I hadn’t been home for the 4th of July since college.  With 2 days off work it was the perfect excuse to jet back west for the 4 day weekend.  It has always been one of my favorite holidays, summer is at it’s peak but there’s still so much more to come, any excuse to be by the pool, parades, fireworks, just perfect.  This year was no exception.  I spent 5 blissful days at home, enjoying my favorite parts of Napa Valley living:  leisurely walks into town for breakfast and coffee, farmers markets, neighborhood pig roast and fireworks, pool time, outdoor grilling, wine tasting, as well as some new experiences including a cruise around Lake Barryessa on my brother’s “pleasure cruiser” and Sunday night bocce in St. Helena, THE social institution of the summer.  I had so much fun I just booked another trip for Labor Day….getting closer to living my dream of a bi-coastal lifestyle!