Napa, California: The rain started around six o'clock this morning. Yuck. Motorhomes starting their engines early. A bus left this campground at 5 o'clock, and ran their engine for thirty minutes prior... just in case we weren't all awake. RVers running their furnaces early. Lots of noise. The high today was going to be 61 and it was 61 at 9 o'clock this morning. We were all awake.
Dave and I had three items on our agenda today. Lunch at Bistro Jeanty. A stop to Kollar Chocolates, and then spending the afternoon at the CIA exhibit of Chuck William (of Williams-Sonoma) at the CIA Copia. A big day.
We arrived for our outdoor (covered, with ceiling heaters) reservation at Bistro Jeanty and were seated at a very nice - and very socially-distanced table. We took it slow, ordering two appetizers to share.
The special today was duck confit rillettes with goat cheese. Did the chef look at the guest list and know we were coming? Dang, if this wasn't just wonderful. A great combination with duck (cooked in its own fat), shredded, and mixed with just enough goat cheese to make it spreadable.
Our other appetizer was their house-smoked Idaho trout - served over hot sliced potatoes, herbs, onions and frisee. Ridiculously delicious.
My Driver was kinda over after the two appetizers, so only had their world famous tomato soup en croûte as his entrée.
I ordered the beef stew - the dish I had the first night I dined here on a culinary tour in 2008 (without DT). It melted in my mouth.
We did not have dessert nor take left-overs home. We were done for the day. And we really were done for the day. The Chuck Williams exhibit was closed for the rest of the week due to a private event. (Would it be too much trouble to note this on their website???) We seem to never be in Napa when this exhibit is open.
But, the trip to the COPIA/Oxbow area was not a complete loss. I phoned ahead and scored a dozen English Muffins from Model Bakery. Always a good thing to travel with a freezer.
It poured rain all day. No let-up. We had a very quiet afternoon and I served popcorn (real popped corn) for our dinner. There was some sort of sport on the television, but again, I ignored it all.
Until my next update, when I think it will stop raining, I remain, your soggy Napa correspondent.
RV PARK: Napa Valley Expo RV Park - Really a small park and hard to snag a reservation, but what a great location. Walk to town. Full service pull-through and back-in sites. We are paying $54 per night.