Here I am. Here I go.

I’m on another one of my Hike & Wine Weekends.

Surprisingly this is the first one of the year, but to be fair, I’ve been traveling more this year than the past couple pandemic years.

This time, it’s Napa/Sonoma/Santa Rosa.

There are actually quite a few good hiking options around here. Most of it seem to be in the sun, but there’s hiking options here and close about.

After doing Paso the past couple of times, I think I needed a change, more hiking options, food options.

A change.

Change is always tough, but I enjoy change, especially when it comes to something like this.

It’s nice to treat yourself for a while. To check out from work, from life.

I needed rest. My body needed rest.

I’d been eating like shit for the past couple of weeks and my stomach is all jacked up. Probably won’t get back to normal scheduled programming until after Thanksgiving and get my stomach back on track.

We shall see.

Today will be my last full day up here and I don’t have much planned. I got an early dinner lined up, but nothing else.

No more hiking. No more physical adventure.

What am I going to do? No idea. Just explore I guess.

But so far so good.

Point Reyes was a pretty long but fairly easy hike to a waterfall by the coast. Went to a Sugar Loaf State Park a little closer to Napa/Sonoma and did about a 7 mile hike that was pretty much all up at first. Bald Mountain.

Met a local solo hiker up at the top and he pointed out a few hikes around the town that I would enjoy.

Next time. Next time.

I had one nasty dinner the first night I was here. Gravenstein. Maybe I ordered the wrong thing or maybe I was still kind of full from Ad Hoc Fried Chicken, but man, that wasn’t a good dinner.

Did a tasting menu on Saturday at the Farmhouse Inn. That was good.

Bouchon for lunch. Always a solid choice and some Mediterranean restaurant LaSalette in Sonoma for dinner. It was all right.

So far, I only went to one winery for a tasting. They were full for a “regular” tasting, so I opted to do a tasting by the glass. Pick a glass and drink and chill. I enjoyed it.

The wines were expensive, but hey, when in Rome. I bought a bottle of the 2019 Cab at Clos Du Val for Thanksgiving dinner. Makes it easier.

I really don’t want to cook.

Nice trip. Enjoying it.

I think I will make a Napa trip once a year. A good long weekend of hiking and eating and wine tasting.

The LIFE.

So, what’s been happening since my last entry?

Same shit.

Work is work.

Let’s not talk about it.

Mom decided to drive down and stay with me for over a week so she can attend Great Auntie’s memorial.

Overall, the drive down was good, until I got a blown tire. My fault. I saw the TPSM warning come on, but I ignored it when I shouldn’t have. Lesson learned.

The blowout happened around the Shasta area. Thankfully there was a tire store relatively close by. It delayed us 2 hours, but we managed to make it Big Auntie’s and spend the night.

The week with mom wasn’t bad. I opted to go into the office for a few hours while Mom chilled at home with Galette. They had a great time.

Watching mom bond with Galette, I never thought something like that will happen. She even allowed Galette to sleep in the bed with her. I had the futon of course.

We made it work.

Bro is finally getting a dog. They are getting a Bernadoodle and should pick it up the week of Christmas.

Mom will love the new dog. I think it’ll be great for them. Something to focus on and something for mom to focus on and keep her on her toes and get her out of the house.

It’ll change their lives for the better.

I can’t wait.

Unfortunately, I probably won’t meet the new dog until May when I go up for a wedding. I am not sure if I will drive up or just fly up. My summer and the year are still up in the air.

The only thing truly planned is the Hawaii trip. Other than that, not much.

Merry Christmas to them.

The day is still early. I need to figure out what to do.

Decisions decisions decisions.

Overall, this was a great decision. I needed a break like this from my every day and even my pets so I can rest and relax.

We all need something like this.

I’m thankful I have the privilege to do it.

Take your PTOs y’all!!