The Napa Valley Wine Train

Today we took a lovely lunch time trip on the Napa Valley Wine Train. Before boarding we met an interesting couple from Dubai, I should say a family as there were 4 in this family. Too bad we didn’t see them after our initial meeting as they would have been interesting to talk to. We left Napa at the appointed time relaxing in the stuffed swivel chairs in the lounge car. We had our delicious appetizer with a glass of wine included in our package. Our appetizer was a large grilled prawn, calamari salad, seaweed salad, some soft slices of baguette, and three kinds of cheese; smoked apple wood, onion chive cheddar, and sage cheese.We added a Wine Flight along the way north up this lovely valley. We toasted Mom as we passed by her house around noon. This is a nice way to see the valley if you want to drink some wine and not drive! I love the quaint décor of the train, very period, even Renoir on the walls!

Renoir Reproductions

Appetizer

Wine Flight

Our first stop was the Grgich Hills Winery in Rutherford. I don’t know how many people got off, but I think they do a winery tour and tasting if they bought that particular tour. They will be picked up again as we head back on the return trip from St. Helena. Let first much people off. They will have dessert on the way back where we are sitting.

Grgich Estate

After arrival in St. Helena we were escorted to the dining car. Of course you are welcome to walk all over the train during the trip. There are dome cars and other places with different view. John did walk around a little bit. Our table was lovely. I had the beef tenderloin and John had the pork loin, both were delicious! Dessert was included and John got a candle in his crème brûlée!

Lunch Time

Happy EARLY Birthday John

 

Around Napa Valley

Since Mom has a caregiver today it is time for us to get out of the way and let them get acquainted and begin some sort of routine. Since we got a late start, our first stop was The Rutherford Grill for lunch! Yes, we recently ate here but I was so hungry for a steak! After seeing the menu I could not resist the ribs after all and John had a burger. We shared the most delicious heirloom tomato and Buratta cheese salad for an appetizer. That salad was one of the best things I have eaten in a long time. Tony was such a good boy at the restaurant (we ate on the patio) even though another very large dog was there growling at him!

Heirloom Tomato & Buratta Cheese Salad

After lunch we took care of some business at the St. Helena Public Cemetery and drove on for a short visit through Bothe State Park. It has changed so much in the past many years but it was interesting to see again. There were several empty sites, I wonder if it is always that way? It is a very economical place to stay in this valley! We picked up a brochure and noted the warnings for poison oak! Further north we crossed the threshold into Calistoga and drove by the house where I lived when Deb was born. Just a few miles further north we arrived to Tubbs Lane, the turn off for Old Faithful Geyser. We paid our entrance fee ($12 reduced from $14 because John is a veteran) and eagerly awaited the next eruption that was to happen in about 30 minutes. We were told the eruptions have been lasting up to 20 minutes since the Napa/Yountville earthquake about a year ago. We were not disappointed! Even if the area is very commercialized it was still interesting to see. They have cabanas and picnic tables, you can bring your own picnic and your own wine in and enjoy. Your entrance is good for all day. There are things for children like a small petting zoo and they are working on some gardens as well. 

Calistoga Old Faithful Geyser

Next we drove back to Calistoga and through the middle of town to pick up the Silverado Trail for our journey back. We figured we would try some sparkling wine tasting at Mumm Winery. I know they used to have a patio and that would probably work with Tony along, and it did! We had a delicious snack and wine tasting, Tony was even given a doggie bone for a treat!

Wine Tasting at Mumm Winery

On the way back to Mom’s we drove through the grounds of the Veterans Home in Yountville since John had never been there. When I was growing up some one of my friend's father worked there and their family lived there. It was sad to see so many vacant buildings and homes. Why can’t our Veterans utilize this property? They could rebuild, restore, and live here. I think it would be healing for many of our Wounded Warriors? During our meandering visit we were startled to see at least 6 deer feeding among the trees. Of note, on subsequent visits we saw more than a dozen deer and even a fox!  It was a nice, relaxing day. We are really looking forward to The Wine Train tomorrow.

Deer – Yountville Veteran’s Home