Over the River and Through the Woods

Sonoma County, CA, is a beautiful place. Rugged beaches, rich green pastures, redwood forests, meandering rivers (with very little water), small artsy towns, vineyards.....something for just about everyone.

With the current triple digit temperatures and smoke-filled skies in other parts of the state, it is definitely the place to be this week!

After our trip to the wilds of Pt Reyes on Wednesday, we decided Friday was a good time to head inland and spend some time in the forest. Just before the small town of Jenner, Hwy 116 turns off to Duncans Mills. Literally in the curve of the road is the local general store and several artisan shops. The Cape Fear Café serves a delicious breakfast, and has outdoor seating, so we made that our first stop.

The neon ATM sign sort of kills the ambiance

Once again we were earlier than is appropriate for a laid back burg in the semi-wilderness so we hung out on the boardwalk and I played with the camera.



So much color after our gray, foggy day

In some places the Russian River is little more than a wide creek, but the hills and pastures are still green. There are cattle of every color scattered throughout the area.

Just moovements, no sound (sorry, Mime humor)

The highway winds through forest so thick it is nearly dark. The creek bed along the road is dry with occasional ponds that will also die without a few good rainstorms. It is extremely beautiful, and extremely desperate. 

The small town of Occidental fills up the sudden opening in the trees, with old brick and clapboard buildings and a couple newer motels. I wander a few small shops while Bill waits with Tessa. Given how he loves to shop it's a huge sacrifice <ha>.

There aren't a lot of people on the road and we take our time making the loop back through Bodega and return to our spot on the harbor.

Since our arrival, we have been visited daily by this female hummingbird. Given the number and size of these cone flowers beside our rig you would think there would be dozens of them. She might be small and flighty, but this girl can keep a secret!

Shhh, they're all mine!