Are you planning to specialize in bread-baking?

haha! I think its culinary/pastry.

sf7307~not sure if you'll see this, but I had a nice slice of the #2 recipe of challah with my steak tonight. Having little or no experience baking outside of the cookie, I am very happy with myself right now. I bet culinary school will kick my tushie. I don't know much, so it will be a big learning experience.

If you do end up in St. Helena, let me know -- I live in the Bay Area.

Waiting on the affirmative from them. I'll holler....I don't know if you saw my other post about not sure what to do with regards to my life, and the decision is a big REAL one. The Vermont school accepted me, but its private FOR PROFIT. The CIA is non profit and is the school the US military uses for training. blah blah..anyway, I'll get back with you. I'm not guaranteed, but basically they still had spots open for class. If I don't get in, I'll be working at McDonalds as a cook. not a bad gig these days.

If you need to rent something consider Napa - 18 miles south. Much less expensive. It is beautiful in Napa Valley - your dog will love it too.

Keep us posted!! Did you say they have apartments or is it dorm rooms? Santa Rosa is less expensive but I checked mapquest and it is 44 miles from St Helena. Didn't think it was that far.

If you go west on Spring Mountain Rd. from St. Helena, it becomes Santa Rosa (and turns into St. Helena Rd.) at the Sonoma/Napa border, which is just 10 miles or so.

Kailani - That sounds a lot shorter. We have always taken the road through Calistoga - maybe because of the location we started from in Santa Rosa.

St. Helena Rd. is a winding mountain road, so the road through Calistoga is probably an easier drive. The mountain area has a Santa Rosa address even though it's quite far from the city.

There are lots of wineries there as well as old rural ranches, community living situations and cabins.

GREAT~ Thank you! I'll be back when I hear either way.

I would never want to drive St. Helena Rd over to Santa Rosa
on a daily basis. Other then being a windy mountain road,
it can get really foggy at night.
It would be sooooo much easier to rent something
in the town of Napa, IMHO.

Good Luck to you GypsyMaiden !

R5