Dear God, does Mrs. Jones need to do some laundry! After three nights at Hidden Valley Lake Campground (a little known gem), just North of the happening California Wine scene things got hot and dusty! Luckily, just outside the exit of the Campground she found Hidden Valley Lake Country Club to cool off! Meanwhile her husband was lamenting his choice not to bring his clubs on this journey. Oh well…Mrs. Jones’ favorite public club had all that she needed! Nothing like a hay truck parked out front on a Friday night! No need to fuss with your outfit… Great food, great prices, dogs in golf carts.
Everywhere Mrs. Jones looked there was evidence of the horrible fires this part of the world has recently endured… While watching the Florida computer models for Dorian, she couldn’t help but feel for all the natural disasters around the country and how damn tough this planet can be. This specimen just may bloom again…
Okay, enough introspection about devastation for one blog… Next stop Harbin Hot Springs, Middletown, CA – just recently raised from the ashes and back in business! Yes, it is weird as hell and clothing optional, but damn you can soak some dust off in this establishment! And soak she did!! With six natural mineral pools to chose from, lots of truly hippity dippity people with absolute zero body consciousness – it was a trip? Weird? Normal? The jury is still out… No comment on the clothing optional portion… The one things you can count on is massages, even Watsu (huh?). Chi aligned again…
Next on the agenda, beautiful downtown Calistoga. A harrowing twenty mile drive South on route 29 through the mountains… Mrs. Jones was pining for her favorite new Country Club in Hidden Valley (and Otter) to watch Oregon/Auburn game – so cut Calistoga short. Having lived in Northern California for several years, it was easy to bypass places seen and done. Restricitng the wine to Oregon and Santa Barbara on this trip! But it’s hard to beat Napa Valley;
A little looking decent was required for the Twin Pine Casino Mrs. Jones spotted on return from Calistoga! Once again tragically cut short by the four legged furry guilt trip named Otter (that can’t swim).
Quick fact – what’s a Huckleberry? Mrs. Jones was offered Huckleberry cocktails, jam, bread, and body lotion starting in Wyoming on through Oregon. This is a bag of huckleberries and they make a great margarita. Kinda made up for the lack of Chic-fil-a in the area. Tart and sweet and very yummy. Don’t pass up a huckleberry!
Next stop Big Sur where even more soaking may occur!! One shot of Huckleberry whiskey and off we go!
P.S. Kids that camp don’t whine. Just sayin’
Mrs Jones on the Road 