Our Moss Beach walk

We've been having some lovely weather here on the coast side, and we've been taking walks to enjoy it.

Here are some of the things we've seen along the way:

Gorgeous golden Angel's Trumpet bloom - sadly, not ours!

The flag, flying high at the Pt. Montara light house.  We've adopted the light house, and have provided the last two American flags.  We go there often, so we always know when it's time for a replacement

Halloween decorations at the Point Montara Youth Hostel - they do a great job of decorating for Halloween

All of the pumpkin "noses" are pieces of drift wood

We noticed the huge line of vans and trucks parked in Moss Beach on the frontage road, across from the Post Office.  We had to go and find out what was going on!  Turns out it's a filming crew!  They are making a film about Maverick's surfing, and were filming near the Montara state beach.  We chatted with several of the members of the crew.  They will be filming for the next couple of weeks, and will set up for the duration near HMB state beach.  I guess that we may have to see that movie!

Okay, under the heading of "the little things in life" - we noticed this tiny soap bubble, perched on the hairs of the African violet which is in the kitchen on a shelf over the sink!  Evidently the bubble is from the liquid dish washing soap.  It's been sitting there for over half an hour now!  What a hoot!

Healdsburg with Jim...

Jim had a week of vacation, so we rented a vacation cottage in Healdsburg!  Healdsburg is in Sonoma county, in the heart of the wine country there.
Healdsburg is a cute little town, with a great town square.  Lots of shops and restaurants, too.
It was rainy when we left on Monday, but the weather got progressively better as the week went on, and by Thursday it was in the high 80's, with lovely warm temps in the evening.

We visited several wineries and toured the Russian River, Dry Creek and Alexander Valley.  Leaves were turning, and despite the warm weather, you can tell that fall is firmly here.  Many of the vineyards were still harvesting their grapes, and the rain was causing concern.

Jim had seen an episode of "Drive-ins, Diners and Dives", which talked about a restaurant in Geyserville, called Catelli's.  It's right on the main drive and has been there for quite some time.  We had dinner there on Tuesday night, and it was so good that we went back on Thursday!

We also visited Lake Sonoma.  I had never been there, but I remember when the dam was built and the lake created, back in the 70's.  It was totally beautiful up there, and it's a really large lake as well.

We also went to the Sonoma coast, via Hwy 12.  We stopped at Occidental and had a wander around there, then went to Bodega Bay.   We followed Hwy 1 up to Jenner by the Sea, then took Hwy 116 back through Guerneville, and to River Road, where we stopped at the Hop Kiln Winery.  It's a fascinating building, and one of only 3 hop kilns left in the Sonoma county area.

We had lots of picnics, made use of the bar-b-que at the cottage, and just totally relaxed during the trip.  

Sadly, all good things come to an end, and Friday we headed home.  Jim left on Saturday morning, and now we are all back to reality!

Thanks, Jim and Rex, for a great week in Sonoma County!

Healdsburg's town square

Lee discovered this Redwood tree, which was growing over the curb and into the street, when he was walking Rex.  Plants are amazing!!

Fall color!  The trees were turning at Lambert Bridge winery

The winery grounds were beautiful!  Their wine was good, too, and they didn't mind Rex joining us in the tasting room.  In fact, there were two dogs in residence - a St. Bernard and a golden retriever

Our picnic lunch at the Raymond Burr Winery - yes, THE Raymond Burr!

Zinfandel grapes, waiting to be harvested

Visiting Geyser Peak Winery

Jim and Rex

Geyser Peak was NOT pet friendly, so Rex and I waited outside.  Note the "No Pets Allowed" sign on the door.  Rex did not appreciate it

Wine futures!

Lake Sonoma

The marina at Lake Sonoma

There is an amazing multi-level observation deck overlooking the lake

The Dry Creek Valley

We read about the Jimtown store online - it's a popular stop for bicyclists.

These pictures are of the inside of Jimtown, which is located in the Alexander Valley

Another picnic site - the Hanna Winery

This is a unique way to tour the wine country!

Setting up our picnic!

The people enjoying the wine countries by wagon also enjoyed a gourmet lunch!

 "The Wine Carriage"

Occidental

We got a kick out of this railroad engine

Bodega

The church at Bodega

The school house at Bodega which is now a private residence.  Anyone see Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds"?  Part of the movie was filmed at the school house.

Bodega Bay

Nalle Winery and their above ground wine cellar

Our last stop before bidding good-bye to Sonoma county

Grapevines - autumn colors

Salute to the wine country!!  What a wonderful trip!!

Thanks, Jim and Rex!  Where shall we go next year??

New York City...

Wednesday, October 5th, was a very special day!  In addition to Donna's birthday, we were going to New York City to see Wicked!!  How amazing is that!!?

Donna, Lee and I drove over to April's, and April drove us to the harbor in New Jersey.  From there we took the ferry, and then a bus into the Theater District.  It was perfect!!  NO driving or parking in NYC!!

You will see from the pictures that it was a beautiful, glorious day in NYC, with a slight breeze.  We hadn't been to NYC in a number of years and we LOVED being back!  There is no place on earth quite like it - the energy in the streets in palpable.  And it has nothing to do with the amazing neon that is everywhere!  NYC is a vertical city - lots and lots of tall buildings and neon signs, so you are almost always looking up.

We walked from the bus stop to the theater, and found a deli where we had lunch before the 2:00 pm performance.

We had excellent seats for Wicked!!  And it was just totally, mind-blowingly fantastic!!  We all just loved it!!  The sets, the costuming, the special effects, the music, all of it, was amazing!  We won't soon forget it!  Thank you, Donna, for a very special anniversary gift!!

After the play we had a bit of a wander around the city.  We visited the Hershey store and the M&M store - those are both new since we were there last.  Finally, we boarded the bus which took us to the ferry, and then back to the car.

We had dinner at the Chart House on the New Jersey side of the Hudson River, looking across at the NYC skyline.  We watched as the sun set and the lights came on across the water.  It was magical!

Dinner was fantastic!  It was such a perfect end to a beautiful day.  And I'm sure it's a birthday that Donna won't soon forget - I know we won't!!

And, since all good things must come to an end, tomorrow it's time to make the journey home - fingers crossed for smooth travels and empty seats!

New York City on a beautiful Wednesday!
 

Some of the street scene
 

People dressed in costume were on the street.  For a small donation, you could have your picture taken with them
 

Pluto, Elmo and Pooh, waiting for customers!
 

Well, of course we had our picture taken with Minnie!  We're good tourists!!
 

The Chrysler Building
 

April, Pat and the Birthday Girl!!
 

April, Lee and Donna
 

Radio City Music Hall!  Someday........
 

Not sure what the blue lips were all about, but they sure got your attention!!

 

After lunch, before the theater
 

The Theater District
 

More street scene
 

Wicked!!
 

This is an electronic billboard, located outside of the M&M store!
 

Inside the M&M store - all things M&M!!
 

Oh, yes - the economy!  There's live information of what's happening with the stock market!
 

The Hershey store!  Smells GREAT in there!!
 

More NYC advertising
 

The New York City skyline as sun begins to set, taken from the Chart House.

How lucky are we???