Welcome to Napa Valley...

We never got a picture by the welcome to Napa Valley sign, but we did have an enjoyable week in Napa Valley. Our home for the week was located in St. Helena, Ryan found the perfect location, quiet, walk to restaurants, and close to the wineries we wanted to visit. Ryan's parents joined us for the week. It was a relaxing week, filled with many new wine experiences.

Ryan and I decided an entire week of wine tasting would be a bit too much if we didn't mix in some other activities. One day, we rented a kayak, packed a picnic (wine included) and kayaked the Russian River. It was a beautiful day. We both enjoy being on the water. I must give credit to Ryan. We rented a double kayak, and we all know the front seat (my seat) is referred to as the princess seat. I attempted to paddle (occasionally), but mostly it was Ryan doing all the work. I was the spotter for any submerged trees or rocks. We work well as a team. :)

Our other day of outdoor activity included Henry. I said after Yosemite, I was done hiking. I packed up my hiking clothes and boots, they were no longer needed the remainder of our time in California. I was wrong. I actually suggested we go on a hike?!?! Maybe it was the influence of the wine, or my new appreciation for nature, but we unpacked the hiking gear, and set off on a trail. It was an enjoyable hike and allowed us to experience more of Napa Valley, other than just the wineries.

Don't get me wrong, we enjoyed the wineries too. Our decided favorite was Barnett Vineyard. It is located on Spring Mountain, has amazing views and amazing wine. It is a very small winery which Ryan and I both enjoyed. We were able to get away from the larger groups of people and enjoy ourselves tucked away on the mountain. We decided our final Napa Valley experience would be returning to Barnett with Ryan's parents, enjoying a picnic and bottle of wine. It was the perfect ending to a perfect week in Napa Valley.

We took Henry with us on a tasting. We enjoyed the wine, he enjoyed the breadsticks. 

Ryan and his parents took BEAR out on a Jeep adventure, exploring. 

Our return to Barnett Vineyard. Beautiful view, delicious wine. 

"I think I would like to pick this grape, right, here."

If you want to see more photos from our week in Napa Valley, you can click on our:

Napa Valley Photo Album

We said goodbye to Napa Valley, and made our way back to the mountains, next stop, Lake Tahoe. And the all important, Rubicon Trail.

From the mountains to the sea...

We packed our a luggage into BEAR (which was no easy task) and driving once again. It was a few hour drive from Yosemite to Monterey. Not much excitement along the drive, we stopped in a small town for some amazing Mexican food. With full bellies, and wearing clothes that were not warm enough, we arrived in Monterey.

Our original plan had us going from Yosemite to Carmel By the Sea. We had rented a house in Carmel, unfortunately, on our last full day in Yosemite, we received an email from the owner explaining there had been a "plumbing accident" at the house. Ryan had booked us a whale watching trip in Monterey and we also planned to visit the Monterey Aquarium. Since both activities were in Monterey, we decided to change our location, called up the Marriott in Monterey and they had a room waiting for us! Thank you, Marriott, Ryan's second home. It worked out very well, Marriott gave us a giant suite so Henry had his own room (bathroom) and we had plenty of space for all our luggage. It also was perfectly located and we could walk to everything we wanted to see and do. In the end it all worked out. We will just have to add Carmel to our places to visit next time.

I was extremely surprised how cold Monterey was. I know the bay areas can be cooler, but I didn't realize how much cooler. Maybe I am too accustomed to the sweltering heat of Louisiana, but I had to pull out all the layers I packed. On the agenda was a day of whale watching, and a trip to the aquarium. Add in some really delicious clam chowder and a (Ryan found) fantastic ice cream shop. Our two days in Monterey were great. We enjoyed our time on and near the water and another aspect of California. California was (is) great that you are able to drive a couple hours from the mountains to the sea.

After a near death experience with the couches (evidence in photo album) Henry enjoyed some relaxing couch sitting. 

Stroll on the boardwalk. 

Conversations with seagulls. 

Whale watching fashion. 

Ready for our boat ride. 

During our walk to the aquarium, we found seals lounging on the rocks. 

Henry (Ryan, and I too) loved the wave room. We spent a lot of time in this room at the aquarium. 

If you want to see more of our pictures from our time in Monterey click on our:

Monterey Photo Album

After Monterey, we packed up again and this time drove North. It was time for the land of wine! We met Ryan's parents in Napa Valley for a week of wine tasting. 

Yosemite, where I learned bugs swarm around negativity....

Our next stop was Yosemite National Park. As I mentioned in the previous post, I successfully got out of camping for two nights in the park. Ryan was able to find availability at the Valley Lodge. I was beyond thrilled to avoid camping.

People had told me Yosemite was beautiful, and I believed them. But words do no justice for how beautiful it really is.  I give Yosemite lots of credit, it made me appreciate nature more, and realize that maybe it's not so bad hiking and exploring. It is also where I learned, bugs swarm around negativity.

Ryan had already chosen our first hike location. We found the parking lot, parked BEAR, got everything ready, and I started following the crowds of people to the hiking path. Ryan says, "we're not doing that hike." I should have known! We went in the opposite direction, walking along the road until we found this abandoned "old carriage path" and began our hike. Seriously!?! I very kindly asked Ryan repeated times if this was actually a hiking path. As the hike continued, and the negative thoughts began, the bugs began to swarm. As I swatted at bugs, I asked Ryan if he had a problem with bugs swarming around his head. He said he did not, and maybe it was my negativity that was attracting them. Nice one.

We finally reached the "top" and our picnic view. I'll give Ryan credit, it was a pretty amazing spot for a picnic. It was nice to not be around the crowds, and to enjoy some quite time. The hike was worth it.

This picture makes my heart happy. Sitting on Dad's lap enjoying a snack with a view. 

Artist Point.
Good job, Ryan, you found a pretty fantastic hike with a wonderful view.

Family photo opportunity. Thanks to Ryan's excellent use of the camera timer. 

After much searching, he found the perfect rock!

The following day was our grueling hike. We started early and approximately eight hours later we finished. We chose Four Mile Hike up to Glacier Point. Four miles up, four miles down, eight miles, correct? Incorrect. Four mile hike is actually 4.6 miles, apparently 4.6 mile hike isn't as catchy. Add in our hike from our lodge to the trailhead and back, we were at 12.5 miles.

Ryan has a hike tracker on his watch. The red line was our hike. Notice all the zig zags, those were all the switch backs we took back and forth, all the way up the mountain. 

I tend to take lots of pictures during difficult hikes, it is my way off documenting I am actually in nature, hiking. It is also my way of working in breaks. :) When you are hiking for 12.5 miles, you start to learn a few tricks. Here is the catch though, our hike to Glacier Point wasn't even necessary!! We could have jumped on a bus, or driven BEAR to Glacier Point. I knew this before we began the hike, and brushed it off. After hiking for nearly 5 hours, when you reach the top and see people hopping off a bus or jumping out of a car all calm, collected and not drenched in sweat, you get a bit bitter. And you guessed it, bugs were swarming around my negativity. :) I found a nice little shaded area to sit with Henry, and noticed a lovely little family sitting in the best possible area, they had shade and the PERFECT view of Half Dome. The cute couple and small toddler were far too refreshed looking to have hiked all the way to the top, they must have taken the bus. No, ma'am. If I hiked all the way to the top, I was going to have the best view for our lunch. I used my best mental powers to "scare" them away, and it actually worked! They decided it was time to pack up and jump back on the bus. I quickly gathered up Henry and all our belongings and claimed my well earned prize. 

After claiming our location, it was time for a diaper change. I hope Henry realizes how cool he is to have his diaper changed on a boulder with Half Dome in the background. 

We made it back down the mountain, Henry was free from the hiking backpack. For being in the backpack so long, he did an amazing job. And major credit to Ryan for carrying Henry on his back. The child is no longer a lightweight. 

Life is good again. Everyone is showered, refreshed and ready for dinner!

Our last morning in Yosemite, we decided on a short hike before driving to Monterey. I looked through the papers and guide book and chose Mirror Lake. A short, paved path to a lake. Perfect? No, friends. Mirror Lake was no longer a lake, it was a puddle. Oh well, it was nice to stretch our legs before the drive. It has already been decided we will return to Yosemite, not anytime soon, but in the future. From the mountains, to the sea, next destination, Monterey!

If you want to see all our pictures from Yosemite click on the link to our: 

Yosemite Photo Album

Experiencing sunny San Diego and wandering in the Giant Forest....

The Lang family finished our month long tour of California.  We enjoyed experiencing the beautiful State of California, loved our time spent with family and friends, and we were sad to say goodbye. It was difficult to say goodbye to Ryan at the airport, but we have all the memories made in California to reminisce about during our month apart.  But enough of the writing, let's get to the pictures of experiencing sunny San Diego and wandering in the Giant Forest.

But wait, there's more. Before I forget, and the reason I was able to start organizing and editing the hundreds of photos from our trip. Henry started school this week! Sorry, I call it school, but it's not, it's MDO (Mother's Day Out). Let me give a big shout out to the MDO program. Woot woot! It will be a lifesaver with Ryan gone for a month at a time. Henry goes to "school" for a few hours, two days a week. Enough time for me to fit in appointments, meetings, volunteering, cleaning, and most importantly a bit of Mommy pampering. So far, Henry has loved it, his teachers say he is sweet. Apparently, the child loves me so much he saves all his wall climbing and screaming for home.

It's impossible to get this child to sit still. 

I feel the pain of every Mother that wants just one picture to document the first day.
Just. One. Picture.
Sit. Smile. Please.

He thought it would be a good idea to run to Macy's kennel and hide, but then got upset when he couldn't get out when I said I was leaving. 

Enough of the first day pictures. Back to San Diego and Sequoia. We also stopped for the weekend in Bakersfield to visit our friends, Jon and Katie. Sadly, I only have one picture from the entire weekend. We must have been too busy having fun or chasing the kids. Henry loved lounging in their pool (the one picture I have) and playing with their daughter, Harper.

First morning in San Diego, walking to breakfast with Dad!

We enjoyed our time at the San Diego Zoo. 

And our walk along the beach and boardwalk.  

After San Diego, we spent the weekend in Bakersfield, before continuing on our California tour. Next stop, Sequoia National Park, wandering in the Giant Forest. Original plan was to camp in the park, but luckily I got out of that! We spent a few hours hiking, then drove an hour north, getting us closer to our next destination  and stayed the night in a hotel. :)

We found General Sherman. 

Pretty big tree.

Ryan took this picture and I love it!

My arms were just a bit too short to reach the top. 

We saw a black bear. 

And another BEAR. :)

Our night in the hotel was lovely. I truly enjoy sleeping indoors, on a bed, with access to indoor plumbing. People insist camping is fun, but I have a hard time believing them. 

True fashion statement.
Bear pajamas and hiking boots. Henry grabbed Dad's credit card to pay for breakfast but I told him breakfast was included with the room. 

Next stop, Yosemite National Park, where I once again was able to get out of two nights of camping, and I started to learn I may actually enjoy being outdoors, exploring nature.

If you want to see all our pictures from San Diego, Bakersfield, and Sequoia, you can click on our photo album link: San Diego and Sequoia Photo Album.