There's wine tasting, displays by local artists, and free chocolates. We were originally going to do the wine tasting as well as partaking of the free chocolates, but as we were walking up there, we decided it might be better (and more fun and relaxing) to just sit somewhere and have one nice glass of wine, rather than having to wander around from place to place to get a wee, one ounce pour, and then have to carry the glass home. Besides, it was ten bucks for eight tastes, and really that seemed a bit stiff.

The downtown area really is getting pretty nice. The Carlton Hotel is finally open for business, and while I can't imagine anyone paying almost $200.00 per night to stay in Atascadero, it's nice that the building is no longer just another abandoned building. They've also added some fancy urns, bump-outs, and landscaping, and while it's all very pretty, it makes the street seem more congested, and really seemed like a waste of money to me. But, what do I know, right? I just live here. And pay taxes.

Erm, anyway. It was a nice day - the weather cooperated, and provided sunshine and blue skies - the chocolates were delicious (and free!), and it was rather fun to wander through some of the new stores: The ARTery (Not really new, but in a bigger, better location.), Blue Bourbon (In Atascadero? Why? I give it six months.), and Sweet Memories, the candy store where we picked up a small bag of salt water taffy, and I discovered a treat I hadn't had since I was a kid: candy cigarettes!

They actually had a lot of "vintage" candies, as well as sodas in glass bottles. I didn't know they even still put soda in glass bottles, but there you go.

After we'd wandered around, and seen all we wanted to see (and tried all the chocolate possible), Mom and I decided to check out the new Carlton Hotel, and have our glass of wine in the the lounge.

It's a really nice place - they did a great job on the reconstruction and decorating. They were giving tours of some of their rooms and suites, but I just couldn't make myself go. Just didn't feel like seeing how the other have lives.

I did get to experience how the other half drinks, however, as the bar tab for two glasses of house Chardonnay came to $16.00! Holy cow! I can buy two whole bottles of wine for that price. Ouch! Well, it was a treat, and we kinda figured it'd be a bit pricey, but still. Sixteen-freakin'-bucks. Yeah.