Looking north towards the Mayacamas Mountains! I last came here four years ago with my friend Christine. This time, it was hot, dry and slightly breezy. Last winter the area received record rains which created a lot of serious flooding. The Meadow Lark Field Pink grass!!! […]
All posts tagged: California Road trip
Happy Friday from Christine’s Flower Garden!
Another one of my favorite things “to do” when I visit friends in Northern California is getting a tour of Christine’s flower garden by Christine herself. We’ve been friends for nearly three decades, and despite not getting to see her very often, our friendship has […]
California Road Trip 2019 … Hiking Howarth Park … Again!
Santa Rosa’s Howarth Park is popular with many of the locals. The hiking trails around Lake Ralphine connect to Spring Lake, another favorite local spot to enjoy the outdoors. When we lived here, we spent lots of time at both of these parks. Every […]
Zunday Zen … Monday … Monday!
tranquil Lake Ralphine’s sweet Monday morning magic to start the week right One of my favorite spots to visit in Sonoma County is Howarth Park. it’s located in the southeast part of Santa Rosa, right on Summerfield Road. One of its draws […]
Up Close & Personal … The American Dipper
For Sandi! That same afternoon where I listend to Daniel’s fabulous cello music in Lithia Park, I had another unexpected encounter along one of the walking paths. Strolling south along Ashland Creek, I crossed the creek on one of the wooden bridges. Just past the […]
Street Musicians around the World … Cellist Daniel at Lithia Park
Day One of this year’s California Road Trip took me all the way to Ashland, a small town near the California border. When I arrived, I parked my car, checked into the hotel and headed straight for my favorite place in this city: Lithia Park. It’s […]
Meditation in Moment … Earth Day
Phoenix Rising from the Ashes, Sonoma County Fair 2018 Sunday night, October 8, 2017, I went to bed excited because the next morning I was going to leave for my annual road trip to California. I had packed my car and was ready. This trip […]
California Road Trip 2018 … Tales of Gravensteins, the West County and a Political Babe
Sonoma County is a unique place. On the westside, Highway 12 and Occidental Road run parallel to each other between Santa Rosa and Sebastopol, with peaceful countryside in between the two roads: grassy pastures dotted with gnarly old oaks and grazing cattle, egrets and herons […]
California Road Trip 2018 … Hiking Howarth Park
One morning during my visit to Santa Rosa I met my friend Trish for breakfast at the East West Restaurant across from Howarth Park. I remember when they were located at the corner of Sonoma Avenue and Farmers Lane. The menu hasn’t changed much since […]
California Road Trip 2018 … “Good Grief Charlie Brown”, Part 2
Snoopy’s Home Ice has a bit of an alpine chalet look. The flower boxes remind me of Europe! The area around the entrance. Come on in! Welcome to Santa Rosa! Welcome to Snoopy’s Home Ice! I spent many an afternoon watching our boys learn to […]
California Road Trip 2018 … On the Wing in Bodega Bay
graceful great egret coasting on a summer breeze briny shallows below. Bodega Bay, Bodega Head, Doran Beach and numerous hiking trails in the area make for great bird watching! Especially if you can make it out there during the week when there’s not as much traffic. […]
California Road Trip 2018 … Getting there!
On my way to California this July, I spent the first night in Ashland. This small town is about halfway point between Portland and Santa Rosa. The entire distance is around 650 miles, one way. While it’s possible to drive it all in one day, […]
Zunday Zen … Bluebirds at Sunset
“Want to look for bluebirds at sunset?” How could I resist? Meandering along a trail, through endless meadows … Golden Hour’s magic in plain sight. Just behind the bend, a Townsend’s Solitaire appears. Quietly, we approach. Off he goes … and so do we … […]
in cahoots with muddy boots 