Sonoma style

Another weekend Steve didn't have to work, another chance to go exploring (have I mentioned how brutal his schedule has been? Well, that's a post unto itself - coming soon, lucky you!). We had heard about Bodega Bay for ages as a gorgeous spot, so Saturday morning we hit 101 North to hike at Bodega Head. The drive was beautiful (though we couldn't even see the bridge's towers as we crossed because of the fog) up through Marin and then across rolling farmland in Sonoma to the coast. We got a bit lost, but it's a pretty place for that to happen. Eventually, we found Bodega Head and hitched on the backpack.

The trail followed the coast line, with dramatic drops to the ocean, wildflowers, and an island of loud sea lions. We even saw two whales just off the coast. It turned out to be a pretty short, but very pretty, hike.

There was serious marine layer when we got there, but by the time we finished our picnic, it was starting to clear up so we headed down to the little cove. But not before Grace decided that she didn't need to hold our hands as we looked over the bluffs. Her new thing is to let go and fling your hand away... very scary when she's dashing for a cliff (or darting in front of someone's cart at Costco).

After lunch and the beach, we headed over to Santa Rosa to see Nat, Chris and Gavin. Chris barbecued some killer chicken and corn on the cob - ahhh, summer. Grace had fun playing with a real live dog, the very patient Pinot, and Steve and I had fun admiring little Gavin and hanging out with some of our favorite people. Rest of the pix here.

Tonight - "family dinner" with Emm and her parents. Yay! Have I mentioned how exciting it is to be surrounded by all these people we've missed for so many years?!