Napa Valley

Well, we came down out of the mountains to 100 degree weather in California! Good to be back in "civilization" - cell and internet service, grocery stores and straight roads! - but between the draught and the heat things are very parched in this primarily agricultural area. We descended first into ranch land, then vegetables and then green vineyards.
We had our first Mexican food since Palm Creek - we were in DT's!
We are currently staying in Calistoga in the northern part of the valley and will move down to Napa on our way to Oakland, CA. We are "killing time" until we fly out to North Carolina for our family vacation on June 6th. What better place to hang out than in wine country?!
There are hot springs all over this area - healing mud baths, soaks and massages. We went to see the "Old Faithful" of the southwest this afternoon. It "blows" regularly about every 4 minutes - up about 30 feet.
                                                           


Old Faithfull in Napa Valley

 

They also had llamas and "fainting goats." There was an informative sign explaining how they use llamas as guards for the sheep herds. They expose the llamas to the sheep soon after the lambs are born and they bond so well that the llamas will then protect the sheep herd from predators. The goats apparently "faint" when they get scared!

This is a "steam well" - built over a steaming geyser - they were used in the 1800's. They simply hung food over the top of the well and the steam cooked it!

Steam Well