Calistoga April 28, 2007

Ron and Patty met Greg Saturday morning for our trek to Calistoga. It was a warm day calling for short sleeves. We gassed up and rolled through the twisties along Hwy 128 around Lake Berryessa. We encountered a lot of other bikes in these foothills. We estimated one group to be around a hundred or so bikes. They were riding in a very tight two-by-two formation through the tight turns and rough spots. We commented on how dangerous we thought this to be, but then they must know what they're doing.

We got into Calistoga and stopped for lunch at the Hydro Grill. Patty had a BLT, Ron had Oysters on the half-shell, and Greg a Cesar Salad.

Calistoga was pretty much crowded up with lots of folks enjoying the sunny day.

We made our only other stop at the Culinary Institute in St. Helena.

The parking lot was quite full, but we found a place for our bikes right up near the entrance.

You might recognize this fine old building as the former Christian Brothers Winery.

The building is over-run with Swallows nesting their springtime offspring.

We wandered through the visitor's center at the Institute

Patty pausing at an old olive press

After visiting the gift shop, we headed down Hwy 29 through St. Helena and Yountville


We ran into quite a bit of traffic for a few miles, and got separated for about 10 miles, but we made it back together and pressed on.

Passing the Napa Train that runs the valley.

We returned on 29 to 12 to 80, getting back around 5PM, and planned on a BBQ at 6:30PM. Veronica and Brandon marinated a Tri Tip during the day to provide tonight's dinner. We BBQ'd and added some garlic potatoes with corn on the cob and sour dough bread. Of course a good bottle of wine was in order too.

Later in the evening we rode into downtown for a visit at the Bristro 33. The place was packed. Must be the weather.

So it was a good day of riding, eating and drinking. I guess in order to know how special the day was, you'd just have to have been there.