I haven’t been on a drive that didn’t have a specific mission in over twelve months and so I am pleased to announce that yesterday … ta da … we went a’wandering. Our only mission (his not mine) was to secure fresh oysters.
We ended up toasting the sun gods from the top of a tower.
Well, that’s not really us. Those fellas are actually greeting visitors to Copia, a culinary institute in Napa California which is unfortunately not open.
We could see the CIA (as it’s known) from Hog Island Oysters where hubby got to overdose on those little bits of slim while I kept it safe with the clam chowder. Hog Island only serves oysters and clam chowder but there is a taqueria, pizzeria and gourmet market in the same building with plenty of out door seating all around.
There’s even a roadside burger joint around the corner. These folks were doing a rip-roaring business.
After lunch we walked over to Copia for a better view of the mural. Here t’is:
The front door to the place is nothing special and the vegetable gardens are all dormant. I hope they return because it was depressing to see.
Whelp, nothing to do here so we walked across the river to downtown Napa.
Of the two famous wine counties just north of San Francisco, Napa is said to be the poshest and Sonoma the more laid back. I don’t really see it. Downtown Napa is built right on a river that flows down into the SF Bay.
This mural on the side of a Starbucks on Main Street, depicts what downtown Napa must of been like before the region became famous for wineries. Nowadays the river is neither wide nor deep enough for large ships. I only saw two small fishing boats heading downstream. No yachts or pleasure boats.
This fine old building sits right at the town center and was probably once a watch tower. Now it seems to have been abandoned – hopefully not forever.
Next to it is another fine old building which seems to have survived as a wine tasting shop.
Around the corner the block is closed off to traffic and the street filled with tents for outdoor eating … which is good for the restaurants along that stretch but not good for those us looking to photograph interesting old buildings.
At the end of the Main Street is Napa River Inn which is a repurposed textile mill.
And, just for the #ThursdayDoors folks, the not so spectacular front door of the Napa River Inn. Check out other doors at Dan Anton’s place!
Saying nothing in particular 
You have a nice collection today! I love that final door.
Thanks Dan – it was a beautiful day.
Fresh oysters and a drive seem like a whole lot to me in times like these.
Great pics, Jan.
I’m not a fan of oysters but any excuse to go for a drive!
Agreed. (Me, I love them.)
This took me back to my two trips to Napa. We eat outside at the Napa River Inn both times, and I remember how great everything was. I think they had a store inside where I purchased some Christmas tree decorations with Napa on them. We still have them, and they take pride of place on the tree.
Glad you got to take a drive. I remember feeling much like you when I drove my partner to get his first Covid jab. It was only an hours drive there and back, but it felt like we’d had a great day out somewhere.
I think we’ll all come out of this pandemic with a greater appreciation of the simple pleasures!
Many more adventures such as this await you. Enjoy!
Thank you ! I wish many such adventures to you as well.
You went somewhere and you did something! *Yay* I enjoyed going along with you and adore your photos. The sky was so clear blue. That fountain is something else. Nice doors, too– obviously.
Thanks! The sky was incredible.
Looks like a great day, Jan! Here’s to more drives in the near future!
Here, here!
What an interesting tour, thanks Jan. I love the murals and that fountain is fantastic. Glad you finally got to go for a drive, may there be many more to come.
Thanks! I hope so too.
Hurrah for a drive, Jan. I love the mural and the fountain. I don’t do raw oysters/clams/fish but who cares? Just going is fun.
janet
All fabulous ❤️
Thanks Willow – I hope you’re doing well.
Doing fine thanks, and I hope you are too💜
I left you a comment yesterday but WordPress ate several of my comments in a row. This is another attempt. Good to see you out and about and on the lookout. I like that colourful thing, a fountain, you say. All well to you!
Sorry about that – WP does strange things sometimes.
Wonderful to stroll through Napa with the two of you, Jan. Looks like you had good weather and a pleasant escape from home. Had a chuckle with your opening photo and sentences. Strange times were living in, but at least the sun is shining.
We did encounter some heavy traffic on the way home through American Canyon – I guess everyone had the same idea as us! Not too horrible though.
Ahh, this is a lovely post. The murals and artwork are fabulous!
Thanks Resa – I would liked to have gotten closer shots of the mural but there was a group of maskless teens smoking and cutting up just outside the Starbucks!
A fabulous tour. I did laugh at your description of oysters as little bits of slim, I think that too.
I totally get the oysters thing but my husband will go to all kinds of extremes to get them!