12/22/2014 - Time for a Drive To Temecula And Riverside
12/22/2014 - Temecula
We needed to be at the Mission Inn at 4:00 for dinner so we thought a quick side trip to Temecula was in order plus we got a chance to see AJ Saam (Laura was recovering)
First stop was Pinnacle for lunch with Brian and Jan and a guest appearance by AJ
We are getting into the spirits
We tasted outside today
It was a beautiful day
The four amigos
Surrounded!
Thornton Winery
The Snowman welcomes us to the winery
We went to Thornton to try Champagne and Chocolate wine
"Did someone say Champagne???"
"M-m-m-m-m Should I have another bottle or not??
Our favorite two-fisted drinker
"Now I know what double-chocolate is!"
"Most of those glasses belong to Brian... No, really!"
Off To Riverside And The Mission Inn
Traditions! We meet up with the Duda's at The Mission Inn for dinner, walking, and a carriage ride.
Did You Know? - Enjoy more than 4 million dazzling holiday lights, appearances by Santa Claus, the world’s largest manmade mistletoe measuring 12’ x 8’, horse-drawn carriage rides*, freshly fallen snow, an elaborately decorated Christmas tree in the hotel lobby and delectable holiday confections located at The Inn.
The Mission Inn’s Festival of Lights is an annual gift to the community from property Owners Duane and Kelly Roberts who saved the historic landmark from destruction in 1992. The City of Riverside has adopted The Mission Inn’s Festival of Lights as a citywide initiative with a vision of a Dickensian holiday spectacle featuring lights and decorations throughout downtown Riverside, an outdoor ice-skating rink on the Main Street pedestrian mall, holiday vendors and family-friendly entertainment.
Forty-five minutes
It's indeed an older facility but beautiful
We have arrived
OK... Just an Italian Christmastime meal
First stop the Bella Tattoria restaurant
Did You Know? - A trattoria is an Italian-style eating establishment, less formal than a ristorante, but more formal than an osteria. There are generally no printed menus, the service is casual, wine is sold by the decanter rather than the bottle, prices are low, and the emphasis is on a steady clientele rather than on haute cuisine.
The food is modest but plentiful (mostly following regional and local recipes) and in some instances is even served family-style (i.e. at common tables).
"Eye see you" NOTE: No extra cost for the special napkin
Nick had a special pizza
"Here's to ya!"
"Dis is ma serious look!:
The Duda's always make it enjoyable
All smiles... Powered by wine!
Merry Christmas all!
Nick is giving us the "What is he talking about?" look
We had lunch at noon and dinner at 5:00... We need to walk
Time To Walk And See The Lights
The hotel is decorated on all sides
"I feel like I am being watched.... and... I have to be good!"
Trees everywhere
We Walked Through The Hotel
Great decorations in the hotel
We tried to put Nick in the slot but he would not fit
Santa looked a little stiff tonight.... Needs some eggnog
or better yet, champagne
It's like magic
Do NOT bite the gingerbread man... He bites back
They light up everything
The city of Riverside dims when these puppies go on
Hey Frosty
Looking good
Many are animated and wave at us
The front of the hotel was a zoo!
Overlooking the plaza
Seven o'clock and all is well... Still in the high 60's
View from the front of the hotel
OMG..... What was that??? We got to do it! A rocket carriage
We have a 20 minute wait but with family and friends it feels like five minutes
Awaiting out ride
Bob takes the camera duty
Here comes one now!
"I want to ride on the horse's back"
Everything is decorated
Dig the shoes
Coordinating the next couple of days
Off and running
No... They are not texting one another
Doing serious research... Don't they look serious?
A nice young man... We need lots more of these
"Yeah... We get to ride in a carriage... Where is the bonnet?"
Hello there
The serious look
Mom is have a great time
We needed to know that Nick was a normal teenager!
