A Memory by Linda J. Leonard

A Memory by Linda J. Leonard

The year was 1989 and my husband and I were relative newcomers to Napa, although his family has lived here for three generations. As was often the case, his aged mom didn't know what to give us for Christmas. At that time, there was much "buzz" about the Wine Train and the attendant 'locals' opposition. I suggested she give us tickets for a dinner trip, and we could see what the 'hoopla' was all about. We excitedly booked for the New Year's Gala dinner trip, and as a duo, were placed in a car with a group of celebrating guests who all knew each other. We joined in the frivolity and at some point, I believe it was the return trip (hard to remember through my personal "fog" of the evening!), the train stopped unexpectedly. It seems that due to the unusually cold weather, the pipes had frozen on the train so there was no heat, and of greater consequence, no flushing of the commodes. No one was troubled in the least by this minor inconvenience and the party continued until we eventually arrived back at the warm and welcoming station. A New Year's Eve never to be forgotten!