CAVERNOUS BEAUTY

Calaveras County has a series of underground venues-Mercer Cavern, Moaning Cavern and Cave City. Since Mercer is near Stevenot Vineyards, that was our first choice.
Mercer is a big cave and dates from 1865. The guided tour history is well done and fascinating when you review how Mercer and his friends went in on ropes with a candle for light, all of which is demonstrated.
Now stairs, (152 of them), platforms, and electric lighting, reveal the beauty of the formations. Mercer Cavern contains a rare formation that has a specimen housed in the Smithsonian. The place, in a word, gorgeous. Don't miss it if you travel to Murphys. Its only one of the reasons to love the motherlode

It was serendipity to meet Mike, the friendly, knowledgeable tasting room concierge. I've been here 31 years and still learned something new about wine. I love the Chardonnay and 2004 Cabernet. Mike found out about my friends, and our finding each other after sixty years. They found out it was his birthday, and serenaded him. So, of course we had to have a picture.
Can you tell we are having fun?

The lady at Upscale Resale in Murphys suggested we come to her store AFTER we went wine tasting. Love her sense of humor. And we did.