Romantic Getaway

It used to be that Billy and I would go to Solvang and spend a weekend every year for our anniversary in September. The last few years we had to pass on that. Although, we would go up for a day or cruise into town from camping at Cachuma, we weren't able to actually stay. We were long past due and it was time.

We have never come up at this time of year (late December) and we found that we really liked it. It was cold and crisp, just the way we like it. The landscape was different. Vines were barren, fields were brown and, yet, everything was still just as beautiful. Wine tasting toasted us up and we welcomed it.

After a nice filling breakfast in Summerland, we headed to our first winery, Rideau Vineyard.

A Scenic Window

Corks

Starting off the day with a Little Red

A couple of cool doors at Firestone Winery.

Iron Work

A Secret Entrance

Koehler Winery

A Very Interesting Counter Top

Not Your Typical Fence

The drives from winery to winery gave some wonderful photo opportunities.

Painted Landscape

Along the Road

Enjoying the Countryside

Rows

Majestic Oak

We were able to go into the barrel room at Rusack. Always a treat!

Wine Barrel

Barrel Room

A few good dead leaves are still a thing of beauty.

Fiery Leaves

Crispy Leaf at Kalyra

Still Beautiful

Time for a nap and then off to dinner.

And Some More Wine.

Each night after dinner we went for a stroll. Can you tell it was a little cold?

A Wintry Leaf

And in the morning I would go for a walk.

Before Sunrise

Solvang Lasso's the Moon

I ran into a couple of friends along the way.

Curious Fellow

A Deer Friend

The River was Dry

Fence Post

Almost Looks Like Under Sea Coral

A Crisp Morning

Then it was time to come home. We had a fabulous getaway and will definitely come back to stay this time of year again.

Miss Me???

It has been quite some time since I last posted. Let me tell you, it has been a crazy couple of weeks. I did a really fun family photo shoot (which I can't wait to post on my Facebook page). I had unexpected company for five days. I was editing and then reediting pics that got mysteriously deleted. I had to work on my usual day off in order to go on a glorious camping trip. We had different company another weekend and went on a family Disneyland trip. And probably a couple of other things that I can't even remember. Unfortunately, the blog had to go on the back burner. But I missed it, how about you? Did you even notice I was gone???

So, about that camping trip...well, let me regale you with some of our fun times we had.

First, we set up camp under the beautiful big trees. Well, Shaun and Cheryl did. We just came a little later and enjoyed.

Chateau Yen under the Oaks

Cheryl and Shaun rented a boat and we went fishing on the lake.

Alex drove.

Captain Alex

Riley hid.

Stow Away

Zach enjoyed.

First Mate

We headed to our favorite fishing spot and, then, we caught. Billy had the first catch of the day.

One Wide-Mouthed Bass

How about them catfish?

Here Kitty, Kitty, Kitty.

We caught a couple more and then...

Billy caught a stick

and we decided to call it a day and we headed home.

With the Wind Whipping Through our Hair

And leaving churning waters in our wake.

A Little White Water Action

There were some bright boats on the dock.

Like Floating Crayons

We cleaned...well, Shaun did. Cheryl and Shaun each caught a catfish and Billy caught a perch along with his wide-mouthed bass.

Hello There

Billy tried his hand at ventriloquism.

"Don't Eat Me!"

Then thanked his dummy

Kiss-a-me

We cooked. Sauteed, grilled with veggies and fried....mm-mmmm!!

Three Different Ways

We ate. That was some good eatin'!

We made Fishy, all Gone!

We did arts and crafts.

Rock Painting

Check out that New York Strip Steak

The bluebirds were quite bold. As were the mice or whatever creature it was that ate through our pantry while we were gone fishing...oops!

Pretty Bird!

We went into town and went to Mortensen's Bakery for some goodies.

Pistachio, Marzipan and Chocolaty goodness

I always find something interesting to shoot in Solvang.

Cool Flower

We ventured into the vineyards

Patchwork Hills

Wouldn't you love to look out from your picket fence and see this?

A Garden with a View

Did a little wine tasting at our favorite winery, Kalyra.

Our Newest Wine Thieves

Okay, maybe a lot of wine tasting.

Two-Fisted Drinker

What a great weekend! I didn't even post my artsy fartsy nature pics. Maybe that will be next week's blog. We'll see what Billy has to say about it.

This is him trying to look tough

Sorry, not buying it.