Short Escape to Napa Valley
Hello there,
Happy Sunday! How's your weekend? This weekend is one of my favorites since pandemic because it's the U.S. Independence Day aka July 4th aka national holiday! Nothing tops a short escape to my favorite town on this holiday weekend. We made a short trip to Yountville, Napa Valley. I always love the quintessential wine country experience with spectacular vineyard views and have been dying to visit Yountville again since my birthday in February.
I've been feeling a little discouraged and upset with the Covid-19 surge in California. Sigh. After staying indoor and cautiously practicing social distancing for four months plus yet the number is climbing every single day. While watching other countries, including my home country Malaysia gradually and strategically opening up for local businesses and schools, the Covid-19 situation here in the U.S. shows very little progress.
As I posted on Insta & FB yesterday, cabin fever is real when every day feels the same. Hence, I plan our family outings to reconnect with the world in a careful and respectful way. It seems like Covid-19 won’t be going away anytime soon. This is an uphill battle. It’s so important to take time, step back and see things through new eyes every once in a while. So I did, this Napa trip was a breather to me.
#1 It felt like a decade since I last put on a dress. Ya, it's tight.
#3 The girls need to stretch and Chean thought this hotel has a beautiful and spacious outdoor space for the girls to wander around. The hotel was super quiet.
#5 Guess how long it takes me to get in? One hour plus. Jeez, I forgot when was the last time I stayed in line for an hour just to buy some food for takeout. Chean treated the girls with ice cream while they're waiting for me...
#6 Aww~~ Worth the wait. How often can you get Yuzu Crossaint from a one-star Michelin restaurant during the pandemic.
#7 We picnic at a park in Yountville; I can't do outdoor dining outside the restaurant/bakery.
#8 Summer picked this, Cream Cheese Danish. Sooooo yummy!
#9 When she tastes something good, she wants everyone get a bite from it! Haha~ The line "Sharing is caring" is totally applicable.
#10 A random shot.
#11 My coffee, ice caramel latte. Mmm... Exactly what I needed.
#12 Fixing Summer's ponytail. It's such a mess!
#13 The stains? The cholocate ice cream.
#14 Checking out the vines...
#15 Grapes are growing.
#16 Ever since the coronovarius outbreak, it's so relaxing and comforting to be closed to green plants and nature. At least other living things are thriving while human beings are confining in their homes. Well, look on the bright side of life.
#17 I was smiling under da dang mask. Lol...
#18 This mini me obviously has better smile than me. BS-ers, Chloe is getting so big now, she grows a little each time I look at her!❤️❤️❤️
#19 Forever my baby girl.
#20 We ordered pizzas and this is my version of outdoor dining, haha.
#21 Vegetarian pizza with cheese, potato, onion and rosemary. It tasted better than expected.
#22 Hello Golden Gate Bridge, we then drove back to San Francisco in the evening.
It was a really short trip, we didn't do much too but getting out of the city helped me seek solace in this unprecedented time. The vineyard owners are still taking good care of my wines, haha, I like saying that all the vineyards in Napa are my wine collection caretakers, just for fun. Although many are closed. The plantation is still going; crops are growing strong...
I guess we are marching towards the end of the tunnel? Our journey of recovery might be longer than other countries but at least we are heading to the right direction? I hope. Praying that the U.S. leaders won't put in more tunnels for their people.
2020 was quite a year. Hope everything gets better after this summer.
Cheers,
Beverly