California Dreaming

I started this post this weekend when it was freakishly cold (think: sleet—yuk!). I’d somehow developed another nasty cold of my own and Chris wasn’t due back from his California training for days. He was able to call me for the first time since I’ve been back to tell me he’d returned to San Diego from the middle of nowhere and we had a nice chat Friday afternoon (my time)/Thursday night (his time). After he hung up to head to bed I settled onto the couch and sunk into one of those deep, inescapable naps you have when you’re under the weather, complete with weird cold medicine induced dreams. I tried to swim upward out of the nap but kept sinking further and further into dark sleepiness. It seemed like longer than just two weeks ago that we took a mini road trip up to Temecula for some wine tasting. The city gave way to suburbs, which turned into countryside—rolling hills dotted with rocks and boulders and enormous houses. On the other side of the freeway a truck jackknifed, blocking all lanes of traffic for nearly three miles. Ah, smells like a road trip! We first stopped at Thornton Winery to sit outside and enjoy the fountain, vineyards and spring flowers. I chose Thornton for its champagne tasting, plus they offered little appetisers, so we had some bread, goat cheese and a small pizza. Honestly, the champagnes weren’t that great, but the tasting environment was quite pleasant. From there we drove across the street to Callaway Vineyard and Winery. It was barely afternoon but this gorgeous tasting factory must have started early because the bar was crowded with red-faced, very loud, chauffeured groups in sundresses and frat boy shirts. And children. What!?
We sat outside in the grassy wedding area afterwards. Chris had a little nap and tiny bunnies nibbled the hedge. Then we drove east enjoying the afternoon sunshine, vineyards, hills and just cruising together—something we can’t do very often on the stoplight-happy streets of Japan. Mexican food in Old Town and a movie finished off our fun date!