We learn that she grew up in Tennessee but took a 3 month camping trip out West with her great aunt and uncle when she was a teenager, and since then she knew she'd always come out here. She is a dreamer, a risk taker, and very spiritual -- she keeps statues of Ganesh to help remove obstacles. Her sweet dog is named Loki, after the god of mischief.
After breakfast Nancy takes us to the market. Jay learns what bacci ball is. Infact, Nancy and Gary play on a team at this court.
If NYC sets the trend in fashion, Cali sets the trend in food. The produce here is exceptional, fresh and flavorful. Nancy serves a plate of fruit with every meal, and even packs us a Tupperware of yellow, purple, and red tomatoes as a snack. Padron peppers are super in.
By this time the morning fog has burned off and it is hot out. As the Napa Valley warms hot air rises and pulls in fog from the sea, causing temperature changes between 60-90 degrees each day. We set out to explore St. Helena. Picnic lunch at Gotts, a gourmet drive-up:
Shopping for $1000 bottles of wine:
Biking down Sulphur Springs, surrounded by redwoods behind Nancy's house:
After a quick hop in the pool we head downtown for Cheers, a street party with 30+ wine vendors sampling wine in the local stores. It's "all you can taste" from 5:30-8:30. We don't arrive until 7, so we scramble to work through all the wines in 1.5 hrs. Our favorite is the V Sattui they are sampling in the bike shop.
We also learn Clif, of Clif bars, also makes wine with bikers on their brochure. This is very exciting for us, as we are drunk by now. Dinner is at Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen, followed by dizziness, lots of water, and a walk home.











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