-Was told the CWS concert was Sturgill, Stapleton, and Childers so pretty disappointed. Wouldn't mind seeing Willie before he dies but the other two are a big ol meh. Have nothing for Stapleton and wouldn't show up for the Crow portion anyway.
-Here in body but my brain is not in it today. Other than helping my boy tfields I basically shut work out for 7 days, which I never do. Trying to kick start it but I'd rather leave my randoms for your pleasure.
-Flew out of CVG which we should take advantage of more often. Easier drive than SDF and have CLEAR so we can zoom though.
-Landed in Telluride at 9p and it was pitch dark so no look at the landscape until we woke up the next day.
Absolutely the most jaw dropping views I've ever seen. Most of it looks fake. We were up in the Mountain Village looking down on Telluride but the city is boxed in, hence Box Canyon, by gorgeous 14,000' mountains. All covered with aspen trees that were turning yellow right now. Everywhere you looked was awesome. Town itself was cute, no chains, backdrops at the end of streets were amazing. Fancy people covered in Patagonia labels like they walked right out of the catalog. Tons of ski bums working odd and end jobs to make it through the summer and cover a lift ticket.
First day we went fly fishing, my first attempt. Drove out to a lower elevation and fished a little hidden spot on the San Miguel River. Easy to see how that sport becomes addicting. Caught 2 in my fumbling attempts to cast and set hooks. Very neat experience. Finished that off with Brown Dog pizza, Detroit Style, and a few draft crafties.
Second day, tried our hand at mountain biking. Followed the Galloping Goose converted mining trail from 10,800' down to the valley floor. Spent some time at a crystal blue lake flanked by a 12,000' peak which may have been the most beautiful place I've ever been. Ride was pretty easy, wish we would've done some uphill, but the views were awesome. Tacos at Gnar something Tacos, great, and celebrated the nuptials that afternoon at an overlook that was perfect.
-Headed off to Napa the next day. Spent a couple hours in Palo Alto waiting on the rush hour traffic to die down. Really cool place. Stanford is unreal. Hard to not be enchanted by that weather.
Up and wine tasting early Saturday, I think 4 or 5 spots, and hammered by 5p. Dinner at Brix (good) I got the risotto, from what I can recall.
Thankfully took the morning off Sunday to go sweat out some of Saturday and grab lunch, Girl and the Fig(ok) I got the Croque Madam, before trying out Sonoma and hammered again by like 5p. Walked in R+D in Yountville, I had the cuban and she got the fried chicken sandwich which was great.
Monday hit up Bothe Napa SP for a hike and a close up at some redwoods. Not a ton of them but still some good views and a nice break from drinking wine. 2 more wine tastings and a nice nap before finally ending the trip at The French Laundry.
That place is just insane. Easily one of the best meals of my life. I was convinced I'd be disappointed and was completely blown away.They just have it down. Everything is perfect. Atmosphere is great, they played fun 80's music to lighten things up. Service is top notch as expected and really do a good job not making it too stuffy. Brought us a little extry of the items we loved. The black truffle mac n cheese is the best thing I've ever eaten. Brought the whole truffle out in a walnut humidor with a special crew to grate it, lol. Reminded me of a bottle service procession in a LV mega-club. All guest get custom menus, invites to the kitchen for a real look inside, we got to open the fridges, talk to the chefs, hang out with the manager, it was an event. Not one that we could do often but we've regretted not doing it last time and after 13 years of anticipation it lived up to the hype.
-Few brief observations:
*Cali is so damn interested in the cliche environmental and sustainable issues but completely overlook the fact they all drive everywhere... and seemingly at the same time. 6 lane highways jam packed at 10p. Maybe ease up on the straws and worry more about fuel consumption/emissions. That fakeness wears me out more than the KY rednecks throwing trash all over the place.
*The motorcycles out there are allowed to drive down the middle of the lanes. They have to die at an alarming rate.
*When wine tasting, most can't ship to KY, so the sales pitch dies quickly and you typically can find a good conversations after that. Also, 1 tour and tasting is PLENTY for a day. Imo, the small places are the best.
*I'm going back to Colorado soon. The people can be a bit much but it's such a great place.
*Crew trip to wine country would be fantastic, rent house, get a driver, tastings during the day and cook a big feast while guzzling the days picks in the evening. Shew. Someone needs to organize that for next fall.