Year 2, Day 276 (The Anniversary Weekend Getaway, Part 1)

The weekend that Tikvah and I spent in Eureka Springs, AR was absolutely fabulous! We arrived at our motel Friday night, staying at Lookout Lodge. The lodging was quaint and the hospitality we received from the owners was superb. In fact, this is what our room looked like:

and of course we had an excellent view the next morning, right outside our door:

Of course, that Friday evening, we celebrated 20 years in style, with a bottle of Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon that Tikvah had picked up just for the occasion.

What was fantastic about Lookout Lodge was that any issues or problems that may have arose were quickly addressed and rectified. As part of the Always And Forever package I had gotten with the room, we had a voucher for one of the local restaurants, and the best word I can use for our dinner at Ermilio's (we had opted for Italian) was orgasmic. They are only open from 1700-2100 - and there will, more than likely, be a wait - but it is so worth it! The next pictures are of what Tikvah and I ordered, Fettuccini Alfredo and Fettuccini with Garlic & Olive Oil Sauce, respectively.

The thing I had noticed about Eureka Springs is that it maintains a small-town appeal, while still having enough commerce to attract the tourists, with a little San Francisco feel to it. A very artsy atmosphere is also added to the mix. It was like no other place in Arkansas we had ever been to. It had such an allure to it that Tikvah and I are seriously considering moving there instead of California.

There was also a vast array of different food without getting too outrageous. The local restaurant where we ate breakfast Sunday morning, aptly named Local Flavor Café. I had ordered an Eggs Benedict, was is an english muffin with Canadian bacon, poached egg, and hollandaise sauce. The difference with the Local Flavor is they offer different options. Instead of Canadian bacon (or ham), you can choose sausage, bacon, filet migńon, or smoked salmon (I chose the salmon). Tikvah is not a big fan of fish, be she took a bite of it and liked it... really liked it; Tikvah had chosen the Quiche for her selection. So, needless to say, we were very pleased with our trip. We plan on spending a week there next year to get a feel for it off season. This was a fantastic weekend. Tomorrow's post will be about the Crescent Hotel (which is haunted) in Eureka Springs.

Year 2, Day 273 (Our Weekend Escape Is Just A Few Hours Away)

Tikvah and I didn't do anything special on the day of our anniversary due to her having to work. I planned on this weeks ago when I had set when I would be home and for how long. Several weeks ago I had already made arrangements that factored this in, so I made reservations for us to have a weekend getaway. We don't make an escape very often, so it's very special when we do. When we had first met, she already had two sons, so obviously we never did get any of that "alone time" that most couples enjoy before starting a family. In our case, I didn't mind it, nor do I regret it. In fact, the two older sons and I are quite close (Paul, the oldest, even joined the Marine Corps because of me).

This weekend, we will be "escaping" to Eureka Springs, AR, which is a fairly popular tourist/vacation spot. I don't follow trends when it comes to "vacation spots", but I knew about Eureka Springs because I've driven through there a couple times. Each time I did, I had always thought "this would be someplace that Tikvah would like." We are booked for a two night stay, with the special Always And Forever package, which includes a bottle of champagne and dinner for two at a local restaurant. After putting up with me for the past 20+ years, she deserves it!

May your Sabbath be as blessed as ours will be!

Year 2, Day 187 (Much Cooler Today, And More Relaxing To Be Had)

The temperatures have come down quite a bit today, making it a little cooler, but still some level of humidity. Today I've been occupied not only with this week's Torah portion, but also transferring my audiobook library onto my iTunes. I'm doing this because I have over 50 audiobooks (many of them having multiple parts), and with only a 16 GB iPhone 3GS, there's only so much room in memory. Therefore I'm putting the library on my iPod... at least until I upgrade the phone. This evening, Tikvah and I went over to her mother's house for dinner. Since my birthday is coming up in a couple weeks, Patricia (my Mother-in-law) made a roast as a birthday dinner for me, with a Strawberry Pie for dessert.

Our youngest son, Nathan, is spending the night at a friend's house tonight, so Tikvah and I have the house to ourselves.

Yes, there is wine that will be consumed... and Jazz music... I think you see where this is heading.

Year 2, Day 144 (A Day In Wine History)

I'm not a sommelier, not do I claim to be one, and though I find the statement, "I'm not a wine expert, but I know what I like" rather absurd, that is the category I find myself in. However, over the years I have found myself leaning towards a greater appreciation of wine, while continuing to steer clear of the "boxed" variety. There may be some of that type that are quite good, but it's still the imagery of a middle-aged man with a "pot belly", clad only in ragged, grease-stained jeans and a stained white tank top t-shirt with a mason jar full of the aforementioned variety sitting on a couch (as equally stained as his previously mention choice of fashion) while watching the current NASCAR race on t.v. Any ideas on how to overcome this hurdle?
But I digress! This posting is one that is quite special itself. It was this day that will forever be remembered among the wine critics and enthusiasts alike.

In 1976, Steven Spurrier (whom also blogs for The Wine Society of India) arranged a wine tasting event - also referred to as the Judgement of Paris - in which a variety of wines from France and the Napa Valley of California were judged in a blind taste test. At this period in time, wines from the "New World" were considered substantially inferior to their French counterparts. One of those selected from California competed in the White Wines category was from a then fledgling vintner/winemaker, Jim Barrett, whom had just purchased Chateau Montelena just 4 years prior. Not only did his Chardonnay make an impression with the judges, it won its category... for a Premier Cru!

I first heard about this event on the NPR program, The Splendid Table , just a few years ago. According to the host, Lynn Rossetto Kasper, many of the judges involved in this tasting event still refuse to talk about it. In 1982, Jim handed over the Winemaker duties to his son, Bo Barrett. This piece of wine history is loosely translated in the film, Bottle Shock.

After hearing about this, then watching the movie, I became very intrigued in the wines of Chateau Montelena. Though I have yet to try their wines, the time to do so will be coming soon, as I plan on purchasing a couple bottles of their 1992 vintage (if they are still available) for my wife and I for our 20th anniversary this October. Since I wrote such a glowing piece for them on this day - their patch of wine history - if they would extend a discount for me? Probably not (nor would I actually expect one)... but one can dream, anyway.

Congratulations, Chateau Montelena!!