Our Gae

BFF Gae was here a couple of weeks ago. Sigh. You know the ease and grace of those people in your life who just fit? Like soft cashmere, ours is a luxurious friendship that's soft and loving and just makes us feel GOOD.

For some of you who don't know Gae, we met in 1994 and went through shamanistic bootcamp together, following our little brown teacher to power spots all over the globe for years. Our bond felt pre-natal, like souls in the ethers born in the same timeframe, where we could find each other again. And find each other we did.

Through a wealth of experiences, and our "graduation" from bootcamp, we now live miles apart, but our connection to Gae still feels contiguous, like we're always just in the next room to each other. Our joy was when she actually showed up in da flesh and really was in the next room (our guest room), and oooooooooooh did we have FUN!

Of course one of the first things we did with Gae was walk around Spring Lake. This is a ritual for all visitors (and when you come, we'll walk with you too), that instantly immerses you in the abundance of Nature up here.

Before we moved up here from L.A., our desire was to live in a place where the ratio of Nature to man-made environment was more heavily weighted on the Nature side. We got that in spades. Spring Lake is a sweet gem in a necklace of parks, vineyards, farms and natural forests that wind all around. Folks really use this lake (free entrance & fee parking ... at least for now), walking, jogging, biking, fishing, boating, picnicking, so part of the enjoyment is just watching everyone having a great time.

Enter Francis Ford Coppola.

"Huh?" you say.

Francis (yes locals use his given name up here) has recreated a childhood enchantment for himself in wine country and part of his desire is to have others enjoy it with him. (Thank you for sharing Francis!) So a few hours before sundown, we drove Gae up to Geyserville, to accommodate him. (well ... us ... really.)

Coppola Winery sits on a small hill surrounded by vineyards ... quintessentially Italianesque. When you enter the gates, you expect to see a sign that says "Happiest Place on Earth", just like it does at Disneyland. Although the sign above the gate says "Coppola", it really means the same thing. Coppola is a very happy place.

First off we strolled through Francis's museum of movie memorabilia, complete with the actual car from Tucker. Then on to a wine tasting ... oh that Petit Syrah! Then out to enjoy a meal on the terrace of Rustica, where Francis's favorite meals, like the ones his Italian mama used to make, are recreated. After that, a bit of sunset lounging poolside in the day spa area, then a leisurely drive home. Oh YEH! Happy happy joy joy!

For more info. about Coppola, check it out ... http://www.franciscoppolawinery.com/

Then Gae had to go home

so back to work we go

hi ho, hi ho ...