Back to the Basics

Today I woke up with with every intention of heading directly to Muir Woods, but I figured Napa was so gorgoeous I should just stay to hit up Robert Mondavi and Beringer at the prime Napa time, which is 10am, and then head to Muir Woods.  Today was a very professional experience.  I felt like I was training to be a sommelier.  I tried to use all the skills Rick taught me last night and did tasting "experiences" where they taught you how to swirl, smell, and taste the wine.  This is so complicated it's not even funny.  To be a sommelier it's going to take a lot of dedication, money, and wine drinking...I don't really know if am up for the challenge.  I decided it was time to go back to the wild.

I took the quick drive to Pantoll Campground at Mt. Tamalpais State Park, which is right outside of Muir Woods.  It is an interesting set-up here because you have to park your car and then lug all your camping gear to your camping site up the mountain.  The campsite is first-come, first-serve and there are about 15 sites.  I saw on the website that people show up as early as 6am to get a site and I didn't arrive until about 4 but thankfully the ranger called me back around 2pm to let me know it was not full.  By dark it was full.  They didn't have any firewood for sale and it was quite chilly.  Thankfully I met yet another friendly neighbor named Jeff who invited me over to his fire.  He worked for the park service and tomorrow is his 42nd birthday.  He took the day off from his wife and three kids to go mountain biking and camping for his birthday.  We talked all about working for the park service, living in Northern California, having three kids, going through a second marriage (both him and his wife were previously married), and traveling (he did quite a bit).  I thought it was odd that's what he wanted to do for his birthday at first but after talking to him more, it made sense.  You spend so much of your time doing for your family, for his birthday he just wanted a day to himself, and they understood.  

It feels good to be back in the tent and back into nature, I missed it! Excited for a day of hiking tomorrow...arooo woooo!!!!!

Song of the Day "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" Billy Joel. Napa, had to do it! This song reminds me of one of close friends Lorin, not really sure if it was karaoke or what?

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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/user/cteijelo/playlist/1uNEjK1mra1y0s3gAkTEZ4