Perfect. I haven't been writing as much as I'd like because we are in paradise. The swap family is absolutely kind and hospitable, their home is comfortable, beautiful and in the prefect location, they arranged a week at their child-care center for our delighted children: even their cat is incredibly affectionate and beautiful. I think this experience has spoiled me for all future home exchange. It could not be better.
This house is perched on a hill overlooking fields of grapes and the picturesquely-stunted "live oaks" you only see in Northern California. We love to be in a rural setting when on home exchange, and this spot is ideal because it is just a few miles from Napa, the region's largest town.
The home exchangers left us a list of restaurants they like and each one has been excellent in its own way. Yesterday we had possibly the best restaurant meal of our lives at the Rutherford Grill in nearby St Helena. From the simple fresh corn salad which had all the sweetness of summer, to the grilled ostrich -- as our server said, a delicious cross between the taste of venison and filet mignon -- the flavors were each more delicious than the last.
Napa restaurants are delightful in that they have amazing wine lists -- but do not charge a corkage fee if you bring your own special bottle. We ate at Firewood Grill, a place that combines excellent fresh food with self-service ordering to keep costs reasonable. Next door to the restaurant was the famous Trader Joe's gourmet supermarket. We found a Freemark Abbey reserve merlot for half the price per bottle that we had just seen in the same winery's tasting room. The Grill's staff expertly opened our $20 bottle, laid out the correct style of wine glasses and didn't charge us a dime for the service.
Another place we enjoyed here in Napa is Taylor's Automatic Refresher. It looks like a fast food burger place, but my locally-sourced duck tacos with cherry sauce were like nothing you'd find at a drive through.
Of course, as home exchangers we are having breakfast, and sometimes lunch, here at the exchange home. We haven't cooked but we did heat up exceptional-quality frozen entrees from Trader Joe's one night, pairing them with heirloom tomatoes and organic cucumbers we found at the local outdoor farmer's market. The organic strawberries with which we finished our meal were sweetness and joy.
Recounting the bounty and beauty of this region while I watch the sun rise over the hills, I wonder why I ever left Calfornia. At least I can come back, thanks to home exchange.
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