Tag Archives: Beach

After my 3-day solo trip in Big Sur, I met up with some of my very best girlfriends at the San Fransisco Airport. After stopping for lunch in Sausalito (which I LOVE) and then onto Trader Joe’s in Santa Rosa (oh, we’re getting one here in Sarasota this year:-), so excited!!!), to stock up with goodies, we finally made it to our VRBO in Guerneville around 7p. The property is beautiful, right on the Russian River, there is a Main House, the Cottage and The Town homes, nicely decorated with all the amenities. Sweet! Very different then my eclectic Rainbow house in Big Sur. We all un-load, Maii whips up a salad for dinner and the chillin’ begins. Some food, wine and conversation. Maybe a little too much wine, well, for me anyway:-).

The next morning we have to be in Healdsburg by 10a to meet Tommy and Mike, our guides for our biking adventure in Wine Country. PFMan and I did a combo biking/kayaking trip in July with the same company, Getaway Adventures. Ask for Tommy to be your guide, you won’t be disappointed. It’s a misty, cold day, but we’re troopers and we all gear up, ponchos and all, to prevent the skunk marking up your back on a wet day, ha. Off we go. Our stops today are, De Lorimier, Bella Vineyards and Amista . We had lunch at Amista, the guides had prepared a wonderful feast of salads, cheese, fruit, etc. We were famished and everything was wonderful!! Back on the bikes for our return trip, a total of 17 miles. Woot!

On Saturday, I had arranged to take the girls to The MacLeod Family Vineyard. This would be my 3rd trip, I just love this family and their wine! Every experience is a different one, you learn so much about their passion, their love, a truly unforgettable experience. This time George MacLeod the father and founder of the vineyard took all us ladies on a hayride through the vineyard, he had many stories and kept us laughing and learning. And did he say he’s 90?? Can’t believe it, he’s so sprite, so sharp too! A wonderful man. After the tour we joined his daughter-in-law Marjorie, in her home, for the tasting. We were the first to taste the new Rose’ and Sauvignon Blanc, they had just bottled them two days prior. All the wines were amazing. PFMan and I had joined their wine club on our trip in July. The MacLeod Rose’ is my favorite, it comes with the April shipment, I can’t wait! I can’t tell you about this family without mentioning Panda, the wine dog. You simply must go meet her and the MacLeod’s if you’re in the area. Tours are by appointment, run about two hours beginning at 10:30a. In July, PFMan and I will be bringing our children with us, Marjorie said they get to do apple juice tasting, sweet!

On our last day we took a nice walk through the Redwood Trees in Armstrong Woods and then drove to the coast, stopping in both Jenner and Bodega Bay. Jenner has beautiful brown sand beaches, enormous waves crashing into the rocky coast and lots of drift wood and fun colored pebbles which kept some of busy for quite sometime. Continuing down the coast to Bodega Bay (of The Birds, Alfred Hitchcock). We stopped at Spud Point Crab Company for their infamous Clam Chowder, highly recommend, then to Bodega proper to see the Birds house in person!

I really can’t think of a better way to have brought in this next decade. Happy 40th to me:-)!
Peace!

Having just returned home from a 7-day cruise to the Southern Caribbean out of San Juan, PR, PFMan and I have crazy travel on the brain.  I’m not going to tell you about our cruise here, that needs it’s own post and I’m still processing pictures:).  Let’s talk about places we want to go.

Here’s a few!

Santorini, Greece. Check out this traditional houses hotel in Oai, Santorini.  The Ikies.

Riviera Maya – Mexico. OMG, take a peek at these villas in Tulum, Mexico.

Soufriere, St. Lucia.  PFMan and I have wanted to stay at Anse Chastanet for over 15 years now.

See a theme here:)??  Open air, water views.  This is only a crumb, a teaser of places on our list!  More travel coming soon!

…

…

This morning I took myself for another early morning walk on the beach and I noticed the litter dotting the sand. A variety of things, beer cans, Caprisun pouches, a little boys polo shirt, plastic bags, etc. This of course isn’t the first time I’ve noticed this. When my family and I go for walks at night we make it a point to pick all the various trash we come across. I can’t consciously be ok with seeing litter and not pick it up. How would that be any better than those who left it behind?  Now, I’m aware that not all litter is there for a conscience reason, it may have blown overboard on a boat and washed up on a beach, it may have been accidentally left there unnoticed. There are always exceptions. Littering is one of my greatest pet peeves and when I see it happen it gives me a little growl.  I once was at a gas station and witnessed someone, whom had just been pumping gas, open there car door while waiting to be let into traffic and throw a full McDonalds bag of trash on the curb.  URRRRRGH.  What?? and Why??  Is it laziness, lack of caring and responsibility, the idea that someone else will clean it up?  Whatever, it’s just wrong.

Anyway, I was smiling ear to ear when on my walk back, (I had been picking up litter on the way), I came across a gentleman who had a bag full of trash he had picked up and he let me add mine to his collection.  We both thanked each other for helping to clean up the beach and went on our way.

Where ever there is bad, there is also good:-)

Happy day!

A Sunset in Naples, FL

A miracle happened this morning, I got up and drove to the beach to take myself for a 3 mile walk with the seagulls.  It was incredibly peaceful at the beach this early, I only witnessed three other humans.  I did the whole walking for fitness thing.  Put on my walking shoes and comfy clothes, walked at a fast pace, abdomen muscles engaged and felt it in my bum.  My arms even got into it:-).

My family has been going out for leisurely strolls on the beach 2-4 nights a week and love it, but we can hardly call these walking for fitness.  Better than nothing though and a good time to reconnect as well.

PFMan and I have good intentions, always good intentions, and have discussed doing different things to become more active and shed our Love Handles. (We do have a cruise coming up in January to prepare for after all, ha).  One of the activities we’ve talked about and haven’t yet tried is Paddle Boarding.  I came across a link yesterday in The Burg Blast to Stand Up Fitness which is done on a Paddle Board. They have lessons, 4-hour adventures and Boot Camp. This sounds like so much fun, well, for exercising anyway. Fitness has always been a challenge for me, I’m not athletic and prefer to lounge around. When I do exercise I usually need it to be fast paced, like Zumba. I’ve entertained the idea of starting Pilates. Hmmm, I’d love to hear how anyone is keeping there work-out routine exciting and different. Please do tell and have a nice day too!!