Calistoga

Finally, sitting under a sycamore tree sipping a Sierra Nevada pale ale after a glorious long, warm shower. It is amazing just how wonderful hot water, clean hair and skin can be. We pulled into Callistoga R.V park at about six thirty. This is perhaps our most unattractive camp site. Wall to wall huge metal monsters sitting on grey concrete. It is also the most expensive camp site as each mobile home has access to power, sewage and water.

On our way though the Nappa Valley we stopped and bought an excellent bottle of merlot  which we had with a frittata I cooked on the portable stove. This is our last night in the van and we are sorry to say goodbye to it. We have grown quite attached to Keith.

Next morning as we were munching on our muesli the man in the next site began to pump water and sewage out of his R.V. into an underground reservoir. He was quite dainty in his disposable plastic gloves but it rather put us off breakfast. Our neighbor was quite chatty and told us of the joys of owning and traveling in an R.V. Apparently they have showers, toilets, t.v's and even spa baths inside - all the mod cons. Prices start at $17,000 for a second hand one and go as high as $300,000 for the deluxe versions.

We drove into Callistoga township for a wonderful coffee and a walk around the very upmarket shops. We were accidentally sucked into the Callistoga Olive Oil Company where we spent $130 on gorgeous soaps, oils and shampoos.

There were so many wonderful shops that we had to make a speedy retreat before we could spend any more money. I loved this little ceramic horse.  It was such a seductive town that we were surprised that it was suddenly ten thirty and we had to get to San Francisco by noon to return the van. The traffic into San Francisco was horrific. There was an accident and a bush fire which slowed things down considerably. We were racing against the noon dead-line.