Sonoma/Mraz : September Date Night/Bday Celebration

Longest blog title post ever, eh?  We had a lot to do in our 72 hour trip to the Bay Area! And the pictures will last forever – sorry!

Since I haven’t celebrated my birthday in a few years (pregnant, then newborn, then pregnant, and then breast feeding) Shane suggested we do something exciting for my birthday this year. I hate celebrating my birthday, it’s not about aging – I just don’t like to be the center of attention in that way. So when Shane said, let’s take a 4 day weekend trip away I was sold.  I didn’t even need to brainstorm about where to go, location was already decided: Sonoma. I used to live down on the Central Coast and had driven through Sonoma, but never stopped in, and to be perfectly honest, at that time in my life, I would never have had the appreciation that I have for it now. So glad I waited, and so thankful I waited to share it with Shane. 

Coincidentally, the weekend that we planned to head down to Sonoma was the same time that Jason Mraz (our FAVORITE musician) was playing in San Jose. We decided to fly into San Jose, watch the concert and then head up to Sonoma first thing Saturday morning. We were making it a fast trip because with my job, I have no vacation/sick time – so 48 hours in Sonoma is all we had – we knew we had to make the most of every second.

I have to say, those were probably the best 72 hours that Shane and I have ever shared together. I won’t get all lovey dovey, but I have one amazing husband. Shane made this trip memorable by just being in the moment, which is so hard for us both to do. We put down our phones, disengaged from Facebook and made it a point to be present with one another.  I feel more than ever that I made the right choice to marry Shane – he knows me, loves me and accepts me. I am so thankful for him.

My goal for this trip was to relax, reconnect and just let go. We had no itinerary, we met some awesome people and just blended right in with the community.  We wine tasted, ate at restaurants the locals suggested, and held hands the whole time. 

Sonoma is a new happy place for me – I felt so at home there. So much so that I was looking at real estate as we were leaving and dreaming of what my plans would be to live there. Shane had to snap his fingers a few times to knock me out of my daze of figuring out our plan to relocate. I’m still working on it…..

                               
Jason Mraz – Best concert ever.  If you ever get a chance to see him perform – DO IT. It’s an unforgettable experience. He is a truly talented artist, that hasn’t let fame affect him. His music has touch, moved and inspired me in a way that I am proud of. 

 

Up bright and early to get to Sonoma….already seeing vineyards!
Upon arrival in Sonoma, we pulled into the plaza (the town square) as they were setting up for their huge Harvest Festival.  They had booths set up for wine tasting, local artist selling paintings, food tastings, balsamic vinegar tastings, the list goes on and on.  We walked up to this stand, a sausage hitting contest.  Hit the sausage hanging from a string with a potato – you get a salami ($5 – that supports the local boy scouts). Done  - Shane won 2 salamis that we ate for lunch the following day!  This local artist had amazing work, expensive, but amazing. It took everything I had to NOT buy some artwork. I will go back and buy them next year.    Our little cottage was perfect for us. Located on a small vineyard a mile from town.

 
We had dinner at El Dorado kitchen, more wine/champagne tasting and listening to some music by a local musician.


We were told by a gal we befriended at Sigh to check out this French Bakery and have their cinnamon toast. It was so good, we ate there both mornings on the sidewalk, people watching.

Chateau St. John – and yes, I know I have the palest legs in America.
 

Our new friends that we made on our first stop of the day.  These 2 couples have been going to wine country together for the last 7 years. They spend a week together wine tasting (the guy on the right has a wine cellar with over 800 wines!!!).  They asked US if they could tag along with our adventure for the day – of course! What a great way to make friends… they were so kind.

At the last stop of the day, Benzinger Winery, the couples presented us with this ($70) bottle of wine (marks the year we were married too!). They graciously thanked us for spending the day with them.  Shane and I made a promise that when we are older, we are paying this one forward :)
 
^Drunk.
  

After drinking wine all day, Shane and I wanted a good burger and fries. We found this little gem, Hopmonk Tavern. Our waitress was probably the best one we’ve ever had – and the food was awesome!


Yeah, so I spent our last hour in Sonoma looking at real estate and trying to convince Shane to move to Sonoma. He didn’t buy it, but I’m still working on him!


Leaving Sonoma, heading to San Francisco Airport. Such a beautiful drive.

Shane and I made another promise – that we would go back to Sonoma EVERY September. We will do everything in our power to make this trip happen. Our best trip yet.