Napa, California

Looking out the window, the colors catch my eye. Green, blue, burgundy, yellow… what a warming combination. The green of the new grass glows from the rolling hills at the bud of spring. The skies emit an enchanting light blue that beckons a noonday stroll or a sun drenched nap. Burgundy from the vineyards rolls from hill to hill effortlessly and without end. Meanwhile, yellow from the vibrant mustard seed filters its way into each crack and crevasse, adding spurts of color like sprinkles on a cake. Whip these images together one by one, and you have a beautiful picture of my hometown, Napa Valley California.
Napa is where I was born, created wonderful childhood memories, planted my roots and plan to grow old. The city of Napa is small and yet ever growing, but the areas that branch from it are many. This small town was but a speck on the map not too long ago, but the rays of its beauty have spread now to all over the world. The climate and soil are just right for the growing of grapes and have therefore become the perfect grounds for countless wineries. People come from all over the world to taste our wines, gaze at the vineyards and enjoy our temperate weather.

Here, it feels that the world is at your reach. Not only are we surrounded by beautifully rotund hills, but also by majestic mountains, and sweeping slopes of valleys. Then, if one so chooses to venture out a bit, we have the ocean only an hours reach away and the lights and excitement of the blustering city of San Francisco a mere 45 minutes away. It feels as if your sitting upon the very axis to which everything else branches from.

In the early mornings dozens of hot air balloons can be seen drifting through the early valley fog and circular fans are twirling over the vineyards to guard their gems from any cold nips of frost. The afternoons are filled with the warmth of sunshine and the internal urge for a country picnic or a stroll from one winery to the next. Evenings are blustering with the locals as well as tourists going to one of the many Restaurant’s or Bistro’s scattered through out the valley, acclaimed with many outstanding chef’s from all over the world. Because how can one possibly enjoy a finely crafted glass of wine, without a scrumptious meal to match.
Farms use to be the prominent scenery that scattered about the region. They have become fewer now, yet the one’s that do remain are to me the heart and the home of the land. I love to drive by and still see the “Oreo” cows grazing along the side of the hills. These cows I creatively named so as a child because of their solid black bodies with the exception of the bright white strip down the center. “The cattle with the cream filling” I use to always say. These farms border along the outskirts of the city trimming it like a finishing lace.

Though it be small, memorable it will remain. I know there are many places larger, more grand and bright, exciting, young and full of adventure, but home belongs to just one place. The place to settle, build a home, gather up a family and always come back to is here. The honored title of home belongs to where your heart, family and memories were made, but how blessed I am for them to have been made and continuously made in such a beautiful place.

Holly D

Submitted: Monday 22nd March 2004, 10:50 PM

Privacy - Submit - Prizes - Conditions - Contact Us - HOME