To avoid Seattle snow, head to California when it’s too wet and cold for the natives. Well, that wasn’t the original plan, but you know how plans sometimes are!
First, there was the vague, far off idea that someday we’d like to eat at the French Laundry, with its elusive reservations: call at a precise moment weeks ahead to try & get through. Then, along came an anniversary dinner, a more accessible, online reservation system, some willing co-conspirators, and ta-da, many years later, a table for 4 and a plan!
As the plans got closer, the weather confounded us, and Seattle was smacked with winter, hard. We moved flights around, checked on our hotel room, and everyone adjusted. Still, the weather kept coming. At each stage of this trip, I felt like it might not happen at all: as we took light rail to the airport to avoid traffic issues, as we walked to the departures area with a blizzard showing up in the windows, with bundles of people all waiting for incoming planes by the gates. Somehow, with a lot of de-icing spray, we got out! Highlights included:
- Wineries: Gundlach Bundschu, St. Francis
- Twisty roads: side roads off the Silverado Trail, both east & west
- A great meal: The aforementioned French Laundry
- Good company: fellow food & wine enthusiasts the Zimmermans
- Fabulous trees: everywhere I looked!
The very tentative aspect of this getaway made for a surprisingly refreshing break. After all, we might not have made it at all. Except that the dinner booking was non-refundable and so long on our wish list, which encouraged persistence. So we made the best of some slightly better weather, by Seattle standards, and made this trip count for multiple celebrations: happy anniversary to us (#28) and happy birthday to Dave (#54)!