Steve and I actually rearranged our travel schedule to be able to spend a day with friends in Windsor California.
It was so cool to be driving Ladybug over the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.
Our friends
A few years back I told you about our visit to Rehoboth Beach to visit our dear friend Trish. Well we texted Trish to say hi and wish her a Happy Thanksgiving. Yes. Way back then. She told us that she was going to be in Windsor to visit her daughter Pam at the end of January. There was no way we would miss the opportunity to see our friends. We were planning on going to Sonoma County just not quite as soon. So we cut out Paso Robles and headed straight to our campground in Santa Rosa.
The drive to Santa Rosa
Here we go! On our way to Santa Rosa in Wine Country.
Alcatraz Island
Our drive Hollister to Santa Rosa was pleasant because we passed vineyard after vineyard and orchards for days. There was no question we had arrived in San Francisco with its roller coaster roads and homes in every color of the rainbow. But the big thrill was going across the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and Robin Williams Tunnel. We could even see Alcatraz in the Bay.
Showers brought us beautiful rainbow to enjoy.
We arrived in Santa Rosa, set up and settled in to get a good rest before arising early to spend a day with friends in nearby Windsor California.
Windsor California
We picked Trish up at her daughter’s home in the morning. She wanted to show us around beautiful Windsor before steering us to Healdsburg for lunch.
Oliver’s Market
Oliver’s Market in Windsor California
Vibrant Citrus and Pomegranates in bins entice shoppers outside at Oliver’s
We walked about a block and a half to Oliver’s Market which was one of the most beautiful markets we had ever seen. Lovely tin and wood bins held vibrantly colorful citrus and pomegranates. That was just the tip of the iceberg. Inside the store was an exquisite array of fresh produce including Buddha Hand lemons. I had read about them but never saw them in a market. I’m still kicking myself for not buying a few, but I knew we would be our until late in the evening. I won’t make that mistake twice though.
Peeking out among the apples were fabulous Buddha Hand lemons.
The meat department showcased well-marbled Prime meats. And the fish department had gorgeous fresh fish and seafood. By the time we went passed the bakery department we realized we were all starving. So we immediately walked back to the car and headed for Healdsburg.
Lunch in Healdsburg
Yummy Tuna Tacos with Rice and Black Beans
The Green Enchiladas with Red Rice and Black Beans tasted much better than it looked. Promise!
Trish chose a Mexican restaurant for lunch because she knew we were having Italian for dinner. It was so pretty to eat outside under umbrellas while listening to the strumming of Mariachi music. It made our Mexican feast that much more delicious.
Back Room Wine Tour
After lunch we were treated to a behind the scenes tour of Stuhlmuller Vineyards where Trish’s son is the winemaker. I will tell you all about our tour in my next post. It was fabulous and deserves a day all its own.
Wine tasting at Rockpile Vineyards Tasting Room
Charcuterie at a wine tasting al fresco at Rockpile Winery
But we weren’t done by a long shot. We met Trish’s daughter Pam back in tony downtown Healdsburg for an al fresco wine tasting at Rockpile Vineyards tasting room. Pam is an Executive Assistant for Wilson Artisan Wineries, of which Rockpile is one. Pam had arranged for us to be able to enjoy some of the exquisite wines along with an Artisan Cheese Board and Charcuterie Board. The wines we tasted – 2018 Zinfandel, Buffalo Hollow Reserve, 2018 Zinfandel, Petroglyph Reserve, 2016 Zinfandel, Rockpile Ranch Reserve, 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon, Raven’s Rock, 2016 Heritage, 2016 Petit Verdot, Carriage House – were all either Gold Medal or Double Gold Medal award winners. And were they ever delicious!!!
Dinner at home in Windsor
And our day with friends in Windsor California was over yet. We went back to Trish and her daughter’s home for a relaxing and yummy Italian dinner that they brought in from a local Windsor restaurant complete with desserts. While enjoying the end of our day Steve and I couldn’t get over how cute Pam’s grandson’s toy kitchen was. Apparently the precocious 4 year old loves to cook. A budding chef in the making. Our friends sent us on our way with a lovely parting gift of a couple of bottles of wine. We will certainly think of them with great fondness when we savor those wines.
Our friend Pam’s 4 year old grandson’s kitchen, complete with chef’s uniform!
And pants too! Is that the cutest thing you have ever seen?
We headed back to Ladybug feeling all warm and fuzzy from a most wonderful day with friends in Windsor California! It was that an a few bottles of great wine.
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