Riding Hot Air Baloon at Napa Valley and Some Tips

The real reason we went to Napa this time was for this: Hot Air Balloon Ride. After reading online reviews, we decided to go with Napa Valley Aloft; the only company allowed to fly on Pope Valley so we got to see the beautiful vineyards. We booked through their online website and got a reminder call the day before we flew along with the e-mail explaining where to go and what time we have to be there.

We woke up early that day to get there at 5:30 a.m. and were greeted by those colorful gigantic balloon.  


Disclaimer:  Some of the pictures below we took with our camera and some were taken by the photographer at Napa Valley Loft, which we opted to pay in order to get our pictures when were inside the basket. Ready or not here we go.

 

Aren't those balloons so pretty? I can't take my eyes out of them.

Visiting Gardens at Napa Valley: Farmstead and French Laundry Garden

The lovely Napa Valley is only 1.5 hours away from Bay Area so it always been our top option whenever we need to go for couple getaway. We first went there for our first anniversary. We went for the wine train ride and lunch followed with a mud bath. It was an interesting experience. The second time was a few year ago when we went for a day biking trip. This time we went to celebrate our 15 anniversary, our first time leaving the kids overnight without either one of us.

I wanted to get some garden inspiration for our front yard, which is currently filled with weeds. So first stop of the day was: Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch

We went straight to their garden

row and row of veggies and herbs, which they use at their restaurant: and pretty flowers to attract the bees:

Visiting Sequoia on March

We visited Sequoia National Park in 2010 when Max was 2 years old and Wes had not been born yet. His 6th birthday was coming up and when he asked him where should we go on his birthday his answer was to see the biggest tree in the world so off we go to Sequoia National Park.
We went early in the morning then stopped by at Bravo Farm for lunch.  

The North entrance from Fresno was still closed on March due to snow so we have to go through South entrance and stayed the night at a hotel in Three River. Check out the National Park's website for the update on road conditions.

Bravo Farm at Traver, California

We decided to stop by at this place for lunch on our way to Sequoia last month: Bravo Farm  

There were antiques stuffs for sale at the front.

There were not many animals though. I wonder why they call it farm because we only see donkeys and goats but we didn't come there for the animals;

We came to see this: The Seven Stories Tree House

Visiting: Bodie Ghost Town

Last November our family got an unexpected break due to job loss. God is good through it all and Hebrews 4:16 became real as we prayed and waited, "Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

While waiting to start another job, we took time for a family road trip to Bodie and Mono Lake area. We went very early in the morning that way we can get there by noon.


couldn't resist the temptation to stop and capture the beautiful scene a long the way...



After 6 hours on the road, we are on the last leg to the famous Ghost Town.


It was a long ride to get there even for us traveling by car; I can't imagine being pioneers and have to travel by wagon or by feet.


Finally, we saw the sign:


The old gold mine:


The church and part of the town. This was when I first noticed at that time they built their bathroom outside of the house. Imagine, having to go outside the house during winter make us even more grateful to live during modern time.


The obligatory family picture with the State Park sign.


 Max asked if I can put the rest of the Bodie pictures on his blog. I told him sure as long as he is the one who tell the story. So for more picture on Bodie please head over to Max's post.