Day 477

We had two scheduled tastings today, Turley and Tooth and Nail. We found ourselves with a little extra time and Lynn thought to throw in Hunt Cellars where we found probably our all-time favorite for the trip, Cabovation. Dinner at Conners' house! Photos for today start here.

Meanwhile, back at the Compound, the rest of the fam went to a Rockies game. Tracy, Fina, and the littlest one met the rest of the gang at the ballpark after having the little one's arm casts replaced.

Hunt Cellars

Tooth and Nail

The rest of the fam at a Rockies game!

New arm casts (he threw up on the originals).

Day 476

Nana and Papa had a nice leisurely morning at Allegretto having breakfast and exploring the grounds. Then it was off to Sculpterra, a favorite winery for enjoying a bottle of their viognier while enjoying the sculptures around the grounds. Then back into town to meet up with Bob and Sandy at a favorite French place, Bistro Laurent (now renamed BL Brasserie). The first wine tasting for all four of us was at Epoch Estate Wines. Definitely worth the visit! We closed the day wine tasting out our own hotel (Allegretto) followed by a great dinner at their restaurant. The day's photos start here.

Labyrinth at Allegretto

Chapel at Allegretto

Sculpterra

A little bobble for Lynn

Then off to town to meet up with Underwoods...

Bistro Laurent for lunch, now BL Brasserie

Epoch Winery

Tasting at Allegretto

Day 475

We enjoyed the Vespera on Pismo Beach as long as we could then headed back up to Paso Robles for a couple days of wine tasting, one with Bob and Sandy. We mosied around downtown Paso a while, had lunch at Taste, then headed to our digs for the next couple of days, Allegretto. We spent a couple hours scouting Epoch Winery to see if they were worthy of being put on our schedule; they were. Then back to the Allegretto, dinner at Cello, a visit to the hot tub, and that's it. The photos for today start here.

One last view of the ocean from Vespera.

Painted flower pots are a thing in Paso Robles.

 

Courtyard at Allegretto.

Over 2,000 years old, a sequoia.

Epoch Winery

The view from our room at Allegretto.

Allegretto's restaurant, Cello.

Day 474

It was a day with the Foster grands in Pismo Beach, and as you might imagine, the big event was exploring the beach. We found all kinds of stuff from shells to live clams and crabs, to big jellyfish and more. And we made it all the way up to where Papa Jamie used to lead geology tours on the beach (PDF). Then lunch at the hotel and swimming! We finished up with ice cream at Doc Burnstein's and dinner with including Trevor and Jen at Las Cazuelas in Nipomo. Today's photos start here.

The jacaranda at Cazuelas was in full bloom.

Day 473

Nana and Papa had a nice lazy morning in Pismo, including a short walk along the boardwalk, out onto the pier, and around downtown a little. The main activity for the day was Danya's memorial service up in Atascadero. Lynn offered the opening prayer. It was basically the same group as Lee's service a couple days ago but with Matt and his friends added. Candace joined the Fosters for a stop at Saucelito Winery and dinner at Giuseppe's. Then a quiet evening at their home away from home, Vespera on Pismo Beach.

Meanwhile, back at the Compound, The Sound of Music had its 7th performance tonight, one more tomorrow night.

Vespera as seen from the pier.

The old Carats and Crystals location.

Saucelito Winery

Dinner at Giuseppe's

"Home" for the night.

Our Nun and Kurt

Day 472

We headed back to the coast from Visalia and went directly to a favorite spot for breakfast, Luna Red. We had a couple hours before showtime, so we strolled the town. It's changed. Lots of new hotel-type stuff, but also lots of vacant shop spaces. But there's now Axe Throwing! We caught a show, a real live theater production, at SLOREP.org! It was a hoot with some of our faves: Suzy Newman, Jeff Salsbury, and Billy Breed. Then we caught up with Zach and Rebecca for an incredible meal at Mistura (where Foremost used to be). Fabulous Peruvian restaurant; the dessert was remarkable! Then on to the Vespera on Pismo Beach, thank you, Tracy and Matt! Today's photos start here.

Luna Red

Interesting outdoor seating setup.

Lone boot along the creek walk.

Axe throwing in downtown SLO

Unbelievable dessert at Mistura

View from our room at Vespera on Pismo Beach