Thursday

Another winery visit today.   Beluga is beginning to groan under the weight of our purchases.      Before we left today, we both agreed we would buy no more bottles of wine at these tastings, not one more bottle.   We would just enjoy the offered wines and discuss their merits, our likes and dislikes, the little bites that  often go along with them, the scenery, the rest of our day's plans and t h a t ' s   a l l .    It won't be hard, we have self control, we're adults.

Just two bottles.  How much space can two more bottles take?   The Viognoir and the Cabernet Sauvignon were simply outstanding.      We'll say no more about it.

After visiting the Weisinger Family Winery here in Ashland, Dave thought it would be fun to drive up to the top of Mt. Ashland.    The road was paved until we passed the Mt. Ashland Ski Resort and then it turned and continued up the mountain on a dirt and rock track through the forest.

We wove in and out of the sun dappled woods until we broke out into the full sunshine to find fewer trees and lots of wildflowers.

we follow the road....

up

We could see a large white weather radar dome at the top and it became our destination.    Besides we could go no higher, we were at the peak.

there goes Dave

here comes Dave

The views from the top were amazing.   We could see Mt. Shasta (in California) and Mt. McLoughlin in the distance.

Mt. Shasta and its cloud top

At the winery below the temperature was in the 90's but up at the top we enjoyed a lovely 77 degrees with a ruffling breeze.  

the way down

Most of the drive back wasn't too bad (in my admittedly warped estimation) but that first downward turn always makes me sweat.

We ended our pleasant day with another lakeside happy hour.  What a tough life we have.

P.S. Lewis wants you to know that he enjoyed happy hour outside too.  He likes watching the shore birds and Mergansers zooming back and forth in the shallow water.   And he likes Dave's almonds.