Pat & Jami's 50th Birthday Extravaganza Trip...

Pat and I wanted to do something special for the year we turned 50. We had originally planned an epic 3 week roadtrip to New Orleans, but due to many factors that wasn't working out. So one day Pat said "What about going to French Laundry?"

I about fainted.

 

So - yes we got into French Laundry - and that was so damn epic it got it's own blog that you can read about HERE. And anyone whose a foodie you will not want to miss reading that one!

 

We decided to just do a cool trip up north with whomever wanted to join us surrounding the FL evening. I was more than thrilled when so many wonderful friends joined us! Pat and I planned a couple of days book ending the trip with just the two of us and in the middle an absolutely fantastic time with friends! It took a lot of planning, researching and figuring out all the moving parts (everyone was getting up there at different times, etc) but it could not have worked out more perfectly!

 

Tuesday morning May 12th, Pat, Rascal and I headed out with an overpacked truck (We were packing for pretty chilly, to pretty warm, to fancy, to hikes, to all dog things, to snacks, to OMG why is there so much crap to bring for a week long vacay! LOL). But off we went! We landed in Santa Barbara way later than we wanted to for a delicious breakfast.

 

We hit up Goat Tree where we'd been before and it was yummy. Our waitress was an absolute delight and just would sit down and talk rescue dogs with us while we ate. 

We finally got up to Carmel where we booked what ended up being a very "interesting" bnb. But it worked out for a homebase. That 1st eve, we hit the downtown for some dinner at Tree House Cafe. We also realized how Bougie Carmel is! Talk about a fancy downtown. Super cute and quaint though. After dinner we strolled around and of course I found a geocache and actually met the guy who keeps an eye on it! So that was kind of rad - he also had another one hidden but we never made it out that way. (Yes we're everywhere). I then bought some amazing little chocolates and we headed back to the bnb to crash out. 

Love the ones disguised as a rock!

 

 

The view from the deck - what you don't see is the horrific eye sore next door of the neighbors who apparently just like to pile and pile all kinds of broken furniture and crap on their deck. LOL

Ready to chill

Wine and Chocolate = Happy Girl

 

The next morning we planned a hike at Garland Ranch. We opted for the longer hike and it was just beautiful! The pictures below don't do it justice. I did lots of geocaching as well! The only real bummer was we thought we were ok when we finished the hike but found a tick on Rascal! Ack - and we left the damn tick tool at the bnb - so back we went to take care of that and strip, check each other, get over the heebie jeebies before going back out and continuing our day. (PS I now have tick tools in both cars and my hiking backpack)

 

My obligatory coffee shot

 

My 1st geocache!

I see you!

 

Had I known about the ticks...probably wouldn't have been as brave

Loved this one!

Getting left far behind as usual

Loved these trees - looks like lace hanging off of them

Geocacher

Bridge geocache

Shrooms!

After the tick fiasco we headed back out for breakfast at Trailside Cafe. What a lovely time! Super chill, nothing fancy and our waiter Martin was such a lovely human. You could tell the locals loved it here and loved him. Def would return here when we're up that way again!

After this we decided to drive up through Big Sur. We stopped at random spots to just take in the beauty (and yes I was looking for whales the whole time, but no luck), we found a beach that allowed dogs and Rascal had a ball. We wandered around the Big Sur Campground that Pat had been to before and Pat talked of memories when he was up here other times. 

GAWD it's gorgeous up here

Love this shot I caught!

It was a bit windy...

Certainly doesn't suck

Can you even?!

Didn't realize Pat took these!

Maybe be a new cover photo....

I will never get sick of looking at trees

There's a little stage here!

After this - back to the bnb to relax a bit then off to dinner at Sur at the Barnyard. This place was another super chill spot and the food was quite good! They had a super fancy cocktail with liquid smoke I must try next time!

Thursday morning we were up early and outta there. We had a bit of a drive to Calistoga and excited for the next part of our trip.

Bye Bye Carmel!

 We rolled in a bit later than we planned and starving. So we landed at La Cheve. Holy crap ya'll! This was the best meal yet! It's a walk up and order kinda place and the food was phenomenal!! My tacos were fantastic and Pat said that was one of the best Huevos Rancheros he'd had yet!

Get in mah belly!

 After this we were able to check into our cute little bnb in Calistoga. This was much more up our alley! Super cute! We cleaned up and headed out! We first hit up Jessup Cellars in Yountville and didn't even realize it was right next to French Laundry so we wandered over for a sneak peek! Jessup was such a perfect time! Jill was wonderful and super knowledgeable about the wines. We actually sat in a friggin gallery and did the tasting! It was so rad! They call themselves not just dog friendly but dog encouraged!

Squeeee! We'll be there Sunday!

Can I just live here please?

Chillin in a gallery

Jessup Wine Tasting. Def be back!

Wandering Calistoga before dinner

 

We then met up with Maria, Ryan and Noel who all had already arrived in town for dinner at Calistoga Brewery. We loved this place and actually ended up eating here 2 more times after this! The service was always so great, we never felt rushed and the food is good! It's got a huge patio that's great for dogs and larger groups.

 

This sorbet was bomb!

I had a variety of scarves for Rascal

Ryan, Maria and Noel have arrived!

On Friday we wanted to do a hike, so Noel joined us. We ended up hiking the Oat Hill Mine Trail. It was a great hike - BUT - TICKS! I can't friggin believe how much of an issue these little assholes were. I was about to do some geocaching, but all of a sudden we saw a bunch on Noel's socks and on Rascal! ACK! Luckily we were able to get them all off before any latched on, but no geocaching for me on this hike! I did have a spray on, so maybe that's why I was safe but sheesh! 

 

A bunch of lil woodpeckers!

We never found the Mile 2 Marker so this was our version

Biggest dandelions I've ever seen!

Loved this color!

The hiking trio

So pretty!

After this, back to the bnb to clean up and Pat made us breakfast. I love being married to a home chef!

My Master Chef

Mimosas with Rascal

Breakfast Tacos made by Chef Pat

 

Then off to the Hat Bar Experience! Terri, Julie, Jen and Charlie were now in town and this was our next excursion. I had read about this and thought - well - I like hats - and this sounded interesting! You were supposed to get a custom hat made while drinking wine and having snacks. It was at a place called Picayune Cellars. Now I'll say this - we had a damn blast and some of us got some rad hats and they all looked amazing. And those non hat participants could still hang with us hat folk. The damper was that wine and snacks were extra and the hats were really friggin expensive. They had cheaper ones on the website but those weren't available, and the way it is advertised for what your paying for was pretty misleading. But like I said - we had a damn blast and the ladies who helped us were super nice and we had so much fun. Terri wanted to buy me my hat for my birthday and I friggin love it! So all in all it was a great experience for sure and how could it not be with these awesome friends we have!

Let's do this!

Me and The Ruby's

My girls!

They gave Rascal a bandana!

The one he had one before his new one

My Jules

Pink twins!

Maria and Ryan

The essence of me

Hat making

The Hat Crew

After this we decided to just keep it low key and easy. Robin and Libby were arriving shortly and we didn't have a dinner reservation anywhere so we all landed at Dr. Wilkinson's where Terri, Jules and Noel staying. It had this really great outdoor area where you could order food/drinks, chill and play games. It was a lovely evening!

 

Ryan Jenga-ing

Rascal loves Auntie T

Handsome

Noel Jenga-ing

Julie Jenga-ing

Operation! Why do they have all the high anxiety games! LOL

Libby has arrived!

May be my fave pic of me and Rascal! Jen took like 10 but I love this one the most!

Saturday was the one day that everyone was here! (Well except Miss Sarah who was literally doing a French Laundry turn around! LOL). We started the day with a lovely walk with Libby and Robin. They were staying in the bnb with us.

And yes I found a geocache!

Before we headed out Annie and David popped by our bnb to chill before our next venture! They brought us some lovely presies and Chef Pat made us tacos again!

So incredibly stoked my cousin is here!!!! And look at this damn bottle they got me!!!!!!!!!! Go Cubbies!

 

 I booked us a tour and tasting at Castello di Amorosa. Libby and I had actually done this last time we were up here and had a great time so I thought it would be fun for the group. It's so much more crazy and crowded from when we came before! Wow what a difference! But we had a great time and still got to do our tasting down below which is so ultra cool. And Rascal actually could go too!

Waiting to start - Rascal in his "Chewy Vitton" scarf

Our Tour Guide Brandon!

Love this crew!

Heading down

Handsome boy

Nice shot T!

We then got to do a barrel tasting!

 

Now down into the Dungeon! Yes there's an actual dungeon in this place with legit torture devices. It's insane!

 

Iron Maiden! Eeeesh!

The girls in a cell

Darrel Dixon!

Goonies Never Say Die!!!!

We then got to see the awesome Barrel room!

 

So happy we got so many group shots!

It was then concluded with an awesome tasting below! Such a great time!

 

Ready!

I loved this pour thing!

Then off to purchase any bottles and catch a few animals outside the castle! 

 

There's a friggin goat in there!

Thank you to all who bought me wine!

That evening was the big dinner night! I wanted to book a dinner when all of us were there and this place was it! I was truly surprised by how hard it was to find a place. Most places wanted to charge per head fees, or room fees, etc. But this place was like - "Sure! Just a cc to hold!" That's what I'm talking about. So we all landed at the lovely Lucy's. (I mean Lucy...Lucille Ball...it's a sign!). Food was great! Staff was lovely! And they even had a fancy dog menu. What a great night of friendship and lots of laughter!

 

Rascal picking out his dinner

He chose the Beef and Carrots

So I tried to do a speech, but started crying, so the crew just got a big long text after the trip. Why am I such a damn sap!?

This was just a little bite of yummy'ness that they brought us all!

I was feeling such joy at this moment! Look at my peeps! How lucky am I?!

Halibut Special

Terri and Pat got these ridiculous Pork Chops! I had food envy for sure!

So damn pretty!

Happy 50th to us!

I tried to mingle

I wish I could remember what was happening here...

Annie!!!!!!

Us

My T

My best girls!

Lovely art on our way out

These are all wine bottles!

Sunday was the big French Laundry Day. Most just chilled and did their own thing before the big event. Jen/Charlie and Maria/Ryan were heading out Sunday so we got some more wonderful time with them at Calistoga Brewery. We relaxed, visited and had a wonderful time. 

 

Charlie is so fashionable!

Lib got a beer flight!

Someone is tuckered

Love these peeps!

Then Annie and David were just across the way so we all hit up Romeo Vineyards since it was right next door and looked pretty! It was super windy, but other than that we had just a lovely time!

 

My best girls in a garden

They gave Rascal a bandana and a Wine Bottle Squeaky toy!

Mom would love this garden!

Then it was back to the bnb to relax until FL. And as you can read in the other blog - EPIC!

Monday morning Libby and Robin were out super early as was Noel. We grabbed a quick breakfast with Julie and Terri before they had their flight - at the Brewery again! LOL. Then we hit the road to Paso! Pat and I had a wine pick up and planned on doing an overnight there on our way home. When we got there later than hoped - we decided to tack on one more night so we could really enjoy the last bit of our trip. So friggin glad we did! It was a lovely way to end!

Monday we didn't do much, tired, recovering, but got our "Hope in the Park" glasses of wine!

Tuesday morning we had breakfast at Amstrdm Paso. This is where Thomas Hill Organics used to be and we loved that place. So we were thrilled to find this coffee place/restaurant had taken over. It was damn good!

Just love this patio!

We stayed at little motel called Stables Inn. Super cute!

Wine tasting at Halter Ranch. Can't wait to come back! 

Much bigger than the Halter in Temecula!

The biggest Oak Tree in the Valley! Alot of their labels have this tree on them.

Wine pick up and tasting at Austin Hope!

Checked out Barton Winery

Got a lovely snack

Then dinner at The Alchemist Garden - one of our favorite spots

They have a Taco Tuesday!!!

 

Wednesday morning up super early to hit the road home to a very happy kitty!

Words can't even describe how full my heart is after this trip. There's a lot of uncertainty in our future right now and so much going on in the world, our country, etc. But for 8 glorious days we were able to just enjoy and appreciate amazing food, amazing wine, and most importantly amazing friends and family!  My friendships with Jen/Maria growing from work colleagues to dear friends. Terri and Julie the lights in my life and soul. Noel my die hard adventure friend. To get to spend time with my cousin Annie who I never get to see and love so very much. Robin and Libby my bestest of friends whom are basically my sisters. And of course celebrating a milestone birthday with the love of my life Pat. I love each and every one of you so damn much. This has been a truly beautiful trip! So very grateful.

Take the trip.

Do the thing.

Make the memories.