Napa valley

On part pour la vallee de Napa (celebre pour ses vignobles) un vendredi apres-midi au milieu des embouteillages. N'ayant rien reserve, on realise vite en arrivant de nuit que si on veut rester dans notre budget, on va devoir dormir dans la voiture de location.
Apres une petite discussion, Karis est convaincue et on decide donc de se faire plaisir en s'offrant un restaurant. On commande egalement une bouteille de vin local pour deguster mais egalement pour aider a dormir...

En effet, quand arrive l'heure fatidique du coucher ( il n'y avait plus personne au resto a part nous), on parque la voiture en face d'une eglise et on organise notre lit de fortune. Banquette arriere repliee on peut juste s'allonger aves les pieds dans le coffre et la barre de fer de la banquette a hauteur de hanche, un veritable plaisir pour le dos...

La nuit se passe bien dans l'ensemble malgre de nombreux changements de position douloureux.

Tot le matin, on petit dejeune puis on suit la route scenique qui nous mene a travers les vignes. La region est jolie, les routes agreables mais je m'attendais a mieux.

On quitte donc la vallee pour rejoindre le parc Yosemite.

napa valley

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napa valley could be compared to the vineyards of franschhoek or perhaps even bordeaux. wine farms line the hills in all directions and many were tempting to visit. unfortunately, we arrived too late and left too early to enjoy a glass or two of wine tasting.

so why did we arrive too late, you may be wondering. well, alcatraz was mesmorising and getting out of san fran was chaotic so arriving after dark was part of the plan. not ours but fate. due to the fact that it was a friday (yes, we are brilliantly efficient with planning), we weren't able to find a hotel in our budget so it was our ford that was "home" for the night. i can honestly say that we had no choice as $250/ night seemed a tad extravagent. wouldn't you agree?

we wined and dined in a local restaurant, enjoying some of the local vino before parking our "home" in front of the community church. yes, the methodist church watched over us while we slept somewhat uncomfortably in the boot/ back seat. a word of wisdom: don't do it! it's not worth it!!

so supper was mmm delicious and breakfast was too. we found a lovely little bakery in the centre of the town where we shared strong cups of coffee and croissants with the local folk. e-vent-ful ;)
once we had had enough, we left for yosemite...not really ready for the change in altitude -