The iPhone 4S is a huge step up from the 3GS in so many ways. It seems like a radically different device. The “Retina” display is shockingly sharp and so much easier on the eyes when reading an email or scanning a web site. The 4S (naturally) performs much, much better as well. I was pleasantly surprised to see “Grand Theft Auto 3” had been ported to the iPhone. If you can play games like this on your phone, why does anyone need an Xbox?

Siri is more useful than I expected. I find myself using Siri to get the weather, set timers, reminders, and appointments far more than anything else. For all of these actions, the speakable interface via Siri is faster than bonking around through a bunch of screens and forms to do the same task. If I drove more I’m sure the voice dialing and SMS features would be useful too.

None of this is new information to anyone who pays attention to iPhones. But maybe the interesting thing is that I chose to downgrade to a 16GB iPhone from a 32GB. I chose the large storage capacity for my 3GS because I liked the idea of carrying all of my music with me. In reality though, I’m rarely someplace where I can’t get to a particular song if I want it. I’m usually at home, or at my office where I’m on WiFi. Thanks to iTunes Match I can easily duplicate my iTunes library across all computers I use, or I can just download a song to my phone if I really need to and I’m away from my computer.

Also, my 3GS still exists. It did not evaporate the moment I bought a new iPhone. And since it exists I can use it as an iPod whenever I need all of my music.

Using an old iPhone as an iPod

The helpful fellow at the Apple Store recommended that I remove the SIM card from my old iPhone if I want to use it as an iPod. This is wrong, wrong, wrong. Unlike an iPod, an iPhone requires a SIM card (activated or not) in order for software restores and updates to run. If you yank out the SIM card, the phone will work – but if you need to do a restore or update the software it will go ‘bonk’.

I simply keep the old phone in “airplane mode” with WiFi enabled. I’ve rearranged all the home screen icons so that the phone-y bits are all tucked away in their own folder where they won’t get poked at by accident.

I found this in my junk mail. How did they know my secret identity? Uncanny.

Use Bowl™’s natural bowl-like curvature to amplify the sound from your iPhone or iPod Touch without batteries or an external power supply.

iPhone in a bowl

Do you want to listen to the dulcet tones of John Gruber while relaxing in the tub?
iPhone in a bowl.

On the deck

Sipping wine on the porch while listening to NPR streaming over the internet?
iPhone in a bowl.

At a party

Hosting a small, intimite dinner party? Want to play some smooth jazz while entertaining your guests?
iPhone in a bowl.

What’s iPhone in a bowl?

• iPhone in a bowl is green1
• iPhone in a bowl is portable
• iPhone in a bowl is available in many colors
• iPhone in a bowl is already in your own home
• Best of all it’s free!2

iPhone in a bowl is available for:

1. iPhone 4
2. iPhone 3GS and iPhone 3G
3. Original iPhone
4. iPod Touch

iPhone in a bowl is not available for Android3

Cheap red wine in a cheap plastic cup

Tending the campfire

Sunset

Sundown

Hot dogs, campfires, cheap wine, and free parking.

Gmail responded with the following:

I LOL’ed.

You cash those handsome checks you handsome man.

Nice wine in a nice tub

Small reading nook in our room

The Inn at Woodhaven Farm is a lovely renovated, farm house on 1 and a half acres of land in the middle of a historic district walking distance from downtown Walla Walla. The rooms have big bathrooms with claw-foot bathtubs and comfy, big beds. The two sisters who run the hotel leave cookies outside your room and deliver coffee to your door promptly at 7am. They make an outstanding breakfast.

Sun Dappled Barn

Vino

There are over 180 wineries in or nearby Walla Walla. Many tasting rooms are downtown. We visited three: Tru Cellars, Sinclair Estate Vineyards, and Dusted Valley.

Tru Cellars primarily specializes in sparkling wine created with actual (stamped, approved) barrels from the Champagne region. The owner, operator, janitor, and master of ceremonies was there in the tasting room to over-pour our samples, chat us up, and show us a good time. His Blanc de Blanc was one of the best sparkling wines I’ve tried.

Sinclair Estate Vineyards had an over decorated tasting room with impersonal and showy artwork. Life sized creepy bronze clowns are creepy. Their sad eyes don’t fool me. They’re monsters. Some other tourists allowed their child to bang on the piano in the lobby mercilessly. However, their wines – all reds and red blends – are very good.

Dusted Valley is a small two family operation. Their main tasting room is operated out of one family’s garage. We met Corey in the garage tasting room. He told us stories and answered my dumb questions over a generous tasting flight. Dusted Valley makes blended wines and some varietals – we bought a bottle of their special Cabernet Sauvignon for a special occasion.

Eating well in Walla Walla

We ate lunch twice at small, casual café / market called “Olive”. They serve local wines by the glass, have a few beers on tap, and make some very good pizza with a thin, crackling crust. Olive gets a mix of tourists, families, and college kids hanging out. The dining room is surprisingly huge but the service is fast and the setting is laid back and casual.

Would you like a crazy straw with that, sir?

For dinner on our first night in town, we splurged and ate at the Marc, in the Marcus Whitman Hotel. We had a lovely dinner with wine and cocktails. After dinner I ordered a limoncello. I think this through the staff for a loop. Walla Walla is wine country, so they don’t get much call for your fancy Eye-talian liqueurs. After the bartender hunted around for a bit, the waiter brought back a sturdy four-fingerd pour of limoncello. Skoal!.

On our last night in town we had dinner at Saffron where I enjoyed the very best octopus I’ve ever had.

We’re looking forward to another trip.

One tablespoon of raspberry syrup (preferably made the night before for your wife’s dessert), 2 ounces lime juice, 2 ounces of vodka, over ice, fill with soda water and stir. Sip while in sunshine