The Pinot Noir Ride in Wine Country and a Birthday Bash!

xToday is the day before I turn forty, and we are having a birthday bash out at a gorgeous winery in Carlton called Canna's Feast.  So, Charles and I sneaked away in the morning while the boys were at camp and headed out to Carlton to do a 35 mile ride called the Pinot Noir Loop.  It started at the Laurel Ridge Winery outside of Carlton and then went west toward Newberg in the Duddee hills region, past several vineyards and through beautiful farmland.  We had to bike about 1o miles on highway 99W which was pretty busy, but then we headed back northeast on Mineral Springs Road past Winter's Hill Winery and Chateau Benoit.  In order to lengthen the ride by about 10 miles we rode into and through Carlton on Hwy 47 and then rode through the town of Yamhill and toward Gaston.   It was a perfect ride though I did have a close call while riding on Hendricks road.  A double tractor-trailer passed me with no shoulder on the road and by the time the second trailer was beside me there was about 5 inches between the truck and my shoulder....so, I veered into the gravel beside the road preparing to go down hard.  Luckily I stayed upright and was able to veer back onto the road once the truck had passed.  Whew...that was a bit scary!

My birthday party was dreamy...it was a perfect evening that started with wine tasting at the Carlton Wine Maker's Studio, and then a dinner at Canna's Feast Winery.  What an incredible time I had with family and friends, overlooking the expansive Yamhill Valley, eating incredible food, drinking wonderful wine and celebrating what I expect will be the best decade of my life yet.  The evening ended with a show stopping sunset, and touching speeches.  I couldn't have asked for anything more meaningful.  Thanks to Charles for pulling it all together!