Birthday Dinner with CA friends

Since I will not actually be in CA for my birthday I wanted to do dinner before I left. I decided on the Cheesecake Factory for dinner, cause it's well, amazing. Only draw back, it's about 45 minutes away from where we live. I wasn't too sure how many people would be willing to go up there to celebrate, turns out all my closest friends went with, it was great!!

Even two of my girlfriends whose husbands were flying that night came, it was great. We had good food, good drinks, great fun, and of course, amazing cheesecake. I love all my friends that went up to help me celebrate a bit early, thanks guys!

And of course there's my wonderful husband as well!

Wine Tasting, again

Didn't I say I love Paso!! We went two weekends in a row we have so much fun there. Last weekend it was just Mike and I, this weekend we were able to finally drag some of our friends along...and they all loved it too!!

This is Mike saying this is weekend 2, in a row!

Here's the rundown of our day...


Stop 1: J. Lohr
Tasting Fee: n/a

First off, they are dog friendly! This is actually a pic of our friends dogs that came with us, they let them in the tasting room. Awesome!! The wines were decent as well. They had about 4 or 5 cabernet sauvignon, which is what Mike and I like best at most places. They also had a good selection of whites and sweeter wines, which pleased most of our group. Speaking of group, we had a big one this weekend...

There was ten of us, plus the two dogs. We had a blast! It is so much better to do this with a group. Not that I don't love spending time with husband one on one, because I do!

Stop 2: Sylvester

Tasting Fee: n/a, can chocolate or cheese pairing for $10

The group was mixed about this winery. Mike and I thought it ok, although the cheese pairing was good (and we got to keep the cheese board, bonus!). They also were pet friendly allowing Mykayla and Matilda in the tasting room on their leashes. Sylvester had a good selection of wines, both reds and whites. I don't remember much about their sweet wine choice because I'm not a sweet wine person. I think Mike and I would both come back here again, but not for a bit. We want to try all the wineries in Paso at one point (I think we are well on our way, don't you?)

Mykayla thoroughly enjoyed Sylvester, they had a "pool" our front for her to splash in! Pretty sure we shouldn't have let her do it, but Jesse was goading her on!

Stop 3: Eberle

Tasting fee: n/a

We had a great time here, and again another pet friendly tasting room! Love it. This place was by far I think everyone's favorite. Their wine was great, and they had a wide selection to choose from. You got to choose 5 wines to taste for free. I'm pretty sure everyone in our group walked away buying a bottle from here. The bonus to Eberle...they had barbeque for us to snack on. They had tri-tip, pork ribs, and duck sausage...and it was all AMAZING!! This will definitely be a return to winery. It was great, the food was great, the wine was great. Oh, and they have an amazing military discount as well. We got the wine cheaper then their club members do! For real, it was awesome. A definite must stop in Paso.

Plus look as the crazy pics you can take with the boars:

Stop 4: Lunch at Downtown Brewing Co.

Of course we had to stop somewhere to get some food, and more drinks! Although from what I tasted their beers were nothing to shout about, and the food wasn't to great either. We had fun though, and we definitely needed to food to absorb the wine so we could go have more!

And more we did have, after a fairly rushed lunch (because we wanted to go to more wineries) we hit the road again!

Stop 5: Jan Kris

Although a very cute place on the outside, their wines were not so great. Mike and I were not fans. Although they did have a decent selection of whites, and three sparkling fruity wines, so if that's your thing you might enjoy this one. Just another check mark on the list.

Stop 6: Castoro Cellars

Tasting Fee: 3 wines free (5 wines free for military)

Isn't that walkway just gorgeous. This was probably one of the prettiest ones we went to. This one was a last minute decision, it was right across from JanKris, where we had just left, and we decided what the heck, might as well try it while we are here. This was another A from everyone in our group. The wines were great, the lady helping us was great (even though she was super busy she still explained each wine to us). 

Everyone was getting a little silly by this point. This would be a definite return to at some point for Mike and I. They had really good reds, and a decent selection of whites if that's more your thing. 

Stop 7: Doce Robles

Tasting Fee: $5

This was our last stop of the day. We were the only ones in there, and the owners were both in pouring our wines for us. I'm not sure who it was but someone in the owner's family was in the Navy, so having a bunch of Navy pilot's in their was awesome for them. Not sure if it was the norm for military or not, but none of us were charged tasting fees. This winery only had red wines, no whites at all. Which for Mike and I was okay, but for others they were bummed about it. Their wines were pretty good. There cab sauv and syrah blend was my favorite.

One thing that was fun about this winery was the two german shepherds and the kitty they had roaming in the tasting room. Unfortunately one of the german shepherds was attacked by a customer's dog a few years back and so now they no longer allow outside pets. But they were sweet.

This trip was great fun! Half of our group stayed the night in Paso, and had wine at the jacuzzi of the hotel. And the rest of us had to drive the hour and a half back to Lemoore. Someday Mike and I will stay in Paso for the night. There are a few pet friendly hotels so we can bring Sunset!

Like I've said, I love Paso. I love that it is so close and that now snowboarding season is over so our friends will come with us! It's great!

Wine Tasting

I love Paso Robles! It is such a beautiful area. And now that everything is starting to turn green and bloom it is even better. Mike and I go there often, people might think we are borderline alcoholics with how often we want to go. But it's so much fun. 

This time around we went just the two of us. We had an awesome day together hanging and drinking.

First stop: E.O.S Estates

Tasting Fee: n/a

The place itself is gorgeous, case in point this beautiful building above. They had an outdoor picnic area which would be wonderful to sit at. This is on the main road before you get into much of the town so it was a little busy. They allow you to taste four wines for free, and they do offer their higher priced estate wines for a tasting fee of $5. Mike and I just did the free tasting here and were not too impressed. We both said we might be willing to go back with others, though we would pay for the "better" wines and see how those go.

Stop 2: Vina Robles

Tasting Fee: 3 wines free, $5 for 7 wines

This place was also gorgeous. And while it was also on the main road it was much less crowded, there were only 3 other people in there when we were tasting. This gave us a much more one on one feeling with the pourer and we learned more about the estate and the wines. I did just the free tasting of 3 wines, and Mike payed for the full tasting. They also offer a "cuvee" tasting paired with cheeses, these is just a fancy word for fancy wines that are aged longer and mixed a little differently. Although, the lady pouring our wine must have like us because she poured us two of those wines at no additional charge. They had many good red wines. We actually ended up buying to bottles here, and like most places they waived the tasting fee with the purchase. We would definitely come back here with friends, we might even come back some time on our own and do the cuvee tasting ourselves. 

The other thing this winery offers that we might partake in is, Big Band Sundays. During the summer they do concerts outside somewhere on the property. Now doesn't that just sound fun...drinking wine and listening to live music in a gorgeous locale...yes, please!

Stop 3: Robert Hall

Tasting Fee: $5

Another gorgeous building on the main road into town. This is right across from Vina Robles and so we decided we might as well stop since it's, you know, right there. So we stopped. Their wines were not too bad. They had a few reds that we liked and some wines we didn't like. They offered a reserve wine tasting for $8 in which you got to keep the glass, but we just did the basic. We did end up purchasing a bottle of wine, although they did not waive the tasting fee with the purchase. 

While we were there they were getting ready to do a tour of their underground caverns and a barrel tasting, it was free so why not... The guide, Frank, was an elderly gentleman that clearly loved his job. He had a good number of jokes and was funny, always makes things more enjoyable!

These barrels are some of their aging barrels. They are untainted true wood, meaning that they were not burned to bend the wood or anything like that. So while aging in here you get the truest flavors of the wine. I just thought they looked pretty!

I'm going to save my corks and make this someday. I think it's way cool!!

Stop 4: Wild Coyote

Tasting Fee: $5, keep the glass

We had to stop here, seeing as it reminded us so much of our santa fe and adobe home styling of AZ. We were both glad we stopped. We were the only ones in there at the time of our tasting, and the young gentleman who was pouring our wine had lived in Scottsdale nearby where we are from, and so it was a nice enjoyable time. It was like drinking a glass of wine with a friend. The place was gorgeous. It sits up on a hill top with breathtaking views, and the wines were good too!

When you are standing at the bar tasting your wine, if you turn around and look out the doors, this is what you see:

Stop 5: Thunderbolt Winery

Tasting Fee: $5 standard, $10 reserves

This was a last minute stop decision. We were headed to another winery and decided to turn in. Glad we did, AMAZING!! This was by far our favorite stop of the day. The wines were amazing, it's off the beaten path so we were the only ones in there for our tasting. The owner, Aurora, was the wine pouring our wines. We had a great time talking to her and learning about her winery and the history behind the name and where they got started. Just so much fun. One of the most amazing things about this winery, she does food pairings with her tastings!! Yes, in that $5 or $10 price you pay you not only get to taste the wine but you get amazing foods paired to go with the flavor of the wines; baguettes, and cheese, and a panini!! It was great. We will definitely being going back here for sure. 

She also has an amazing military discount. We got the tastings for free and 20% off our purchases. It is these small family owned and operated business that I love to go and give my business. This is a definite recommendation for anyone going to Paso!!

(Unfortunately I was so enamored with the wine and food I didn't take any pics)

Stop 6: Tablas Creek

Tasting Fee: $10, keep the glass

Not a favorite. I didn't taste here because I had to drive home, but Mike was none too impressed. He said he probably wouldn't even bother coming back here. They had quite a few whites on their tasting list, which we are more red people so that didn't really do it for us. The reds they did have were ok, and were overpriced for what they tasted like. 

(No pics of this one cause we didn't really like it.)

So that was our wonderful Saturday in Paso, just Mike and I!

Girl's Game Night

Since there isn't much to do in the lovely town of Lemoore, the girls and I make our own fun. A few weeks ago we got together to play Keno, similar to Bingo. We try to do a game night at least once a month. It's a lot of fun. Really it is just an excuse for us girls to get together with no boys and thus no plan talk for an entire night! It's amazing!! This month we had a few new girls come to our little "meeting." It is always fun when your group of friends expands. It's the one good thing about being a military wife, there are always women in a similar situation to you. All of us have husbands in the RAG, studying to be Hornet pilot's. These girls have become my family and I love them all. They will be my only saving grace during deployments, barring that we stay in CA. 

It is always a blast to get together with them, sometimes we even allow our husbands to come!

Spring Break, Part 2: Shane and his friends visit

My brother Shane and three of his buddies stopped in for a few days on their Spring Break. And while there isn't a ton to do in the lovely town of Lemoore, we entertained ourselves for 48 hours. They were able to go into the simulator and fly that, and then we walked around in the hangar and the flightline. It was fly day so there were jets taxing and moving all over. Unfortunately no pictures in the sim because it is "top secret." After this we took them to the lovely local establishment known as Pho & Rolls, a local vietnamese place. Yummy. 

Then because it was St. Patrick's Day we had to find somewhere with green beer, so we headed up to Sequoia Brewing Company.

Each on of them got the sampler tray of 10 beers, and I just got one big green beer for the occasion. Not too bad. We had a great time talking about their future plans (they all graduate college in May). Their plan: to buy a motorhome and tour the US. Not too shabby.

Since Lemoore had no happening St. Patty's day party they created their own in our fridge:

Yep, that's what they did to our fridge for the night. We just chilled at our house playing darts and other games. Talking and hanging out. Probably not what they were expecting, but they made the most of it. 

Spring Break, Part 1: San Diego Zoo

Let me just start by saying I love Zoo's!! I think animals are awesome. And while it's not great for the animals to be captivity, it's great for me because I get to see them closer then I would otherwise. We went to SDZ on a fairly overcast day, but it turned out to be awesome because all the animals were out walking around because of the wonderful nice weather. 

These little monkeys were so cute. There were a ton of them just hanging out.

This tiger wants to eat the little girl in front of me who is pestering it. Look at those beautiful eyes. Tigers are such amazing creatures.

Baby Panda!! The pandas were even up and moving, tell me how often does that happen?? And to see a baby, yay!!

A momma meerkat checking to make sure the little one isn't getting into trouble. These are such cute little animals, these and prairie dogs I could watch for a while. They just scamper all over and dive into holes, and then poke their heads out. Too cute.

See what I mean about a lot of the animals being up and moving. Even the koalas, who sleep something like 18 hours a day, were up and eating. 

What a bizarre creature....nope, just my dad.

Hilarious!!