Our week in Petaluma brought more wonderful adventures. Early in our stay we drove back south to San Francisco and went to Muir Woods on the recommendation of friends and our daughter. The drive took us once again on a twisty, winding road which, again, was well worth it. We walked for about 2 1/2 hours through the gorgeous redwoods. Fern Creek babbles through the Woods; at one point along the trail there is a bridge that is actually built on a fallen giant tree.
We took advantage of being in the middle of the California wine country! One day we drove to Sonoma and were particularly interested in the Jacuzzi winery and its history. Another day we drove to Napa where the vineyards cover every hill, visited the Robert Mondavi vineyards and tasting room, and ate outside at a wonderful burger joint called Taylor's Refresher. The drive home took us on yet another twisting road, probably the narrowest, most winding yet!
We got to see another stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway, along the Sonoma Coast. The dogs went with us on this drive, and enjoyed a walk at a park way up high overlooking the ocean. I don't think they appreciated the view like we did!
Mike had a special treat when he found out that the SCCA was holding a Regional Race at nearby Infineon Raceway. It was Sears Point when we were here 30 years ago with our friends Tom and Laurie Mankin!
While we were still in Petaluma, Mia celebrated her fourth birthday! We got to talk to her, quite briefly; after all, she's only 4! Her other grandmother was visiting from St. Louis, and I know they had fun together.
Imagine looking out the windows of your RV and seeing the massive trunks of Coast Redwoods! We are now staying in the most beautiful campground, about 250 miles north of San Francisco, and very near the coast. The nearby tiny town is Trinidad, and is on the bay; we are a few miles north of Trinidad. Today, April 1, we took a short drive north, stopping at a national park information center--really interesting facts about the trees, the devastating logging that took place until the 1960's, and the Native Americans who lived here. We then took a 2 mile walk through the Lady Bird Johnson Grove of old growth Coast Redwoods. So spectacular! Ferns, trillium (3-petal shade-loving flowers), moss-covered fallen treetrunks, trees so tall you can't see the tops, trees so massive their diameter is greater than Mike is tall! See our pictures at
http://picasaweb.google.com/TxMike3
We hope to see more of the Redwood National Park, the nearby lagoons and beaches, and find a grocery store where a package of sandwich cheese is less than $6.00!
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