Sunday, December 13, 2009

My Knights Valley Day

Knights Valley is the most remote area of Sonoma County's wine appellations. It snuggles up against the northwestern flanks of 4342 foot Mount St. Helena - this part of the county's most notable feature. Ideal mountain growing conditions have resulted in Cabernets of regal quality that are sought after for their rarity - there are only two vineyards in Knights Valley!


I was very excited to go on a road trip again. I didn't mind that it was raining "cats and dogs" ho ho ho!!! (Note from Mom: at times, we had to pull off the road because wipers just couldn't keep the rain off the windshield fast enough to see!) It took two hours to get there, so I just snoozed.


We eventually got into the real country. This cool red barn is just north of Calistoga.


Finally we turned into a woodsy place and parked. I began investigating immediately and found lots of things I liked, such as trees, good scents, humans, and ... FOOD!!!

Dad grabbed a long tool and a big sled and I led the way up a steep hill, where I veered off the path to check out these trees! Since it was so wet, the smells were just heavenly. I know there were lots of squirrels right above me!

After tromping around and galloping through a ton of trees, I sat by this one and gave it my smile of approval.

Then Dad got out that weird tool and went to work on it. I tried to help, but Dad said I could assist later. So I supervised.

What'ch'all think? It looks a little lopsided, but I made sure there were no critters in it.

This is the view across Knights Valley from the top of the hill where we found our tree. It was trying to clear up, but failed miserably.

I needed some exercise and time to investigate the woods up here.

Then I became GPS dog and guided Dad back down to the car.

We passed some of these views and places on the way down. Mom and Dad would love to live in that cute woodsy house down there, with smoke curling from its chimney. Mom loved the smell of those cedars.

Cute, huh?

This nice kid gave me lots of pats - I encourage and really dig all the scritches I can get.

Okay: this was something I'd never seen before. Here's a movie about what it does heheheh!


And here's another of me visiting:

On the trip home, we passed some other trees with some odd things hanging from them. Nature's X-mas trees? Anybody know what those clumps are in this old live oak tree?

This looks like a witch's tree to me! Any guesses on this one? Will let you know on my next post! Hope you're all having a great weekend!

29 comments:

Ms. ~K said...

Samantha, thanks for taking us along on your Christmas tree excursion. You picked out the perfect tree...
That's mistletoe in the live oak tree! I think the other tree is a persimmon.
Hugs and belly rubs,
~K

Farley said...

Sammie, that looks like a very beautiful place to go for a Christmas tree. So glad you had a nice adventure with your family!

Arran, Arthur and Mum said...

You were a very good helper showing your Dad the pawfect tree. Good job! It looked like a very fun place to visit.
~lickies, Ludo

Sam said...

That's REALLY cool. Picking a Christmas tree looks like a really fun trip for a dog to go on. And what a beautiful place!

animal lover, quilt lover said...

OH Samie you picked the best tree!!! We are gald you made the trip safely!! It was a fun day for the family.
I love days like that!!
Tailwags, Bambi and her Mom

Lorenza said...

Hi, Sammie!
Sure it was pawesome to go there and pick your own tree!
The tree in the last picture is interesting! Tell us more about it!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Sierra Rose said...

Yeaoooo! Fun trip! Loved seeing the snow on Mt. St. Helena(!?). Our favorite photo was you sitting among the Christmas trees. We bet it smelled wonderful among all those trees.

Hugs and snaggle-tooth kisses,
Sierra Rose

The Oceanside Animals said...

Shake shake shake ... shake shake shake ... shake your new tree ... shake your NEW TREE ...

D.K. Wall said...

Did you get a good cabernet to go with that tree?

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

Another exciting adventure for you, Sam. We heard about all the rain you are having there, hopefully no mudslides near you. You pawed a pawfect tree but what's that tree shaking all about? And we have never seen a tree get wrapped like that - pretty cool. Do tell us about that last tree.

Woos, Phantom and Thunder

Augie and Ti's mom said...

Wowie,you got some great pictures! What a fun outing! Now we need to see the tree all decorated :)

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

Tank woo fur letting us khome along!

Woo are soooo well behaved! Mom is making those faces at me!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Kari in Alaska said...

looks like you had a great trip to a beautiful place! enjoy your christmas tree!

Asta said...

Sammy

What an absolutely pawfect way to go get a twee.
Youw pick is simply gowgeous!!!
I bet it was a wondewfy=ul smelling place too!
I loved seeing you wun and sniff and make evewyone's day bettew by being thewe.
Thanks fow the note to Mommi too. Manhattan is not a good place to be whenyou'we bwoke..can't go anywhewe and keep heawing about all the wondewful things to do and see, and Mommi misses hew pawents lots this time of yeaw. They've been gone a long time, but it still huwts. I give hew my kisses and eventually manage to cheew hew.
I hope you and youw family have the happiest of holidays!
smoochie kisses,ASTA

Unknown said...

Sammie
Your mom is right.. so worth the trip. I wish your post was scratch and sniff... Hmm I wonder what would happen if I put my paw in that shaker.

You look dashing in your santa bandana. Love it.
norwood

Life With Dogs said...

I can't tell you enough how much I love every visit to your blog - you take us on same amazing tours, and it's just beautiful!

Emma Rose said...

Yep, the Duke says it is Mistletoe in that old oak tree. He says that is the only place it grows.

We loved your pictures and videos. Glad you shook all the spiders and snakes out of that tree before taking it home! We love the way you walked around carrying your own leash :)

Kisses,
Emma Rose

Maxmom said...

Stunning pictures! Beautifully selected tree!Wonderful Golden Sammie! May you have a wonderful, blessed Christmas! With lots of love
YOUR FRIENDS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Scout and Freyja said...

Sadly, our momma uses those phoney trees. She worries that if the needles fall they will get into the kitty or puppy paws in the house and make them hurt. And, they are more bendable so if we happen to play with a few of the ornies she can make the tree look all nice in a jiffy!

Great scenery again that you are sharing. Great photos.

Yas said...

Hi Sam!!
Thank you for taking us along that interesting adventure. Dat's a beautiful tree,, bet it will look stunning once decorated and lit up!!
Happy Holidays!

Cheers,
Maxx

Sally said...

Hi Samantha,
what a wonderful place for picking the tree.
Great pictures.

Nice woooh
Sally

Budrow Wilson Spain said...

Beautiful pictures of the Norhtern CA area! BTW - mistletoe is the plant growing in the oak tree branches. It is a wild plant here in CA.

YD, sometimes with ♥June and ♥Angel Samantha said...

Sammie, you are such a great helper! Good thing you were there to make sure no critters are in the tree.
That place looks so beautiful! Mom loves that red barn.

Sam & June

Gus, Louie and Callie said...

Oh the putting up with the rain sure was worth it. What a beautiful place and you sure picked the best tree..


Big Sloppy Kisses
Gus, Louie and Callie

Allison Walton said...

What a fun day you had!

The giveaway results are up!

Wuv,
Gus and Waldo

KB said...

I used to live in the Bay Area, so I remember the rains at this time of year. Much needed but whew!

I loved the tree shaker. I laughed and laughed. I wonder who invented that?

The first photo is amazing. Someone in your family has a great eye for contrasts. And, I love every photo with sweet Samantha in it. She sounds a lot like my dogs!

Lou said...

Wow! *speechless*
Grrrrreat pic!
And we love the red barn! *woof*
Thank you for remembering me, Sammie. You're so sweet! *nosekiss*

Molly the Airedale said...

You picked out the perfect Christmas tree, Sammie! That shaker was too cool!

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

Stella said...

What a perfect day you had, Sammie. I could smell the trees!

My Mom says you are a perfectly behaved dog, to walk around and not run off. (Guess who would run off!)

Happy Tree Decorating,
Stella