Wine Country 5/19

Another morning rise at 8am was not as difficult as the previous day. As the ‘rents went in search of a coffee and breakfast, Kara and I packed up and dressed for the long day of driving ahead of us. When the coffee seekers returned, we made like Christmas trees and exited the Handlery Union Square Hotel en route to Sonoma and Napa Valley! But first, as any American Tourist would, we drove through Mickey D’s to grab some grub and drinks to fuel our voyage.
    I figured out the hard way, 20 miles north of the correct turn towards Napa, that I should not be in the backseat typing this blog. My duties as navigator were never more apparent than in the disdain filled silence that hung like the fog of a San Francisco morning inside our roaring Mercury. After straightening out our course towards Napa, the massive menagerie and selection of wineries in the valley became painfully apparent. An hour of Droid web surfing did no justice, and Fodor’s guide was consulted to land us at Frog’s Leap Winery in the Y valley. The day was gorgeous, a reprieve from the windy rain and chill of the big city. The sun shone down and heated the air to a balmy 75 degrees, as we enjoyed a flight of expensive wines on the patio adjacent to a plantation of grapes. Turns out, Frog’s Leap was an ideal starting point, even according to the guide, as they allowed us to scope out all the wineries in the area with a handy guide. The sheer number of wineries listed in that directory was astounding, leaving the mind to wonder how the entire United States supply of Napa Valley wine was grown in the vicinity of HWY 29. I definitely didn’t see that many grapes….

    After the first flight, and a decision not to revisit any delectable merlots, we headed up the mountainside to bring our boisterous “Missourah” attitude. Rutherford Ranch, the first nice red barn at the base of the hill, had no outdoor seating, and thus no appeal to us. A quick jaunt higher up the mountain landed us at Rutherford Hills, a gargantuan refinery with two story doors and a massive outdoor picnic area shaded by slow-growing olive trees. A large swath of the beautiful valley was visible through the aged and gnarled branches, shedding light on the multitude of perfectly strung grapes basking in the California sun. “No outside alcohol” signs warranted only a chuckle as we popped open a couple Kona Longboards, Great White Ales, and Red Tails while the women enjoyed a whole bottle of buttery chardonnay.
    The heat of the valley warmed our skin as the spirits both lightened the mood and amplified our ability to be obnoxious. A bag of pretzels served as an alternative medium for artistic expression, as we chomped our way through half a bag to carve out the letters of our names. The wine was sinking in, and the day was getting late, so we headed back to the car to start our academic journey through the outlying areas of San Francisco. Lunch was the only obstacle standing between me and my possible future institution, but it was not an obstacle that could be skipped. Pacific Blues in Yountville fit the bill, and a beautiful dining experience on a back patio filled our stomachs before the drive. Driving out of Napa, it was clear that we all needed to take a Napa.
    Berkeley was our first stop, and a quick tour of the campus ensued. The buildings reminded me of the Missouri campus, but were much more spread out. The vibe of Cali was also apparent, as a skateboarder wiped out right in front of us, and in front of all the “No Skateboarding” signs. Berkeley’s highlights were the beautiful clock tower in central campus, and the brand new engineering/science building full of research labs. I truly believe I would feel at home at this magnificent campus.
    An hours worth of scoping the academic buildings was more than enough, but Urban Outfitters grabbed our attention. A pair of shoes and a few souvenirs later we were back on the road to Palo Alto. However, time is something we didn’t have.
    After crossing the bay on 92, the affluence of Stanford became increasingly apparent. A stretch of road over 5 miles long was littered with high end retail stores, ritzy cafes, and beautiful facades. University Avenue turned into Palm Drive, and a stretch of roads that epitomize Stanford. A picturesque view of the Spanish style campus loomed a mile ahead as a road surrounded by two rows of equi-spaced palm trees lined our path. A quick roll through the main loop of campus showed the true beauty of the university, and upon seeing the white and orange terra-cotta buildings I became hooked. If I am accepted to Stanford, I’m almost positive that’s where I’ll be spending my next four or so years.
    The sun began to set and the fog rolled in to ruin what would be our first Pacific Sunset. Rolling through Santa Cruz towards Monterey was a long journey after a long day, and driving was becoming increasingly unpleasant. However, Hotel Abrego in the beautiful city of Monterey was exceptionally nice, and after a journey to grab some essentials and a tasty pizza from Gianni’s, it was time to relax. The movie “Signs” let us slip slowly into slumber, with only a mass awakening at 2 am to chug water and crack a window, as the heat became too much to handle. Strangely, the AC didn’t work, as the switches next to the temperature only seemed to turn on and off an unnecessary but unique in-room fireplace. Nonetheless, tomorrow is packed full of activity, and a lot more driving.