Day one continued...

Ledgewood Winery is the next winery we visited...it is another local winery...small...but very pretty...

Did I mention that we couldn't have picked a better week to visit...there was a cooling trend and I don't think the temperature was above the high 70's all week...perfect! The California Poppy is a favorite of mine...they grow in our area too...but they have been gone for months...I was surprised to find so many still up here...

This little bird was making such a racket while I was walking around outside...I discovered that he had a nest in the vines climbing up one of the out buildings...I guess he was just trying to warn his babies...

This is an area to picnic in if you like... all the wineries have picnic areas...there were tons of little white butterflies around here, but they wouldn't stay still enough for a photo!

I walked over to take a closer look at the grape vines here...

They were filled with grapes...these have quite a ways before harvest time...they are actually red grapes for a Merlot...

I got my pictures out of order so bear with me...we actually went here last...but you will see it now...this is Sonoma Square...it is a large park with a duck pond and some picnic tables and swings surrounded by very old buildings from a time gone by...all the buildings are in use still...

This is the Mission San Francisco Solano...it is the youngest and most northern mission of the California missions...it was built in 1853.

This is the original cross on top of the mission...

Take a closer look under the eaves...they are twigs of all sizes bound together...still here 153 years later...amazing!

An old stone building...it houses shops and eateries...the floor was the same stone!

This building is called The Barracks...it is part of a cheese and wine shop...

Here's Sonoma City Hall...right in the middle of the square.

Next we visit Artesa Winery...or shall I say before Sonoma Square...this winery is built into a hill...when you walk in you are on the bottom...where all the barrels of wine are stored...there is glass between the wine and me...don't worry...it was safe!

The boys quickly found the tasting room!

I walked around outside ...we have been here before a couple of years ago...but this winery is so pretty... yet simple...this is the top door...hard to tell there's a building in there from a distance...

You can walk down this staircase...there's troughs of water bubbling down to small ponds...

The staircase leads you here...to this pretty fountain...but it's the scenery all around that's the real show...

There's a small lake in the distance full of Canadian Geese...the locals tell me that the geese no longer migrate back to Canada...they seem to like the beauty of the area too!!

Can you blame them...just look at all these rolling hills...full of grape vines....

It is so peaceful up here...why would anyone want to leave...but it was getting close to dinner time...and we left wine country...but not until after a wonderful meal of grilled Mahi mahi and shrimp...and perhaps the best garlic bread ever! But I didn't bring my camera in the restaurant...so you'll have to trust me...it looked and tasted wonderful!

I have much more to show you of our trip...but it will have to wait until tomorrow...until then...enjoy your day, my friends!!