Clouds over Artesa

We have not had that many cloudy days so far this year and when we do I never seem to be in the right place at the right time. Here is another shot from Artesa Winery.
The water in the background is Tomales Bay.

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Veterans Home

This huge campus is the Veterans of War Home in Yountville. The grounds are beautiful and it has its own golf course. In 1882 the Vet home's association paid $17,500 for the 910 acres where the Vet home was built. Prior to that is was Salvador Vallejo's Napa Rancho. For some better photos click here.

Green vineyard

Went to my favorite view point yesterday, the patio at Artesa winery. It was a beautiful day with lots of pretty clouds. When I got there I realized I did not have my polarizer with me so I blew out the sky which was disappointing.

Mondavi winery

Here is a picture of the Beniamino Bufano statue of St Francis at the entrance to Robert Mondavi winery, probably the most well known winery in the Napa Valley .Opened in 1967, it was only the third winery built in the valley after Prohibition and was the catalyst that changed the wine industry in the Napa Valley.

Boone Fly Cafe

Went to the Boone Fly Cafe for breakfast this morning. Good breakfast, great hash browns. Great casual atmosphere. It is located in the Carneros Inn complex, off of Hwy 121 as you come into Napa from the west

Opus One

Here is a photo I took last weekend. I am standing at the front door of the Opus One Winery in Oakville looking west. Opus One was founded in the 80's by Baroness Philippine Rothchild and Robert Mondavi. The architecture is very distinct, a round marble building on a rise of lawn just to the east of Hwy 29, it stands out from the valley floor.

Something Different

Here is something a little different then my usual posts. This is a shot of the wine bottle wall at Domain Chandon. One wall of their lobby is all wine bottles. Couldn't tell if they were empty or full.

MUSHROOM FARM

My sister liked this one, so this post is for her. This is a shot of the cement mushroom farm at Domain Chandon vintners of sparkling wine in Yountville.

Castle in the Clouds

This is the Castle in the Sky Bed and Breakfast in Yountville. It is way up a hill overlooking the Napa Valley. I have always wanted to drive up the road leading to the B&B, but it is on a priavet road with a security gate.

Spring has Sprung

It has been incredibly warm here for weeks. All weekend it was in the mid 70's. All the plants think that it is April. In places the mustard is in full bloom.

A rose is a rose

That is unless it is a primrose.

The Sky, from behind a sail

OK, so it is not Napa. But it is my favorite view of the sky, from behind a sail.
The weather had been beautiful here. Perfect for sailing once the fog lifts.

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View of Downtown

Here is a view looking west onto Downtown Napa. I love this time of year when the mountains are green.

Sleepy Time

My new house has dozens of gray squirrels in the back yard. They are scurrying around the yard digging holes and burring black walnuts. This guy was slung in a tree, splayed across a branch like he was belly down on a hammock. He was basking in the sun with his eyes half closed.

Accidental Find

When I was out on my drive yesterday taking the photo posted yesterday, I noticed a large church in the hills across the street. I drove over and found that it was a monastery. It is called the Carmelite House of Prayer and it open to the public. The grounds were beautiful and there was not a soul in sight. It was late in the day and I was having problems getting the exposure right, but you can see how tranquil it was. I will be visiting here for shots often.

Redwoods in the Valley

It was a beautiful spring like day today, sunny with temps in the mid 60's. Went for a afternoon drive and took a photo of the Redwoods and brilliant green fields.

Lying in the Sun

It has been cold, overcast, foggy and dreary. In the mean time, here is a photo I
took at the pumpkin patch a couple of months ago. I wish I was just lying in the sun today like this guy.

January Theme: Best of 2008

O.K. I am late but wanted to share some of what I consider my best efforts for 2008. You have not seen these photos before because I never post my sailing photos on Napa Daily Photos because they are not of Napa. But I really liked the photo below and want to know that you guys think. I was sailing in July and had only brought my long lens on the boat. We left Alameda and sailed to the other side of the bay and I snapped this just as we were approaching the San Francisco Bay Bridge. That is San Francsico in the background. Hope you have a great 2009 and thanks to everyone who stops by my blog. Especially those who leave comments!


Below is my other favorite one. Once again the view is from a sailboat. The cloud formation is one that you probably will never see. We had just watched the blue angels airforce team fly overhead as part of the fleet week festivities. The squiggley clouds are the vapor trails from the jets.


Click here to view thumbnails for all January theme day "Best of 2008" participants