Pacific Grove, Monterey County - January 2009

We decided to take a little trip without the trailer and indulge ourselves with a stay at a pet friendly inn.  We stayed in Pacific Grove at the Bide-A-Wee Inn and it was lovely! 

During our stay we also dined at the Passionfish Restaurant in Pacific Grove.  It is a favorite of Ali and Ross', so we gave it a try.  It was delicious!

Bud and Maggy preparing for a Happy Hour picnic.

The weather was unseasonably warm - almost 80 degrees - so this lovely gas fireplace was not needed.

Picnic area on the motel grounds.

I didn't take any pictures of the ocean this trip, but it was as beautiful as ever.  It was Monarch butterfly time however.  We visited the Monarch Grove Sanctuary and got some nice pictures.

We didn't know that they actually tag butterflies with stickers.  This guy graciously posed for a close-up.

Here is a huge cluster of Monarchs hanging on some Spanish moss.

The docent told us that the butterflies will open up and take off when the temperature reaches 55 degrees.  It was almost that warm, but our necks were tired from looking up so much so we opted to leave before they disbanded.  

Thanksgiving 2008

Bud and I headed to Bodega Bay with trailer on Monday of Thanksgiving week.  Ali, Ross and Ayla joined us on Wednesday through Saturday for a Thanksgiving celebration. 

Thanksgiving morning, we took off for a hike at Bodega Head.  The weather was clear and gorgeous and not windy like it can get at the coast.

Ayla is trying out her new backpack for its inaugural hike.

In the parking lot at Bodega Head.  Some of you will recognize this holiday card photo.

Another family pic - ready for the trail.

One very serious hiker....  

Ali, Ross, Ayla and Grandpa

Now for some play time while dinner is cooking.

The camping turkey feast featuring an herbed turkey roll, Stovetop stuffing, canned yams, instant mashed potatoes, Trader Joe's turkey gravy, canned cranberry sauce and homemade cranberry sauce and Ross' green bean casserole.

Ayla perusing the tasting notes.

Aren't they cute?

Bath time in the trailer.  We LOVE bath time.

The day after Thanksgiving we did another hike on the California Coastal Trail.

We picked up this part of the trail at the Shell Beach parking lot.

Getting ready to get on daddy's back.

Another beautiful day.

Soaking up the view.

The waves crashing onto the rocks was a spectacular sight.

Time to pose with Grammy and Grandpa.  

This was our 38th anniversary.  A great way to celebrate.

Bodega Bay July 2008

We are staying in the Bodega Bay RV Park for three nights. It has been very nice weather - mid 60's to low 70's, a little breezy, not much fog and lots of sun.

Yesterday we took the Bodega Head trail going north. It is a nice, short (1.2 miles r/t) trail with great views.

Heading up the trail.


At the top.


Looking south at Bodega Bay (right), Bodega Harbor (left) and Doran Park in the middle.


The trail ends overlooking Horseshoe Cove. That is the UC Davis Bodega Marine Lab in the background.


Someday we will look at this picture and marvel at how great we looked "back then".


Heading back down the trail. The parking lot is at the top of the picture. Kaya and Maggie are patiently waiting and guarding the truck. No dogs allowed on the trails, but they are too old to make it very far anyway.


We then headed south on the trail that starts on the other side of the parking lot. It is about 2 miles r/t.

Looking back on the trail.


Ooooooh


Awwwww


Jonathan Livingston???

This is the Fishermen's Memorial to commemorate the fisherman who didn't return. The stones form the shape of a hull.

Looking down at Doran Park


Good Grief, Charlie Brown! It's the Kite-Eating Tree!!!!


Today we took a ride north.
An interesting piece of wood (at least it is to me)


On the way out of Goat Rock Beach, we spotted a badger. A first for us. A fellow hiker yesterday was telling us he saw a badger on Bodega Head. Guess it's officially badger season??

Mendocino May 2008

We decided to go on a road trip without the trailer and try out some pet friendly accomodations. Mendocino County is very pet friendly and we settled upon a cottage offered by Sweetwater Spa & Inn. The Inn is in the town of Mendocino, but this cottage was 3 miles south in Little River.


The Inn boasted cable TV and Kaya was certainly looking forward to it. Being satellite dish owners, we didn't realize that cable TV could be so snowy and hissy. At least the reception fit the old-timey TV that didn't have a remote. You'll notice the TV doubles as a wine bar.


Hey! How come Maggie gets the deluxe bed?????


Where are we going for dinner Bud????


The Inn provided dog towels for wet paws and sheets for "furniture jumpers" and some biscuits! We didn't need the towels or sheets, but the biscuits were a hit.


While in Mendocino, we took a walk right outside of town. It was still foggy, but really, really windy. The fog eventually disappeared for the rest of the trip. The wind, however, was with us the whole way.








A look back at town from the trail.


Flowers were everywhere. A really beautiful time of year.





A post-walk happy hour on the deck. It was nice and sunny, but still very windy. At least we had some shelter from the vegetation here.


We enjoyed a day of wine tasting in the Anderson Valley. We visited Goldeneye, Navarro and Standish wineries.

Vineyard at Navarro Vineyard and Winery.


Doggie rest break at Navarro.


All in all, the road trip was a hit with humans and canines alike. The dogs slept very soundly all three nights.