Of Grapes and Boats

Katie and I traveled up north for a camping/boating trip with the Millers and Malabuyos last weekend. On our way up we stopped at one of the many vineyards in the Paso Robles/Templeton area (Castoro Cellars) for some wine tasting - we learned a lot! (and had some yummy wine tastes) The camping trip was a blast because of the great company. And it was great to go tubing and kneeboarding again after many years.

We shot some video of tubing behind the boat which Tim has edited into an awesome short clip. Be sure to check that out. And Tim has also posted a different set of photos of the trip.

Katie in the vineyard.
Ode to a beloved fruit...
Enjoying the dusk, after tasting some yummy wines.
Where I belong... I could eat two pounds of grapes a day, happily.
This huge granary was on the main street in Templeton. We don't know if anything was in it or not, but it was sure impressive!
Heading to A.J. Spur's Saloon for dinner. We didn't know what we were in for! Instead of just putting out a complimentary loaf of bread and butter like most restaurants, A.J. gives you a kettle of amazing, hearty stew with salsa and spicy black beans, a salad, rice, potatoes, yummy garlicky bread, and your choice of dessert (root beer float, sundae or cordial ... Kahlua, Bailey's, Amaretto or any of the 3 mixed with cream). Whew!! That's all in addition to the steak we ordered...
In the Millermobile, on the way to the lake from our campsite at Lynch Campground.
Andrew pokes Tim.
Tim pretending he didn't just fall out of the car door from laughing so hard and trying to get away from Andrew. It didn't work - not only did we all see it, but a few minutes later, the ranger drove by and asked if Tim was okay, because, as the ranger put it, He took quite a fall there!
Shawn on the wakeboard.
Shawn, demonstrating the kneeboard.
Nice jump!
And a nice fall, too!
Andrew, showing us how it's done.
Matching, as usual.
Katie gets on the kneeboard again after 7 years! Last time she rode one (also with the Miller clan), she acquired the nice scar she has under her right eye today.
Caleb showing the world that our boat has someone in the water.
Katie had a lot more fun this year than last time!
Brittany, attempting a 360, Part I
Part II. Mission aborted, midway, for unknown reasons.
You don't even want to know what Shawn is seeing ... but whatever it is, Daniel will have a nice, up-close and personal picture of it!
One of the camera crew we hired for the event.
Feeling a bit seasick, Andrew?
The Man Behind the Wake ... Curt Miller, ladies and gentlemen, our dubious boat driver.
Tim, attempting revenge.
Shawn doing a headstand on his tube.
Andrew is unimpressed.

Recent photo comments

In the Millermobile, on the way to the lake from our campsite at Lynch Campground.

Nora MAe (Ball) Smith: All Smiles I bet you all had the time of your lives...

Sher Takahashi: New breed of Sea Otter. Playful little thing, isn't he?

Katie: I think he's hot!!

Daniel: I actually landed this one.

Sher Takahashi: Bouncy, bounce.

Someone taking a spill on the wakeboard.

Daniel: I'm pretty sure this is Andrew.

Sher Takahashi: Hyperwipe?

The orange flag of death.

Sher Takahashi: No offsides here, just out of bounds!

Mayday, mayday!

Daniel: This was the best wipeout I had the whole time. It was actually painless and very fun.

Sher Takahashi: Missed it by that much!

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