Wine on the Juans

So just in case you all thought that perhaps I had fallen off the planet again- I assure you- I am still here and having a ball! I have so much to share- it has been another whirlwind couple of weeks and I'm working backwards here.... But Ron and I are still floating on cloud 9 after our time on the Schooner *Zodiac.*

Our good friend Dr. David Morris- also known as the winemaker for Napeequa sailed this voyage through the Juans last summer and raved about how much fun it was. So when he shared with us that he was invited back again as the wine expert for the wine and seafood cruise... we immediately started planning.....

I can't even begin to describe what an amazing experience this was.... it wasn't just a trip.... just a vacation.... or just a gift to ourselves for our 15th wedding anniversary......it was an experience. It was the chance of a lifetime to explore parts of the San Juan Islands- that are right in our back yard- but that I would never be able to see like I saw it this week if I weren't on the water. And I wasn't just *on the water*..... we aboard a most magnificent vessle!

The Schooner Zodiac is a fully restored racing yacht from 1924... and one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. I went crazy on all the amazingly well preserved and lovingly cared for features. We only got to sail one afternoon and the weather dictated that we truly work the sails ... so sadly I didn't really get anything with her sails all out..... but you can see more images of her with the sails up and read more about her specs here:

http://www.schoonerzodiac.com/

In addition to taking a crash course in sailing, meeting some truly awesome people- hopefully friends for life- we had food prepared by some of the best in the NW, and visited some great up and coming vineyards and tasting rooms. The wine was plentiful and good, the weather was glorious and views were breathtaking...... so take a quick gander at the blissfully good time we had. And then run to a phone near you and book a trip with them- you'll be so glad you did!

Tim, Chris, Al and Zodiac crew- thank you, thank you, thank you- you all made our voyage so much fun!!!! We can't wait to do it again!

Alex and Ian..... seriously righteous food dudes!!!!!

Thank you Napeequa, Legoe Bay and San Juan Wineries for being such amazing hosts!

With MUCH LOVE and gratitude-

xoxo Didi

*the Legoe Bay Pino Gris was a fave all week*

*Zodiac intern Jahn from Germany had all the girls' attention....*



*everyone relaxing up top in the sun with some of our faves....the Mona from SJWineries, Legoe Bay Pino, and all of the Napeequa's were a hit*

*1st Mate Chris' shirt..... I so want one!!!*

* one of those happy accidents on the stern of the ship*

*I just love the texture of this shot- this is leaning up against the main sail mast- 11 stories tall and shooting straight up. The beads are made of wood and is attached to the main sail like ball bearings*

*this shot got cold and wet in a hurry-I was on bow watch and the wind kicked up and it started raining buckets- but what a great seat!*

*this was peeking through the boom and sail at another boat*

*Ron and Dr. David shooting some video footage about the importance of PBR in wine making....*

*see-look ma- really- I went on a vacation- AND I'm in the photos!!!!*

*T was just so stinking cute I couldn't resist!

Her dad was Chef 'A' and knocked out a great seafood bonanza!*

*this lighthouse was so sweet and the colors made me happy*

*1st mate Chris through the porthole from the chart room*

*Dr. David doing his thing *

*the crew getting some R&R at the end of the day*

*Rock.... talk about salt of the Earth- he is- and I loved him. He's like pirate hospitality...gruff and opinionated- and a giant teddy bear all at the same time. I caught him relaxing for a second- and love that you can see the sail in his glasses*

*isn't she a beauty???*

*what an incredible way to spend an evening- or three of them in this case*

http://www.napeequa.com/home.htm

http://www.legoebaywinery.com/

http://www.sanjuanvineyards.com/about.html

Cabin Fever

What a better way to rid yourself of the cabin fever of winter blues- than to take off and go to the cabin and camp and play with your family!!!!

My SIL H hit me up a while back to say that her folks weren't able to use the family's cabin on Hood Canal on their assigned weekend- and did we want to go with them again... I think my answer was "uhm.. HELL-YEAH!!!"

So all 8 of us pack and piled in the to cars and jumped a ferry Friday morning for a weekend jam packed with non-stop squeals and giggles from the four cousins and lots of laughs for us grown-ups. The weather couldn't have been more perfect- and some minus tides made for amazing clamming and oyster hunting on the beach right below the cabin- lots of cocktails and some mighty fine food= kick-booty weekend!!!

My super cute baby niece- is still the baby of the family- but she's getting to be a big girl now and did a darned good job of trying to hang with the 3 big girls this trip. *shown here with the baby crab she found in the water*

*ohhhhh..... thos dimples*

Here the gaggle in action!

all four of my girls are just growing up so fast- and just get prettier every day- we're so proud of how smart and athletic all four girls are! The genes are so strong here- they all have so many of the same characteristics.... they are each very much their own person.

*da-boyz*

Sunrise on the canal- gorgeous!

Sunset- just as pretty!

we went and checked out the falls again- so pretty but so cold! It's a short hike from the road- and we were darned glad to get back out and find the sun again!

The Gaggle in action.....again......

Spring has sprung and with it came the sillies.....

Smile!!!! You're on Candid Camera.......And see- proof that I was actually on a vacation!!!!! (me with my A-dorable SIL Heather!)

I have so many favorites from this trip- it will have to have it's own scrapbook I think. I pared it down from the nearly 700 frames- down to a manageable 250..... that's good- really, it is, I promise!

Hope you got out and played in the glorious sunshine this weekend- and Bud & Heather- thank you again for a great weekend! xoox D

Taste of Fall 2009

I am trying to gather my thoughts this morning in a house full of girls with the sniffles ... but prior to making phone calls to half the planet regarding the state of health regarding all three of the Miles girls... (praying it's simply allergy related rather than the crud- but must be sure).....

I am taking a quick peek back at the weekend....and what a glorious weekend it was!

Big Daddy & I were able to have a grown-up's run-a-way to Leavenworth for an over-niter! (Thank you Aunti & Uncle for taking the kids!!!!)

We toured Leavenworth and Pashastin and did some wine tasting- some more established and well known vintners and some brand new- even one on opening day!

Silvara Vinyards in Pashastin has a really approachable Riesling
Eagle Creek of Leavenworth had some really earthy reds and a pink hued Pinot
Kestrel Vintners is out of Prosser but shows in downtown Leavenworth had several very early sippers and were very affordable
We stopped at Icicle but were too early- so we'll check them out next trip- but hear exceptional reviews about them.
And of course.... there is Napeequa in Plain- and they are after all- our absolute faves!!!!

Here is a quickie glimpse of what we took in.......

The glorious white grape that will become the Gewurztraminer (pronounced Gra-vertz-tra-meener... there are umlauts over the u- but can't figure out how to type those in... so imagine they are there.....) which a sweet desert wine- imagine a port- only in a white... this is known as an ice wine as they keep it chilled.
The Merlot grapes that find it's way happily into blended wines such as Napeequa's Trail head- which happens to be one of my absolute faves!!!!!

Napeequa's Taste of Fall was a super fun fusion of their wines, live music, killer food, a perfect autumn day- and as the sun dropped behind the mountains- a perfect half moon was coming up-We gathered around the fire pit and talked and laughed and shared fun stories- laughed much, ate well and sipped exceptionally- I'm blessed to have such amazing friends!

We stopped back in on Sunday on our way out of town to say good by and check out the crush- they were crushing the Merlot grapes.... and I caught a couple shots of the wine apprentices- a couple of very handsome young men- they are going to be fighting off the girls a couple of years- especially with an extensive wine making background!!!!

Hope your weekend was splendid- and that you got outside and enjoyed! If you have a day- make the trip over for some wine tasting to Leavenworth- there are some really great vintners offering amazing handcrafted wines- made from locally grown grapes- and are being made right here in our own NW back yard!

Sip-smile- enjoy!

xoxo Didi