Although the weather has been undeniably beautiful in Napa since I moved here in June - perfect high 70 degree days and cool, crisp nights - it hasn't been typical summer weather, I've been told. The morning fogs I've come to expect usually don't happen in July and August. The weather has been awful, the locals have been saying.
While I simply can't agree (I rather think I've lucked out with the summer I've had without humidity or the need for air conditioning), I have to say that I had forgotten how nice it is to wake up to see the sun in the morning. And hot air balloons outside my window.
After my short hiatus last Monday, I've been running around Napa all this past week, finding myself in amusing situation after another.
An abandoned mansion just north of St. Helena?
Yes, that happened after I decided to have a "quiet" cooking night with Kendall, Leah and two of my co-workers, Jess and Thea, who were visiting from the New York office for the week.
Instead, I found myself driving home at 1:30 a.m. on a Tuesday evening (or Wednesday morning, really), having explored the mansion - with some French Laundry chefs, among others.
Then there was the castle that I "stormed" on Saturday night. The castle, a winery built to look like an Italian fortress near Calistoga, just so happens to be on the property where an acquaintance of mine lives, and apparently nighttime treks are a regular for Napa folks. As is making s'mores, which we did that night over a campfire.
Oh, and looking at the stars - there's just so many of them here.
I mentioned that two of my co-workers from New York were in this past week; in fact, our entire New York office was, for an all-agency meeting, a once-a-year chance for our entire staff to get together in one room.
Having only been with the company for two months (it feels like longer, yet shorter, at the same time), it was my first chance to meet in person some of the people I've interacted with via phone or email. In addition to the office time, we had a host of opportunities to do so: a dinner outing on Thursday evening, a tasting and tour at one of our Napa clients on Saturday morning, a Spanish-themed paella party at our president's house on Saturday evening.
Between the office and the social activities, it made for a week spent mostly with the people I work with, which made me realize one thing: I really enjoy the people I work with! This past week has flown by, and that's because I've enjoyed it so.
I've lived like I was on holiday, mainly because I spent my time with people who essentially were, despite having to come into the office in the morning. Good food (at Bouchon!), good wine (the Eric Texier Vaison la Romaine Cotes du Rhone - a steal in comparison to the Napa Cabs on the wine list) and good new friends - a girl couldn't really ask for more.
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