I looked back and really can't believe that I didn't post photos from my trip to California in early June.  My only excuse is that I've been really busy.

I'm fortunate that my daughter lives in the Bay Area and I have an excuse to visit one of the most beautiful and culturally rich areas of  our country at least once a year.  Southwest had a big fare sale and I booked my ticket.

The Saturday I arrived, my daughter and I spent time with her cousin and his partner in the city, had a delicious dinner and went to North Beach to get cannolis to bring home to my hubby.

But Sunday, oh Sunday was a special treat.  After a bit of an unexpected wait, we got our car from Enterprise and headed north from Berkeley to Stellaa's home in Santa Rosa.  She had invited us for brunch, to be followed by a drive through wine country.

As I expected, Stellaa and her husband have a lovely home, but who could have expected the garden?  We had brunch with the family and then set off for the Russian River valley.  By the way, my daughter and Stellaa's niece were in the back seat chattering like long lost pals.  I'm going to let the photos speak for themselves here, with simple captions.  My one sorrow is that I have no pictures of Stellaa and her family.  My daughter did have one shot of Stellaa and me, but it was of our "better" side, and I choose not to publish it.  :)

All of the photos and more, along with descriptions, can be found on my Flickr photostream.

  Bikers at Dry Creek General Store.

Sheep and goats at Truett-Hurst Winery.

Truett-Hurst Winery again.  This winery grows in the bio-dynamic method.  You'll have to ask Stellaa about that.

I think this vineyard was in the Alexander Valley.  Just before Healdsburg.

 The wall of the Hotel Healdsburg.  Seems the vines just keep growing and growing.

All rights reserved on all photos.