August 26, 2012

Destination - Relaxation!

Sam and I traveled to California last week to relax and recharge in the lovely Sonoma Valley. We enjoyed three days at a restful cottage retreat that we found on VRBO. The garden surrounding our little guest house was fragrant with lavender and jasmine. Potted lemon trees and billowing hydrangea bushes edged a soft, green lawn and a cool blue pool. 
 
 We explored Sonoma Garden Park, a 6.1-acre working farm/community garden 
and model of sustainable agriculture --
 a project of Sonoma Ecology Center. Gorgeous fresh produce everywhere!

We biked along scenic roads with views of vineyards stretching in to the hills.
We sipped some great wines and savored wonderful local cheeses and farm-fresh produce. One evening we enjoyed a beautiful summer evening picnic at the Buena Vista Winery watching Shakepeare Under The Stars -a magical performance of "A Midsummer Night's Dream."
Photo - http://www.sonomanews.com/News-2012/Shakespeare-returns-to-Buena-Vista-with-Midsummer/
In Santa Rosa, California, we wandered through the fabulous Charles M. Schulz Museum







"I've developed a new philosophy...
I only dread one day at a time."
-Charlie Brown

















"Happiness is a warm puppy."
-Charles M. Schulz








One of our biggest accomplishments was zipping in the California Coastal Redwoods on a Sonoma Canopy Eco-Tour.  For two-and-a-half thrilling hours,  we tested ourselves on a course with seven high-flying ziplines, two beautiful skybridges, and a fabulous rappel to the forest floor.
Our Sonoma County adventures led us to the Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve. This forest, with its 1000 year old trees over 250 feet tall, was a place of wonder and inspiration.

More to come on our San Francisco trip...

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