California fog blankets the land of Trinidad

It was another memorable long weekend about to etch its beauty in our hearts. 

The picturesque coastal village of Trinidad, on the far northern edge of California, drew us north via a long undulating drive zigzagging between ageless giant redwood trees, a rugged countryside, and a coastline like no other. It welcomed us with open arms. Trinidad Bay, with its picture-perfect pocket beaches, its sheltered working harbor, and its small fleet of fishing boats anchored here and there along its uncrowded pier, brings magic to this historic seaside village sitting atop a rocky bluff with rugged cliff sides.

In the waning evening light of our arrival into town, we literally made a U-turn back to the beach before checking in to our inn. The sky was beckoning us, teasing us in its swirling dance. The clouds exploded, delighted at our return. The deep purples, the vibrant magentas melted into the burnt tangerines, then bounced off the vermillions, and into the dark ambers racing to catch up to the flaming yellows - a sight to behold. We headed to our inn in a daze. 

The next morning, the show was not over! In the night - more magic had occurred. A white blanket, veiled in soft shades of muted grays had drifted in. It now wrapped itself along every nook and cranny of the coves below, swallowing them whole. It lingered around at the softest pace. It gracefully silenced the sounds of the birds peaking from their nests on the edge of the cliffs. It drooped and shrouded and hovered and floated and invaded and sheltered and drifted. The morning had settled into a beautiful damp misty gauze all over the land. We were enchanted.

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Was the fog rising from the sea, or coming down from the sky, or was it stretching itself from beyond the horizon? Was the spectacular sunset of the previous evening eager to return?

 I know they will continue their dance of light, teasing each other with " if you do the soft grays and whites, I shall do the reds and purples and yellows"...

 Together they will color our world... and remind us once again, how good it is for the soul.

Enjoy as always, Adeline

Mendocino Coast

Today is the day after Thanksgiving. I could have been be dashing off to mega-stores, rushing and crushing against the masses, eagerly seeking the ultimate gift. 

Instead, I choose to gift myself with the many moods of the Mendocino coastline. Each time I am within its reach, I am transported in a swirl of peace, in a gift of thankfulness for this amazing area where I live. 

Down by the shoreline of the Pacific Ocean, I edge close to tide pools; I wrap myself in the cooling morning mist, the fog slowly lifting in small parcels across the sky. I climb into it, then over it. I smile.

Recent online reviews of the area mention how one simply must stop at the newly refurbished and family-owned Stewart's Point General Store - first opened in 1868. I am tempted. 

To my delight I discover that their small displays tucked here and there in the store are just like the vignettes of style and design that I treasure. I smile. I leave sandwich in hand and head seven miles inland to the ridge-top vistas of Annapolis Winery, another gem of a find!

Soon after Stewart's Point, the Sea Ranch beckons. Each time, I am drawn to its tranquility. There is a dreamy secret about it. The ocean in its endless vastness leaves me in awe every single time. I will not reveal too much. It is too precious.

The setting evening light after a long drive over the rugged ridge to Anderson Valley brings me full circle to Point Arena, in time for a relaxing twilight dinner with all the beauty that envelops the area.

I shall indeed give thanks… for witnessing the beauty and the life that revives my spirit every time I sense a tension in my being.

I do believe you will agree. It is good for the soul…

The California Central Coast ~ one simply must.

These past couple of years, I have leisurely rediscovered the unique beauty of the California coastline. Time has a way of flying by, and a backlog of photos is demanding my attention - a pleasure in itself! 
It was late last summer that I headed south to the Central Coast. There I rekindled a long-lost college-year friendship with an amazingly talented artist, Ted Emrick. Be on the look out for my next blog  - it will be all about his art. Get ready to be inspired.

For now, I shall tease you with the beauty of his surroundings, which stretch from Morro Bay to San Luis Obispo to Montana de Oro State Park and beyond. We drove around sheer bluffs, walked through small woods and sandy paths to reach dramatic vista points. We stopped here and there in the grey morning fog light, peaked around corners of sunshine reflecting on the ocean, standing speechless at the beauty. That ocean invigorates Ted's life and his art. He is also an avid surfer, but that weekend, there was no surf board -  he relaxed against the warm stones he is so familiar with as I wandered on the beach and paths capturing the mood, capturing details to tuck away in my own spirit.

Later we ventured inland to the heat and vastness of the Paso Robles wine country - and just like further north in Napa and Sonoma Valley - one simply must stop by and taste the wines.
Join me.

 A weekend of discovery

 - a weekend of relaxation - a weekend of art - a weekend of friendship

Simply so good for the soul

Join me next time as I treat you to the art and garden of Ted's world.