Napa, California: We arrived to the JGW RV Park in Redding after dark last night - too late to take photos - so here are a few photos of the campground where we slept last night:
The Magna Peregrinus at the JGW RV Park in Redding, California
JGW RV Park in Redding, California
We continued south on I-5 and took a left on 505 to 80 to 12 to 29... confused much?... to reach Napa. We are again at the Napa Valley Exposition RV Park where we camped in May.
Another photo of the Magna Peregrinus - this time in Napa
Napa Valley Exposition RV Park
Seriously... I know you all want to see photos of Our Beautiful Bus every day. Well, maybe I am wrong... but this is my website... so you know how it goes. Sorry.
One great thing about camping in California in November:
Is this a great country or what?
After checking-in to our campsite in Napa, we went out immediately to purchase supplies for our tailgate party at Stanford University on Saturday. We will be hosting only a few folks, but never want to be without. Plus, the Oxbow Public Market in Napa has some of our favorite food purveyors!
Oxbow Public Market in Napa, California (this is the Three Twins Organic Ice Cream shop)
Frequent Readers of this website know I am addicted to the olive oils from The Olive Press (especially their Sevillano) in Sonoma after having a tour last year... not to mention Kara's Cupcakes. Certainly our tailgating buddies will need a sweet little nosh after we crush The Cardinal at Stanford on Saturday.
No visit to Napa is complete without a walk through the fabulous Oxbow Public Market, a burger at Taylor's Automatic Refresher and a few loaves (for your freezer) from Model Bakery.
We Ducks are fairly serious about food tailgating.
The Olive Press Shop inside the Oxbow Public Market in Napa
Kara's Cupcakes at the Oxbow Market in Napa
I am just going to be mean in the next photo, so look away.
Chocolate cupcake with sea salt
Too pretty to eat
Model Bakery in Napa, California
We did not purchase one item from the Model Bakery sweet counter
We also took a drive out the Silverado Trail to visit the Luna Vineyards tasting room. DT is mad about their Sangiovese. Wouldn't you know it... they were closed for a private party when we arrived! Dang.
Nothing to do except have dinner in downtown Napa at a restaurant serving Luna wines. We dined again at Ristorante Allegria. Housed in an old bank building,Ristorante Allegria serves classic Italian dishes paired with local Italian-style wines. Great food in a great setting.
PAPPARDELLE ALLO ZAFFERANO: Fresh Homemade Saffron Pasta, Jumbo Prawns, With Wild Mushrooms, Artichoke Hearts, Finished With Roasted Shrimp Bisque. This dish is only $17.
FILET MIGNON: Pan Seared, Pepper Crusted Filet With Garlic-Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus Topped With Gorgonzola Compound Butter, Finished With a Port Wine Reduction. $28.
Honestly... though the steak was as soft as bread, it really wasn't that flavorful. The port wine reduction and gorgonzola sauce were wonderful - same for the garlic mashed potatoes served on the side. The pepper-crust was a delight. Service was spectacular - same as the last time we were at Ristorante Allegria. Eat here.
Until my next update, from the Stanford campus, I remain, your Napa correspondent.
RV Park: Napa Valley Exposition RV Park - Recently renovated to accommodate big rigs. Large pull-through, full-service sites just a few minutes from downtown Napa. Perfect location. We paid $31 (cash) with Good Sam discount. Laundry. Bathhouse. No frills.