BALE GRISTMILL, Calistoga, CA 2013

What a great find.  This mill is AWESOME.  I'm so glad that a group of people from Napa County  stepped forward to keep this mill open.  It was one of the 70 State Parks that California decided to close.  We are open Saturday and Sundays and an occassional Tuesday when we have school tours.
On the weekend the miller actually gives a tour of the mill and gives milling demonstrations.  We sell 7 different products that are milled here.  Polenta, Cornmeal and Buckwheat, Spelt, Rye, Bread and Pastry Flours. I usally make something out of one of the products for visitors to sample and they seem to enjoy that.  I made Hot Water Cornbread for the first time.  Just cornmeal and boiling water mixed together and fry into little pancakes.....YUMMEEEEE.  The woodburning cookstove works great.  I haven't mastered the oven yet...but I'm a wiz at stove top cooking.  Dale is really enjoying
his time as the Miller's Dusty (assistant)

                                                           Mill Creek - creekbed

                                             Burnt out tree along the path to Old Bale Mill   Redwood Tree at Mill Creek

OUR HOME at Bothe State Park 2013

When we moved into our space, here at Bothe State Park's employee campground it was damp and cold.  Now that Spring has arrived things are warming up and the trees are sprouting.  It's lovely.

FORT ROSS - Jenner, CA 2013

We took a drive to the coast....Jenner, CA is about 2 hours from us.  We went to Fort Ross a Russian-American settlement established in 1812.  The Fort sits right on the shoreline. What a lovely place.

 This windmill is an exact replica of one that would have been at Ft Ross in the 1800's. It
  was built last year by 2 Russian architects and had it's "grand opening" Oct 2012.

NAPA VALLEY IS GORGEOUS 2013

Spring has sprung here in Napa Valley.  Mustard fields and trees blooming.  It's only a 3 mile drive to town and we get to see this great view along the way.

Whale Watching - Pt Reyes in January 2013

We went to Pt Reyes in January looking for Whales.  No luck, but the ocean was goregous. We did find a maternity ward of Sea Elephants....very cool.

WE'RE LOVING NAPA VALLEY

HI ALL ....can't download photos just yet but wanted to check in and let everyone know we are loving it here in Napa Valley.  We are enjoying our jobs at Bale Gristmill and the surrounding area is lovely.  Dale helps the Miller.  He's the Dusty(that's what they call the Miller's assistant).  I work in the granary selling flour and other gift items.  I've got a wood cooking stove to use and that's fun.  Hope to get some pictures to post soon.l  Update**** Here's the photos.