Mood:
cheekyTopic: Travel
I spent most of this week in Southern California visiting my best friend, Angela. While this trip was my third to California, it was my second trip to San Diego. Since my trip was short, Angela had planned every minute of our time with many fun adventures.
My arrival was celebrated with my first California Burrito (steak, fries, sour cream, cheese, all in a tortilla) and a trip to the popular San Diego zoo. We made it a point to see the polar bears, hippos, monkeys, and pandas—one of the only zoos to house giant pandas.
Day two of my visit was the highlight of my trip—a Grapeline Tour of the Temecula Wine Country. Starting at 10:30 am, a shuttle took us to the Leonesse Vineyard and Cellars. We tasted probably seven wines, while touring the barrel room. Leonesse ages its red wine in French Oak barrels (which cost a chilling $1300 each) for at least 36 months—each barrel holds 300 bottles of wine and the barrel flavor is only good for two batches.
Our next stop was the Wilson Creek Winery, famous for their Almond Champagne. We tasted five wines and learned some history on their family driven business. The Wilson Creek Winery housed a restaurant and several stages for weddings and live music and is also home to their many golden retrievers (one I met, named Cabernet or "Cabby" for short).
Stop three was the Wiens Family Cellars, famous for their estate-farmed wines. We tasted six wines, including their Orange Champagne and their White Port—a Temecula original. Our last stop was Ponte Winery, noted for their selection of light wines. My favorites included an apple bubbly, a rose Juliet, and a floral tasting Isabel. There wasn't a wine there a girl wouldn't like.
My last full day in San Diego included some shopping in beautiful La Jolla and a trip to Sea World. We saw the Pets Rule show, the dolphin show, and the famous Shamu show. We also visited the sting ray pool, where watchers can feel their skin. The puffin exhibit was impressive, along with the penguin encounter. The evening was planned with a dinner cruise aboard the Hornblower ship. Angela and I enjoyed a meal of filet mignon, salmon, vegetables, creme brulee, aside champagne, sauvignon blanc, and Midori sours. The humor of the evening was captured on the dance floor, when our fellow elder passengers enjoyed the classics such as Billie Jean, Dancing Queen, and L-O-V-E.
As always, I had a fabulous time with my great friend. Angela will be leaving San Diego soon, heading to the Midwest. Although the sights in California were unforgettable, my time with her is always fun...looking forward to many more! Thanks again, Angela!
