Travelogue: Point Reyes National Seashore, Sonoma, and Benecia

Just returned from the land of color! Winter in Colorado is pretty monochromatic. Shades of brown occasionally interrupted by snow white under mostly crystal blue skies. Love the blue skies, but the brown gets old. 

Our annual trip to the Bay Area to visit our daughter and my brother means this color-starved Coloradan gets to feast on emerald-green hills, luscious yellow trees in full bloom, orange and lemon trees, azaleas, daffodils, and some wonderful ground cover that was thick with yellow flowers and seemed to be everywhere.

First stop was Sonoma--visiting in the off-season means that we could stay in a wonderful old venue, Seven Branches that is mostly used for weddings, with only six suites available. It was absolutely lovely--quiet and just a few blocks from the Plaza in one direction and less than a mile from my brother's house in the other.

Our day trip to Point Reyes National Seashore was absolutely glorious. Unseasonably warm--no jacket required--sunny with blue skies and a fresh breeze. The beautiful Victorian houses in Petaluma gave way to rolling green hills, tastefully decorated with cows from the many historic ranches along the winding road. I've only been to Ireland once, but the drive to Point Reyes made me feel like I was in Ireland, especially the dramatic cliffs that drop down to the sea.

We visited the Point Reyes lighthouse and climbed down and then up the 313 steps and drank in the ocean views the whole way. We also visited Drake's Beach to see the annual return of elephant seals for mating and birthing. The day before we were there (i.e., Feb 27), the blackboard announced that volunteers had counted over 1200 individuals. The population peaks at the end of January, so we were seeing the latter stages of the event.

Fun Fact: Drakes Beach is the generally agreed upon, most likely spot that Sir Francis Drake beached his ships for refurbishing during his circumnavigation of the globe in 1579. 

I try to stop in at bookstores in the places I visit, and this trip was no exception. I picked up The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters at Readers' Books in Sonoma, started it during the trip and finished it shortly after our return home. Great 4-star book--review coming soon.

I also stopped in at Bookshop Benecia where we went to visit one of California's early capital cities, and I bought a Vera Stanhope mystery by Ann Cleeves (The Darkest Evening), which I hope to get to soon.

Another Fun Fact: Benecia was one of the first incorporated cities in California. Named after Dona Benecia, wife of General Vallejo, founder of Sonoma and general bigwig in the area in the 1840s and 1850s, it was the state capital for a whopping 13 months before Sacramento was chosen as the permanent capital. It was also in Benecia, at a local tavern no less, that word got out that gold was found at Sutter's Mill, triggering the California Gold Rush.

Benecia Capital State Historic Park

As much as I love to travel, I love coming home. It was great to reintroduce color to my winter-weary senses, pick up some new books, and visit my brother and daughter.

Happy March!