Archive for February, 2010

 In January, William had the opportunity for a nine day trip to Rome and areas of Tuscany in Italy.  It was truly the trip of a lifetime…touring family vineyards and wineries, staying in small towns, pruning 50 year old vines, and drinking hand crafted wines.  He learned a lot about the Old World ways of growing grapes and making wine.  Every other day, he would call home to share his adventures…eating pasta and smoking a cigar with a restaurant owner about 30 yards from the Colessium, pruning grapevines with a 70 year old Italian while they shared what little English/Italian they each knew; touring one of the oldest synagogues in Europe, and drinking some of the best cianti wines in the world. 

At the same time, in Ramona where the winery and ranch were located, some of the most torrential rains and small tornados were landing across the Hacienda de las Rosas Winery property, with fallen oak limbs, uprooted trees, flooding in the living room, and a skylight blown out of the ceiling.  Literally, 12 inches of rain came down in 3 days.  In addition, Tammy was stuck on a business trip to Phoenix, where the airports were closed, so she had to drive across the desert through windstorms, dust storms, rain, snow and hail to be able to get home to the animals. 

As William and Tammy share their adventures during that week…William starts off talking about the wonderful hospitality, foods and sights of Italy, while Tammy will then interject “Meanwhile…back at the ranch….” story.  Nice contrast on each person’s adventures for that week!