Insanity is a dish best served microwaved

It’s a beautiful day here in November.  The sun is shining and the Patriots are winning… again.  Jen and I just got back from a nice weekend in Napa.  We decided to leave early so we could make the most of the weekend.

On the way down, I did something very unusual for my road travels, I stopped to use the bathroom.  Because of my rule of five–I don’t drive more than five hours… I just fly.  So for me to stop for the bathroom, it’s rare.  We stopped in Dunnigan to use the bathroom.  Dunnigan is a little highway town that doesn’t have much.  We pulled into the local Jack In the Crack (aka Box) that smelt like the place had an indoor pool somewhere hidden in the place.

We arrived at Tracy and Greg’s house to meet Baby Lia who is as cute as a button.  We met Tracy’s parents and had a nice lunch before heading out to the wineries.  I was smart and found the item with the most bread in it on the menu for lunch–a calzone.  Greg who works for a local winery knows all the  ins and outs of the wineries.  He took us to some great places to see taste some great wines.  Then he took us on a special tour and showed us he does.

I think I learned SO much about wine just listening to Greg explain what he does.  I learned about different wines and blends, what happens to wines that doesn’t make what it should, and just the process a bottle goes through before getting to market.  It felt like I was in Oz and the wizard took me behind the curtain to see how the magic really works.  It was just so much fun to just chill out and sip on some very good wines and learn the difference between a REALLY (I mean REALLY REALLY good wine) and wines that weren’t going to be much.

After napping off the wine, Jen and I headed downtown to check it out and grab something to eat.  A burger sounded fantastic.  When we ordered, we spent $33 on burgers and fries.  Let me tell you, it wasn’t so special–Nobby’s is WAYYY better.  But we walked around the downtown and checked it out.  It was cool, but not spectacular.

What I learned is that I am not quite ready to be a wineo.  Don’t get me wrong, I love wine.  I am just not ready to be the middle aged people hanging our at wine bars.  We walked around and realized that if we went into any of the places, we would be the youngest by at least ten years.  I love hanging out with friends that are different ages, but not strangers.  Of course, strangers are just friends you haven’t met.

We decided we would just be happier hanging at the hotel and watch a movie.  On the way back, we stopped by Raley’s to get some ice cream.  Now in Chico, Raley’s is where the more affluent people shop in town.  In Napa, it’s where the poor people shop… what a change in culture.

We got back to the hotel and Jen pointed out that the hotel doesn’t have any movies.  Bummer.  Luckily, I brought my swim suit and had an extra pair of board shorts in the car.  I’m so prepared.  We just hung out in the hot tub and came back to find Manchurian Candidate on TV.  It is a great movie, but I hate watching movies on TV because the commercials cut the flow of the movie.

This morning we got up rather early and had some breakfast before heading back to Chico.  We were supposed to hang with a friend on the way home, but he didn’t get up in time.  We wanted to get back home to go for a bike ride (Jen got a bike for her birthday) and for me to watch the last half of the Patriots game.

On the way home, I looked at the gas tank and figured I had JUST enough to get home.  Boy was I right.  When  we got to the gas station, I had about .35 of a gallon left. My laziness almost caused me to push my car home.  But now, I’m home.  The tank is full.  I have a lazy Sunday ahead.