June found us at Lavender Crest again — this time as a staging night before bigger miles toward Michigan wine country and the Grapes and Grains rally orbit. Colona worked like a exhale before the inhale of caravan energy.
We knew the menu, still ordered too much. We knew the parking, still backed in like pros — Doug’s word, Marla’s eyeroll. Familiar Hosts before unfamiliar schedules feel like a lucky shirt: irrational, effective.
Sunset over vines, checklist for tomorrow, early bed with anticipation humming. The Pendleton was ready; so were we.
Silver Trekker verdict: Pre-rally staging perfection. Lavender Crest twice in one season is policy, not accident.
