(#17) The Wine Train

Hi Everyone,

On Monday the 26th my Sister In-Law Maud and I drove up to Napa Valley. We spent the night at the River Terrace Inn in Napa, Ca. It's a beautiful place to stay if you go up there. But after touring around the town the next morning we decided if we go up there again we will be staying at a Bed and Breakfast. They have several old Victorian homes being used as B & B's. We think that might be fun to do also. And hey I've never stayed in a B & B before so that could be another "first" on the list.

Yesterday we rode "The Wine Train". It's an old 1950's Club Car with a glass dome so you can see the scenery as you go. It runs from Napa to St. Helena and back again. However, we picked a very wet, rainy day to go and we really didn't get to see that much scenery. What we did see was beautiful though. I'd recommend doing it in spring or early summer when everything is lush and green if sight seeing is what interests you.

They served us a Gourmet meal while onboard and you can select a variety of wines to go with your meal/courses. The people across from us had about 6 different types of wine as we were served our different courses. Maud and I tired 2 different types before the Train departed and we had another with our meal (that was plenty for me :) Maud did have to tell the waiter to cut me off at one point, but that was from the fresh sourdough bread (3 loaves is my limit).

I had a great time, enjoyed the food and company probably more than the wine. I'd like to do this again sometime. But lots of other things I think would interest me more.

You all have a safe and Happy New Year! Sue

(#16) Riding 4 Wheelers / ATV's

Hi All,
Today was a blast! I got to go see my old friend Dave Chilton,(who I've known since 5th grade)and learned to ride ATV's. At first he took it easy on me and let me toodle up and down his very long driveway, then he took me up into the hills surrounding his property and I thought I was going to die a couple times.

Thankfully his son Ryan (who also went along for a ride with us) was very helpful and whenever I got stuck or too scared to go up or down a hill(some of them were very steep) he'd get off his ATV and climb on with me and take it up or down for me and go back and get his. THANKS RYAN!!! I had to walk up and down one gully myself when he took it through, but that's what I get for being a chicken I guess. Dave's Grandson Jeremiah (6) was very encouraging and helpful too. Except the time when he told me "Whew! I didn't think you were gonna make that one!" But that's OK, I didn't think I was either.

At the end of the day, I was dusty, tired and sore. But I'd do it again tomorrow if I could and just really enjoyed the whole day. He has such a beautiful piece of property up there(between Temecula and Lake Elsinore),just stopping up top to enjoy the view, on such a clear bright sunny day, was the absolute best.

I guess I also need to say thanks to Ron S.(another friend from High School) because it was his automatic ATV that Dave was letting me ride all day. So Thanks Dave and Ryan and Jeremiah for all you did for me today and Thanks to you too Ron for the use of your Polaris ATV! I'll be back soon to ride again if given the chance (Hint,Hint).

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year too! God Bless, Sue

(#15) Harbor Island Christmas Boat Parade

Hi All,
Well, tonight a friend and I went down to Harbor Island, in San Diego, to see the boat parade, I've never done that before either, (that's #15). The boats were so pretty all decked out with Christmas lights all over them. The people onboard all seemed to be having lots of fun as they floated by, a few parties going on for sure. We missed some of it, but what we did get to see was fun and festive. The Irish coffee on this rather cool evening made it enjoyable too! A very fun thing to do with kids (watch the parade, not the Irish coffee). Lots of families there tonight, singing Christmas carols and yelling "Merry Christmas" back at the boats as they drifted by, many with their Christmas garb on. Definately another fun one my list of things I should do again, maybe with the Grandkids.

Next week my Sister In-Law Maud and I are traveling up to Napa to ride the Wine Train and tour Napa Valley! I'm looking forward to that and know that I'll have a fun time with her as my partner in wine :)

Have a blessed and Merry Christmas, Happy Hannakah and Happy New Year! Sue

PS The very tiny red lights in the background are lights on a boat, I really need to get a better camera for all this :)

Knitting Accomplished! (That's #4)

Thank You Kaelynn, my beautiful model (and Grandaughter)

(#14) The Glory of Christmas / Crystal Cathedral

Hi All,
Tonight my sister Ann and I went to see "The Glory of Christmas" at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, CA.

It's a reinactment of the Nativity story (although I don't remember anything about ribbon dancers and singing at the birth of Christ in the Bible). They did a wonderful job and it was beautifully done. The music was great, especially the Little Shepherd Boy! The Angels floating down from the ceiling also impressive. You can see the wires, but it's still very impressive.

I know I'm going to do this again, hopefully with the Grandkids. The little kids really seemed to get a lot of enjoyment out of the production. Especially the animals all on stage, Camels, Horses, Goats, (also very impressive).

We almost didn't make it tonight because my plane landed late (mechanical problems when I switched planes in Vegas), coming back from Texas. But thanks to *GilStar* (my good friend who always gives me the best directions and gets me "Unlost"), we made it with a few minutes to spare even.

Well, have a great week everybody! Sue

(#13) Horse Drawn Carriage Ride with Pics

Hi Ya'll,
I'm here in San Antonio, Texas this weekend for my son in-law Tommy's graduation from Texas A & M. I'm really enjoying the Grandkids and wished they lived closer.

Well, Tommy (the graduate) and Kevin (the 2 y/o) were too tired after the ceremony and party at his Mom's afterwards, so they stayed home tonight. The rest of us, my daughter Shannon (27), grandson Christian (10), grandaughter Kaelynn(8) and myself all went downtown. That's where the Riverwalk and The Alamo are. It's beautiful all decorated with Christmas lights and the sounds of Christmas in the air.

I've been to The Alamo and the Riverwalk before so I can't count those as a "first", but I recommend going there if you're in the area. Tonight we went on a "Yellow Rose Horse Drawn Carriage" ride (that makes 13), I've never done that before. The kids got a real kick out of it and it was all lit up with Christmas lights and decorated. The Horses' name was J.D. and the driver was a real historian. He pointed out all the historic buildings in downtown and told us interesting things like how the word "Maverick" became a word for a unbroken/unbranded horses and cows. He pointed out the places Teddy Roosevelt recruited Rough Riders and even told us the story of Emily Morgan, a prostitute, who was the original "Yellow Rose", a spy for Sam Houston who kept Santa Ana "busy" and learned about his strategies. It was very educational, although I'm really not sure how acurate it all was. It was enjoyable and I would love to do it again. So if you're going to see the Alamo and/or The Riverwalk, try the Horse Drawn carriage ride and get the tour too, you'll enjoy it!

Tomorrow my Sister Ann and I are going to see "The Glory of Christmas" at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, Ca. Whew! What a weekend, busy, but fun. Thanks for checking out my new adventures! Sue

Spa Day Pics( that's #11)