Danny's Birthday & Early Valentine's Day Weekend

We went to Napa Valley this last weekend and had a really fabulous trip. When I was first trying to plan this trip I had doubts that there would be anything for us to do since we don't drink but I found some really fun things. It was a really fun trip. I'm so glad we went.

The trip started off with a car full of Danny's favorite treats. Danny cannot go on a road trip (even if it's only an hour) without having treats. On our way we stopped by a French Cheese Factory for a picnic lunch. The farm was so beautiful and the cheese delicious!

No wonder happy cows come from California

The rest of the day we spent on an African Safari. Yes, you read correctly...AFRICAN SAFARI. I was worried it would be lame but I'm pretty sure we BOTH loved it. It had rained all day and I was worried that they would cancel our tour but those vehicles can handle anything. It was quite the ride!!!!

I'm glad the Cheetah was not part of the open range. It looked like it wanted to kill me.

Kudu. So close I could touch it.

Apparently Zebras are shy and mean. A group of Zebra is called a Dazzle.

Probably the most exciting part of the Safari. These African Cattle thought we were the feed truck and started a stampede coming right for us. It was awesome.

This Wildebeest makes me sad. He is the only male born to his herd and thus has been cast out because he is a threat to his dad.

Impala

The herd of Wildebeest and some mountain goats (I can't remember their name)

This is how we roll. On the top!

That night we drove to our hotel which I was a little worried about but it turned out fabulous. We ended up in a suite right on the golf course at a country club. Not too bad!! We were so tired and cold from our Safari that we decided to just order some pizza and watch a movie in front of the fire. The pizza was really good. I wish they had a store near Palo Alto.

The next day we took a tour of Castello di Amorosa, a winery with a 13th century replica castle. It was pretty amazing and apparently it was featured on the Bachelor recently!?!? My goal now is to build a castle.

The Castle

View of Napa

Main Plaza

The Royal Hall

All in all the tour was interesting. We learned about architecture, grapes, napa, the winery, and wine. We even got a tasting of grape juice from the winery instead of wine.

After our tour we went to the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) for a cooking demo and lunch.

The demo kitchen

The demo was really fun and we learned a lot. Lunch was fantastic but I would expect nothing less when you have a kitchen full of the best chefs in America cooking for you!

It was a really awesome trip and I'm glad we can check Napa off our list.

MLK Weekend

Pat and Jordan came to visit us (and interview at MD school) and we had a blast while they were here!! We really feel like we know San Francisco now.

Saturday we went to Fisherman's Wharf and ate chowder while listening to some smooth Jazz. We saw a freakishly large sea gull and a fight between a street perform and some locals. Tony guided us to Chinatown where Danny really wanted to buy a live Turtle to cook and eat. Luckily he decided against it. It seems Danny has crossed over to the dark side and now agrees I look Asian. While in Chinatown Danny had a moment of panic when he couldn't find me in the crowd and he started yelling, "Liz! Liz! I can't find her! She's blending in!" Never mind I was one of two blonds on the street.

Jordan (the other blond on the street) and Pat

After Chinatown we walked forever through North Beach and finally to the car. We hit up Golden Gate Park and then headed home for a nap. It was a long day of walking!

Monday we went into the city again for a tour of Alcatraz. It was rainy and super cold but we had a great day despite the weather!

Broadway

Cell

Signs of the Indian occupation still visible

After our tour of Alcatraz we walked to North Beach for some super yummy Italian food at The Stinking Rose (I highly recommend it). Followed by another long walk to Ghirardelli Square for dessert.

View of Alcatraz from Ghirardelli Sqaure

Danny feeling sick from eating too much food. The ovens where they roast the cocoa beans are behind him.

After our dessert we hopped on a trolley for a scenic ride to Union Square.

It was an awesome day!

We also went to the Stanford Theatre to see Duel in the Sun with Jennifer Jones and Gregory Peck. It is a movie I doubt I will ever forget.

We heart Stanford Theatre...*

Mostly because of this dude. The organist who plays before and after the movie.*

Visitors are FUN!!

*Pictures from Yelp