Given the recent outpouring of love on Lea’s Facebook wall, it may come as no surprise to anyone that she recently celebrated her 30th birthday.  Clearly, this is no small event, so we decided to celebrate the only way we know how…in style. 🙂

While I haven’t made the announcement to the blogosphere, Lea and I moved back to the Midwest this past fall.  To Minneapolis, to be exact.  It’s a charming town with lots of niceties, but dammit, I left my heart in San Francisco (and Los Angeles).  And while she won’t admit it, I think Lea did, too.  So we packed up our summer clothes and made for our good friends Kate and Michael in Santa Monica.  We were greeted by two of the most gracious and lovable hosts we have ever had the good fortune to call friends.  And this is how it went.

Once we arrived at Le Chateau Kirkland, we popped corks on an all-star list of vino – noting for my future reminiscence since I’m the only one reading:  ’07 Etude Pinot, ’96 Bancroft Ranch Merlot, ’07 Beringer PR Cab, & 1/2 bottle of ’04 Wolf Blass Black Label.   It’s good to be back in Cali!

We didn’t exactly spring out of bed Friday morning, but the sun beckoned, and after a hearty brunch at Blue Plate, we were off to tame the rock.  Eagle Rock.

 

See?  Who couldn’t love these guys?!

 

Just a short 2 miles from the trailhead, the summit of Eagle Rock provides a picturesque view of the valley below; and on a clearer day, Catalina Island and Palos Verdes to the south.  It was a bit hazy on this day, but we have some clearer pictures of the view here.

Before we set out for the trail, I made one “I hope we see…” call-out.  It might sound crazy, but I’ve always wanted to see a rattlesnake on a hike.  I hate snakes, especially venomous ones, but I always hear other people’s stories of snakes on a plane trail and as much time as we’ve spent out there I felt like I was missing out.  Well, no more!  I present to you our very first rattlesnake!  Voila.

Actually, Lea was mere inches from accidentally stomping on it before noticing at the last moment what it was.  We both jumped and screamed like giddy school girls!  Wait, I mean…Lea did…

He was just lying there, so I poked him with a stick and that’s when he did this… 🙂

 

So as not to deter anyone reading who might have otherwise liked to visit Eagle Rock, which I highly recommend, I’ve included this photo to portray the non-venemous-serpent-like attractions the park has to offer.  See?  Pretty…

 

Well, as one might imagine, we worked up quite a thirst and had an idea as to where we might quench it.  On the way, Michael shared with us some of his favorite “cheese” jokes.

Q:  What did the cheese say when it pulled a rabbit out of a hat?

A:  Chedda’! (read like, ta-da)

Malibu Wines has a great picnic area, but the wine isn’t anything to write home about.  Nonetheless, a bottle of unremarkable, but crisp, chardonnay down – and a few coconut waters – and we made for home, passing some notable landmarks along the way.

 

Back at le chateau we decided that the only sensible thing to do would be to open a bottle of something that would satisfy the thirst that hadn’t yet been fully quenched.    Now, it may have been the view, or maybe it was the Beringer PR Chardonnay, but all of the necessary elements for a proper afternoon session – good weather, great friends, choice grapes and world-class winemaking – came together for a a glass of wine I won’t soon forget.  Rich without the butter, crisp without the acid, and generally the most delicious chardonnay I’ve ever had.  With a view like this, who would ever want to move back to England?  (Or the Midwest, for that matter).

 

That night we cleaned up for dinner at Kate and Michael’s new favorite, Rustic Canyon.  (Wines: ’07 Etude Pinot and ’09 Merry Edwards Pinot).  I could go on gushing about how great the food and wine was, but for now let’s just say that the weekend was developing a theme.  A theme of all of our favorite things. 🙂

Since Lea’s birthday was the next day, we decided to turn in early and prepare ourselves for the big day!  Tune in next time for the most epic 30th birthday Lea has ever had.