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Not your daily grind: escape wine-country crowds at Bale Grist Mill Park - Travel - Brief Article

Deborah Claymon

If you're looking for respite from the steady wine-country tourist traffic on State 29 through Napa County, head up a winding drive shaded by moss-covered trees and you'll enter a historical oasis. At Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park, it's easy to imagine an era when neighbors shared news while the miller made flour from their grain.

In its heyday, mills like the Bale Mill were more than a place of business. They were community gathering spots where farmers brought their grain (called grist) and stayed to exchange news and gossip. The Bale Mill granary, as one of the largest buildings around, also served as an ideal spot for meetings and social gatherings--even dances.

These days the park is still a great place to relax with a picnic in the shade. On weekends, you can witness the mill in operation; the waterwheel provides a never-ending display of splashes in the sunlight. On tours, docents tell the story of milling, and they sell fresh organic whole-wheat flour, rye flour, and cornmeal--a welcome change from store-bought products.

Continuing your adventure, follow the History Trail on its 1-mile loop through woods to a pioneer cemetery that is part of the adjacent BotheNapa Valley State Park. Or take a more mellow, short dirt path to the old mill pond..

RELATED ARTICLE: Where and when to mill around

Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park is 3 miles north of St. Helena on State 29 in Napa County. Open 10-5 daily; tours 11:30, 1, 2:30, and 3:30 Sat-Sun and some holidays. (707) 942-4575.

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