Napa Part I

I was born in California- just like my mother and father, and my maternal grandfather and great-grandparents before them. Being the oldest of four, I was the only one of us to be born there- the rest of us my siblings calling Connecticut home since the day they were born. But while my parents moved east before my second birthday, the rest of our extended family remained in California- grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends that have always felt like family. So my parents would take us back every summer- to explore the mountains, vineyards, beaches and cities with our family.

This past week my husband and I took our Maddie to meet her great-great grandmother in Napa. We made a vacation out of it- celebrating summer with family and close friends in one of my favorite places. My memories of summers out west are some of my very dearest- the smell still giving me all the feels nearly thirty years later. And after just one week, it warms my heart to know our girl will grow up with the same feeling- knowing there are special people on the other side of the country counting down the seconds 'til they get to see her on their coast.

Carneros Inn: This was my third stay at Carneros Inn- first with child in tow- and it was just as much a joy with her as it was in my more hands-free days. The views, the food, and of course the drinks are perfection. And I even stole an hour or two away to visit the spa- which was both very much needed and appreciated.