Beaches, big branches and bubbles
So checked out of hotel fairly early this morning (which, in the end i was quite glad to as it was all a bit dark & depressingly Victorian in feel) and had an enormous cranberry almond muffin and coffee for breakfast, before driving out to the riding stables for my beach ride. Unfortunately all the private rides were already booked, so i had to go with a group of beginners (so no trotting or cantering) but it was still nice to be on horseback riding through the woods, then on the beach. Got chatting to one of the wranglers and pretty much heard his entire life story(which was very..er.. colourful!) during the ride, but that was fine - meeting new and interesting people is all part of the fun of travelling on your own!

After the ride, was time to drive back to West Sonoma spa. Instead of the coastal road, I chose to drive a more direct, inland route - glad i did, cos it was bloody long way and again took me longer than anticipated. Note to self - next time, check the distances more thoroughly and don't underestimate how long its going to take to get anywhere!! But it was actually a good choice in that it took me through some beautiful redwood forests again, with the road winding through ancient groves of the some of the most majestic trees i've ever seen. With golden shafts of sunlight occasionally piercing through the verdant cover, the light had this amazingly diffuse and soft quality that was quite ethereal and almost spiritual in feel. I parked up for a few moments during my drive so as to just sit for a while to soak up the atmosphere and reflect - it was a very moving experience that left a deep impression.

So, obviously the only way to follow that experience was with a good dollop of alcohol. And fortunately, I happened to be driving through one of the best places in the USA to go sample - Anderson and Sonoma Valley!! Alas, this is where the "travelling on your own is just as rewarding and fun" argument falls down somewhat - as it was just me driving, I was pretty limited in the number of vineyards and tasting houses I could visit. So, ever true to form, I picked the Roederer Estate - the West Coast outpost of the famous Louis Roederer champagne house. Oh my. I think i did well to leave with just a case of Rose champagne and a jereboam of NV house bubbles! Its going to be one enormous party when i crack that little puppy open!

Anyway, am now back in West Sonoma ready for final drive back to San Fran tmrw and flight back to NYC. Has been a good trip - poignant at times because i'm here on my own but, on the whole, a restorative one. Plenty of fresh air, more natural beauty than should be legal plus time and space for reflection. I'm glad I came and i'm also looking forward to going home and seeing what 2008 holds. Bring it on!!!

Mendocino Madness!
Had v weird, work-related dreams last night - very odd, very vivid and linked to the market development activities i'm leading for Fibromyalgia. Crikey. Think these few days off have come not a moment too soon! Woke up reasonably early cos room was roasting, so got up, had a freebie coffee in the lobby bar and agonised over how best to spend the day!! There is just soo much to do here - it would take weeks to do it all justice! Went for brekkie at a little coffee house and bakery, then a wander round town (none of the shops were open til half ten!) and discovered this fantastic gallery right next to the hotel, absolutely stuffed full of amazing stuff. Lots of beautiful wooden treasures plus these amazing cat sculptures made of wire. Ummed and aahed for a bit, but couldnt decide, so figured i'd mull it over and see how i felt by the end of the day! So, back to then planning the rest of my day and after fretting awhile and making several different itineraries in my head, i decided just to jump in the car and see where the day would lead me!
So, firstly led me to the Russian Gulch State Park - according to the guide book, there is a very cool blow hole there - buggered if i could find it!! But was still pretty spectacular with the beach plus this huge roadbridge spanning across the gulch (i remembered the white knuckle drive acroos it the previous day!). Got my feet soggy tramping across the beach in search of the perfect picture but it felt like an adventure all the same!


Then back in the car ready for the next place - ended up driving into Fort Bragg and, after a brief peek at finding myself heading through to Noyo Harbour. Went and had lunch at Captain Flint's overlooking the harbour - very yummy fish sandwich, chips and coleslaw! After lunch, had a quick wander around Fort Bragg and visited the tattoo museum. Was thinking of getting a tattoo, but bottled out (again!). Is only a matter of time, though! :-) Then, decided to visit Glass Beach where - as the name would suggest - is full of multicoloured glass fragments, worn smooth by the sea and time. You're not supposed to collect the glass but, seeing as everyone else was, i thought "bugger it" and ended up collecting some beautiful fragments of green and white glass. I'll figure out what to do with them when i get home!


By this stage, it was 4pm, so time to hightail it back to Mendocino to make it back to the gallery before it closed at 5pm. Kept thinking about my little wire cat, so i figure i probably really wanted it and so should go claim it for my own. Got very very tempted also by this beautiful salad bowl - a snip at a mere $410!! Fortunately a quick phone call to Rachel brought me to my senses, so i ended up just buying the cat and an equivalent wire mouse - a snip at a mere $550!! I did feel guilty about leaving the other wire cat behind - i bought the Dylan one but left Izzie behind!! If i can find somewhere to put him, i'm sure i'll be giving the gallery a call once i get home to ask them to send him along too!

So now sitting in the beautiful lobby bar of the Mendocino hotel writing this, and supping a glass of chilled Handley Cellars Sauvignon Blanc 2005. Despite my moods going up and down more than i would like, at the moment, life feels pretty good. And, seeing as i'm only on my first glass of wine, i dont think its the drink talking (although the glasses here are noticeably bigger than the ones you get back in NYC!). Am going to check out another place for dinner tonight (called the MacHouse!) and then i'm off horse riding tomorrow, so am very much looking forward to that!

Day 2: Highway 1 beckons...

Ah.... slept soooo well last night and it was just perfect to wake up with the fireplace still flickering, casting dancing shadows across the room. Was another beautifully clear and sunny day - sat outside and enjoyed the sunshine as i ate my sesame noodles from the airport yesterday for breakfast! Packed up, checked out and set off for the Armstrong Woods Pack Station and a hike through the redwoods. Was advised by the hotelier not to shell out for the horseback ride but really to focus on the hiking instead. Was good advice as it was absolutely beautiful - i was the only person on the trail and it was just so peaceful, hiking through the woods. Is so important to me, to be able to get away and decompress from all the craziness of New York - just helps to set everything back into perspective and to appreciate just how lucky i am, despite all the little annoyances and stresses. At the top of the East Ridge Trail, just before i started back down the hillside, I sat on this little rustic wooden bench, closed my eyes and had a lovely moment of peace and contentment.

Walking back to the Visitor Centre, it was then time to continue my roadtrip along Highway 1 to Mendocino. Grabbed a quick lunch of (bad) Mexican before leaving Guerneville at around 2pm. Oh my God, the scenery was simply amazing. It was just unfortunate at times that i was driving because the temptation to gaze around at the just spectacular scenery was so strong! Needless to say, i did have numerous picture stops - so many so that i had to get tough with myself and say "no more stopping!", otherwise i'dve never have made it! As it was, it was already past sunset when i was driving through some of the areas right next to the beach - a real shame, cos i think they would be stunning, but maybe I'll see them in daylight on the way back down.

Finally got to Mendocino just after 6pm and checked into my hotel. Is right on the cliff front, overlooking the sea, and the waves just CRASH into the rocks and coastline below. It really is quite a spectacular sight. Was quite tired after the long drive, so decided to stay in the hotel for supper - was pretty busy but the food was OK. Is supposed to be a Zagat rated restaurant - had wild mushroom ravioli for starters followed by wild hen - again, was OK but i guess i' ve been spoiled by NYC restaurants! After dinner, decided to have a fairly early night, so in bed by 9pm.

Day 1 in San Fran!
Early start today! 8am flight from JFK so up by 5.30am - ouch! Even more ouch considering had only got back in from the UK just before midnight yesterday! But managed to drag myself out of bed and onto my jetBlue flight for the 6hr coast to coast trek. Landed in San Francisco at half 11, then picked up bags and headed, via Airtrain and shuttle, to the car rental place. The weather was absolutely GORGEOUS - beautifully clear and sunny day and WARM, WARM, WARM!!! 60 degrees! Drove north along Highway 101, through SF and before i knew it, found myself crossing the Golden Gate bridge! Very cool indeed - was singing "Unwritten" at the top of my voice and it felt gooooood!! Felt very happy and content with life - as it should be. Stopped and took a few pics at the lookout point - was v lucky as it was a completely clear day. I remember the last time i was in SF, the bridge was almost completely shrouded in cloud, so this was a real treat.

Then, back in the car to start the Pacific Coast Highway adventure proper as i dropped onto Highway 1. Very windy, twisty road taking me through some of the most stunning scenery anywhere - LOVE IT!! Drove for about half an hour before stopping in Muir Woods National Monument and my first experience of the Redwood forest. Just a short 1hr trail through the woods - very touristy but still stunning to see some of these amazing trees at close hand. Am going on another, less busy trail tomorrow, through the Armstrong Pack woods - according to the front desk guy, a very moving, almost spiritual experience.

After Muir Woods, time to continue drive up to Guerneville. Stopped for coffee and pizza at this fab little restaurant - got chatting to the owner who was telling me about his problems with his starter dough! A rather different work-related problem to the ones i face in the office! The drive - with multiple photo stops, despite Sam not being around any more - took longer than anticipated, so it was well after dark before i reached my hotel. Staying at the West Sonoma Inn and Spa and its excellent! Got an enormous suite, with real working fireplace, kitchen area, massive bed and really nicely done out. Well - after the crappy couple of weeks i've had, i bloody well deserve to treat myself!!

OK - time for bed now - can't wait for tomorrow's adventures!! Goodnight!

Doing what I do best!!

Whoo-hoo! Its travel time again! Off to the UK tomorrow for a 3 day business meeting, so am in the throes of laundry, tidying and packing. It'll be fun to go back to the UK and see some old friends and colleagues again. Staying down in Ashford in Kent, back down in the area where i used to live. Already got an order in from my Mum to buy some Cadbury's Easter eggs whilst i'm there!

Am also very excited about my trip when i get back from the UK. Its President's Day weekend here in the US on Mon 18th, so i'm taking the opportunity for a few well-deserved days off. I get back from the UK on Weds, then fly out to San Francisco first thing on Thurs. Am then renting a car for 4 days and exploring the Pacific Coast Highway, from SF to Mendocino. Its been on my mental travel Rolodex for a while, so i cant wait! Still working out my itinerary, but on the list is horse-riding through the redwoods of Armstrong State Reserve, whale watching in Point Arena and champagne tasting at the Roederer Estate. BRING IT ON!!