Friday photo - this one from Napa Valley.

(click for larger image)

Beaulieu Vineyards is a historic and well-known winery in Napa Valley. It’s located in Rutherford, right next to the Rutherford Grill (a great restaurant — you can park once, and take advantage of both of them!). When I saw this building in October, covered in the fall-colored vines, I couldn’t resist snapping some shots. How perfect!

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Our next San Francisco and Napa Valley tour will be this October. San Francisco is one of the most beautiful cities on earth, and when you can combine that with harvest season in Napa, a coastal hike, and a sail on the bay — well, what could be better?

Years ago, I did a profile of Robert Mondavi as part of my MBA. What an amazing man! Wine drinkers will recognize that name — one of the most influential people ever in the California wine industry. When I ran across his autobiography Harvests of Joy, I had to find out more.

It’s enlightening to see how much difference one person can make. He didn’t do it all by himself, but nobody can deny that he was a major force for change. Napa and California (and possibly all of the US wine industry) would not be what it is now without Robert Mondavi. And to think he started his own winery at the age of 52, after being kicked out of the family business. (Yes, all the stories are told in the book!) There’s no such thing as starting too late! It certainly gives ME hope.

If you’re thinking of visiting Napa, it’s also fun to read about how Napa was a few decades ago. My, how things have changed. Not the sleepy little farm towns anymore.

The other thing I find inspiring is the spirit. He shows his hard-driving business side, and admits that had some serious impacts on his family and those around him. But there’s a level of joy throughout, too. How many business owners view their endeavors as “harvests of joy”? I love it!

Recommended for:
- Anyone who wants to follow their dream,
- People visiting Napa Valley.

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We do a Napa Valley tour for women each fall at harvest season. It’s a stunning place - beautiful and sophisticated. Funny to think how different it was, not so long ago…

On the last day of our Napa Valley tour, we ventured to the far north end of the valley, and the historic town of Calistoga.

Calistoga is famous for its hot springs and geysers. The town was founded in 1859 by a gold-rush entrepreneur, Sam Brannan, who built a resort here to take advantage of these. The name is a combination of California and Saratoga (the famous New York state spa). Stories tell that Brannan came up with the name accidentally, after imbibing a bit much at a dinner party.

Most of our party chose to have a spa morning, trying out the famous Calistoga mud baths, and/or a more traditional massage.

Those with a bit more energy headed up to Robert Louis Stevenson state park for a hike. The author (most famous for Treasure Island), came here for one of the most unusual honeymoons ever. He and his bride found an abandoned, rundown shack at the closed Silverado Mine, and made it their honeymoon home. Wonder if she knew what she was getting into? He wrote The Silverado Squatters about their experiences here. Aside from telling of his odd honeymoon, the book is interesting in sharing its views of Napa Valley life in 1880. Even then, most of the redwood trees were already gone, and a few people were growing grapes and making wine.

We had a lovely day for the hike and a final picnic overlooking the vines. The leaves have turned more yellow in just the last few days. There was rain yesterday, and the vineyards are scrambling to get the rest of the harvest in as quickly as possible. It seems that winter is coming early this year, but for today, we can just enjoy the fall colors.

Arriving in San Francisco feels like coming home (though I live in Arizona now).

It’s my favorite city in the world. I never get tired of it. The beautiful skyline, the constantly changing bay, the vibrant city life, the quirky characters, and of course the food! It’s hard to put any city above New York, Rome or Paris, but for me, San Francisco takes the prize. Whenever I get back here, it makes me feel good. I felt my heart soar as I crossed the Bay Bridge and saw the city before me.

I’m in town for our Napa Valley & San Francisco trip. It’s the first time we’re doing this one, so there’s an extra bit of excitement before the trip. Every trip is an unknown before you start. No matter how many times you’ve done a particular trip, each one is different. What will the people on this one be like? What will the weather do? What little surprises are in store for us? On this one, I’m also wondering “will they like my favorite places?” I love San Francisco and the surrounding area so much, I hope I’m able to share some of what I feel with our guests.

The downsides? Parking (difficult or expensive) and prices (sky high housing). But once you’re here, you understand why people are willing to pay so much to live here.

We stay at the Orchard Hotel, a lovely boutique hotel downtown. Dinner tonight is in North Beach, the Italian section of the city (my fave), then a cable car back to the hotel. What could be more perfect?

Tomorrow we meet the group, and begin our adventure! - Deanna