Calistoga to Yountville, CA

This morning, we started breakfast (and more rain) and then went for our mud baths. I really enjoyed this and it was as great as last time. Dr. Wilkinson’s isn’t a fancy place but the ladies were very attentive. The experience started with a light shower and then in to the mud bath for 10 minutes with a facial mask, cucumbers and cool towel. After that, a Jacuzzi of mineral water scented with lavender and then a good long steam followed by a quiet wrap and then massage. Kathryn, my masseuse was so good I begged her to come home with me. She politely giggled but I know she was thinking “hell no, not in that Chicago weather!”  Todd had the same experience although he didn’t enjoy it as much as I did. It is just not his thing. I, on the other other hand, must remember to get massages much more regularly.  In retrospect, I don't slow down and relax often, so this was really great and I really appreciate that Tina "forced" me into it....


From there we packed up the room and went for lunch to the Culinary Institute of America which was a wonderful lunch. We started with a glass of champagne followed by mussels, I had the salmon and Todd had the sand dabs. OMG, sand dabs with fried green tomatoes and a warm spinach salad....  We walked around the shop there for a while and then went to walk through the town of St. Helena which is very lovely little town. We stopped at the chocolate store which had incredible chocolates. We each bought one – I the dark chocolate and raspberry and Todd had the dark chocolate with chocolate ganache. Of course, we shared and we loved them both. Good thing this place is across the country from where we live!

After walking around town, we stopped at Frog’s Leap for a tasting, were not impressed and amazingly walked out EMPTY HANDED! From there we stopped at Mumm Champagne because, well, because I love champagne and they have a beautiful view to look at while I’m drinking. Mumm's is one of Tina's favorites.  She loved it the last time we were here.   And the Ansel Adams gallery is fab...  From there, we continued down the Silverado Trail (my favorite drive in the valley) to Yountville and checked in to the Vintage Inn. My how sleepy lil Yountville has turned into a lovely little town...  Dinner tonight is at Bistro Jeanty.