Our Retreat

We escaped! We just had to get away! So, we spent four days, three nights at Sea Ranch in Northern California. We drove there through Tracy, Pleasanton, Oakland, Petaluma, and then through farm country to Bodega Bay. The ocean was spectacular! (there is just something calming about the ocean) We stopped in Bodega Bay for lunch - splitting an order of fish and chips - there was so much we weren't able to eat it all! From there we took the Shoreline Hwy (PCH to me, but oh well!) through a few small towns. The road twisted and turned, but the views were beautiful! We landed in Sea Ranch at 3PM - just in time to check in!

We stopped and bought a few groceries, and from there went to Campo Del Mar (the name of the home where we stayed), which was 1/4 of a mile from the ocean - nothing between us and our view except a meadow and some deer. Quite lovely! Very secluded and quiet!

The home we stayed at was well equipped. We had a nice comfy living room, with a fireplace. There was a good-sized kitchen and dining area as well. There were two bedrooms, each with a King bed, and 2 bathrooms. In the backyard there was a deck with a hot tub - very nice!


On Thursday Pat went golfing at the Sea Ranch golfcourse. I went along with him and drove the golf cart - way fun! He had some really great shots, and some not quite as good. All in all we had a fun time talking and laughing, just spending time together. The weather was a bit chilly and windy but we were fine! There were quite a few deer on the golf course - so fun!





After golfing we went back to the house and had some homemade clam chowder with French bread - yummy! We read, relaxed and talked. After a while we went to the beach and walked around there. We spotted some starfish, and other sea urchins. We stayed until the sun was nearly down.




Friday Pat went golfing by himself. I stayed back, talked to the girls (since they both called and we had zero cell phone coverage), read books, made some stew and lounged. Pat came home a happy golfer! He was also happy to have nice warm stew to warm him up!

He rested for a while then we decided to take the drive up to Mendocino (my idea, not his). I figured we were an hour away why not go and see it? The drive, again, was quite beautiful. Mendocino is a quaint, cute little town - but it seems it's stuck in the 60's! We went to the coast where there are all kinds of rock formations. We also saw some abalone divers. We walked along the cliff and really enjoyed the scent of the sea (it isn't as strong at Sea Ranch).




From there we opted to explore Fort Bragg, since it has been 25 years since we had been there. It has changed quite a bit - much more populated! On the way back we stopped and saw the local light house. We drove back to the house and relaxed the rest of the night.

Saturday we left for home... happy to have been there... happy to return home.