I moved our suitcases into the closet yesterday, while the pups were at the doggy salon. I have to be sneaky around them because of their separation anxiety. Any indication that “the pack” is breaking-up for even a few days is alarming to them. Unfortunately, both have experienced abandonment, so any sign of a packed suitcase leads to frantic, furry fear. I hide all that troubling activity behind the closed door of our closet.

The dogs will not be left alone. Our pet sitter will take good care of them, and we’re only gone for a long weekend. I wish I could explain this to them, but we don’t speak the same language. Right now, they are busy guarding me from a construction crew that is busy replacing some rotting planks on our back deck. This is one of the advantages of condo living, where all I have to do is move some furniture and they do the rest. It’s all part of my maintenance agreement. It’s good to be a homebody when someone else does all the homework!

We’ll be on a plane tomorrow morning to San Francisco. For our three night stay, Marriott Rewards points will cover our wine country lodging. Napa Valley was once THE wine mecca destination that was on everyone’s bucket list. It still maintains its special aura, but after living in Oregon for four years, there’s a plethora of vineyards right here in our back yard. In fact, there’s now over 1,000 wineries, surpassing the state of Washington for a solid second-place nationally. It seems a bit odd to travel all that way just to taste wines, but the actual purpose of this trip is to dine at The French Laundry. By the way, we also have fine restaurants here, but this has long been a gourmet favorite, and hopefully worth the wait and expense. I made reservations while we were at Crater Lake three months ago.

To get to The Laundry, I have laundry and secretive packing to do. At least the restaurant dress code does not require a tie, so that’s one less thing to pack. Fifteen years ago, The French Laundry was ranked the number one dining establishment in the world. It’s now fallen to #85. Last year we ate at #21 Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athenee in Paris, and have enjoyed two other Top 50 experiences. Nonetheless, it should be an eventful “Date Night,” but please don’t tell the puppies that we’re leaving.