Thursday, April 29, 2021

Vineyards and Statues

 We drove east on 20 to get to 101. We stopped in Santa Rosa for lunch and visited the Peanuts statues.



There are a bunch of these statues in town. When I go back to Santa Rosa for an extended time, I will look for more of them.



This Woodstock was just outside of the California Welcome Center. I was a bit bummed that the center was closed. I love those places because I can pick up California souvenirs, and info on future trips.



We had lunch at the cafe inn the square. I had a delicious turkey and pesto sandwich.


They had a Little Free Library in the dining area.


This is a bridge we crossed on the road.



And vineyards.


More vineyards.


Future wine.

"Gateway to the Redwoods"

After four hours of driving, we made it home. I was already missing being on vacation. I was happy to have been able to travel and return to something that feels normal. I am already planning my next trip!

Our Last Day

 We grabbed some coffee and delicious breakfast burritos at A Frame Expresso on Main Street. I ordered a chorizo breakfast burrito and an iced mocha.

The burrito was perfect - so delicious and the right balance of ingredients.

The iced mocha was also fabulous. So I will forgive them for using an "x" in their name.

This was a new souvenir that I got from one of my humans which he picked up from the Sea Glass Museum.


There are thousands of pieces of sea glass on display. There is some controversy around this museum. Some people, the state and residents included, consider taking pieces of glass - or anything - from a state beach illegal and unethical.The eccentric shop owner who calls himself the 'captain' defends his years of taking pieces off the beach. And conveniently for sale in his shop are bags of "glass beads" that you can add to the beach since the glass has depleted from decades of people stealing it off the beach.


It isn't a large museum, and while there is not an admission fee, there is a suggested donation. And there is a large gift shop that supports the museum.


Pieces like these used to be tossed into what Fort Bragg considered a dumping site. After years, they stopped allowing that, and a lot of the trash washed away or was removed. And the glass that stayed behind was broken down and smoothed out over years of natural sanding. This is why you can find  - or used to find - pieces other than the common clear and green pieces.



Right near the museum is an historic house. Unfortunately, because of circumstances, the museum was closed. But there were a few things to see outside.



This is a slice of redwood tree with pins on it saying some historical events that happened while it was still standing.


Because this town was named after a confederate soldier, many of the people want to change its name. I don't know if they will keep this sign. It's a historical town even without the name.


I wonder what it is like in there.


I wanted to get a couple of snaps of my hotel before leaving. As it was the Emerald Dolphin, they did have some dolphin statues in front with a fountain.

There were pretty flowers there, too. Maybe this is where the noisy frogs lived? Their croaks put us to sleep every night.


And it was time to get on the road. I was ready to see more trees and vineyards, but not so ready to end such a romantic and fun adventure.

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Guess What I'm Eating for Dinner

 Yes, seafood. Along with a raw oyster appetizer, I also had...

Clam chowder! Of course I did. My belly was full after eating it for four days.

We ate at the Noyo River Grill, down at the harbor. The restaurant was right on the water, and it was sunset.



My main course was steak with potatoes and amazingly delicious vegetables. I was stuffed, but wanted to enjoy every last bite. I'm glad I didn't burst!


Mr Duffy ate some cod with capers. He was feeling better and seemed to really enjoy the food.


Mmmm, clam chowder.


Beautiful harbor.

Dinner was so delicious. The atmosphere was relaxing, the wait staff were polite and attentive, and it was so nice to just be out. This will definitely be on my list of places to visit again when I come back to Fort Bragg.