- this is definitely the largest of the wineries on my list. Nothing outstanding, but a great place for starter oenophiles to get the basics of wine tasting. You can get your basic varietals down, understand the differences between each- all in all, a cautious winemaker who produces highly controlled, highly specific vintages, nothing edgy. Great picnic area and gorgeous views of those rolling, golden hills, perfect considering they were the first Estate vineyard in Santa Barbara County.
-Rancho Sisquoc- the jamminess of their wines will roll off your tongue just like their name does. Smaller winery and a little further off the beaten path, Sisquoc had a very personal and intimate setting. Get to know a variety of the tasting managers and you’ll earn yourself an extra pour, or two! Their meritage was wonderful, but their Cabernet revealed patience, appreciation and true handcrafted perfection.
Spots I LOVE but didn’t quite make it to this trip:
-Dierberg, Star Lane and three sisters- it’s a 3 in one deal and an absolute must!
November 16, 2009
An Angel is in Heaven
I could not have said truer words myself about this dear friend and sister who has ascended into heaven. (The line below is a link to Lexi's response.. click it to read it)
You will be greatly missed Elizabeth.
You will be greatly missed Elizabeth.
November 15, 2009
25 days and Cruisin'
Sorry Mrs. Bee, but I had to copy you and share this with MY readers!!! I am sooooo excited!
November 10, 2009
Things I Love About the Road
- Frequent flier points- I’m swimming in them right now. Awesome.
- Newspaper Headlines in Small Towns- eg. “Circus Family Reunited with Pet Monkey”, Eugene, OR
- Accents- Virginia has a great twangy drawl that is addicting, NorCal had entertaining slang.
- Displays at Starbucks- how they change seasonally (yay for red holiday cups!) and geographically.
- Hotel ice- it is limitless and comes with its own bucket.
- Working TV- at my home, we don’t really have a TV anymore. Getting to watch it is like a treat now!
- Local fare- Starbucks may hold the key to my heart when it comes to chains, but give me a hole in the wall joint any day.
- Flight Attendants with corny jokes- most times they’re pretty entertaining, bonus points if they have obnoxious airline flair.
- Regional flora and fauna- from the high California dessert with its cacti and Joshua trees, to the lush, leafy forests in Oregon. The changing seasons make this even more beautiful!
- The Actual travel experience- sure security is annoying sometimes, but I love the moment when you drop your bag off at the luggage kiosk and you’re off on your own headed to your gate.
- Fountain Diet Coke- nothing better when you’re doing a 5 hour drive in the highway alone and you need a beverage
- NPR- because no matter where I am, it’s the one thing that remains consistent in my entertainment options
You Guessed It...
….OK actually not all of you did, but the correct answer is that I will be travelling 34,000 miles between now and the end of the year. Gold stars for four of you!! Currently, I’ve traveled about 9% of that distance… I’ve got a long way to go between now and December 31st!
I think this is a true statement for many people, but I absolutely love people watching when I’m traveling and am thrilled to have a TON of mileage to get to do it in the coming months. It is best in an airport because there are people from all over the world in one place- but, doable in just about every setting. Now, for instance, I’m at UCSD, in a small study room on campus in the main student center. I do sort of feel like I’m in an airport though- such a diverse population, not something I have been living with in North Carolina. I’ve seen some pretty different people- med students in their scrubs, sorority women in their matching t-shirts (duh), dancers practicing their set in the courtyard, professors in conversation with students, recruiters grilling their interviewees.
The marketing student in me has analyzed each one of them and has asked why they’re here in San Diego. I’ve guessed which combo they’re going to order at Burger King, what coffee they’ll order at Starbucks (all cold today because it is 78 degrees currently). I’ve created romantic dates for the couples walking hand in hand across campus, and stressful surgical sessions for the frazzled med student. The security officer patrolling the halls has come to be named Albus in my mind, as he has a long, feathery beard that reminds me of said wizard. The tiny computer geek to the left of me is planning a massive hack-session of the UC computer system, and he’s most likely already read what I’ve written about him.
No, I promise, I’m not going crazy. This is just a lovely habit and past time of mine that has gotten me through boring/ tough/ awkward situations. Especially ones where I’m alone (like now) or need a mental break, (also, like now). I suppose blogging can be a means of doing that too- hey look!
I think this is a true statement for many people, but I absolutely love people watching when I’m traveling and am thrilled to have a TON of mileage to get to do it in the coming months. It is best in an airport because there are people from all over the world in one place- but, doable in just about every setting. Now, for instance, I’m at UCSD, in a small study room on campus in the main student center. I do sort of feel like I’m in an airport though- such a diverse population, not something I have been living with in North Carolina. I’ve seen some pretty different people- med students in their scrubs, sorority women in their matching t-shirts (duh), dancers practicing their set in the courtyard, professors in conversation with students, recruiters grilling their interviewees.
The marketing student in me has analyzed each one of them and has asked why they’re here in San Diego. I’ve guessed which combo they’re going to order at Burger King, what coffee they’ll order at Starbucks (all cold today because it is 78 degrees currently). I’ve created romantic dates for the couples walking hand in hand across campus, and stressful surgical sessions for the frazzled med student. The security officer patrolling the halls has come to be named Albus in my mind, as he has a long, feathery beard that reminds me of said wizard. The tiny computer geek to the left of me is planning a massive hack-session of the UC computer system, and he’s most likely already read what I’ve written about him.
No, I promise, I’m not going crazy. This is just a lovely habit and past time of mine that has gotten me through boring/ tough/ awkward situations. Especially ones where I’m alone (like now) or need a mental break, (also, like now). I suppose blogging can be a means of doing that too- hey look!
November 8, 2009
One Day Left on the Polls
Election day may have been last week, but I've only got one more day left on my poll count for tracking my miles for the rest of the year!
Cast your vote, just to the right of this post... the 9 who aready have, thank you! The fact that there is only 9... how pitiful.
Cast your vote, just to the right of this post... the 9 who aready have, thank you! The fact that there is only 9... how pitiful.
November 5, 2009
Redemption
Ok... so my drive down US 101 yesterday completely made up for the horrible drive I had into and across San Francisco days earlier. Car trouble and gas prices aside, it was so wonderful to have my car and I think I just made a complete 180- I like traveling by car instead of by plane. Disregard all previously made statements!
The scenery was breathtaking- perfect weather combined with some of California’s most lush agricultural areas made for an absolutely beautiful drive. I should have, as per suggestion of a friend, stopped and taken in some winery tours and tastings, but being the only one driving AND consuming wine was maybe not a good combination for me. The drive came to a beautiful close as I approached Highway 1 down in Malibu right as the sun dipped into the Pacific. I stand firm by my earlier statement that sunsets are that much prettier in the West rather than in the East. Different to say the least. I ended the evening on a lovely note with dinner at Malibu Seafood. Despite troubles on the road, petty annoyances and technological setbacks attached to my job, how can you really complain about the day I just had? Feeling very lucky.
The scenery was breathtaking- perfect weather combined with some of California’s most lush agricultural areas made for an absolutely beautiful drive. I should have, as per suggestion of a friend, stopped and taken in some winery tours and tastings, but being the only one driving AND consuming wine was maybe not a good combination for me. The drive came to a beautiful close as I approached Highway 1 down in Malibu right as the sun dipped into the Pacific. I stand firm by my earlier statement that sunsets are that much prettier in the West rather than in the East. Different to say the least. I ended the evening on a lovely note with dinner at Malibu Seafood. Despite troubles on the road, petty annoyances and technological setbacks attached to my job, how can you really complain about the day I just had? Feeling very lucky.
November 2, 2009
Planes, Trains and Automobiles
Hello Reader- I’ve been away for too long and updating the blog via photo story- thanks for being patient. I’ve missed you! Great week off spent in North Carolina and Northern California. However, in one week, you would not believe the annoying travel experiences I have had. Or, maybe you would. I think that I am coming to the conclusion that traveling by air is preferable to traveling by car. Let me give you an example….
On Thursday, I FLEW back from North Carolina on an early afternoon flight, routed through Atlanta. Once I boarded my flight from Atlanta though, it was nearing 9pm. People were tired, cranky, and apparently the folks seated in front of me, 4 year old in tow, had enjoyed one too many beverages in the airport. The next 4 hours and 53 minutes were spent observing and experiencing and smelling the following:
-Small child squirming and shrieking for the bathroom during taxiing and take off
-Young mother attempting to console small child since he didn’t make it to the bathroom
-Small child attempting to console young mother who was air sick all over the seat
-Attempting to sleep between a very large soldier who snored, A LOT, and a teenage girl painting her nails
-Total Sleep: 42 uncomfortable minutes
Now, on Friday, I DROVE up to San Francisco; about a 6 hour drive from Los Angeles. Conveniently, the Bay Bridge was closed, a mere nonlethal inconvenience, causing me to navigate blindly through the city because my GPS was dead set on taking me across said bridge. Thankfully, being somewhat tech savvy the Blackberry saved me and via e-mail message, I was rerouted to the San Mateo bridge. Well, did you know that it costs $4 to cross the San Mateo bridge? As I approached the toll station, I madly collected as much coinage as I could. I pulled up to the booth and handed the man one paper dollar, six quarters and 15 dimes with the biggest smile on my face- apparently he understood my “oh my god I am so sorry and embarrassed that I am paying you with all this change” face and let me pass. Well, perhaps this is where my bad karma kicked in because I assumed that once I crossed the bridge I could use my GPS and not my Blackberry to get to my final destination. Wrong. The GPS routed me back over the San Mateo bridge, where I had to fork over ANOTHER $4. This would not happen though because I only had $2.45 in change left. Another desperate smile got me through the toll booth without paying anything and I rushed through town to locate an ATM so that I could get cash, cross the bridge for a third time, and once again pay $4. The City of San Francisco better spend my $12 wisely.
So, what was worse? Smelling urine and vomit for almost 5 hours or paying $12 to go over a bridge three times? Hmmm… perhaps it is time for train travel. I should have known this after reading everything published by Paul Theroux.
On Thursday, I FLEW back from North Carolina on an early afternoon flight, routed through Atlanta. Once I boarded my flight from Atlanta though, it was nearing 9pm. People were tired, cranky, and apparently the folks seated in front of me, 4 year old in tow, had enjoyed one too many beverages in the airport. The next 4 hours and 53 minutes were spent observing and experiencing and smelling the following:
-Small child squirming and shrieking for the bathroom during taxiing and take off
-Young mother attempting to console small child since he didn’t make it to the bathroom
-Small child attempting to console young mother who was air sick all over the seat
-Attempting to sleep between a very large soldier who snored, A LOT, and a teenage girl painting her nails
-Total Sleep: 42 uncomfortable minutes
Now, on Friday, I DROVE up to San Francisco; about a 6 hour drive from Los Angeles. Conveniently, the Bay Bridge was closed, a mere nonlethal inconvenience, causing me to navigate blindly through the city because my GPS was dead set on taking me across said bridge. Thankfully, being somewhat tech savvy the Blackberry saved me and via e-mail message, I was rerouted to the San Mateo bridge. Well, did you know that it costs $4 to cross the San Mateo bridge? As I approached the toll station, I madly collected as much coinage as I could. I pulled up to the booth and handed the man one paper dollar, six quarters and 15 dimes with the biggest smile on my face- apparently he understood my “oh my god I am so sorry and embarrassed that I am paying you with all this change” face and let me pass. Well, perhaps this is where my bad karma kicked in because I assumed that once I crossed the bridge I could use my GPS and not my Blackberry to get to my final destination. Wrong. The GPS routed me back over the San Mateo bridge, where I had to fork over ANOTHER $4. This would not happen though because I only had $2.45 in change left. Another desperate smile got me through the toll booth without paying anything and I rushed through town to locate an ATM so that I could get cash, cross the bridge for a third time, and once again pay $4. The City of San Francisco better spend my $12 wisely.
So, what was worse? Smelling urine and vomit for almost 5 hours or paying $12 to go over a bridge three times? Hmmm… perhaps it is time for train travel. I should have known this after reading everything published by Paul Theroux.
Oh the Places You'll Go...
You have one week to GUESS how many approximate miles I will log between Novemeber 1st and December 31st... Check out the poll on the right side bar! Good luck guessing friends!
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