If you're in Roseville/Sacramento, you might wonder what the big deal is about a sunny day. Up here they're rare and spectacular. This day we hurriedly packed a picnic lunch and hot-footed-it out to our favorite spot in the Botanical Garden. By the time we left, about two hours later, it was cold and completely fogged in.
One of our great pleasures while visiting here each year at this time, is this particular lily we can always find to decorate our trailer. We keep it stocked, in varying colors, for the whole month we're here.

A ways down the highway from Fort Bragg is Mendocino where we hear Mendocino Music Festival rehearsals and visit loads of art galleries and adorable shops like this one.

Also in Mendocino is a beautiful beach where we take Dylan running off-leash. It is located at the mouth of Big River. If you are adventuresome, you can rent a kayak and head either out to sea or up river.Running on a beach is Dylan's favorite way to start a day.

This picture, we took for the purpose of including for you, Andrea and Chris, in the event that you happen to check in on our blog. We know that you appreciate corgi bunny-buns.This is our home-away-from-home in Fort Bragg: Site 82 at Pomo RV Park. We stay in the same site every year. It's pretty and secluded.

For years, this trestle, that was originally part of the logging mills truck route, was in disrepair and shut down to even foot traffic. Last year, we watched it being restored as part of a walking trail, and this year, we get to use it. It crosses over Pudding Creek and has a gorgeous view of the ocean.

Hoping all our family and friends are enjoying your summer . . .

More later.

MORE FROM THE NORTH COAST

Almost directly across the road from our campground is the Mendocino Botanical Gardens. Every year we buy a membership so we can come and go as often as we like. We never tire of it.

At the end of the formal gardens is this lovely handmade gate, installed to keep deer out of the garden. On the other side, the trails continue all the way out to the bluff.
The only concession in the garden is the local Cowlicks Ice Cream. Not only does it temp human visitors beyond resistance, they serve a free little cup of vanille to visiting doggies. Dylan loves the Botanical Gardens!

This picture was taken in the dahlia garden. It doesn't do it justice, but you can get an idea of how happy these flowers grow out here on the coast. Out and about in the gardens . . .

For those of you who have been to the garden with us, this is the new entrance. The wooden deck has been taken out and replaced with this lovely staircase that heads down directly from the office entrance.

OOPS, WRONG BOAT

Well, sorry, the first picture is of the "Blackhawk", also a beautiful boat. But, I grabbed the wrong picture. Here is the real "Miss Kelly, II". From these small pictures it's hard to see the majesty of these gorgeous boats. In person, they take your breath away.

GREETINGS FROM FORT BRAGG

While we're visiting Fort Bragg, our computer is using the campground's Wi-Fi (wireless) server. It is quite "quirky" and has some bad habits. We tried posting a blog a few days ago, and were not able to, so we're trying just one picture today to see if the server is feeling more generous this time. If this works out, we'll post more pictures later.

We love to sit at Noyo harbor with our books and watch the boats coming and going, but because of this season's ban on salmon fishing, the harbor has been eerily quiet this year. This fishing vessel is "The Miss Kelly, II". She's our favorite of all the boats docked at Noyo Harbor. She's big and beautiful, and catching her either heading out to sea or coming back into the harbor is impressive and a rare treat.

We're having a great time up here, as we always do, but look forward to seeing all our family and friends again shortly.

MOM & CLYDE'S BIRTHDAY PARTY

Nobody's talking ages here, we're just enjoying a happy celebration.
A few appetizers while the leg of lamb roasts in the barbe.
A big, beautiful sunflower for Great Grandma from Sofia.
What's in there, Great Grandma?
Presents . . .

Cool box, Grandpa.

"Ring around the rosie, a pocket full of posies, ashes, ashes . . .

. . . we all fall down."
The lamb took forever and ever, but we finally sat down to eat.

Mom and Clyde, I hope all your wishes come true.
. . . yum!

The End.

CLYDE'S BIRTHDAY DINNER AT TOWER CAFE

For Clyde's birthday, we asked Meredith, Clyde & Sofia if they would join us for a dinner at the Tower Cafe. The Tower is one of the treasures of the Land Park neighborhood where Meredith, Clyde & Sofia live. Walking distance from their house, with good food, and a beautiful patio, misted and covered in old-growth trees and vines, it is cool and inviting, even on a hot summer evening.
Waiting for the waiter to bring Sofia a chair. She's got her bib on and ready to dine.
Orders in, we chat while we wait to be served.
A strawberry appetizer helps with the wait.
Sharing.

Yum, pasta & veggies.
Sofia shared her strawberries. Now Daddy has to share his banana cream pie.

Happy Birthday to Grandpa. Heading home, with a stop by Tower's fountain.

The walk is still a tad long for a little one.
Sitting on the stoop to wave goodbye to Grandma & Grandpa.
Birthdays are fun.

SOFIA VISITS GRANDMA & GRANDPA AFTER SCHOOL