A fulfilling journey to the coast. Saturday morn we traveled to Santa Rosa to swoop up E'lora and Cora to join us for a tour of Sturgeon's Mill, an old steam powered lumber mill in the redwoods near Sebastapol. Old slow labor intensive technology preserved by a wonderful group of volunteers. Cora headed to work, Colin and Trevor joined us to eat Japanese at Sushi Hana. As the sun set, we froliced in Ives Park while Trevor strummed his guitar. We parked the camper for the night across the street from Colin's bakery, Wild Flour, in Freestone.
Sunday morning, E'lora and Cora joined us for our bakery visit. The garden there is always inspiring. We drove to nearby Salmon Creek School to wander their redwood forest trail. We also enjoyed the creek overlook, flourishing school garden, and fun-filled playground. In Bodega Bay we visited the farmer's market. The nearby children's bell memorial was tender. We checked out Bodega Dunes and Wright's Beach for campgrounds. We drove back to the bakery as Cora needed to get ready for work again.
Fred and I parked at Miwok Beach to eat lunch and watch the surfers. We strolled the beach for a couple of hours after a nice little afternoon nap. Up Coleman Valley Road about a mile to park for the night.
Monday morning we went back to Bodega Bay for provisions. Wright's Beach is our camp spot for this night. A bluff trail begins here toward Goat Beach. Colin, Cora, E'lora and Raj arrived in the early afternoon. A tasty lunch after a hike, then relaxing in the sun and sand watching the waves. E'lora likes rocks, we sort them into piles of tiny and little... She is learning not to throw sand. The kids gave me Home Dairy. I am tickled to try new things now that I'm not teaching. I'll scout for a local source of excess milk. We all lay down with books at about 8, time for the baby to go night night. Our camper reading lights by our pillows are perfect for nightime reading.
Tuesday morning we explored Shell Beach while I baked peach cobbler for Trevor's birthday. This is a stunning coast view setting! E'lora was fascinated by her shadow on the trail. She spies all flowers and describes them by color. She's talking all the time. When you understand her point, she shakes her head and says, "Ya, Ya, Ya..." (short a sound). Her eagerness to communicate is amazing. I especially love the message she sends when she rests her head gently on my shoulder, and when she cried broken-heartedly "Gampa, Gamma" as she was strapped in her carseat in her car and we got in the truck. It was naptime. On to the taco truck in Guernville for lunch and PeeWee golf. E'lora toddled about on the course for we were the only ones there! It was a great round.
My cup overflows with the joy of being with my kids. My heart is renewed in nature's beauty and grandeur. Many blessings to count each day. For example, the truck got almost 15 miles per gallon on this trip! Fred credits the new air filter, I credit the light load. I love our little nest on the road. I had time to read The Tao of Willie cover to cover before passing it on to Trev. I felt so good after my shower Monday morn. Meals are especially satisfying prepared in the camper. Travel was good even though we left at quitting time.
Hot soup and a Woody Allen movie, Melinda and Melinda, or some name like that, ended the eve. The hot tub was nice and hot for Fred. I slept great back in my own bed at home.
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