Getaway to Lake Chelan, wine tasting with wino friends, and the first official barbecue of the season; the weekend was as close to a ten as it could get. We had the trip planned for quite some time, but accommodations fell through at the last minute. I spent hours trying to find a replacement – a place with a kitchen, a deck, a view of the lake, and a barbecue grill. I was ready to give up, cancel the trip, and stay home, but hearts were set. One last look and I found the perfect spot, a two-bedroom abode with fireplace, 200 square foot deck, shared pool, and hot tub, all at a price that our bank account could live with.

We left work early, but two hours after the first carload headed east. My husband insisted on driving the whole way so I, bored easily, played with my iPhone, sang karaoke-style to the songs blasting from my iPod, and struck up a new conversation every 20 minutes or so. I was hungry by the time we hit Cle Elum so we stopped at Dairy Queen for ice cream and chicken strips. My body yearned for vegetables, but deep-fried protein was all it would get for now.

We arrived in Chelan at the tail end of dinner. Our three friends had already broken in the grill with a filet of salmon and roasted vegetables. Still hungry and craving produce, I ate up the last few bites of food. Wine drinking, popcorn eating, and board gaming soon followed.

The next morning I whipped up a batch of whole wheat drop biscuits and my husband cracked and scrambled eggs alongside sizzling bacon. We brewed green tea and ate plump red grapes. We (I mean, the girls) laid yoga mats on the sprawling deck and met the sun with salutations. It was a glorious morning.

The five of us squished into one car and headed to the north side of the lake in search of a tasting room. Driving past Wapato Point Cellars we got lost and started following signs for Chelan’gra La Winery. We accepted the fate of our wild goose chase when we discovered an old, empty-looking house with a large sign boasting “Winery” and quickly turned back around. Tildio Winery was the first official stop of our wine tasting afternoon. Cross your fingers that Anton is pouring if you decide to go. Knowledgeable, witty, passionate – his connection was a definite highlight.

We hit up six wineries that afternoon – Hard Row to Hoe (burlesque-style tasting room), Wapato Point Cellars (including the classy Winemaker’s Grill), Benson Vineyards (delightful family and beautiful old vines), Lake Chelan Winery (we signed up for their wine club), and Vin du Lac (delicious French onion soup).

By the time we finished sipping and swirling, we were ready for some grilled red meat.

My grill master husband made a spicy dry rub for Chris and Renee’s New York Strip, Lisa’s chicken breast, and our cheapo Safeway cuts of Bottom Round. When the stainless steel propane apparatus was hot enough, he threw the five pieces of meat on the rack, monitoring closely to achieve the perfect doneness.

I was ok with our inexpensive cut of beef… until I saw Renee cut into her New York Strip from A & J Meats and Seafood on Queen Anne.

I think she saw me drooling over her piece of steak so she offered up a bite and I eagerly accepted. It melted in my mouth; the dry spicy rub complementing the tenderness of the meat. I was in heaven. At the same time, I was sad. I went back to my steak and cut a thin, fatty piece. There was no flavor, just dry spicy rub. It was uninspired, lackluster, and old. I wanted more wine. I needed it to wash away the blah steak.

Overall, the weekend was exactly what I had hoped for, minus the beef. Would it be possible to have a do-over on the first official barbecue of the season?