Economically Stimulated

I did what the President asked.

I spent part of my economic stimulus check for an anniversary trip to Napa over the Memorial Day weekend.

It was a relaxing two-days traveling up and down the Napa Valley, dropping by some familiar vineyards while trying out a number of new ones.

Some tasting and a little buying to add to our small but impressive wine collection.

I'm not in the income bracket to purchase "cases" of wine, however my wife Lori and I still managed to snag a couple bottles here and there and enjoy a couple fantastic meals.

From Turnbull to Rubicon, to Regusci and Frank Family, we stopped by nearly 20 wineries to see what they had to offer that was only available on site.

**Disclaimer: We didn't sample at every place we visited**

It became apparent to me that many other people were doing the same thing, just a little differently.

A constant parade of BMW's rolled up and down Highway 29 from Yountville to Calistoga, filled with wine aficionados who were sampling and purchasing some of Napa's finest.

Only I don't think they were feeling any "stimulus" about helping the economy.

I struck up conversations with a couple of people at each winery.

The usual information, where are you from, what are you doing here, etc, etc...

It always ended with a joke about the economic stimulus check funding our trip and all but one couple responded with a blank stare.

These were people who weren't feeling the pinch of a slumping economy or at least they were hiding it very well.

A couple from the Midwest were the only one's who picked up on my stimulus satire and said they had used part of their kickback for a plane ticket on their anniversary.

Due to airline regulations, part of their cash was also being spent on shipping fees to get their vino back home.

I don't usually throw money around under any circumstance, and on this trip I was keeping a close eye on the running total at all times.

As we waited for our table on Sunday night, some high rollers stumbled into the restaurant, still reeling from a day of wine tasting.

I recognized the leader of the group from one of the wineries we visited earlier in the day.

He gave me the blank, brush off stare during my failed attempt at small talk.

Dapper Dan (as I'll call him) had no reservation, and was poorly attempting to slip the hostess a little cash to get his party seated in front of the pack of 12 hungry diners in front of him.

It was only then I realized that "he" was in need of a little stimulation.

Dan was trying to grease the gal with a $5 bill.

He's either in the same boat as the rest of us or just cheap.