Last month I was in Calistoga, a small town of about 5,000 people in the northern most part of California’s famous wine region, Napa Valley.
Calistoga is known for thermal hot springs, wineries, and volcanic mud baths, all of which I sampled, and will be writing more about.
In March the vines are just beginning to sprout a bit of leafy green color, and are still kind of bleak looking. Mustard plant which typically grows all across the valley in the spring, provides a bright yellow blanket of color. However, due to the long drought in California – no mustard. Just the bare brown vines.
In spite of the lack of sunny yellow mustard plants, the geography and flora of the area paint a peaceful picture for the eyes to gaze upon. The mountains lend color and texture along with the coastal live oak trees, olive trees, and beautiful madrone trees.
Calistoga is a wonderful small town; easy to navigate, with only one main road through the center of town. It is peaceful, a bit eccentric, definitely unique, and relaxing.
It had rained the day I took this photograph. Knowing that the light would be especially nice, I took off in search of a place to try to best capture it. I had just arrived in Napa the day before so I wasn’t sure which direction to go. I just lucked out and happened to find a pretty good spot at the right time.
Have you been to Napa? Do you have a favorite memory to share?
