Alright, whoever guessed that I wouldn’t keep up with the European vacation posts gets their money back and more. Forward this post to seven friends and in 30 days, a check from a very legitimate source will appear.
I kid, I kid. Although I will finish the posts, I’m afraid I’m going to have to do a linkback similar to the Switzerland trip from last year. A lot has gone on this Fall and I’ve done myself a disservice in not keeping up with my blog in real time since the main purpose of this thing is to serve as an e-diary for the places I go.
So. After an amazing September vacation, it was a bit of an adjustment to realize that the vacation we had been planning for almost a year had come and gone. It was so awesome and we had the best time. SMS and I had a wonderful time with his family in Italy, which was sandwiched between a road trip encompassing Germany, Lichtenstein and Switzerland before and Slovenia & Germany after. Things that happened in October and November include…
- I saw the Book of Mormon. The score was quite good and the musical overall was very funny. It crossed the line a few times for me but it never approached “must walk out” levels.
Ceramics in the Peacock Room - I went to the Freer Gallery re-opening with my parents. The new exhibits are well-organized by theme with thoughtful design by the exhibit curators. I was happy to see The Peacock Room again. It was also interesting to realize what an amazing American art collection that Freer had collected, presented in a small-ish gallery adjacent to the Peacock Room. I loved the Whistler nocturnes on display. They were very moving.
Sbragia vineyards, seen from the deck. 
Lake Sonoma, the dam and the Dry Creek appellation - SMS and I had a day trip out to Sonoma, which was a little ambitious but a lot of fun. We went to two wineries. Sbragia had a beautiful view and we really liked the wines at Acorn. We arrived early to Acorn so we were allowed to wander the vineyards, wine glasses in hand. I may have pretended we owned the place. In between the two wineries, we went to the Lake Sonoma dam and walked through Healdsburg. Next time we go, we would love to stay in Healdsburg. It is so cute. There were several great looking restaurants, including the more market/food hall-feel Shed.
Acorn winery from the top of the hill. 
Hanging in the vineyard 
Near Swan’s Market 
Rodin sculpture, Klimt images - The Friday of that same weekend, I went to Oakland & San Francisco on my own. In Oakland, I went to the farmer’s market outside Swan’s Market, which was awesome. I was there on the early side, which was good for my wallet since there are several cute stores that all opened at noon. Another time… In San Francisco, I went to the Legion of Honor Museum and saw the Rodin/Klimt exhibit which was excellent. I also purchased a pass to an exhibit demonstrating that the white statues and terra cottas of antiquity were often painted and more opulent than we currently see due to deterioration over time. It was an interesting new perspective.
Overlay caption added, if you can imagine 
A favorite painting of Dad’s and mine - Dad and I went to the Vermeer and the Masters of Genre Painting exhibit, on display at the National Gallery through 21 Jan 2018. My sister had told me about it and remarked how the ladies of Vermeer always looked a little peeved and slightly disturbed by their sudden exposure to the light. So, I was mature and took pictures that I annotated later and sent to her.
This spot deserves photodocumentation. Notice the no parking arrow only extending away from Dad! - I also found the most amazing parking spot ever. There was room for one car between two separate government parking areas with significant no parking signage. But this one spot was ok for a commoner. So I took it!
Fiona the Hippo! - I learned about Fiona the Hippo!
- Finally, Happy Thanksgiving from SMS and I!