January 20, 2007

The woman pouring vino at Hanna Winery & Vineyard in Sonoma had driven down the Baja a handful of times.

And we were as eager to gulp down her travel tales as we were her red wine.

The sun had finally greeted us when we crossed from Oregon into California but we had still been forced to tough out another freezing night of camping at Dean Creek Resort in Redway, California.

Redway, we were later told, is known for pot growers and low-flying police helicopters.

By the time we reached downtown Sonoma, the weather was a balmy 18 degrees and the town square was swollen with families out for a stroll. We could smell fresh cut grass and meat grilling on the barbecues.

Our stop at Hanna Winery & Vineyard was followed by a second stop at Ravenswood and a third at Cline Cellars and by end of the day, our spirits had lifted and the glow had returned to our faces, if not our view of the trip.

We concluded that would be able recover from the "Newport Experience" after all.

Key Facts & Figures:

-Dean Creek Resort: $22/night