A Sunday Drive

TRIP ~ DAY 3
more story than pictures . . . 

I was an odd kid.  I loved Sunday drives with my family.  They were pretty.  And quiet.  A lovely respite for me from the constant chatter of my mom & sister.  My dad loved California, having moved here in 1938, when he was 12.  He liked wilderness and trees and he drove us some fun places.

So last Sunday I drove my daughter & her boyfriend North.  It was a beautiful day for a drive.  At the Flea Market sign I got some interest.   My daughter has been dragged to so many flea markets and they aren't her thing.  Who knew her boyfriend was such a sport?  We stopped.

Not my usual flea market.  Here we saw beautiful First Communion

 . . . and Quincenera dresses!

Colorful fruit and veggies . . .

 

. . . and the young men selling them.

They  were teasing each other about being in my photographs, so I made them both stand still for this one.  I probably should have gotten vegetables also, but my daughter was worried they were making fun of us so I took this quick.  They weren't making fun, they were just cute kids.  When I pointed out that she & I know enough Spanish to know when we are being dis-ed, she was ok!

On through Napa, Healdsburg, St Helena . . . wine country.  

We didn't stop at any wineries or vineyards.  Nor did I take photos.  Trust me, it was beautiful, even with the grapevines dormant!

Calistoga

Almost 40 years ago, when I met my husband, this was a sleepy little town.  We used to come here on our days off from summer camp to do laundry and get soup at a cool organic, vegetarian restaurant.

 Victorian Cottages

 Great Porches

Architectural Details.

I wanted to live here, heck, I still do.  But my DH has never thought there would be enough work for a jazz musician.  He's probably right, but I get nostalgic for the life that might have been whenever I visit.

 Redwoods, looking up

Up over the hill we drove to Middletown, the former home of the summer camp where my chosen family (as opposed to birth family) began.  I met my husband there, and years later our son, age 9, & daughter, age 6, started going.  They spent three summers, loving the place every bit as much as we had!

We drove back on the Silverado Trail.  I love that name, so romantic.  Years ago it was rural and western.  Today its mostly wineries and vineyards.  It's still beautiful and it was a lovely day spent with my dearest daughter and her equally dearest young man.  This was an absolute perfect day for me!