Serenity
05/05/13 10:19 PM
From: Ann Morrison
Sent: Sunday, May 05, 2013 10:19 PM
To: Friends & Family
Subject: Serenity
In the space between San Francisco and Santa Rose, CA, slightly inland from coast, there is this secret valley, a place we discovered that I have come to call Serenity. It is medicinal in its effect to calm and still the mind, to clear away the noise of the world and lay a soft peace and tranquility on the soul. US Coast Guard Training Base, Petaluma CA; this place is a gem, an emerald in the rough, a small quiet facility nestled amongst rolling hills, farmland actually, brightly green with spring growth. The sky is a clear blue where clouds have not yet formed and the stars shine bright in the early evening horizon. We have spent almost every evening sitting out, enjoying the view across the valley. We watch the duck and geese fly low across camp, most often in ‘two-ship’ formation, honking an announcement of their return to base, the little lake on property positioned just behind our rig. There is the occasional ‘meow’ of the peafowl… and a chorus of melodies from the barn yard animals just across the fence from us; cows, horses, goats and turkeys… The barnyard cat and ‘flopsy’ the bunny have stepped out to say hello… we must be funny looking creatures in their world.
Then of course you have the signs warning of mountain lion and bobcats; yes, right here on base! I swear I saw the silhouette of one just last night at the far edge of the camp as it slinked its way toward the lake. “Stay close to mom and dad pup. “ Perhaps it is because this was a welcome reprieve in the hustle and bustle of getting packed and hitting the road, perhaps it was just the timing; this small camp at US Coast Guard Training Base, Petaluma CA, with only 6 sites available and partial hook-ups turns out to be one of my favorite places to stay.
It is May and it is (was) my Birthday. The big 50…. Goodness where have the years gone. It seems like just yesterday I was a young girl born and raised under the African sun. I am celebrating being married 24 years now too…. to the same man… how about that! Wine country, California USA is a lovely place to be on such occasions. Chalk Hill Wine Estate is beautiful with its vine covered hillsides, and stunningly ostentatious buildings; the indulgence of the former owner, a nouveau riche class-action lawsuit attorney (he won the Exxon Valdez case). We spent the day in the luxury of a semi-private tour of the estate, the culinary gardens and a four course meal prepared with vegetables from the gardens, paired with the estate wines, hosted in the most stunning setting, high above the valley; in the used to be private family rooms encased in glass overlooking the $22MM (now mostly unused) equestrian pavilion. It was all quite delightful … a perfect day of indulgence. … although as I left the property that afternoon I couldn’t help thinking … “$22MM for a private equestrian pavilion as an indulgence for his wife…. some people just have more money than sense…don’t care how good the sex is!!”
Of course it wouldn’t be our anniversary without three pink roses … and three pink roses there were. Thank you Alan Love. …and it wouldn’t be a West Coast Tour without visiting at least one brew pub a day… yes, along with wine we have been enjoying some of California’s finest breweries… I am sure Alan will share the experience in his blog.
I am about to close out this chapter when I realize, wait… we went to the beach… we went to many beaches …. Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur, Santa Cruz, Sonoma Coast State Beach…. And I haven’t yet shared the view. Hmmm I have no excuse really… you see the thing about the sea that I have discovered is once I spend a little time at the water’s edge, staring out at the horizon or picking up shells from the sea shore…. I forget to count the days…. Apparently it has been a while since my last email. What can I say but that I love the ocean… it is soul food to me …. and it would seem the pup shares my feelings…. Pictures speak a thousand words … and so I will let them speak for me…. this is where I will end.
Until next time…. keep reading Alan’s Blog at www.twobyroad.com as he tends to stay more regular and timely in his updates.
Love and Hugs to All
Ann
Sent: Sunday, May 05, 2013 10:19 PM
To: Friends & Family
Subject: Serenity
In the space between San Francisco and Santa Rose, CA, slightly inland from coast, there is this secret valley, a place we discovered that I have come to call Serenity. It is medicinal in its effect to calm and still the mind, to clear away the noise of the world and lay a soft peace and tranquility on the soul. US Coast Guard Training Base, Petaluma CA; this place is a gem, an emerald in the rough, a small quiet facility nestled amongst rolling hills, farmland actually, brightly green with spring growth. The sky is a clear blue where clouds have not yet formed and the stars shine bright in the early evening horizon. We have spent almost every evening sitting out, enjoying the view across the valley. We watch the duck and geese fly low across camp, most often in ‘two-ship’ formation, honking an announcement of their return to base, the little lake on property positioned just behind our rig. There is the occasional ‘meow’ of the peafowl… and a chorus of melodies from the barn yard animals just across the fence from us; cows, horses, goats and turkeys… The barnyard cat and ‘flopsy’ the bunny have stepped out to say hello… we must be funny looking creatures in their world.
Then of course you have the signs warning of mountain lion and bobcats; yes, right here on base! I swear I saw the silhouette of one just last night at the far edge of the camp as it slinked its way toward the lake. “Stay close to mom and dad pup. “ Perhaps it is because this was a welcome reprieve in the hustle and bustle of getting packed and hitting the road, perhaps it was just the timing; this small camp at US Coast Guard Training Base, Petaluma CA, with only 6 sites available and partial hook-ups turns out to be one of my favorite places to stay.
It is May and it is (was) my Birthday. The big 50…. Goodness where have the years gone. It seems like just yesterday I was a young girl born and raised under the African sun. I am celebrating being married 24 years now too…. to the same man… how about that! Wine country, California USA is a lovely place to be on such occasions. Chalk Hill Wine Estate is beautiful with its vine covered hillsides, and stunningly ostentatious buildings; the indulgence of the former owner, a nouveau riche class-action lawsuit attorney (he won the Exxon Valdez case). We spent the day in the luxury of a semi-private tour of the estate, the culinary gardens and a four course meal prepared with vegetables from the gardens, paired with the estate wines, hosted in the most stunning setting, high above the valley; in the used to be private family rooms encased in glass overlooking the $22MM (now mostly unused) equestrian pavilion. It was all quite delightful … a perfect day of indulgence. … although as I left the property that afternoon I couldn’t help thinking … “$22MM for a private equestrian pavilion as an indulgence for his wife…. some people just have more money than sense…don’t care how good the sex is!!”
Of course it wouldn’t be our anniversary without three pink roses … and three pink roses there were. Thank you Alan Love. …and it wouldn’t be a West Coast Tour without visiting at least one brew pub a day… yes, along with wine we have been enjoying some of California’s finest breweries… I am sure Alan will share the experience in his blog.
I am about to close out this chapter when I realize, wait… we went to the beach… we went to many beaches …. Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur, Santa Cruz, Sonoma Coast State Beach…. And I haven’t yet shared the view. Hmmm I have no excuse really… you see the thing about the sea that I have discovered is once I spend a little time at the water’s edge, staring out at the horizon or picking up shells from the sea shore…. I forget to count the days…. Apparently it has been a while since my last email. What can I say but that I love the ocean… it is soul food to me …. and it would seem the pup shares my feelings…. Pictures speak a thousand words … and so I will let them speak for me…. this is where I will end.
Until next time…. keep reading Alan’s Blog at www.twobyroad.com as he tends to stay more regular and timely in his updates.
Love and Hugs to All
Ann