I enjoyed my trip to the 32nd Annual Vintner’s Holiday at the gorgeous Ahwahnee Hotel where the focus is on fine wines and Californian’s in the know. Still, I was not deterred from hitting the trails and drinking in the magnificent scenery and profound quiet of the forests of Yosemite. Meeting Hitching Post owner/chef Frank Ostini and his partner (and former fisherman) Gray Hartley, hearing the wonderful stories of their alchemical adventures in wine making was definitely a highlight of my trip. I’m a sucker for a good tale and these two are great storytellers. Hoping they will come down to Austin sooner than later and bring some 2002 Highliner with them. Enjoy the gallery of snapshots from the gorgeous golden state. Thanks so much, John Muir, for your stewardship and devotion to Yosemite.
Come to the woods, for here is rest. There is no repose like that of the green deep woods. Here grow the wallflower and the violet. The squirrel will come and sit upon your knee, the logcock will wake you in the morning. Sleep in forgetfulness of all ill. Of all the upness accessible to mortals, there is no upness comparable to the mountains.
– John of the Mountains: The Unpublished Journals of John Muir, (1938), page 235.
