Tag California

Yosemite Magic

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So Easy to Fall in Love With!

If you don’t already have a love affair with the outdoors, Yosemite will be the place to start one.  You can feel the magic of Yosemite all around when you enter the park.  From the grandeur of the mountains to the pounding of the waterfalls to the peace in the meadows, you can feel the history and wilderness calling your name.  It doesn’t matter the season because they are all beautiful, though I do recommend spring or winter for fewer crowds.

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There are many names associated with Yosemite National Park, but two come to mind most frequently.  First, John Muir, who lobbied for the creation of Yosemite.  He inspired others to protect natural areas for the beauty and ecological importance of an area.  With his help and persuasion, Yosemite became a National Park in 1890. As president of the Sierra Club, his travel and writing was a huge influence in the wilderness community.  Second, Ansel Adams whose stunning photographic work within the park is known worldwide.  He saw Yosemite as art and not just nature and was able to capture these images with an uncanny ability.

Let us start your love affair!!

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The iconic Half Dome is a recognized rock formation that many take on the challenge to climb.

 

 

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Yosemite Chapel is the oldest structure in the Yosemite Valley and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Mist Trail Hike to Vernal Falls

A strenuous, but beautiful 2.4 mile hike.  Getting to the top is so worth it!

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The over 600 stairs on the steep granite stairway!

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Vernal Falls rainbow

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Looking down over the 317 foot tall waterfall.

 

Mirror Lake Loop trail is a moderate 2 mile hike in the Yosemite Valley

Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul    -John Muir

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The beautiful Sierra Nevada Red Fox

Yosemite Valley trails amazing pines.

In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration. -Ansel Adams

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Amazing explorations with my son and travel buddy!

To start your exploration of Yosemite, go to http://www.nps/gov/yose

Please leave a comment and let me know what you think of my blog. Thanks!

d’Art Wines, Lodi, CA

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For Art and Wine

To experience d’Art Wines, you will need to travel to the Lodi AVA in the central valley of California.  An ideal growing region that has warm days and cool delta breezes at night is home to this beautiful Cabernet Sauvignon Estate.  While there, enjoy a glass of Final Cut, a blend of Tempranillo, Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petite Sirah. Then stroll the tasting room to view the winemakers photoart that also adorns the wine bottles.

 

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Every inch of the property is put to use.

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Meticulously maintained vines.

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Barrels full of art, inside and out!

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Antique transportation is great advertising.

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Barrels are everywhere.

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Pathway to wine greatness.

To experience the art experience check out http://www.dartwines.com to plan your own trip.

 

The Singing Wine Maker, Livermore, CA

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The Art of Entertaining!

What could be better than having musical entertainment at a winery?  Having the winemaker himself be that entertainment!  If you visit on a weekend, you may be lucky enough to catch Steve Powell, musician extraordinaire, singing and playing his guitar for his guests.

The Singing Wine Maker is part of Tesla Vintners, a community of 3 wineries that you can visit.  Intrigued, we chose to visit to find out what was behind the name.

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IMG_1630IMG_1628Steve and his wife Karen are owners of Tesla Vintners and The Singing Wine Maker.  Their desire is to celebrate, “Truth, Beauty and Goodness through Wine, Music and Art.”  This is apparent throughout the indoor and outdoor spaces. You are welcomed by beautifully carved wooden statues and a colorful flower garden that surrounds a lovingly refurbished home turned winery.  Inside the bright colors and artwork continue.  There is a large grapevine painted on the front of the wine tasting bar and vineyard inspired mural-like artwork adorn the walls.

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There is an eclectic gift shop throughout the winery with many fun and humorous wine inspired selections. If outdoors is your thing, you can take a bottle out to the warm firepit with your picnic and relax, while kids play on the grassy area.

We opened the door to some great ’80″s music being played.  Steve was playing his guitar behind the tasting bar and a crowd was singing along.  Everyone is encouraged to sing  and enjoy the moment, whether they can sing or not.  We were welcomed to the bar and asked if we would like to do a tasting.  We had already viewed some of the art and heard the music portions of what they desire to celebrate, now we were going to enjoy the wine.

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We had the pleasure of tasting their Sparkling, Red, White and Dessert wines.  We enjoyed many of the musically named wines, but loved having their dessert wines served in a chocolate cup.

Their current offerings include:

  • Sparkling wines: Brut, Almond, Raspberry, and Peach
  • Reds:      Melody- a blend of Livermore Primitivo and Central Valley Petite Sirah
    •       Harmony- a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Old Vine Zinfandel and Syrah
  • Whites:  Scherzando- Symphony-grape based wine with a little Muscat
    •       Dolce- A Muscat Canelli wine
  • Dessert: Ruby Port
    •       Karens Kisses
    •       Chocolate Port

At any time, they may have Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

To enjoy your own weekend of music and wine check out their website at:  thesingingwinemaker.com

 

 

 

BIG WHITE HOUSE & JOHN EVAN CELLARS: Livermore, CA

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Where it All Began!!

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With our move to California in 2016, we began to explore the Livermore Wine Valley.  This unique area is one of the oldest wine regions in the state.  The first vineyard was planted here in 1882 and produced its’ first award winning wine in 1889.

As we began to explore, we encountered a two-label winery which uses grapes sourced from other local vineyards.  The original BIG WHITE HOUSE (BWH) label was created by John “The Elder” Marion by making wines out of the family home with friends.  It was his son, John Evan Marion, who created the label JOHN EVAN that we had the pleasure to meet and try his personal premium wines.  He has been involved with the winery since the beginning and is one of the youngest wine makers in the valley in his 30s.

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John Evan, the winemaker!

Upon arriving at the winery, we were surprised to find a pretty, but unpretentious pole barn instead of our anticipated Big White House (we later learned that John Evans lives in that house in the town of Livermore).  The rolling hills surrounding the structure are covered in stunning green vines and provide a beautiful wine country backdrop.

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The open tasting room features a standing only bar along one wall, with white rafters and an industrial ceiling overhead.  The walls are packed with beautiful artwork from Laura Marion, the winemakers sister.  You will also find her designs on the wine bottle labels, often featuring John Evans himself.  We were greeted warmly and had a tasting of his incredible white and red wines.  We were particularly lucky to partake in a barrel tasting, which occurs most weekends.  WOW!!!  This was eye opening.  We tasted a smooth and full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon called THE DEBONAIRE.  The wine has an incredible cherry and vanilla aroma and broadens to a fruit flavor as you taste; it had us hooked.  We bought futures (wine to be bottled on a later date) on the spot.  His small-lot, Rhone-type variety wines are not to be missed.

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The current wine tasting list includes:

  • BWH 2015 Riesling, La Estancia Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands
  • BWH 2015 Lapsus, Roussanne/ Viognier/ Grenache Blanc, Ripken Vineyard, Lodi
  • BWH 2014 Sangiovese, Ripken Vineyard, Lodi
  • BWH 2015 Zinfandel, Sblendorio Estate Vineyard, Livermore
  • BWH 2014 Alfie’s Amalgamation Zinfandel/ Petite Sirah/ Cabernet Sauvignon
  • JOHN EVAN, THE DEBONAIRE, 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Clark Vineyard, Livermore
  • JOHN EVAN, 2015 Cuvee Juliette, Cote-Rotie-Style Syrah, Livermore
  • Member only: BWH 2010 Petite Sirah, Sblendorio Vineyard, Livermore 

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    Barrels and equipment at the working winery 

The atmosphere of the winery feels like home as we were able to talk at length with John Evans and watch as he lovingly worked with his wines.  This is definitely a working winery and you feel as if you might have had a small part in the creation of these masterpieces.

To learn more about them please go to: www. bigwhitehouse.com