Garden Ramblings: 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.