Sunday, September 14, 2014

Northern California

Vacaville was a perfect central location to park our bus and discover Sacramento, Napa and San Francisco.

Pulling into the RV park we were exhausted from a long day. The kids were out of sorts, we had recently had a few late nights, so they were acting up. I was craving some alone time and I think we all just needed some space.

Our plans were to visit Sacramento the next day, but I just did not have the energy to herd all five of us around a big city in 90 degree heat. So we decided Justin would take the older two and I would stay home with Layne.

It was just the break we all needed. I was able to get laundry done and help Layne with her school. There were no sibling arguments all day, no fighting over who's turn it was to dry the dishes or who get's to sit next to who when we eat.

It was peaceful.

Not only was it peaceful it was productive. I was happy my older two were learning so much about California history in Sacramento and Justin was glad to take them.

They toured the Capitol.


Had lunch in Old Sacramento and learned about the gold rush.

Both kids said the train museum was their favorite.


They visited Sutter's Fort and got to see Patty Reed's doll.

It was a successful visit to Sacramento, Justin and the kids enjoyed exploring and learning about the history of California and I enjoyed my time alone with Layne.

The next day we drove an hour northwest to Napa and had a full day planned.

We toured the beautiful Castello di Armorosa Winery.





Castello di Amorosa was super kid friendly, they even had animals.


After the castle we had a beautiful picnic lunch with deli sandwiches and pasta salad shaded by large oak trees at V. Sattui Winery. It was lovely. The kids enjoyed the Napa train that came through while we were eating. Napa was beautiful.

On our way back home we stopped by the Jelly Belly Factory.


I highly recommend the Jelly Belly tour. It is free and they give you tons of samples. Happily we left with the best sugar high.

We spent the next day relaxing around camp since down day's are a must.

Our last day in the area was spent in San Francisco, which is not a city I really cared to see. We have been there before and every time it has been freezing and windy, even in the summer. I was pleasantly surprised when we arrived, that the weather was warm, making it so much more enjoyable.

If you look back at most of my post's I mention the weather often, to me it can make or break the kind of day we have. In fact Justin planned this whole road trip around the good weather with a spread sheet of when the weather was best at the many places we wanted to see. He know's me so well, or maybe he's just a lover of spread sheets. Either way that's how we planned our trip, deciding to leave in February and it's worked out fairly well.



Since we have been to San Fran before we decided to spend a little time at Alamo park with a picnic lunch. We wanted to relax, take in the view and enjoy the experience of being somewhere we don't get to very often.

The Painted Ladies, right across from Alamo park.

Afterwards, we drove down Lombard Street...

and walked around Pier 39.



We loved our time in San Fran, I have a new appreciation and love for the city.

During our stay in Vacaville we had some decisions to make. Originally our plans were to head to Utah and Colorado after the Napa area planting us back home in November sometime. We have always kept the option open to head home early after Napa and save Utah and Colorado for a future trip.

We do miss home. So our decision is to slowly make our way South.

Currently we are parked in Pismo Beach, we are enjoying it here knowing that our time on the road will soon come to an end.





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