Happy Campers

We took a brief respite from the routine for some camping out in the Applegate. When we forget how privileged we are to live in this part of the world, we have places like this as a most happy reminder.



Due to the unusually high snowfall this year. The lake was pleasantly full and picturesque. This full, deep blue also made for lower water temperatures. We frolicked, just for shorter spans of time.




Here are our "urban meets the dust" campers. They were quite certain that everything tastes better outside, and that we possessed magical powers for surviving in the great outdoors.



Mid-marshmallow stupor, and we hadn't had dinner yet...




Even when you're living the moment, evening on the lake is a little nostalgic.

On Our Way To The Show...

...We stopped for some pho.





We also figured some ice cream couldn't hurt. Carmelized apple ice cream anyone?




Super juicy almost medium rare Foster Burger. Throw in a Moscow Mule, and the evening is made.




Ultra fantastic Olympic Provisions Chef's Choice platter. Rabbit pate. Thank you little bunny.





Back in the happy place.

Late Starts

Until recently, the weather has been less than hospitable for gardeners. I've kept my plants under weak artificial light in the garage, rather than subjecting them to the dangers of nightly low temperatures or persistent precipitation. My ground cherry starts are rare and special. I wasn't taking any chances.



There they are. All the little ones I was at last confident enough to commit to dirt. My delusional hope is that not only will the straw keep the soil warm and moist, it will magically repel weeds. It also makes the worms safer from death from above. Plus it gives the entire plot this rather manger-like glow.




While I have the process of being patient and waiting for Summer's vegetable wonders, the neighboring garden has a planting combination that is an aesthetic delight. The tissue-like delicateness of the poppy petal, combined with the rugged texture of the artichoke foliage.




Not usually a rose person, I've unexpectedly enjoyed this lovely white, shared by a friend.

I Spy Weekend

It sounded so simple. "We're going to go pick asparagus in the orchard. There's tons of it".





This of course takes a practiced eye, of which I did not immediately possess. Suddenly the orchard looked very large, and the asparagus...not at all. After randomly stumbling upon some green stalks, I then understood its nature, and the asparagus showed itself to me.





Once I got warmed up, I sure my harvest could have been more abundant, but my shoes were so muddy they were the weights tied to my feet.



After Dave let us pick the asparagus, he was kind enough to show us his real passion - his cows. They were all talkative and greeted us with exuberant lowing. I'd have shown you the two impressive styles of bulls, but they were too busy giving us the "what for" while rounding up the girls.




The next day I went on a morel hike with some experienced mushroom guides. Again, a big forest, and the mushrooms, very shy. Although I found only four, it's hard to complain about spending a temperate day in the woods with impassioned mushroom identifiers.




Hello little morel...I see you. I Spy with my little eye!

Little Gems and Wine Giants

Tucked away off the main thoroughfare, small and unassuming at the end of an orange-scented lane, Napa Valley Olive Oil Company was someplace I could have stayed forever. I wanted the curator to adopt me, fill my picnic basket, and continue to feed me tastes all at once. We found rarities, and quality common goods. The picnic that followed was perfect.





Stag's Leap's caves were spotless, complete with Nasa "air scrubbers". Between the wall sconces and the Foucault pendulum, it was sort of like the Hyatt met the inner sanctum. I have to say I'm partial to Antinori's mixed barrels and the mold.





An impressive line-up anyone would be thankful to enjoy as part of their afternoon.






And there it is, the most photographed ridge in Napa, the Stag's Leap Palisades.

To Antinori and Beyond

Our arrival in the Napa valley was jostling and hurried. We had rambled casually throughout the early and mid stages of the trip, and had to sprint in a clock-watching anxious state at the end. Luckily Scott proved an excellent navigator and aggressive pilot. We made it to Antinori in time for the tour.




At the top of Soda Canyon Road, behind the large iron gate, the vinyards spread before us.



Antinori's cave was a wonderous, mold-lined revelation. Barrels of various cooperage, tucked away amongst the spongy walls, and a stillness that was most comforting.




Baby grapes! This time of year, everything in Napa really is green.




Sutter Inn's manicured grounds. (Overdone interior Victorian decor not pictured) Their back veranda did make for a perfect afternoon respite.





Jellyfish clouds over Stag's Leap.

Violet Hues

Although I shun purple in the wardrobe, I find it fabulous on alliums, ranunculus, and matthiola incana.

To Market, To Market...

My top of the list in any city is a grower's market. The Ferry Building beckoned on Saturday morning with promises of glowing produce, oysters, salumi, spices, and an incredible view. While we are priveleged on many levels here in Ashland, the diversity of a San Francisco market in May, (while we are still unwilling to put our starts in the ground in the Rogue Valley) was a heartening intoxicant.

The City

Occasionally breaks were taken from eating, or thinking about what to eat next,to have a look around.





Quintessential.




On the borders of Chinatown, a stencil kitty of fortune.





Lanterns and the smell of dumplings adrift on the evening breeze.




All the peacefulness of the rabbit with the protective properties of metal. I think it sounds remarkably calmer than the year of the fire pig.





Dangerous store. I limited myself to only two Momiji dolls. (Papillon and Claire)
I also touched many a purse and throw pillow cover. Luckily the immediacy of food won out over fashion or decor.

Please Don't Feed The Animals

Another exhibit we enjoyed was the Academy of Sciences cafe. We rushed the lines for bottled water and found ourselves in the midst of a very Ikea-ish feeding experience.

In addition to the aquatic scenery, the rainforest exhibit proved to captivate our interest. (Aside from the numerous strollers, toddlers, and the disregard of the requests for no flash photography.)




This snake made me wish I was its tree.




Of course I love the fact that they eat their web every night and build it all again in the morning. Not just resourceful, but elegantly hardcore.




At first it sounded as if they were bickering, but I think their chatter is very similar to my grandparents never-ending squabble.



My survival instincts are obviously askew. To all other animals, this frog's coloration says "don't touch me I'm deadly". I of course want to pick it up and stroke its tiny head.

Touristing

We had a perfect afternoon at the Steinhart Aquarium. You will be spared the detailed "vacation slide show", and I'll only share the the exceptional scenes.




Pink and purple coral! My favorite.



A nice yellow hue among the bottom feeders.



For all those angel fish we sacrificed in our own aquariums.




Peachy colored anemones that looks like Jim Henson characters.





It's really nice of them to place the jellyfish on the startlingly blue backdrop. It's like taking pictures of electricity in motion.

Noshing and Sipping Through The City

Our primary objective was to eat our way through the city. We set about our goal with relish. Of course the over-achiever in me feels we could have eaten more.



Artful cocktails at Millenium. An Ojai Hop and something with a clever hip name with tequila. Mine had thyme, Scott's had cilantro.



Shadowy pictures of a beautiful vegetable salad drizzled with bagna cauda at Chez Panisse. I wanted to be subtle in my picture taking and not be the nerd with the flash. So dim pictures of dinner it is.



Vanilla meringue nests with fresh tangerine sorbet and strawberries.



Best salad rolls EVER! Pho Hoa on Jones St.




Pho perfection. A rare breakfast treat.