Chateau Montelena Winery and the Petrified Forest

This morning the group was split in two.  Ken, Joyce, Connie and I went on an amazing ride to Chateau Montelena Winery on our way to the Petrified Forest.  What a beautiful spot the Chateau Montelena is.  We were not wanting to do any wine tasting as we were on the bikes.  But we were very happy to walk around and take a look at the beautiful grounds and read about the story of how a California wine got world recognition and which is depicted in the movie “Bottle Shock”.

Our group then headed to the Petrified Forest.  It was nice to walk around in the forest and stretch our legs.  The Petrified Forest in California is unique in its size and formation of quartz crystal, petrified coral and fossilized  insects.  3.4 million years ago a volcanic blast, originating from Mt. St. Helena sent a huge plume of super heated silica rich ash across the landscape which buried the forest.  The trees that fell and were buried under all the ash and the trees became hard as cement.  

Some of the live trees that were in the forest were absolutely huge.  I had to make sure I took a picture and to get the perspective I hugged the tree.  LOL. I texted my boys, Brandon and Kyle along with my husband Paul to show them the size of the tree which they can appreciate as they are Electrical Forester Arborists.  

Upon returning back to the resort we decided to head to the pool and take some time to relax and enjoy the beautiful sunshine.  We met an amazing family at the pool - Erik, Rachel and their four children who were just so cute and were very excited to take their pictures on the motorcycles.  Three of them are pictured on Connie’s bike.  Super cute.

Tomorrow we head out on the road and go to Leggett and we will be riding through the Redwood Forest where there is a tree large enough that we can ride through it.  Definitely a photo opportunity and I am so excited to send pictures to the boys again.  

Thanks again to Ken and Joyce for sharing their timeshare at WorldMark by Wyndham.  It was a beautiful location.

Well tonight Lulu told me she found a special mascot for the two of us and she had taken a picture of it for me.  The name of this HOG is Lord Snort.  Let us just say we have made each other laugh so much that both of us have snorted way too many times over the last few days.  Lulu you are truly special and you are double trouble - LOL.