Of Planes and Uniformed Men

Nellis Air Force Base
November 9

I've always been fascinated by F-16s. Growing up, I remember vacationing at my grandmother's place inside a military camp -- where the US Air Force, along with US Army and US Marines, are deployed for training.

I'd wake up to the thunderous sound of a low-flying F-16 and the violent rattling of my bedroom. Still groggy, I would witness from my window how this aircraft could zoom horizontally and then, in a split second, shoot up vertically. I could tell the pilot was having a helluva time just by watching him maneuver the flying object with great precision.

Going to the Air Show in Nellis Air Force Base this year reunited me with the fabulous F-16 and introduced me to several other aircrafts. The gigantic C-5 Galaxy, the largest aircraft in the US, was the first attraction. It was hard to miss. Standing in front of it, I looked like a small fish about to be swallowed up by a monstrous shark! There were several airplanes on exhibit ranging from World War I biplanes as well as World War II bombers and fighter jets to contemporary aircraft inventory including the sleek B-1B Lancer and the newest supersonic fighter F-22 Raptor. The video can walk you through my Air Show adventure. For more info about the show, you can visit: http://aviationnation.org/.

The highlight of course is the demonstration of the Thunderbirds (Nellis Air Force Base is home to these babies). The F-16 Fighter Falcons -- dressed up in red, white, and blue -- look sharp both on the ground and in the sky. It's hard to explain the exhilarating sensation one gets when these Thunderbirds fly by.

During the final presentation, the Fighter Pilots seemed to march in slow motion with smooth yet stately cadence...they were just as cool as Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer in that famous flick, "Top Gun." Yeah, there's something about men in uniforms...I get a high just watching them too. For more info, check out: http://www.nellis.af.mil/ or http://thunderbirds.airforce.com/

Petzo

On our way to work one day, Alan and I caught a glimpse of a prominent billboard. Its main image, a heaping plate of black-tipped crab claws, was difficult to ignore.

That's when Alan said, "The next time we go out to dinner, let's try Joe's Stone Crab." So for my birthday this year, we made our way to the famous restaurant, deep in the heart of Caesars Forum Shops.

We were led to a booth from where we could see much of the inner section of the place. The restaurant, just like its menu, is straightforward. It wasn't ornate nor intimidating. The walls were a pale color accented with dark wooden beams. On the walls hung pictures from circa 1940s, detailing the restaurant's rich history which now spans almost a century. While Louis Armstrong's crooning provided background music, I couldn't help but smile. The waiters in their tuxedos reminded me of characters from The Sopranos.

For our main entree, we opted for the obvious excellent choice: steak and stone crab. We didn't realize that our timing was slightly off. Stone crab season in Florida actually runs from October 15 through May 15. Nevertheless, we savored every bite of the succulent seafood phenom. The stone crabs -- all claws -- were served chilled with the crab shell already cracked for ease of consumption. The best way to enjoy it, we discovered, is to dip it in the killer sauce a.k.a. Joe's signature mustard sauce. Finger lickin' good! Even the filet mignon with its special spices and the sides --creamed corn and lemon-garlic buttered broccoli -- were all magnifico!

The menu included some background history on the humble beginnings of Joe's Stone Crab as well as trivia information about the popular delicacy. I found out that:

1. Stone crabs are captured by trapping.
2. Only one claw is removed and then the crab is returned to the water. In about 12 to 24 months, the crab will grow back its claw into "legal size" again (about four inches from the first joint all the way to the tip). By removing only the one claw, these stone crabs can still defend themselves from predators.
3. It is not allowed to declaw female stone crabs.

To learn more, visit http://www.joesstonecrab.com/
Our dinner experience was wonderful! Service was attentive and yet unobtrusive. But I didn't want to leave without getting the name of the bread we were served with our dinner. So I flagged down a busperson and asked, "Excuse me. The bread that we had earlier -- was that what you call a baguette?"

The friendly gentleman who sounded like Pedro from Napoleon Dynamite quickly responded, "Oh, Petzo."

"Pet...zo?" I repeated hesitantly.

"Yeah, Petzo! You want some more?"

"Oh no, no, thank you. I was just curious," I said feeling a little embarrassed.

But I had a nagging feeling that I didn't get the name right so I asked again when our waiter came back to our table, "Is there a special name for that salty bread you served us earlier?"

He blurted, "Nah, we're not fancy around here. It's just pretzel bread."

Are you Elzby?

I’ve never been to my friend Wendy’s version of “Family Night” before. It’s a unique party concept: each invited guest is assigned to bring an ingredient needed to prepare a main dish. Last night’s party was Mexican Family Night and I was excited to go.

Like the theme suggests, the party’s recipes revolved around Mexican fare and the designated cook for that evening was Elzby. She was going to make, among other Mexican delicacies, the popular Posole -- a clear stew made of hominy, shredded turkey, garnished with Romaine lettuce, radishes, and oregano.

The invitation encouraged guests to arrive at 7:30 pm so that cooking could begin immediately after. Alan and I made sure we were on time. That is past my normal dinner hours so you can just imagine my eagerness to get started. By 7:45 pm, I must have greeted every single person who walked in the door with, “Are you Elzby?” Followed by a muttering of, “I’m hungry!” Though each time I was disappointed to learn it wasn’t her, my greeting made for an effective ice-breaker. I learned everybody’s names soon as they arrived.

Eight o’clock finally rolled around and alas, my hero came. A petite lady with long curly locks strolled in; carrying plastic grocery bags filled with what will soon dispel my pangs of hunger. She went straight into the kitchen as the other women guests trailed behind her. We were all ready to help make the most-awaited dish.

While the buzzing went on in the kitchen, the men were content with their favorite drinks and settled in comfortable spots in the living room area. The giant screen in front of them featured a UFC fight that kept their eyes glued to it. It was a relaxed and unpretentious social gathering.

Wendy prodded Elzby to show us how to make the appetizers. So she pulled out a tostada, which looks like a big round tortilla chip, then spread cream over it and sprinkled it with crumbled Queso fresco. She topped it with shredded Romaine lettuce and a spoonful of mild salsa verde. The result was an oh-my-god- this-is-incredible appetizer.

The ladies quickly formed an assembly line to systematically prepare the tostadas and hand them out to everyone. Apparently, I was being a perfectionist in the cheese-crumbling process. I was obsessed with making it pretty that Wendy turned to me and said, “OK, you and I need to switch places. You need to get outta there!” With swift movements, she crumbled all of the cheese and put them on top of the tostadas in seconds!

For the non-picky eaters, Elzby showed an alternative to enjoying this delicacy. She added refried beans, avocado, and chopped cactus. Either way was delicious! Some of us easily gobbled up 3 or 4 of them. Not long after serving tostadas, the much anticipated posole was ready for the taking. It was quite tasty too and I savored a bowlful. Dessert was nothing Mexican. We had yummy cupcakes from The Cupcakery and sang the happy birthday song to honor the celebrant Elzby.

But dinner was uneventful compared to the game of poker that transpired after. Six of us gathered around the dining table and the confusion that happened was just like the three jumbled decks of cards we had to start the game.

The distribution of the poker chips was a dizzying frenzy. We went three rounds in deciding which color represented what denomination. I couldn’t keep up. Much debate followed on who was the small and the big blind, and whose turn it was to raise, check, or fold. Everyone was talking at the same time about different concerns…and this was combined with some loving cursing, by the way. In the middle of the game, Alex questioned why the Joker card was being used and someone replied, “Dude, were you not listening? We agreed to substitute the missing 8 of clubs with the Joker.”

When things seemed to settle (or so I thought), I asked for a Corona. The lovely hostess Wendy obliged. Soon as she shut the fridge door, the bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label on top of it came crashing on the kitchen floor. Shards of glass and precious liquor spilled in front of the fridge. Wendy who tiptoed around with her bare feet got yelled at… by everyone…all at the same time. Danielle rushed to supply the paper towels; Phil was on his knees helping Wendy pick up broken pieces of glass; and I was next to them using the paper towels to soak up the pool of Black Label. Though Wendy succeeded in protecting her feet, she strangely managed to cut her finger. She remains puzzled about it to this day.

Meanwhile, the ladies who were still at the table wondered, “What is that awful stench?” when someone shoved the sliding door open and let in a rush of smoked fish odor wafting from the backyard.

“Doug, get the vacuum cleaner!” requested Danielle. It was the last procedure for the clean-up. “What the hell?” was his reply. Yet he sprang to his feet and succumbed to the request. And soon the mess…and chaos…were no longer. So then Danielle threw out another invitation, “Any of you [insert expletive here] wanna play poker?”


If you are interested in the recipe for posole, go to: http://www.southernnewmexico.com/Articles/Food/Posolestew-aNewMexicoholi.html

Posing for Posterity...in the Kitchen

Working on a photo shoot, I had the chance to rub elbows with some celebrity chefs! This was in September 2008.

Tom Colicchio - The famed Top Chef
Location: Craft in Los Angeles, CA


The contemporary looking restaurant was just clearing up after the lunch hour when we arrived. Tom graciously welcomed us. We took a quick site inspection in his immaculately clean kitchen to pick our photo shoot location. After a few discussions, it was on with the show. I think he was more amused with how we tried to elicit fun and smiles for the shot. But our antics worked and we got the shot that we wanted in no time!



Wolfgang Puck - everybody loves this guy!
Location: Spago in Beverly Hills, CA


We arrived at around 2:30 pm and the place was still packed and the kitchen was still buzzing! We had to make do with the little time...and the limited space...we had for the photograph. But wow, what a blast! He's such a ham! He knew exactly what he needed to do in front of the camera. He held out a small pan with pasta, drizzled it with olive oil, sprinkled it with some parmesan cheese, smiled and posed for the shot and then chucked the rest of the parmesan cheese at the photographer -- just for kicks!



Joel Robuchon - Chef of the Century
Location: Joel Robuchon Restaurant at MGM Grand in Las Vegas


This world-renowned and multi-awarded chef is soft spoken yet he quickly livened up in front of the camera. (I'm such a fan that I get thrilled when he gives me the typical European 3x buss on the cheek. I have studied Beginner's French twice yet I was at a loss for French words in his presence.) Everything in his kitchen is like a work of art -- just like his culinary craft.

Road Trip to Creede, Colorado

Just after sunrise on September 6, Alan and I hopped into our rental car -- a yellow PT Cruiser with a sun roof -- and began our 12-hour journey to Creede, Colorado. We promised to visit Al & Carol who were staying in an RV Park up there. Along the way, we found various interesting sites!

September 6 - 10, 2008


Our route included a scenic drive through the southern tip of Zion National Park, which showcased fiery red cliffs, astounding sandstone formations, and beautiful canyons. Intermittently carved out vistas along the Zion-Mt. Carmel tunnel served as windows with panoramas between the Zion Canyon and the East Entrance to the park.

There were phenomenal landscapes throughout our travel route: amazing canyons and cliffs, mesas and plateaus...of different sizes, shapes and colors. There was one that reminded me of a layered chocolate cake sprinkled with powdered sugar. It looked good enough to eat!

Though our trip was lengthy, we delighted at the visual bonanza. We crossed Glen Canyon Dam, caught a glimpse of Lake Powell and Monument Valley in the Navajo territory, touched the Four Corners area until...

Aah...Creede at last!

Mountain Views at Rivers Edge RV Resort
A small cabin in the same RV park was reserved for Alan and me. However simple, the cozy cabin was complete with a full size bed, a sink and a stove, a large multi-purpose table with chairs, and a full bathroom.

When we opened our cabin door the next day, we were wonderfully surprised with the sight! Right in front of us were pristine rolling hills of green. To the left was a trace of the river waters of Rio Grande. The weather was calm and the air oh so fresh! It was just heavenly to be there.
Perhaps the better surprise, though, was the breakfast feast prepared by Al & Carol. They had everything ready for us: peaches, cinammon rolls, freshly baked biscuits, ham, bacon, omelette, pancakes...you name it! They knew exactly how to spoil their guests! Soon after we "recovered" from breakfast, we went around town for some sight-seeing.
Here are some interesting highlights:
Main Street - Century old buildings, restaurants, and quaint shops filled the Main Street district which is nestled at the foot of the canyon. Taking a break from our stroll up and down the street, we stopped for some ice cream at The Old Firehouse (where their idea of a scoop is equivalent to a pint!)
Next we drove up Bachelor Loop. The 17-mile loop took us through the historic silver mining district and ghost town. In the 1890s, Creede was one of the largest producers of silver in the US. We were awestruck by the remaining mining structures. What an incredible sight!
Continuing through Bachelor Loop, we played hide-and-seek with the afternoon sun as we drove past groves of Quaken Aspen trees. Some of these trees already began to change into their fall colors. Their heart-shaped leaves of gold shimmered as they rustled in the wind.

Underground Mining Museum - After visiting this museum, we have found a new appreciation and respect for miners. The tour enlightened us about the miners' way of life back in the 1890s...how they were exposed to unhealthy and often dangerous circumstances. I'll never forget the "honey pot" which was their makeshift toilet situated in the same area as their mess hall.
Lake City - The waters of the Rio Grande seemed to follow us on the road to Lake City. The trees spilling over the mountainsides looked like battalions of soldiers standing in attention as we passed. The little town of Lake City was adorable with its historic dainty churches and small souvenir shops. We tried to enter the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church but it was locked. Later, we circled around the pretty Lake San Cristobal and stopped at a lookout point to admire it.

Antlers Lodge - Not far from the Mountain Views RV Resort is this lovely property tucked away in a hidden bend of the Rio Grande River. We had a luscious dinner at the Lodge's Riverside Restaurant. It was an adorable place! I enjoyed the riverside view from the restaurant patio and considered staying in this place the next time we come up to Creede.

Going Home, we took a moment to visit the Four Corners Monument for a photo op. Most people got on all fours to touch all four states at once. One couple had a creative idea. They stood back to back with their arms outstretched, forming a big T where the four states intersected.

For our return trip, we followed the reverse of our original route except instead of cutting through Zion again, we dropped down to Fredonia and went via Arizona's Colorado City (known to be home to polygamists). Alan joked that we just might pick up another wife there.

Our most precious find from the trip was this peculiar waiting shed in the middle of Highway 98 (somewhere between Klethla Valley and Kaibito). It was painted to look like a tropical paradise and a group of stuffed animals occupied the bench as though waiting for the next bus to arrive.

Thrill Rides in Sin City

August 23

Ever heard of a teeter-totter that sits on the top edge of a 1,149 ft. tall building? Who in his right mind would want to ride that? Think again!

Friends whom I haven't seen in over 10 years were recently in Las Vegas for a visit. They wanted to try a thrill ride at the Stratosphere Las Vegas Hotel & Casino. The Stratosphere Tower, considered the tallest free-standing observation tower in the US, offers three out-of-this-world rides:

1. The Big Shot - Passengers are strapped to this vertical ride which shoots straight up 160 feet at 45 mph (over 4 Gs) until they are 1,081 feet above the Las Vegas Strip.

2. X-Scream - It's a giant seesaw that sends passengers teetering 27 feet over the edge of the Tower, about 866 feet above the ground. (This was their pick!)

3. Insanity, the Ride - It looks like a mondo-sized robotic spider that holds passengers on each of its mechanical legs. Imagine this robotic spider slowly extending its legs so that passengers are 64 feet over the edge of the Tower and then spinning them at a force of 3 Gs for a very wild and wicked ride. It certainly lives up to its name.

How did I do? Oh I had a great time...just watching them from the observation deck, thank you very much! Did you know there used to be a roller coaster that wrapped around the top of the Tower? And I thought that was crazy!

I'll post photos as soon as my friends e-mail them to me. [Kristoffer, hint! hint!] Meanwhile, you can google "Stratosphere rides" and find several photos and videos on the internet.
http://www.stratospherehotel.com/thrills/

Napa Valley: An Encore

July 20 - 21

I was back in Napa with my siblings for someone's 40th birthday (Guess who). It was her marvelous idea to travel to wine country in celebration of her milestone. Who could resist? The wine tasting started at noon!

First stop: Opus One.
http://www.opusonewinery.com/
This is one posh property. The elegant design and architecture of the limestone building, with its courtyard at the center and flanked by magnificent colonnades, clearly suggests opulence. We were there in time for our wine tasting reservation ($30 per person) and each of us received a generous amount of the Bordeaux-style blend. While we savored the 2004 vintage, we walked up to the upper-level terrace which offered a 360-degree view of the vineyards. There we reminisced and giggled about old times. (By the way, the renowned Opus One wines sell for about $150 a bottle.)

Next: Coppola Winery -- now Rubicon Estateshttp://www.rubiconestate.com/
The celebrity red carpet welcomed visitors to this property. A water fountain graced the main entrance of the estate's chateau. Inside, I was particularly interested in the museum's exhibit including displays of how movies were presented in the early days. Among them was the zoetrope which looked like an illuminated cylinder atop a cake stand. The cylinder had slits, each the size of a popsicle stick, from which you could view a series of illustrations on a roll of paper. When the cylinder is spun, the illustrations appear like moving images. For a better definition or image, click on this link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoetrope

Finally: Sterling Vineyardshttp://www.sterlingvineyards.com/en-row/VisitSterling/
The highlight of this visit was the aerial tram ride to reach the property which sits on a hill. The view was spectacular! (Those with a phobia of heights need not worry. It's not that bad, trust me.)



We were welcomed with a refreshing sip of Viogne, a white wine, when we reached the top. On the way to the Sterling View Terrace, we walked past the storage of barrels of wine. It was like following a trail of an overwhelming scent of oak.

Having access to the wine club, we were able to try different wines. We dominated the room by occupying a large table where we exchanged impressions of the vinos, declared our favorites, and then ordered some bottles to take home.

For dinner, we selected Go Fish restaurant.
http://www.gofishrestaurant.net/
This place, named after the popular children's card game, features West Coast fish and boasts of a San Francisco-inspired raw bar. It was funny how we sat around our table using the same dinner seating arrangement we had when we were kids.

I chose to have the sole fish for my entree...which may sound lame...but it was delicious and hit the spot! I paired it with my favorite premium sake called Wakatake. I hesitated for a moment wondering, "Would drinking sake be considered a sin in Napa? Nah!"

The Circus

A friend offered me free tickets to the Ringling Bros. Circus at The Orleans. Knowing that my nephews (Dulce's boys) would be in town, I snatched the opportunity.

I haven't been to the circus since I was a young girl and so I was unsure how much I would enjoy it. I also worried that my nephews -- Ian is 10 while Nico is 7 -- might get bored. But my other sister Denise reminded me that the circus is always a fun event for everyone. She was right and I was entertained with the boys more than the circus show itself!
As soon as we walked through the arena doors, Ian immediately asked if we could buy some cotton candy and snow cone. (Denise warned me about this.) And so there we were among other families winding our way through the concession stands of popcorn, lemonade, snacks and toys. Somehow I managed to dodge the prodding of Nico to buy the souvenir toy that spins and lights up in fun colors.

The first order of the day was to get all the munchies and snacks. Mom had to control the boys from "inhaling" the cotton candy. Check them out stuffing their faces:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Ty1I4AKAfZ8
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=-Uvh1uhbZ-o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOS3BceiREE

Surprisingly, the boys enjoyed every minute of the show. Some acts I found completely ho-hum, yet they cheered and laughed as though they had never seen anything like it before. It was great to watch how these kids made the most of it. (I guess sometimes as a grown-up I forget that it's not up to anyone else but only myself to make anything truly enjoyable.)
Here's a sampling of how the boys reacted to one of the circus acts: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=S6kZrywBzo0

If you click on the link below, you'll be able to view circus highlights that were among our favorites: the heart-stopping stunts of Super Silva, the amazing flying trapeze, the motorcycles speeding around a steel globe, and the parade of the most adorable elephants. http://www.ringling.com/explore/138/index.aspx (Click on Watch Video Highlights)

When the show ended, Nico turned to me and said, "Thank you so much for taking us to the circus. This is the best show ever!" I smiled and thought to myself, "Well, sweetie...it's actually "the greatest show on earth!"

Fun in Lake Mead for Father's Day

The weather couldn't have been better for spending Father's Day at the lake. Although the day's temperature reached a high of 102 degrees, the light breeze and cool refreshing water made it just wonderful!

We've been to this lake many times. (This is where I learned to water ski.) And there have been times when the heat was unbearable. But this time around, it was perfect. We met up with the Hunter family who also brought their boat and stand up jet ski. The boys had a blast taking the jet ski for a spin. Later on they rode the inflatable hotdog which we towed around with the boat. I decided to ride it too on our way out even if I knew I would feel so sore the next day.

We usually plan on spending a long day at the lake. We would set up a tent, turn on the portable radio, and just chill out. I also typically bring a lot of food. But we didn't plan on staying too long this time, so I packed my picnic ware with some cold food: tuna sandwiches, pasta salad, and fresh fruit. Easy to prepare and easy to clean up. As always, we loaded up with cold drinks and plenty of water. I also brought some sour gummi bears for dessert. But Trevor got a hold of them and so they were gone in a flash.

Before heading back to the marina, we rode up the narrows. Trevor took a turn in being the "captain." I like going to the narrows. The water there seems cleaner, cooler, and more blue... and the surroundings are prettier. It's sad to note that Lake Mead's water level has gone down about 108 feet. On the mountain sides bordering the lake, one can clearly see where the water level used to be. It appears as though a giant paintbrush swiped the mountain sides with white. Hope that the force of nature will allow Lake Mead to stay the way it is. We have built so many memories around here and hope to make many more.

Trip to Calistoga, Napa Valley

"Harvest time will be early this year," said Philip as he poured coffee into my cup. Alan and I were about to have breakfast al fresco, taking in the view of the rows of vineyards before us.

"If you look at the vines closely, you will see that the grapes are already starting to sprout," he added.

Every year, Alan and I make an effort to go someplace new for our wedding anniversary. My pick for this year was a bed & breakfast highly recommended by my brother. Chateau de Vie in Calistoga, Napa Valley offers a refreshing break from the heat as well as the hustle and bustle of Las Vegas.

Accommodations

It's a three-story house with 4 rooms in the middle level. I believe the top floor housed the suite. Upon entering, you are welcomed with soothing urban music -- reminiscent of modern hotels and resorts. (This one reminded me of the music for Skylofts at MGM Grand). Dominating the walls were posters with Diego Rivera's art. Philip, the main host and one of the chateau's proprietors, greeted us and led us to our room.

Our bedroom was decent size with a four-poster bed, a comfortable armchair next to a reading lamp, a tall dresser...but no television. That made me sing Handel's Messiah in my head. But I swore to my husband, the TV addict, that I had no idea they wouldn't have any TVs in their guestrooms. I'm surprised he didn't mind and in fact, he had a really relaxing time just reading and napping during our stay. I love quiet time and hardly ever turn a TV on, so this was perfect for me.

The bathroom was just as nice with L'Occitane amenities. Outside our bathroom window was another breath-taking view of the vineyards. Imagine how much fun it was to just brush your teeth while looking out this window!

Downstairs were the main living room, main dining and kitchen areas. The parlor had sofas and ample-sized armchairs conducive for reading. Bookshelves lined one end of the room. Opposite that were French doors that led outside to a deck area with bistro sets and patio furniture. This is where they served breakfast. This backyard area overlooked the surrounding vineyards -- some of which are owned by Chateau de Vie. (One should never miss the opportunity to taste their excellent Cabernet Sauvignon.)

Beyond the deck is the pool area. The Jacuzzi tub is enclosed in a gated section and past that, a small lap pool. Everything seemed to be just the right size. Understated yet never lacking.


Breakfast

Breakfast was served at 9 am. Unlike other B&Bs, this one had several smaller tables where guests and their own parties can dine in private as opposed to dining altogether at a common table. There's nothing wrong with socializing with others except when you're on vacation, sometimes you prefer alone time. For starters, we had delicious scones. I never thought about having them for breakfast. I always thought scones were reserved for afternoon tea. (By the way, Philip published the famous recipe in his newsletter.) Next, we had strata with artichokes and sun-dried tomatoes. Fabulous! After breakfast, we took up Philip's suggestion of taking a walk through their vineyards. The photograph at the top of this page shows the mini grapes already starting to sprout. I made Alan put his hand next to it to give the viewer a better sense of its size. "Beautiful" is probably an adjective too common to describe this place, but I can't think of any word more apropos.


Around Calistoga and Napa Valley Driving around this town is enough for a wonderful adventure. The different wineries alone such as Opus One is a must see. The building structure at the center of the property reminds me of Aztec architecture. The surrounding acres of vineyards seem to stretch as far as your eyes can see.The one curious thing Alan noticed with some vineyards is that a rose bush grew in front of each row of vines. We asked Philip about this and he said there are two schools of thought: one (which is his favorite) is that it is a symbol of celebrating the fruit of the vine...the very essence of Napa Valley...and the romanticism of it all. The other (the more scientific explanation) is to protect the vines. If bugs were to attack the plants, the bugs would go after the roses first.

~ dates of stay: May 18 - 19, 2008