Finally hitting the road.

P- Are you ready to go?  Can we start carrying the stuff down the stairs?
G- Yes, and just put everything on the ground, at the back of Stormy, so I can look at everything and see how it has to be loaded.
P- Don't worry, after all these years, I know that's how we do it. I know that you're the car packer.
G- Look at that!  More than enough room!!!  I am an excellent packer! An excellent packer!
P- Very good job Rainman.  Now get into the car and let's get this show on the road!!!

We drove across San Francisco, up and down the hills on Divisadaro, commenting on our love of the city.  We crossed the Golden Gate Bridge and looked at the city's skyline from across the bay.

G- I'd be crying my eyes out if we weren't coming back in a month or so.
P- I know, when we leave SF to head to Nola, we're gonna be crying like babies.
G- I'm sure it's hard for some people to understand why we'd leave if we love it so much, but there are always things you have to give up to make your dreams come true.
P- And we'll be back.

We took the most direct route (HA!) and drove through Napa Valley on our way out of town. It was a beautiful sunny day - surprise, surprise - and the vines were green and working hard to produce the tasty grapes we love to drink.   We stopped off at the Culinary Institute of America and had lunch with Liz. Yummy! And she gave us a tour. 

We drove north on Highway 101.  We had never been higher than Guerneville and were surprised by the way Highway 101 turned into a 2 lane highway meandering through little country towns.  The town of Willits still had a Rexall Pharmacy and a mom-n-pop restaurant named Burrito Exquisito!!  It was beautiful drive.   Since we got a late start after our lunch at the CIA, we only drove 205 miles and stopped in the town of Garberville.

Time for our evening cocktail!!