I started writing this post the day after we returned from our trip, about 3 months ago. I finished it today, which may explain why my description of things gets a little more succinct near the end. I wrote short notes on my phone while we were on the trip to help me write this up. I wish I’d spent some time each day writing a little more, but I got the major points in. What a gift to have had the opportunity to take a trip like this to celebrate 30 years. Thanks to everyone who made it happen (Ben, Kate, Steve, Dad and my sweet travel companions).
Friday, July 12
Started the day at 3:30 am. Left for the airport a little after 4 am. The security line was ridiculous and the plane almost left without us. When we get to San Francisco we find out that Sarah’s plane is delayed and she’ll be getting in a couple hours late.
We pick up the rental and as we start to pile in we all decide that it smells too much like smoke for us. They gave us a new one and we headed to get some breakfast.
I found a place called Plow by googling “brunch in San Francisco” and it was wonderful. It’s a small place with no room for waiting inside. So we waited outside for half an hour and we were all pretty cold, a welcomed change from the hot humid mornings of Houston. Breakfast was incredible. Foodies proceed here for more details.
On the way to pick Sarah up we realize that Lisa doesn’t have her breastpump. We thought it might be in the first rental car, so Lindsey drops Lisa and I off at the rental cars while they went to get Sarah. The car had been rented, so Lisa gave them her info in the hopes that something would turn up. Lisa and I had to “pump” in the bathroom…
We get Sarah and head for Napa and stop at a Target for a new pump and a few groceries. Traffic was a little slow, but we got there early enough to make a stop at Bouchon bakery in Yountville for croissants and macarons.
Lindsey had made reservations for us at Paraduxx for a wine tasting. Some wineries require reservations and some don’t. While having the freedom to stop in somewhere and taste is convenient and doesn’t require any planning, I liked how uncrowded it was here. And it was beautiful.
We headed to the house we were renting, up a very narrow and winding road that made mom nervous, but had tremendous views. We meet our landlord for the weekend, get changed for dinner and head out on a paved road.
Dinner at Farmstead was delicious. We were all pretty tired, but managed to enjoy drinks, dinner and dessert. The cardamom ice cream was the favorite. This roasted artichoke was pretty amazing as well.
Home and to bed.
Saturday, July 13
We started the morning with a trip to the framers market in St. Helena where we bought fruit and had a breakfast of tamales, Amish pastries and crepes.
Wine tour and tasting at Pride Mountain Vineyards. Saw a tree trimming truck that had driven off the side of the road on the way up (which later caused the road to be shut down and required us to miss a lunch reservation). Incredible tour. I learned a lot about the entire process of wine making. I’d recommend anyone visiting Napa book the tour here.
Lunch in Healdsburg at Chalkboard. Real good sliders with pork belly. And a yummy wine flight.
Shopped in Healdsburg. Shared an ice cream sandwich. Scored some 75% off Tory Burch flats! I swore I’d never own a pair…
Stopped at Russian River Brewery for a pint and a little fight over long sleeved t-shirts.
Back home to shower and change for dinner at La Condesa. Even though they have one in Austin we figured there would never be a time when all 5 of us were going to get a chance to go there, so we decided to go and it was delicious.
Sunday, July 14
Bastille Day!
Massages, facials and geo thermal (clothing optional) pools at Spa Solage followed by lunch.
Back to the house to change.
Visited the Culinary Institute at Greystone. We missed the bakery, the tours AND the cooking demos but got to walk through the building a bit and go through the shop and get some chocolates.
Domain Chandon in Yountville, missed the tasting by 3 minutes but just ordered one glass of each of the champagnes on the tasting menu and enjoyed the patio and incredible weather.
Bouchon was having a little Bastille Day festival, so we headed over there. These guys wanted to take a picture with us. They spoke with French accents, but we weren’t totally convinced.
I waited in line at the bakery because I just couldn’t pass up another opportunity for almond croissants. We shopped a little more before making it over to Bistro Jeanty for dinner. Everything was wonderful, especially their cream of tomato soup which Sarah got and was kind enough to share. For dessert we had warm prunes over ice cream!
Monday, July 15
Tried to ship our wine on the way to San Francisco. It was going to cost something like $100 so we decided to check it on the plane and pay $35. A much better choice.
We had lunch at Scoma’s, an iconic place near Fisherman’s Wharf. Lindsey was looking forward to having us try to Crab Louie. It was good, but my favorite thing was the lobster bisque. Totally delightful.
Stopped at Ghirardelli for chocolates, cause they don’t sell them in Houston…oh wait, they sell them all over the country and I can get them anytime I want to…
Went to a coffee shop Sarah suggested, Sight Glass, and I made the mistake of asking for skim milk. I might as well have asked for a grande 2 pump sugar free caramel macchiato. But they didn’t deny me my cappuccino and I am glad I was forced to have it with whole milk. It truly does make the best foam and a really enjoyable cappuccino. Thank you, coffee snobs.
Dropped Sarah off at the airport, Lindsey and mom returned the car while Lisa and I waited with the luggage and Lisa went to be reunited with her breastpump. We went to check in and realized we’d mixed up the departure time and we were scheduled to take off in something like 30 minutes, not the hour plus we all thought we had. Panic ensued, and after getting through security I ran without strapping on my sandals which then kept slapping my ankles, the little buckles threatening to draw blood. Somehow we managed to get on the plane and all but one bag made it to Austin. It really was a miracle. As we were taking off we kept looking over at each other, asking if we’d actually just managed to make it. When they told us the TVs in the seats weren’t working I almost got upset and then realized that not having TVs was a small inconvenience compared to what could’ve been a very rough time getting back home.
I so enjoyed this trip and hope to go back again sometime.
GREAT post, Carrie! I feel like I was there.