On the Road again

May 18, 2019 - Just me and the kid running the highways to the North. Not sure about the weather but we left anyway. It took up 7 hours and 50 minutes to get to Pawhuska, OK.

We didn't see or meet Ree Drummond but we saw where their ranch is as we drove into town and we got to shop and eat at the Mercantile. The prices were very reasonable and so much fun stuff to look at. They were busy but not overly crowded. Plenty of room.

 The food was really tasty. I got the Chicken Wing sandwich. Yum! It doesn't look like a lot but I couldn't finish my sandwich.

 We shopped around the area. Lots of cute shops but they were rather pricey. The sweet shop is named after their dog Charlie but we didn't partake of any sweet stuff, we were too full!.

When walked out of the Mercantile we did a photo opt like everyone else in front of the red truck. That's Hannah my inherited niece. LOL.  Long story but she drove down from Kansas to join us at the Mercantile. We'll see her again on Wednesday evening.

As I was getting in the car to head to Bartlesville to the hotel I saw this cute spreader filled with flowers. Maybe David and I can find something like that to put in our front yard for decor.



Woke up Sunday morning and went to a quick bite to eat before Hannah had to leave and we had to head off to Warrenton, MO to visit my sister Barbara and our friend Cresia. It was another 5 and half hours down the road. 
Tummies full and we're all off .

5 and half hours later we finally arrive at Barb's house well I might have added 30 minutes to that drive.  Some how I put in the wrong street address. What are the odds that the directions would take us to the left and we needed to go right but we were only 7 miles off course and not 50+.  It was a calm evening of pizza and watching Naked and Afraid.  LOL. I mean we had to keep a low profile for the next day of adventures that Barbara and Cresia had planned for us. 
Monday 5/20 It was a scenic drive of  the country side to Hermann, MO.  Hermann sets on the south side of the Missouri River which with all the rain they've been having it's running really high.  If you're ever in the area you should definitely visit the town. 





There wasn't too many flat spots in this town. Some hills were really steep. 

It was a German settlement from 1837 with 7 wineries. The wineries suffered during prohibition and started recovery in 1960. 
Our first winery stop was Stone Hill Winery, the largest wine making business in the state. It took the owner 20 years to carve out the lime stone wine cellar. Wow! They survived prohibition by raising Button mushrooms. 

L-R: Cresia, Barbara, Pamela and Me

This winery had the best view of the town. Just beautiful! You can even see the Missouri River.

Our next stop was The Adam Puchta Winery. It was just down the road  about 2 miles from Stone Hill. It is the oldest continuously family-owned winery in the nation, under direct family ownership since 1855. 

All the ladies were really friendly and informative. More pretty views.  This little stream was at the entrance.  No loss of scenery here.

Cresia, My sister Barbara and Pamela my co-heart in crime.

As we were driving around to our next winery passing back by Stone Hill we passed a funeral home and next to it in the parking lot was this little house. No big deal until Creisa and Barbara tells us it's a Bed & Breakfast. WHAT! No way but Yes way.  Had to share that funny little tidbit. The way they found out was they had given a couple a ride up the hill to that house saying that's where they were staying. Even better.... The girl was from Transylvania. 

So Barbara and Cresia knew us too well and made sure they took us to as many wineries we could fit into the day. After leaving the Adam Puchta Winery we drove through the Blackshire Vineyards. One sign said they were open and the second said close. They were closed but it was a beautiful property. Pictures don't do it justice.

  Okay no wine tasting here !
LOL. We have places to see and wine to drink.


Glad we drove through it though.







Our next stop was the Oak Glenn Winery. Wow what a view. That's the Missouri River you see and it's spilled over already in that area.

 

Too much fun.  At all these stops Barbara is buying the tastings for all 4 of us. Only she would only take a sip of her tasting and pour the rest into Pamela's glass. LOL

Pamela was getting quite a buzz.  I think Barbara was getting even from when my Mom got her drunk accidentally at the age of 13 at my rehearsal dinner.  mmmm. 

From here we headed back into town to go to Blackshire Distillery to try some whiskey

The 3rd glass is a blueberry whiskey. Rather tasty on it's on but then she added lemonade.  Oh Wow! Very good.  I did buy some but haven't opened it yet since getting home. But soon.

Pamela had to go to the restroom which was out the building and across the courtyard.  I see her and Cresia looking up at the pergola. Weird I though the She comes back going there's a snake up there. Holy cow and the little goof ball threw a pebble at it. It didn't budge THANK GOODNESS!. I could just see that thing falling and all 4 of us running screaming bloody murder.  

 

We had time for one more stop and it was just down the street and around the corner. We went to Hermannhof Winery.


More tasty wine but we all needed food so we walked across the street to The Tin Mill.  The food was awesome and so was the service.
We didn't eat inside. We sat out on the patio. If you click on the name it'll take you to website and you can see pictures of it.

photo provided by Tin Mill Website

The inside was really rustic lookin. Really cool place and when I think about it as the evening approached sitting on the patio it got rather cool but we were having fun.
I got a Whiskey Chicken stuffed with Borsin Cheese and came with a sweet potato hash. Oh my so Delicious. Pamela got the Lobster Mac and Cheese. That was really good too.

The day was done so we drove back to their home via more scenic country side. We went through the Daniel Boone Conservation Park. I'm glad Barb knew where she was going. Unfortunately Cresia had to go back to work the next day so she couldn't hang out to late then I can't say any of us were ready to stay up too late. Can't think them enough for the bed and hospitality. And definitely lots of fun. This was the first time I had ever visited Barb at her home. We had always met at Dad and Carolyn's(her mom) but unfortunately they are no longer on this earth. We sure miss them.
Tuesday morning comes and we go to breakfast before Pamela and I head off to my hometown area..... Yummy little place just down the street......

To Be Continued.... So...
Until Next Blog... Wine Makes the World go Round