birthday month!! the BIG 6-O
I can't spend it with Joyce - she's still quarantining and not letting me come visit without a 2-week quarantine in AZ in advance - so I opted for a destination low in population and high in fresh air and open spaces. and we kept in communication throughout much of the time, so it was "almost like being there" to some extent.
Friday - Birthday-day
my first destination as I drove south on 101 was lunch at this "historic location." not only is it overflowing with pink everything - yeah! - it has a western and rustic feel to it, which is the opposite of the urban nightmare where I live. I wish I could have afforded the price of one of these unique rooms - ah well, maybe someday. Joyce and I have stopped here a few times on our trips to D'Land, and I can still remember the first time we stopped here when I was almost 11. that's what makes it "historic."
If I had stayed on property, I definitely would have also scheduled a horseback riding session. that's right, they have that too! this is a statue of the late owner who was a legend in these parts. there's even a segment of the highway named after him.
it was a beautiful day, perfect for wandering around the property, sightseeing.
I'm pretty sure this cow is new since the last time we were here. I know I'm not imagining pink elephants on parade or anything like that because I didn't even finish my glass of wine at lunch!
afterward, I continued down 101 and thru the beach traffic along the coast. I eventually got to my less expensive hotel and unpacked. when it was dinner time, the on-property restaurant provided fixin's enough to feed a tired and hungry cowpoke who just finished a long cattle drive! I started off with a birthday drink, a Washington Apple, and a bowl of their famous chili, brought to the table in a dutch oven...
...then a garden salad, and to really fill me up, I got a petite sirloin and a calamari steak. that's oven potatoes in the skillet in the back. everything was delicious!
luckily there was a "light" dessert option, and one of my most favorites ... root beer float! topped with a birthday candle. perfection!
day two, Saturday
I had booked a walking tour of wineries with various flight and present options. first stop was the horserace named vineyard that has nothing to do with horses - - it's the family's name. I had a delicious rose and a lovely - and safe - environment in which to enjoy it. the glass and the wine in it were the items I had prepurchased.
there was just one other couple on the patio while I was here (they are just left of this shot, so I was giving them their privacy).
a short walk away was my next destination. it also had a small group so there was no problem social distancing.
I was to receive a flight of 5 tastes at this establishment. I started with a Prosecco and ended with a Temperanillo. all of them were delicious!!
I walked around some more but the next winery where I was to receive another flight was closed. they posted that they were doing some specialized sanitizing. boo.
I thought this sign was clever:
Tonight's forecast - 99% chance of wine
:-)
the downtown area where these winery's have their tasting rooms is just so delightful. there was even a lovely park where families were enjoying the glorious weather.
when I'd gotten my fill of the quaint downtown walkabout, I headed back to the beach region. I was craving BBQ, so I did a net search for the most popular eatery that had take-out. it was delicious!!
Sunday
I slept in because the hotel bed was just so comfortable, and I really needed the rest.
the destination that my whole vacation was scheduled around was this light and landscape extravaganza.
I dressed in my new lovely lacy birthday dress, and drove back out to Paso Robles, over to the "winery row." I was the first person in line; I easily passed through the temperature check and then moved on to the next queue where I waited for the opening.
finally we were guided up to the VIP section - I paid extra because I'm worth it - and I got a perfect spot with a view down the length and breadth of the site.
now we just waited for the sun to set. I loved how the light stalks look like the typical dry grasses that typically grace these hillsides in late summer.
turning to my left, they had started a firepit nearby. I loved this solitary tree standing watch as the lights slowly twinkled on.
people queued all night long to meander through the acres of rolling illuminated hillocks.
as the sun descended the lights grew more brilliant.
earlier in the day the temps had been in the 80s, but by sundown it had cooled down and a breeze had picked up.
finally the sun was down, darkness surrounded us, and the lights were doing their magical dance. their colors changed and dimmed and brightened. I left my VIP seat and meandered through the display. I felt like Alice wandering in Wonderland!
I got to another spot where there were benches, and I sat and watched as the colors went through their transformation.
finally I went through the last few turns and back out again to the upper patio area.
I collected a few souvenirs and then made the drive back out of wine country and headed home to the hotel near the beach. what a tremendous and unforgettable experience!!
