after a weekend with family for Christmas, we started our week in the bay with a trip to the Napa area...first stop Santa Rosa for a Safari West tour
the kids were lucky that we didn't have many kids in our group because they usually rotate who gets to ride on top...the girls got to stay up there for the whole tour...it was a half hour walking tour and a 2 hour tour in the vehicle
the three of us stayed at the bottom...they asked who else wanted to ride on top and I was the only one that said "I do" but I decided to let the kids stay up there :)
we saw many animals, we couldn't touch them but if they came close enough they could touch you...the giraffes came close, but didn't touch us, the girls were hoping they would :) they were the girls favorite
The "zebas" were Jayson's favorite
Jay and I noticed that this cape buffalo was strangely staring right at us and didn't move...I learned that they are in the top 5 deadliest animals...the tour guide even told us to stop snapping pictures just for a minute because they were looking at us weird and could possibly charge...CRAZY!
rhinos were cool
got really close to these and Jayson said "it stinks"
also learned a tale of the wildebeest...they were created by putting together leftover body pieces of other animals
was a great experience...probably the closest thing we'll get to a real safari :)
After the tour we headed to downtown Napa
walked around a little bit
and finally decided on the restaurant right across the street from our hotel, Norman Rose Tavern...it was pretty yummy, Jaylin loved her clam chowdah with shells, she wanted to take them home after, but we didn't let her
spent the night at the Avia hotel...I highly recommend it, super nice, roomy hotel
the best part for the kids was the bath tub in the room, fireplace where Jaylin burnt her finger and the big bed they got to share while daddy and I slept on the fold out sofa
The next morning we went to the Castle winery, Castello di Amorosa
kids were excited to sit in the King and Queens chair and asked if they were there :)
big barrel
cool cellars
a well
even sheep like in Ireland...hee!
the nicest thing about this place is that they have a family room...we couldn't do a guided tour because Jayson was too young, but we did do the self guided tour which allows you to walk through most of the castle and includes a wine tasting for the parents and juice for the kids
so while they colored, read books and had juice and crackers
Jay and I were able to wine taste
he was able to find a yummy moscato, yup that's Jay's favorite :) and some chocolate...he presented it to me as if it was a ring or something because he was so excited to try it and swears it was the best chocolate ever!
was a nice visit, was so glad we were able to make it...Jay didn't want to go at first because of the weather, but after getting his moscato and chocolate...I think I was able to convince him to become club members so we can go to their yearly renaissance parties...I would love to dress up and come to a castle party :) Til next time Castle!
