Here we are. Three old friends from the class of 1975. This is year six of the annual Girls Weekend.
During those six years a parent has died, daughters have married, and husbands retired. There have been two trips to Europe and one stroke. We get together and catch up on the latest news. We laugh over how forgetful we're getting. We look at pictures and gab about the extended families.
For the last two years, B has invited us to her lake condo. The view of the lake is beautiful. There is great shopping a few miles away.
So the weekend goes like this: meet, drive, talk, arrive, drink wine, talk, eat, talk, drink wine, sleep, talk, drink coffee, eat, talk, shop, shop, shop, talk, talk, talk, drink wine, eat, drink wine.... I imagine you're catching on!
The older we get, the funnier everything gets. This year we were talking about taking Ginko Biloba to aide our failing memories. However, there is fear that we will forget to take it. I've had a stroke; I'm not sure what their excuse is!
Here is always the highlight of the trip: trying to figure out how in the heck the timer on the camera works. Group photos are usually painful. And then we get the giggles and all is lost! Yeah, this year it was my year to try to figure it out. When you get several photos like the one above, you've got problems!
We've had horrible group pictures for the past six years. And I'm pretty sure that isn't going to change during the next few years. This is one constant we can count on.
Some of my favorite moments are spent enjoying the autumn view of the lake: sunrise, fishermen, and the lights across the lake in the evening.
Weekends like this convince me that time is the one thing every relationship needs. Sometimes you have to work at making time for friendships. Oh, and a glass of wine or a cup of coffee doesn't hurt either!
I probably shouldn't have started with this picture. I should save the best for last, but I can't resist bragging. My kid sister (K.S.) took this picture. Isn't it amazing?! Actually, this is a picture of her picture! Her husband had her photo developed onto canvas. It really looks like an oil painting. Besides being a great photographer, she likes wineries (and wine!) as much as I do.
We did several wine tastings on our jaunt. I liked Napa, but I loved the Russian River wine country. My favorite winery: Korbel!! (My love of champagne blog is here.) The K.S. and I had the best time. Definitely a vacation I won't ever forget!
The Mr. studying the list at one wine tasting. Do you suppose he is wondering if they serve beer? (It is a real possibility!)
We've had a chance to tour their facilities and learn the wine making process. The history of prohibition had an interesting affect on the wineries of the Midwest.
I'm not mad in this photo, just exhausted--and probably wondering if the Mr. was ever going to find the right button to push on the camera. (There is a reason I'm not in many photographs!) I had just biked 24 miles on the KATY, hence the exhaustion and the cowboy hat hiding the helmet hair! At this winery, you could lock up your bike at the trail and hike a switchback up to the winery. Very handy for all those wine-loving bikers out there!
And that brings us to the winery visit this last week. This "Group Therapy" flag greeted us.
The winery was located on the famous Route 66, so each of their wine goblets proudly bore the emblem--as did the label on their wine. It isn't harvesting season yet, but I had to take a few pictures of the grapes before the stomping commences!
We don't have many wineries in our State...yet! One of my students this next school year has started a winery on his parent's farm. It is part of his 4-H project. I am hoping to take pictures as the grapes ripen at his vineyard this fall. I'm pretty sure he is going to have to draw me a map on how to get there. We've been out searching for it--and so far, no luck. 
