When we travel, we’re seeking experiences, moments and sights along the way. Our boondocking stopover at 4e Winery via Harvest Hosts more than exceeded expectations. Set in the middle of farm fields in eastern North Dakota, 4e Winery feels many miles off the beaten path. But, it’s just a couple of minutes off the interstate.
We’re en route back to our home state of Michigan after a photo project in Montana (another blog coming soon). After a long days drive, 4e Winery is easy to park our camper in a wide open field, set up and head to the wine tasting.
The Welcoming Boondocking Experience at 4e Winery
Even before we arrived, Lisa reached out that morning with a warm welcome message. From the minute we drove in, Lisa’s warm greeting and direction for parking started the experience. With parking choices close to the farmhouse or in the field near the back gardens, there wasn’t a bad choice. As we enjoy big open spaces and skies, it was an easy decision!
After setting up our NuCamp Tab 400 Boondock (aka Sheen’s Bean), we strolled by vegetable gardens, flower gardens filled with a colorful array of zinnias, sunflowers and rows of grapes.
With camera in hand, I couldn’t resist capturing the vibrant late summer colors and light surrounding 4e Winery along the way. When we walked onto the patio, the late afternoon golden light and gentle breeze added to the already calm ambience.
Sitting under big shade trees, Lisa shared their history of the vineyard and their experiences as Harvest Hosts. The common thread is that both hosts and those passing through take away new friendships and connections with others.
Yes, we absolutely agree. When we’re boondocking with Harvest Hosts, it’s both an adventure and learning experience.
More than Wine!
Lisa and Greg’s skills cover more than delicious wines. The culinary experience was off the charts delightful. The house made salsa was refreshingly tangy and spicy. Additionally, their Bahn Mi Chay house made baguette sandwich? Holy smokes, one of my favorite sandwiches ever. Filled with plant based “chick’n”, pickled vegetables, jalapeño and drizzled with cilantro and sriracha aioli, it was sensory heaven!
The other good news? Greg has his own culinary you tube channel, The Pot Thickens. I now follow and highly recommend. Easy to create recipes and tips. Plus, the sandwich above is within reach since it’s on his The Pot Thickens Channel.
Outside of the scrumptious food, the wines here are quite enjoyable. My husband prefers red wines and his flight included two dry wines and one semi-sweet. The result? Our favorite is the Marquette, a dry wine that is soft on the pallet and very smooth. With a couple of bottles packed, we’ll toast our travels when we’re back home.
Calling it a Day
As I write this travel blog, I don’t hear traffic. Instead I hear crickets. Not the crickets in meetings where people don’t speak up. Real crickets. And the sound is peaceful. A train passes by distance.
Outside, sunset gave us a beautiful show with dotted clouds shifting to soft wisps as the colors faded into nightfall.
Before calling it a night, Dave and I talked about how grateful we are for the experiences and amazing people we meet along the way. The philosophy that’s the cornerstone of 4e Winery’s foundation are the earth’s four elements: Earth ~ Fire ~ Water ~ Air. Hence the name 4e.
Each of the elements was visible in our experience. The wide open colorful prairies, the sun and ever-changing sunset, the refreshing wines and the wide open fresh air with a gentle breeze. Boondocking in their open fields rewarded us with bright stars overhead.
Stopping to breathe? No reminders necessary.
For other travels:
4 comments
I very much enjoy reading about your travels and caught your display in Northport when I was up last weekend. Nice collection as I expected!
Hi Doug! Thank you so much re: the blog and the collection – glad you made it to the show. I went today now that we’re back for a bit. So many wonderful images by many local artists. I think you should participate next year!!
Thank you so much for the beautifuls photos and kind words. You captured our little piece of the prairie perfectly, and you totally nailed the shot of the straw bales that I’ve been contemplating for weeks! We love to share our special place with special people, and are thankful to have met you guys. I look forward to following you, and invite you back to 4e Winery any time!
You’re so welcome and thank you! Glad you like the images and the straw bales. I just had to go back and photograph them after our conversation. Have a great week and until our next visit – we’ll keep in touch/follows for sure.
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