Back from vacation in Napa Valley

[TheBeachHouse]

Stayed in three B&Bs while there. One was a major hotel chain but we had a B&B style buffet breakfast. One was a mid size hotel with buffet breakfast available and one was a beautiful antique house with a plated breakfast served in a wine cellar.
All three had very good service. We got service ideas from all three and also got a little self confidence seeing that our buffet stands up to theirs in terms of variety and presentation. Felt good.
We learned that the house we were in had changed hands that day. We met the owner of several hours! He had closed on the business that morning! Gave him our card and told him to call if he needed to vent! Saw him later with a few contractors pointing to upgrades he was already starting.
What we loved: a place to sit outside, healthy choices for breakfast, a buffet, attentive service.
What we didn't love: noise. noisy floors, noisy hallways, noisy guests on their stupid phones when we were trying to relax, fatty breakfasts with no choice if you don't want the fatty stuff, bad coffee, no place to relax outside.
Our biggest takeaway - none of the places iced the juice bar. We do. And it's a pita. We put our juices in a champagne bucket with ice. We are going to try without for awhile after seeing that others just put the juice out with no ice.
We had very good weather and a good break from work. Back home and back to it!

 

[Lee2014]

We got service ideas from all three and also got a little self confidence seeing that our buffet stands up to theirs in terms of variety and presentation. Felt good.
Glad to hear that! Its always good to know where you stand… Just don't get too confident!
We learned that the house we were in had changed hands that day. We met the owner of several hours! He had closed on the business that morning!
Wow! What an experience doing your first day with experienced innkeepers in your inn!!! Glad to hear that he's on the ball and wish him the very best.
Our biggest takeaway - none of the places iced the juice bar. We do. And it's a pita. We put our juices in a champagne bucket with ice. We are going to try without for awhile after seeing that others just put the juice out with no ice.
We have glass pitchers with plastic ice tube to keep it cold for our juice and milk. The retreat center I worked in before also used these containers. Depending on the temperature the ice lasts about two hours, give and take. Learn from us, do not fill the tube with water and freeze it! You just add ice cubes to the tube, screw on the top and plop it unto the pitcher with juice and away into the dining room it goes!
We had very good weather and a good break from work. Back home and back to it!
Glad to have you back! I just got back on the job after a "vacation" with a terrible cold, flu, fever, and headache.

 

[TheBeachHouse]

Lee, sorry to hear you were under the weather. Hope it is in the past now. Thanks for the tips.

 

[Lee2014]

Lee, sorry to hear you were under the weather. Hope it is in the past now. Thanks for the tips..

I'm on the mend and going up! Still have a cough.

 

[Morticia]

We have the same glass pitchers with the ice inserts. Works well!
Please email with the places you stayed! I'll be there next week.

 

[TheBeachHouse]

We have the same glass pitchers with the ice inserts. Works well!
Please email with the places you stayed! I'll be there next week..

sent you an email through this system.

 

[dumitru]

And here I am back from a tasting of Napa Valley Sauvignons and Cabernets (at ProWein 2017). Had the opportunity of tasting about 12 wines with a combined retail price value of $1,000+, with the most expensive one being $160.
Just felt the need to brag I guess

 

[Arks]

And here I am back from a tasting of Napa Valley Sauvignons and Cabernets (at ProWein 2017). Had the opportunity of tasting about 12 wines with a combined retail price value of $1,000+, with the most expensive one being $160.
Just felt the need to brag I guess .

And here I am back from a tasting of Napa Valley Sauvignons and Cabernets (at ProWein 2017). Had the opportunity of tasting about 12 wines with a combined retail price value of $1,000+, with the most expensive one being $160.
Just felt the need to brag I guess

You are a lucky man! One rarely goes wrong with a wine from Napa. They're all great!

 

[TheBeachHouse]

And here I am back from a tasting of Napa Valley Sauvignons and Cabernets (at ProWein 2017). Had the opportunity of tasting about 12 wines with a combined retail price value of $1,000+, with the most expensive one being $160.
Just felt the need to brag I guess .

And here I am back from a tasting of Napa Valley Sauvignons and Cabernets (at ProWein 2017). Had the opportunity of tasting about 12 wines with a combined retail price value of $1,000+, with the most expensive one being $160.
Just felt the need to brag I guess

You are a lucky man! One rarely goes wrong with a wine from Napa. They're all great!
.

Have to agree. We enjoyed the tastings. Bought a case and a half.

 

[happykeeper]

It's one of the great pleasures to be in the biz and have the opportunity to travel as well. You see so much and you learn a ton.
It really does boost your confidence to see that what you have to offer stacks up or exceeds what you experience elsewhere. It is one of reasons we try to stay at one property that is at our price point when we travel.

 

[Morticia]

Probably not going to make it to Napa. We ended up spending more time with the grandkids watching track meets and pinewood derby races.
We did wave as we drove by Skamokawa and breakfast diva.

 

[TheBeachHouse]

Probably not going to make it to Napa. We ended up spending more time with the grandkids watching track meets and pinewood derby races.
We did wave as we drove by Skamokawa and breakfast diva..

grandkids trump cheese and wine any day.

 

[TheBeachHouse]

It's one of the great pleasures to be in the biz and have the opportunity to travel as well. You see so much and you learn a ton.
It really does boost your confidence to see that what you have to offer stacks up or exceeds what you experience elsewhere. It is one of reasons we try to stay at one property that is at our price point when we travel..

Very pleased with the change of juice presentation. Getting rid of the ice bucket makes it so much cleaner. And gives us room to add more variety.

 

[Breakfast Diva]

Probably not going to make it to Napa. We ended up spending more time with the grandkids watching track meets and pinewood derby races.
We did wave as we drove by Skamokawa and breakfast diva..

Probably not going to make it to Napa. We ended up spending more time with the grandkids watching track meets and pinewood derby races.
We did wave as we drove by Skamokawa and breakfast diva.

Didn't you see me wave back all the way from the UK? We just got back from spending a month in England & Scotland. We had the greatest time!

 

[Morticia]

Probably not going to make it to Napa. We ended up spending more time with the grandkids watching track meets and pinewood derby races.
We did wave as we drove by Skamokawa and breakfast diva..

Probably not going to make it to Napa. We ended up spending more time with the grandkids watching track meets and pinewood derby races.
We did wave as we drove by Skamokawa and breakfast diva.

Didn't you see me wave back all the way from the UK? We just got back from spending a month in England & Scotland. We had the greatest time!
.

Probably not going to make it to Napa. We ended up spending more time with the grandkids watching track meets and pinewood derby races.
We did wave as we drove by Skamokawa and breakfast diva.

Didn't you see me wave back all the way from the UK? We just got back from spending a month in England & Scotland. We had the greatest time!

There was that shimmer off in the distance. We're in Eureka now.

 

[Momma Smurf]

Probably not going to make it to Napa. We ended up spending more time with the grandkids watching track meets and pinewood derby races.
We did wave as we drove by Skamokawa and breakfast diva..

Probably not going to make it to Napa. We ended up spending more time with the grandkids watching track meets and pinewood derby races.
We did wave as we drove by Skamokawa and breakfast diva.

Didn't you see me wave back all the way from the UK? We just got back from spending a month in England & Scotland. We had the greatest time!
.

Probably not going to make it to Napa. We ended up spending more time with the grandkids watching track meets and pinewood derby races.
We did wave as we drove by Skamokawa and breakfast diva.

Didn't you see me wave back all the way from the UK? We just got back from spending a month in England & Scotland. We had the greatest time!

There was that shimmer off in the distance. We're in Eureka now.
.

You must have driven by the Carson Mansion! Talk about Victorian grandeur...
Also, don't know your plans, but less than a half hour away is Ferndale, a story book town lost in time. Poppa and I took a detour there in February and was well worth it. Stopped at the Ginger$%^bread Mansion Inn and introduced ourselves as Innkeepers and were given the grand tour. Oh, my, amazing, like the town itself.

 

[Morticia]

Probably not going to make it to Napa. We ended up spending more time with the grandkids watching track meets and pinewood derby races.
We did wave as we drove by Skamokawa and breakfast diva..

Probably not going to make it to Napa. We ended up spending more time with the grandkids watching track meets and pinewood derby races.
We did wave as we drove by Skamokawa and breakfast diva.

Didn't you see me wave back all the way from the UK? We just got back from spending a month in England & Scotland. We had the greatest time!
.

Probably not going to make it to Napa. We ended up spending more time with the grandkids watching track meets and pinewood derby races.
We did wave as we drove by Skamokawa and breakfast diva.

Didn't you see me wave back all the way from the UK? We just got back from spending a month in England & Scotland. We had the greatest time!

There was that shimmer off in the distance. We're in Eureka now.
.

You must have driven by the Carson Mansion! Talk about Victorian grandeur...
Also, don't know your plans, but less than a half hour away is Ferndale, a story book town lost in time. Poppa and I took a detour there in February and was well worth it. Stopped at the Ginger$%^bread Mansion Inn and introduced ourselves as Innkeepers and were given the grand tour. Oh, my, amazing, like the town itself.
.

Saw the sign! We drove by. I've got my typical vacation cold and we just wanted to get to our next destination today. SF.

 

[Momma Smurf]

Probably not going to make it to Napa. We ended up spending more time with the grandkids watching track meets and pinewood derby races.
We did wave as we drove by Skamokawa and breakfast diva..

Probably not going to make it to Napa. We ended up spending more time with the grandkids watching track meets and pinewood derby races.
We did wave as we drove by Skamokawa and breakfast diva.

Didn't you see me wave back all the way from the UK? We just got back from spending a month in England & Scotland. We had the greatest time!
.

Probably not going to make it to Napa. We ended up spending more time with the grandkids watching track meets and pinewood derby races.
We did wave as we drove by Skamokawa and breakfast diva.

Didn't you see me wave back all the way from the UK? We just got back from spending a month in England & Scotland. We had the greatest time!

There was that shimmer off in the distance. We're in Eureka now.
.

You must have driven by the Carson Mansion! Talk about Victorian grandeur...
Also, don't know your plans, but less than a half hour away is Ferndale, a story book town lost in time. Poppa and I took a detour there in February and was well worth it. Stopped at the Ginger$%^bread Mansion Inn and introduced ourselves as Innkeepers and were given the grand tour. Oh, my, amazing, like the town itself.
.

Saw the sign! We drove by. I've got my typical vacation cold and we just wanted to get to our next destination today. SF.
.

Ah, the home of all three of my kids and my sister's family. Let me know if you need any offbeat suggestions. Tis now our second home. Feel better. I call it the inevitable Cal Crud
Hear the Lilacs are in bloom. Sigh.

 

[Lee2014]

Probably not going to make it to Napa. We ended up spending more time with the grandkids watching track meets and pinewood derby races.
We did wave as we drove by Skamokawa and breakfast diva..

Probably not going to make it to Napa. We ended up spending more time with the grandkids watching track meets and pinewood derby races.
We did wave as we drove by Skamokawa and breakfast diva.

Didn't you see me wave back all the way from the UK? We just got back from spending a month in England & Scotland. We had the greatest time!
.

Probably not going to make it to Napa. We ended up spending more time with the grandkids watching track meets and pinewood derby races.
We did wave as we drove by Skamokawa and breakfast diva.

Didn't you see me wave back all the way from the UK? We just got back from spending a month in England & Scotland. We had the greatest time!

There was that shimmer off in the distance. We're in Eureka now.
.

You must have driven by the Carson Mansion! Talk about Victorian grandeur...
Also, don't know your plans, but less than a half hour away is Ferndale, a story book town lost in time. Poppa and I took a detour there in February and was well worth it. Stopped at the Ginger$%^bread Mansion Inn and introduced ourselves as Innkeepers and were given the grand tour. Oh, my, amazing, like the town itself.
.

Saw the sign! We drove by. I've got my typical vacation cold and we just wanted to get to our next destination today. SF.
.

Oh dear! You need Vic C, Defense drops, and Orange Juice before you hit the road and your companion on the trip. Also try drinking a spoon of that bright pink pepto-bismo before you eat. A friend's doctor prescribe that for him since he always got sick when he went on trips but I think his was more stomach issues than colds.
Update: Wow to Ferndale and the inn! NICE!

 

[Morticia]

Probably not going to make it to Napa. We ended up spending more time with the grandkids watching track meets and pinewood derby races.
We did wave as we drove by Skamokawa and breakfast diva..

Probably not going to make it to Napa. We ended up spending more time with the grandkids watching track meets and pinewood derby races.
We did wave as we drove by Skamokawa and breakfast diva.

Didn't you see me wave back all the way from the UK? We just got back from spending a month in England & Scotland. We had the greatest time!
.

Probably not going to make it to Napa. We ended up spending more time with the grandkids watching track meets and pinewood derby races.
We did wave as we drove by Skamokawa and breakfast diva.

Didn't you see me wave back all the way from the UK? We just got back from spending a month in England & Scotland. We had the greatest time!

There was that shimmer off in the distance. We're in Eureka now.
.

You must have driven by the Carson Mansion! Talk about Victorian grandeur...
Also, don't know your plans, but less than a half hour away is Ferndale, a story book town lost in time. Poppa and I took a detour there in February and was well worth it. Stopped at the Ginger$%^bread Mansion Inn and introduced ourselves as Innkeepers and were given the grand tour. Oh, my, amazing, like the town itself.
.

Saw the sign! We drove by. I've got my typical vacation cold and we just wanted to get to our next destination today. SF.
.

Ah, the home of all three of my kids and my sister's family. Let me know if you need any offbeat suggestions. Tis now our second home. Feel better. I call it the inevitable Cal Crud
Hear the Lilacs are in bloom. Sigh.
.

Ah, the home of all three of my kids and my sister's family. Let me know if you need any offbeat suggestions. Tis now our second home. Feel better. I call it the inevitable Cal Crud Hear the Lilacs are in bloom. Sigh.

I picked it up in Seattle from one of the grandkids. Have not seen any lilacs. Lots of California poppies, tho.