03-20-22 Sunday Cloverdale/Healdsburg Francis Ford Coppola Winery
03-20-22 Sunday
Cloverdale/Healdsburg KOA, Cloverdale, California
Jeeps in Parking Lot: 2
Drive Time: 0
Miles: 0
Arrived: 0
This morning was cold and breezy in the mid 40’s. Both up and showered. Breakfast and planning our day. We decided to start our day at Francis Ford Coppola’s Winery and see what direction we ended up after that. We didn’t make reservations and since there were only two of us, we decided to take our chances.
We were able to get into the restaurant and thank goodness because I was STARVING and about to get hangry! Lil’ Debbie’s and tea for breakfast was not cutting it. George was our waiter and he never wrote anything down. Wine was fabulous and he brought us a small bag that contained two bread donuts, deep fried and sprinkled with salt. We did our best not to order more, so yummy.
I ordered the ½ chicken brick baked with veggies and Barry ordered meatballs + penne in tomato sauce. Both meals were excellent and of course the wine was excellent. I couldn’t eat all my chicken so took a leftover box. Ambiance was excellent. The middle of the restaurant had corks hanging from the ceiling. I love it. Trying to figure out how to do this at home.
We walked the movie exhibits after lunch, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Apocalypse Now, Tucker, Marie Antoinette, and the Godfather movies. Costumes, props, and the Tucker car on a rotating floor that turns in a circle. Fun to see.
“Well, want to taste some wine?" They were booked solid...but wait...literally a moment before Barry asked, there was a cancellation and we could be seated. Three minutes later we were seated at a great table on the patio with the bitchin’ people!!! Our lucky day. We ordered two flights and the afternoon began. Five wines each, 4 bottles bought + fee waived for one guest (me). Keep in mind our tasting were $35 for one type of flight and $30 for another type of flight.
Our hostess was from the Italy wine country and very knowledgeable of the Coppola wines. I loved her accent. We had a blast blowing off the afternoon and talking about life. Again, we solved the problems of the world. As we walked to the car we decided to go check out downtown Cloverdale. It was about a 15-minute drive back in the direction of the KOA park. In the blink of an eye, we discovered Cloverdale at 3 pm on a Sunday. As Barry said, “Something out of a Hitchcock movie, dead and deserted." But...wait...I see a brewery AND it’s open. Wolf House Brewing Company so of course we have to stop.
Inside was great. Nothing fancy but right up our alley. Great logo and bar. I decided to order dessert, grasshopper pie and Barry ordered pretzels with cheese and a Therapy Session IPA. The pie was excellent. Barry said the pretzels were great. I ordered a taste of a local seltzer but didn’t like it so I stuck to water.
We headed back to the KOA but decided to take a few detours to explore the area and housing. So much to see in these hills. When we arrived back at our campsite the kid next door couldn’t wait to tell Barry he caught “Walter” the big bass in the pond. He showed Barry a photo of Walter and he won some sort of prize when he told the KOA office about it. Such a happy camper.
We decided to go for a walk around the campground as the sun was setting. Our last night on the road and again it seemed a little sad. Barry made one last s’more, but I couldn’t fit anymore in my stomach.
Tomorrow we are on our way home and this trip will be a memory. A great twenty-one days on the road. I’m finding I love being on the road and not excited about driving home.
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