Becca and I just got back from our anniversary trip to California. I had to travel to San Diego for a week of training for work, and Becca came with me. Then, we drove up the coast and spent a week about an hour's drive north of San Fransisco.Although we got to hang out in the evenings while in San Diego, the second week was really our vacation. We stayed in the town of Marshall, CA (population 50), which is on Tomales Bay and just behind Point Reyes National Seashore. Our week in the middle of nowhere was wonderful. We spent a lot of time hiking, horseback riding (a first for me), and watching the local wildlife (including harbor seals, sea lions, elephant seals, and tule elk).
Although we expected it to be warmer, it was beautiful. Apparently Northern California summers are known for their fog. Who knew? We showed up with lots of shorts (that are still clean) and only a few pairs of pants (that are very dirty).
We did take a few breaks from our slow paced trip to travel to downtown San Fransisco for one day and Sonoma Valley for one day. We also visited Muir Woods State Forest to check out the Coastal Redwoods. 
All of those were very nice, but our hearts were in the mist swept valleys, cool plains, the grand cliffs, and the sweeping beaches of the Point Reyes area.
The nearest "big town" to Marshall is Point Reyes Station (Population 350, woohoo!). The area was interesting for a lot of reasons. First of all, it seemed as though many of the hippies from Berekely moved north to Point Reyes when they "grew up." Everything in the area is organic and local. Becca and I have been doing a lot of reading and thinking about the local food movement. It was very exciting for us to visit a place where every dish on the menu listed where every ingredient came from. I had a bleu cheese burger: the bleu cheese was made by a creamery in town, the meat came from the Niman Ranch just up the road, the produce from the Farmers' Market, and the bun was made by the local bakery. We also had the best Pizza I had ever had, literally.
(I'm checking out the harbor seals from a distance so that we don't disturb them.)
3 comments:
very beautiful.. I have never been to CA before. Glad you were able to get away and combine a work trip with a vacation. It looks very pretty there
Whoa! Cool? Yes! Truly beautiful country. I drove through there (after my Military discharge in Washington State and driving to Key West)way back in 1966 of all things. Definately, you guys are blessed, that's for sure. You both looked like you really enjoyed yourselves.
Uncle Earl
The hair shot is great. You'll have to check out the bows Tessa could suggest. Can you put more pics up on snapfish or picasa? Isn't our country beautiful?
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