Trade in your schedule, work emails and stress for a visit to Camp Lightning! That’s what my parents, Theresa and Zane, did during their visit to Napa last week.
Camp kicked off with a vineyard visit to Jim Fore’s property in Lake County. (We could see the smoke from the nearby wildfires but it wasn’t until later that night that things erupted and got worse).
Jim and his son, Eric, walked us through the Grenache vines, showing just the start of veraison. While Randy talked harvest projections, we spotted a huge woodpecker and roamed off to check out his handiwork. The tree trunks were covered solid with holes and each hole was filled with an acorn. Jim later explained that the woodpeckers put the acorn in the hole so larvae will start to grow in them. Then, the woodpecker comes back and eats the larvae. A lot of work as you can see…..
The next day, we decided to head to the coast. When I think of farmers, I think of crops and herds, but our tour of Hog Island Oyster Co. showed us a different side of farming. Our host, George, was informative, fun and had some great stories. We learned how to shuck them and ended the tour with a plate of BBQ oysters. WOW! I think I need to go back for a plate all my own.
Coming from land-locked West Texas, I still get excited every time I see the ocean. I decided to take my parents out to one of my favorite walks leading to Chimney Rock in Pt. Reyes National Seashore. Randy led the way to this beautiful view. 
As any good small-town newsletter would report: a good time was had by all! And yes, camp included many delicious meals and Lightning Wines appearances. Who wants to sign up for our 2016 Camp? Taking camper applications now!
XXOO – Brooke