This is camping!

We're here Gramma...

All for two days

A granddog is mandatory

As is roasting fresh Tomales Bay oysters & hotdogs

To chew or not to chew...when eating your first oyster!

Water & sand go together for an 'almost' 6 year old

Our family eats very well...

We, on the contrary, do not camp!

Bodega Bay is for "The Birds"!

When we're here in the Bay Area for any length of time, like now visiting family and friends in Petaluma, we need to add a few short side trips into the mix...just for a change of scenery.  One of the many blessings of being mobile is being able to haul anchor in a very short time.  We have the drill down to a science.  Being connected to hookups as we are now requires about 15 extra minutes to drain and flush tanks, then fill with fresh water, put things away and fire up the diesel.  We're off now to the coast at Bodega Bay, home of those infamous birds in Hitchcock's film!

The road meanders through lush farmland, green from recent rains.  Well-fed sheep and cows graze the fields, with poppies and wild mustard adding splashes of orange and yellow. We're staying at Doran Beach Regional Park, out at the tip of the jetty, with two miles of sandy beach in front of us, and the harbor behind.

Taken well before the weekend traffic arrived (rt. side group of two)

We back onto the harborside

....with the beach and dunes in front of us

The weekend weather reports temps in the 80s, hard to believe in this fog infested environment, but we're thinking positive as the Petaluma family are coming for a camping trip.  But for now we'll wander around and  share our views and location with you.

An early morning walk along the beach, as the fog moves out, reveals the wavy wind blown sand patterns.

The beach grass along the dunes approaching the beach...

Spud Point Marina is home to many commercial fishermen as well as pleasure craft.  Salmon fishing doesn't open until May 1st but we were advised there were still late season Dungeness crab available.

Colorful crab pots

We bought two of these beauties...This guy's on his back so I can take a pic before he runs away.  Howard prepares the large pan of boiling hot water...

Quite pretty actually, but tastes even better!

To watch the sunset requires a drive out through town and around the far side of the harbor and up the hill to the bluff overlooking the Pacific!

And then the birds came!

Hills, Trails & Jungle Gyms

The laundry is done, the rain stopped, and the skies have been sunny or partly cloudy for the last 3 days.  On Saturday Norm and Wendy had their first "structured" walk exercise in San Francisco for 6 miles around the Marina District and Presidio.  This is in preparation for the two-day 39 mile Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in SF July 7-8th. What a huge commitment both physically and financially!  We were happy to have Christina, our 5 1/2 year old,  for the day, though she definitely ran us ragged!  The girl is a blur of motion...

Off for a ride to various parks

Momentum

Always on top

Annie joins the fun

Sunday was beautiful and ripe for a hike in Helen Putnam Regional Park. The first hill is steep and we huffed and puffed our way to the top where we stopped to catch our breath and admire the views.  The Sonoma County hillsides are lush and green after all the rain.  The groves of Coastal live oak are magnificent.  We found many treasures of nature along the way.  It felt good to be outside and get some much needed exercise.

This first hill is a challenge

And continues...

But offers beautiful views of the surrounding hills

One of many groves of Coast live oak along our hike

Hole in a tree provides photo fodder!

Awww...this is the prize!

Love this beautiful wood fungus growth

Spring is poppies!

We'll continue to showcase and introduce you to this beautiful area as we go along.  Thanks for stopping by!

We're sprouting roots for awhile...

It's spring and our migration pattern brings us into home territory here in the San Francisco Bay area. More specifically our home is parked in Petaluma at the Elk's Lodge.  Petaluma is a great town with its historic downtown and old Victorian architecture, situated by the Petaluma River.  There are great restaurants, cheese factories, sustainable farms and produce, art and antique galleries, and, of course, the famous Sonoma and Napa Valley wineries.  San Francisco and the Marin and Sonoma County coasts are a within a short drive.   My son and his family live nearby, as do several friends, so for the next couple of months we'll be hanging out within a radius of about 100 miles.

At the Petaluma Visitor's Center

Taking Annie, the granddog, for a swim by the Golden Gate

A visit to the Pt. Reyes Seashore & Lighthouse

But these are last year's pictures...Now we start on the 2012 version.

Easter was a grand occasion with almost all the family gathering at Norm and Wendy's. Once again, Terri packed up the two babies for the hour and a half drive up from Half Moon Bay, and Stephanie and Gary took a much needed two days off work and brought their motorhome over from Sacramento on Friday night. Sunday morning kicked off with Wendy's delicious egg casserole and mimosas to get us off and running for the Easter egg hunt at their local park.

Little girls (Christina & Liliana on the rt.) with baskets ready!

Christina's a pro at this!

Liliana takes a break to sample some goodies!

Damien thinks..."just wait till next year"!

We later feasted on ham, scalloped potatoes, deviled eggs, asparagus salad, rolls, cheeses, and the yummiest mini-designer cupcakes, apparently the latest thing.  The weather was perfect for sitting outside and indulging yours truly in many combinations of family photos.  

This might make the holiday card list!

Daughter and Dad..hamming it up!

The family pic!

Cousins

D-i-l Wendy with both great moms, Chris and step-mom Margot

Noelle & Auntie Terri

So, now the current week entails:  Getting back on a diet plan after gaining back every single 4 lbs. lost since Jan. 1...luckily we have all the tools available with a great running/walking track around Shollenberger Park, a beautiful bird sanctuary across the street; Scheduling several Kaiser (our health care provider) appointments...luckily of the preventive kind; Starting a structured meditation program for Howard...Lynda is considering, but also looking for a yoga center; Having lunch at our favorite restaurant, Dempsey's, with Patrick and Suzanne who are about to depart for a vacation to Spain.

Finally, it has rained the last two days and we're getting anxious to...do laundry tomorrow!!  See ya' soon...

The family came for Spring Break

Do you have any idea how much is involved in getting a family of 5 packed into a little rental camper for 4 days of camping?  Did I mention that one is a baby and one is a toddler, thus diapers, bottles and baby food!  The oldest is 16 so that is a whole other issue; wifi connections for computer and iPhone for Skype calls to girlfriend. Our major shopping for food, drinks and snacks, plus meal preparation, paled in comparison.  

Just waiting..

After everyone was assembled into traveling mode Clint, daughter Terri, and the grandkids, Daniel, Liliana, and Damien set out for the 200 mile, 4 hour drive from Half Moon Bay where, once upon a time, yours truly lived in a big house and worked in real estate for 25 years.  Sure don't miss those days....

They're here!

Breakfast on a beautiful morning..with Terri & Clint

Late afternoons and nights turned cold so we all crowded into our little home.

To color...

And sketch for art class..

...or be held by daddy!

Transportation in the jeep was an interesting maneuver and not always legal!

Daniel makes a comfortable car-seat for Damien!

Strollers were the common mode of transportation but, alas, not good for the beach. But we did manage to see the town of Pismo Beach in full Spring Break mode!

Blankets, binkies, and thumbs

At the Pismo Beach pier

A parade thru town

A stop for frozen yogurt..

Thumbs up, Grandma

Now wouldn't this have made a lovely spot for a family photo?

Life is good!

And then they were gone...sigh!  But seriously we needed a full day to recuperate but are ever so grateful for this precious time.  

We are now en route (thanks Verizon) to Petaluma, CA for Easter and more family time plus visits with friends in and around the San Francisco Bay Area.