Days of Wine and Races

The storm that went over Pocono, Pennsylvania, yesterday made ours of the day before seem pretty picayune.  It delayed the beginning of the NASCAR race so that I could actually watch the start when I got back from the barn, and then ended the race early with a torrential downpour and lightning.  I didn't find out until today that lightning strikes hit fleeing spectators, killing one; a terrible ending.

It was the weekend of the annual SlugFest, an event thrown by the four wineries up on Slug Gulch.  "Slug," by the way, has nothing to do with the garden-variety slimy things, but is a mining term from the gold rush days.  My new neighbor Camille and I had talked about going to the wine tasting the day before, but, given the unsettled weather, had opted out.  She stopped by yesterday and again asked if I wanted to go.  The race was over early, the weather was relatively mild; what the heck, let's go for it!  As we both had dawdled away most of the day, we went only to DK Cellars at the top of the hill.  Kim and Dave are the most gracious hosts, they make lovely wines, and their venue has one of the most spectacular views around.  Camille, her gorgeous, well-behaved, German shepherd Honey, and I sat and sipped, laughed and chatted, and became better acquainted.  It was the last day of the event and Kim had time to join us with her dog, Madelyn.  I never leave DK Cellars without a bottle of Short Bus red.  Short Bus, in this case, refers to a small yellow school bus that has been converted to a "limo," a party bus that brings tours to the wine country.

 With apologies to the 1962 film, Days of Wine and Roses, it was a good day for wine and races in Fair Play.