NAPA VALLEY AND BEYOND

Crossing the Sierra Nevada mountains, here near Squaw Valley in California, we reminisce of the past few days; my love and I. Even though the vineyards in Napa Valley were not in bloom they were breathtaking; a site to behold. Never disappointing , Napa Valley lives up to it's reputation and we were amazed at it's beauty. The vineyards grow on the flowing hills and as we dove across the mountains we saw many flowers in bloom. As we drove through a vineyard we also saw fields of tulips in bloom, and they were beautiful, so many gorgous colors. Wisteria was in full bloom, fields of lemon yellow mustard, poppies, hot pink azalias, spirea bushes so full they fell to the ground, magnolia trees in full bloom, and grass as green as velvet. It is so hard to believe we are really here and at times you feel like you are in a movie watching it.

Reluctantly we had to leave Napa Valley and wine country and were able to head out to Placerville, hometown to Thomas Kincaid and his art career. This is a happening place and so busy we could

hardly believe it. Placerville is very picturesque and the homes are all built on the mountains and rolling hills. We visited the T.K..Gallery and viewed some of his original paintings that were valued at $300,000 dollars and up. The lady that helped us with our questions knew Tom and Nanette personally and told us about a movie being made of his early years that will probably be titled HOME FOR CHRISTMAS. The interesting thing about this is it will be a movie, or on television, but is not being advertised as being his story. It will probably come out around the holidays, or maybe before. We purchased a painting of Napa Valley and the big yellow house - where the last time we were in California 19 years ago we had lunch and it was a very special time for us but, could not find it this time because we were in a different part of the valley. We wanted a painting to remember our trip and it was perfect. It looks exactly like where we were this time, plus it has the big yellow house that is such a special memory for the two of us . God is good and as my better half says Life is good!!! After Placerville we continued the memory hunt in Davis, California. We did find the Davis Inn location where we spent our sabbatical 19 years ago, but guess what? - now it's a bank. We had lunch in a quaint resturant and then found the library, where I spent a lot of time 19 years ago, unfortunately everything else in campus town and Davis looks different. The Veterinary Collage looks much the same and it was easy to find, but they have added to it and it does look great. Steve was able to go in and spend a morning there with old friends and that was fun for him.

This morning a new friend told us about Old Town Sacramento and being curious we couldn't miss that, so, we headed out. My husband and I seem to have discovered a lot of "old towns" on this trip and that has been a great blessing. The LORD has really guided us and blessed us with many surprises. We have really looked to him and each day had our time with him and prayed and HE has totally blessed us and we know HE is the navigator of our lives.
We ended our day near Squaw Valley California to find ourselves again in a rustic, western ski village. We left Sacramento and it was 70 degrees. Here it is 40 degrees and dropping, and yes many people are skiing, and unfortunately we have seen several people on crutches and with broken bones. The goal for tomorrow is Salt Lake City, Utah, and that is a BIG ORDER. As I close for this night my thoughts and prayers are for home and all the family and people we love. As an end to this day we send this scripture to all of you with all of our love. "Let the rivers clap their hands. Let the mountains sing for joy together." PSALMS 98:8.