Time flies.

As did my little #specialweekend trip I did this year.

For the most part, the trip was great, besides some little hiccups at the beginning, but it added to the experience and the adventure of it all.

Again, the plan was Muir Woods National Monument for some hiking and then Napa for the rest of the weekend.

The drive up was an adventure in itself. I thought I would drive up to the Bay Area as I normally would, up 5 and then the regular route to San Francisco, but Google Maps had a different idea.

It directed me to drive around the whole bay instead, which was good and bad.

I avoided tolls.

Great.

It took forever.

Not so great.

There was a freak rainstorm that day also. It dropped one month’s worth of rain in the bay area in a single afternoon.

I didn’t do much that day after I got to the hotel. I didn’t plan much anyway, even though I planned to get there a few hours earlier.

It was raining, so, I was whatever.

I found a place to eat and then did some research on the hikes that were available at Muir Woods.

While researching, I realized that to get into the park, one needs either a parking reservation or a shuttle reservation.

I have neither, so I got a shuttle reservation bright and early the next day.

The day of the planned hike. The only hiccup of the trip. They closed the park.

Muir Woods was fucking closed.

There were mudslides over the road that goes to Muir Woods and Stinson Beach. They were the two things that I planned to explore that weekend.

I got to the shuttle and they reported closing the road, then they closed the whole park.

The rain fucked everything.

Everything.

I had to figure out what to do for the day. I didn’t want to go into San Fran and I wanted to hike.

I called the Ranger Station at Mount Tamalpais State Park to see if it was open. It was and made my plans.

Driving through the state park, I found a paid parking lot that had a trail that lead into Muir Woods. It was a 3-mile hike.

By happenstance, I found my plan for the day and I didn’t have to change much of it.

The hike was good. It was quiet besides the raging stream of water next to the trail.

The rain made it come alive, raging and mad.

I didn’t know what to expect at the National Monument. I had an idea, but it wasn’t what I was expecting.

It was small.

I understood why it would need reservations to get in. It’ll be hard to control the crowds in such a small place.

I wandered peacefully through the small park, taking in my surroundings and the tall trees. I traversed the well-manicured boardwalks and paths as I hiked pass the small groups of hikers that had the same idea that I did.

It was peaceful.

It was quiet.

It was nearly empty.

I hiked. I explored. I followed the well-beaten path and paths not taken.

I came to the realization how out of shape I was.

I still did about 9 miles in 3 hours, which is commendable, but I was tired.

My legs hurt, still not 100% after Yosemite.

My knees, especially my right knee, still fucked.

I may need to see a doctor for it or layoff it for a while.

It wasn’t until I hiked out and back to my car that I found a trail that lead all the way down to Stinson Beach.

I had planned to do that, but opted not to after seeing that it’ll be an 8-mile roundtrip hike. It wouldn’t be a problem; it’ll be a 17-mile hike day possibly more.

I was hurting after 9 already and I didn’t know how strenuous that hike was. How much uphill or downhill.

I went back to the hotel.

I got some ice cream and chilled before heading out to downtown Sausalito for dinner.

Sausalito is small. Quaint.

I walked around trying to figure out dinner then settled on an Italian restaurant.

It was all right. It was serviceable.

I got some gelato then called it a night.

* * *

Napa.

Bright and early, I headed to Napa.

California 1 to Stinson Beach was still closed, so I made my way to Napa instead.

Why not?

It took me a little under an hour to get there. I found my hotel, parked near there, then explored a little bit.

I got some coffee at one of their roasters and chilled for a bit while doing some research and reading.

When it came to Napa, I really didn’t have anything planned.

I wanted to take things slow, relax, chill and not rush anything and overall, that’s what I did.

I grabbed a quick and early lunch at Bouchon then I walked around Yountville for a few hours, taking my time, exploring.

I found a tasting room down the main road and started my wine adventure.

This was my first experience at a room where you can sit, relax, and just take your time tasting. There’s no standing at the counter chitchatting about the wine as you drink. You take your time.

I enjoy that type of experience better. I prefer it more.

You don’t get drunk that way. Take your time.

Slow it down.

Next, I went to their museum and they had a great Julia Child exhibit that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Close to the museum was the Chandon Winery and it was another winery that offered a tasting where you can take the sample with you and let you sip and enjoy it at your leisure. I was there for a few hours, reading, people watching, and researching places to eat.

It was also the first place where I bought my first bottle for the trip. A red. Cab.

Of course.

I drove back to the hotel, checked-in, took a quick shower and got dressed for my dinner reservation in Yountville, at Redd.

I made a reservation through OpenTabe and they showed that the only times were at 5:30pm and the next time wasn’t until 8:40pm.

The shit thing was when I got there at 5:30, the restaurant was empty. It just opened. I left close to 7 and it was still almost empty.

I don’t understand where all the reservations were.

Disappointing.

Nevertheless, the food was great.

The best thing I had there was the diver scallop dish with the motherfucking cauliflower puree.

That shit was amazing. Where has it been all my life?

Motherfucking cauliflower puree!

I drove back to the hotel and decided to explore the town at night all the while trekking to the closes rite-aid to get some Advil.

It’s quiet there at night. Very quiet.

It was a Sunday night.

Quiet.

The next day was a slow day too.

I woke up and went to Starbucks to do some writing and then I do what I do best, explored downtown. I walked and walked the city, trying to find a place for lunch.

I guess I could have gone and got some breakfast, but I’m not a breakfast guy.

I explored the city, their little market, and even inquired about the Wine Train. Expensive.

That day was a full day of wine.

Most restaurants didn’t open until close to 11:30 or noon, and surprisingly, many tasting rooms don’t open until 11.

I found one that just opened and had a good chat with the person that ran the place. I chilled at a table and we just chatted.

Bottle number 2.

Then lunch.

Tapas.

It was pretty fucking good too.

Next. All wine.

Tastings and tastings. These were more traditional tastings of standing at the counter.

I went to my go to, Clos du Val. Still fucking great. Solid.

Bottle number 3.

Then I went to another one down the street, recommended by the person at Clos du Val, Pine Ridge Wines.

It was all right.

Then I went to another recommendation, but apparently, it was by reservation only.

So, for the final one, I went to Jacuzzi.

Bottle number 4.

I got some olive oil and balsamic vinegar there too.

It was definitely a weekend of splurging.

I’m okay with that.

For dinner, I walked over to the market and had a rotisserie duck and a big ass taco.

Good.

* * *

Overall, it was a great trip. It was a great time by myself, exploring, and learning to take things a little slower.

It was a great experiencing of not planning and just figuring things out was I go.

I know that usually do that to begin with, but it’s good to actually take my time and not rush things.

Slowly, I learn. Slowly, I grow.

It was an expensive trip, with all the food and wine and expenses, but it was worth it.

Treat yourself.

You live only once.

Celebrate your life, the way you want to celebrate it.

Celebrate you.

And that’s what I did.

I enjoyed my time.

I pampered myself the only way I know how.

Do it.