Day 14: Napa Valley

Ayk and I are big beer fans, in case you couldn’t tell by the previous brewery tour posts.  Gwendy, my old boss who grew up surrounded by vineyards, told us it would be a shame to miss out on one of the best wine countries in the world, all because of devotion to beer.  Point taken.  She recommended V Suitti, which was definitely worth the detour.

 Now we are officially in love with port, the stuffiest white person drink imaginable.  And is it delish!

This is Gary, the most interesting fudge purveyor (you thought I was going to say packer, didn't you?).  He left Denver when he was young and headed out to California.  By sheer luck, he met his wife at a diner after his car broken down and someone helped him fix it.  Together they make the fudge, and on the weekend he sells his chocolatey confectionery at the vineyard.  Whenever he meets someone new, he says if they send him something he’s never had, then he’ll send them fudge.  We’ll be sending him Old Bay once we get back. 

San Francisco: Street Shots, Ghirardelli Square & Fisherman's Wharf

Street Shots

I love San Francisco for many reasons.  One of them is the European inspired architecture against the rolling hills.

Ghirardelli Square

In case you didn't know, I love CHOCOLATE!!

 Other than a store inside ...

there's a mini factory to show tourists how it used to run when they first opened in the 19th century.

Caramel Sea Salt Hot Chocolate 

Whipped cream mustache 

Fisherman’s Wharf
Right next to Ghirardelli Square, Fisherman's Wharf is touristy, yet fun.  There a bunch of sea lions hanging out by the docks.  Sadly, we didn't get to see them, considering we only had one day in San Francisco.  Still worth it just to breeze by the Wharf.

 Alcatraz in the background.  We really wanted to see the famed prision, but it's impossible to find a ferry that runs on weekends in the winter.  I understand not operating in the winter, but not on the weekends?  That's a silly business model.

 You know what's overrated?  Trolley Rides.  Long lines and high prices.  Plus, it's super slow.  Save your money, time and sanity and don't bother going on this tourist trap.  That dude sure looks cool, though!

SLC: Salty Caramels

I love me some chocolates.  If I were a junkie, this would be my smack.  Two years ago Nicole introduced us to V Chocolates, which are the tastiest salted chocolate covered caramels I’ve ever had.  She got us hooked, and when we heard that their factory was in SLC, we couldn’t resist.  After all, the odds of a brewery tour in SLC were slim to none.

Though we did find a Budweiser flag in Nicole's neighborhood.  She says the neighbors are "nice".

Thursday, the last day Ayk and I were there, we decided to do a tour.  It’s a modest factory, and you have to make reservations before hand.  If you don’t make a reservation, like us, you’ll at least get a self-guided tour and all the samples you wanted.

 Kayla and Lucas patiently posing while there's chocolate inside awaiting to be eaten.

 Let me reiterate that: All the samples you want.

.

 Duly noted.

 Thanks for your enthusiasm, boys.