At The Creek

The Fuzz and His Sweetie have a "Wine and Cheese" event about once a week, where they open up a bottle, and nibble on cheese and crackers.  Last weekend, since the weather was nice, they put the makings into a daypack and took a walk down the road to this creek.

The trees still aren't completely leafed out yet, so you can still see the road.  But soon there'll be a bit more privacy.

It was a warm day, so The Fuzz kicked back and kicked off his sandals.  He even got his toes into the water a bit.

And here's a couple of pix of the place.

This looks like a nice potential swimming hole for when the weather turns hot- which it will.

Global Wine Shortage!

From the BBC

"World faces global wine shortage"

The Fuzz says this could be serious.

"Global wine production peaked in 2004, and is continuing to fall, the report says."

"The world is facing a wine shortage, with global consumer demand already significantly outstripping supply, a report has warned."

"They say this could be partly explained by "plummeting production" in Europe due to "ongoing vine pull and poor weather".

Rats.

The Next Big Adventure

A while back, in fact in his last post, The Fuzz made mention of Another Big Adventure.  And, if anyone actually was wondering what had happened to Our Fuzz, and this blog, that is exactly where he was.  Off on the next big adventure.
This involved a road trip to visit kinfolks.  
The first stop was a visit to The Fuzz's Sister.  The Fuzz, His Sweetie and that Not So Young Anymore Daughter got into the car and headed off to Virginia.  On the way they hit the IHOP for a bit of breakfast.  Then it was back on the road to Charlottesville.
There The Fuzz's Sister, and Hubby treated them to a beer and fine lunch.  Then it was into the car for a ride to the Top of the World.

The view from here is pretty impressive.  And they have ice-cream and wine tasting!
Then it was back on the road for more adventure.

Wine Cask Collection 5½

And here's a look at the whole thing.

Wine Cask Collection 5

Wine Cask Collection 4

Wine Cask Collection 3

Wine Cask Collection 2

Wine Cask Collection 1

Both Barrels (Or More)

While enjoying a visit from The Fuzz's Sister and Brother in Law, we visited a small Local Winery. (And of course tasted a few)
The Fuzz got off on the old wine barrels.
So, of course, he got some pix. And these pix will soon turn up here as Midnight Specials. So watch for Cool Wine Barrel Pix here at Kinda Fuzzy!
The Fuzz does apologize for his inattention to this popular blog. But he has just been busy. In fact he has been so busy, that he can't even remember half of what he's been doing!
It is possible that this is some sort of age-related thing. Be that as it may, he is here now. And starting tonight, at Midnight, be watching for our Wine Cask Collection.

Whiners

The Fuzz apologizes for not getting back here sooner. Sometimes things just don't work out.
Since there was no school Friday, he asked his boss man if he could take it off. The idea of sleeping in had a certain attraction, and he was hoping to get a start on a project he had in mind. But we'll discuss that later.
It worked out that the Young Daughter was visiting a friend. So The Fuzz decided to take His Sweetie for a visit to a Local Winery. He was trying to be sneaky, and not let her know where they were going, but at the last turn, she figured it out. Above, you can see the Wine Lady giving them the Wine Tour. The first pix is where they chop up the grapes.
Next, is the squisher, where they smoosh them. I guess doing it by foot is passe.
Then we move on to the place where the wine works off. Here's some of the barrels for aging the wine. They also have some stainless steel tanks in here. This room is all insulated so it can be kept cool.
This is a fairly small operation. They grow a lot of their own grapes, but they do have to buy some locally as well.
And then came the most important part of the tour, the Tasting Room. The wine was pretty good, and suckers that they are, The Fuzz and His Sweetie did pick up a few bottles.All in all, The Fuzz and His Sweetie had a pleasant visit here in North Carolina Wine Country.

Another Windmill Looking Thing

This is the local vineyard & winery mentioned in the last post. The Fuzz was passing by on his way out to do some work at the trailer and made a picture, just for all the loyal readers of this blog. Below is a closer look at this Fan Looking Thing. As you can see it was a cloudy day, and we were expecting rain, which we received a short time afterwards.

And here's a look at the rainy woods, looking out from the warm and dry interior of the The Fuzz's pitiful little truck.

That Windmill Thing

While the Air Force Daughter was here, the "Girls" got together for a "Girls Gone Wine" winery tour.

The Fuzz, not being a "Girl" was left out of this adventure. But his Sweetie did bring him some pix. This is one of the vineyards visited. Note that windmill looking thing out there. There is actually a winery here on the edge of town. We pass it often on our way up the country to work on the new place. There is a similar "windmill looking" thing there. The Fuzz has often wondered why it was never turning, even in a good breeze. But now, His Sweetie has found out the TRUTH! It seems that this is not actually a windmill, as in that green energy stuff, but a giant fan to be used when Jack Frost is in town. This is supposed to maybe save the crop under marginal conditions.

And so now, thanks to The Fuzz's Sweetie, this mystery has been finally cleared up.