Sunday, October 17, 2021

Almost Home! A Post from the Airport.

One night on the ship I decided to try an actual cocktail while we went through another set of locks.
The bartender recommended this: “The Bee’s Knees” made with Tanqueray gin. I told him I wanted
something exotic.


The first winery we visited in Idaho was called “Rivaura” — it’s not well-known elsewhere.
The wines were ok but not super memorable; however, the scenery was quite beautiful.
The fields were used to grow alfalfa until around 7 years ago when the owner switched to vineyards.


Another Idaho vineyard, our last stop on the trip. All the grapes have been harvested,
and the 2021 vintage is already fermenting.

The wines from the last vineyard are sold mainly thorough the vineyard’s wine club. This winery uses grapes grown on the surrounding lands (which were formerly wheat fields) and also purchases grapes grown in eastern Washington. The wines were also ok, but we didn’t buy any.

For our taste, the trip included too much time on buses and not enough time outdoors viewing nature and wildlife. We saw only a few birds, and not enough of the rivers, other than from the boat. It was great to get away from home, and there were some fun times and nice conversations, but all in all this week was a bit disappointing. Several of our fellow-passengers agreed with this reaction.

I’ll be back to several of my blogging activities this week, and decided while waiting for the last leg of the plane trip, to feature some drinks we enjoyed on the trip, to share with the bloggers at Elizabeth’s weekly blog party.

Blog post © 2021 mae sander.

22 comments:

Tandy | Lavender and Lime (http://tandysinclair.com) said...

Sorry to read that the trip was not what you wanted it to be. The vineyards are very young so I'm not surprised that the wines are not great.

Iris Flavia said...

Pass me one, I need it right now.
Oh, sad your trip ended.

thecuecard said...

Your various posts and photos from your trip look amazing. What was the gist of this trip? Was it from Oregon to Idaho? And was it following the Columbia River? Quite beautiful country. Sorry to hear it was too much on buses.

My name is Erika. said...

I looks like a wonderful trip Mae, even if it wasn't exactly what you hoped for. Too bad there were so many buses. That Bee Knee sounds like a great old fashioned drink from the 1920's. A perfect change of pace for T. Have a safe trip home and happy T day.

Linda Kunsman said...

So did you enjoy the "Bees Knees"? I quite like the name they gave it:) Too bad your trip was a bit of a disappointment. The winery views are beautiful. Happy T day!

kathyinozarks said...

safe trip home enjoyed seeing the drink glasses too Happy T Kathy

Kate Yetter said...

Beautiful Scenery. Enjoy the last part of your trip!
Happy Tea Day,
Kate

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I thoroughly enjoyed the photos you shared. It's too bad your trip was such a disappointment. It was beautiful country and the photos I've seen from other travel cruise magazines, you surely missed much of the beauty other cruises offer. The wine fields are beautiful and the countryside was divine, but I can see why you were disappointed. Loved the photo of the Bees Knees. Thanks for sharing these winery photos and your drink onboard the ship with us for T this almost Tuesday, dear Mae.

Carola Bartz said...

I'm sorry that your trip was a bit disappointing, that's sad. However, I hope there are some good memories that you can take home. How was that cocktail? I sounds and looks quite good.

Sharon Madson said...

I like the name The Bees Knees. Thank you for sharing the beautiful photos. Hope you had a good rest of the trip home. Happy T Day.

J said...

So sorry to hear your trip was disappointing, also the wine!!
We enjoyed our cruise but didn't like the parts onboard so much especially the two day sailing without getting off. My son always buys me a cocktail to try, I like the sound of the one you tried as I like the Gin ones.
Happy T Day
Jan

Lisca said...

That Bee's Knees cocktail sounds nice. I've never had cocktails. One of these days I will try to make one. But most of them have such exotic ingredients that I don't have at hand.
I'm sorry to hear that your holiday did not meet your expectations. That is so disappointing as you have been looking forward to this trip and have spent good money on it.
The vineyards are not yet really matured probably, and they have tried to compensate to use some grapes from other places. It takes years for a vineyard to mature. Nevertheless, a good reason not to buy.
By now you will have arrived safely (I hope) and are unpacking and turning the washing machine on etc. (And perhaps sitting down to a decent glass of wine!)
Happy T-Day,
Hugs,
Lisca
PS I hadn't realised your ancestors were from Belarus

nwilliams6 said...

Mae,

Very cool pictures and that top drink looks so pretty! Hope it was good. Sorry that you had disappointment with the trip but good that you got away and did get to see some interesting sites and have good conversations. Happy T-day and thanks for sharing your cool pictures!!!

CJ Kennedy said...

Ooh, that Bees Knees sounds good. The scenery is lovely even if your trip was underwhelming. I like what you did with the Rivaura wine glass. Happy T Day

Divers and Sundry said...

I'm sorry the trip was a disappointment. The tour people might welcome the feedback.

The wines might improve over time, maybe?

Kitchen Riffs said...

The Bee's Knees is a fun drink. Of course we have a recipe for it on our blog. :-)

DVArtist said...

I am glad you got to see some of my home state. Too bad you were stuck on the buses. There is some amazing country and places to visit in Id.

Spyder said...

The country side looks lovely! But I know what you mean, when you go away you want to do and see so much! We wanted to see some Puffins, and visited Lundy Island, North Devon, couple of hours in a rockety old boat there and back nearly all day on the island and we didn't see one Puffin! Saw some dolphins on the way back though. My dad once made his own wine...but only two bottles! Happy Tuesday! Stay Safe!
(Lyn)

Darla said...

I enjoyed your photos, such a beautiful area. I have to try to find someplace serving "Bees Knees" now. The name is great.

Anne (cornucopia) said...

Wonderful photos.

Jeanie said...

The Bees Knees sounds good. I know what you mean about things sometimes being disappointing, especially a trip. You think you 'll have more of the things you want and less of those that don't matter so much. Sorry to hear that. I've never been on an actual tour so I don't know how they are like. The bus thing would make me crazy. But it's lovely country.

Empire of the Cat said...

How interesting that it used to be an alfalfa farm before it was a winery. No one would ever visit an alfalfa farm for tourist reasons would they, yet we would all want to visit a winery lol. I'm guessing it's much more profitable for them now too, Happy T Day! Elle/EOTC xx