At the Petrified Forest

Then continued wine tasting experience, stopping at the following wineries:

1:20 Hop Kiln: 1 each:

• '06 Sauvignon Blanc @16
• '05 Rushin' River Red @22

Bird seen at Hop Kiln pond

2:20 Rabbit Ridge:

• 1 Paso Robles Cab @14
• 2 Bunny Cuvees @12
• 1 Allure @6

2:50 Belvedere: 1 each:

• '05 Sangiovese @26
• '06 Sauvignon Blanc @18

3:50 Mill Creek: 1 each:

• '05 RR Sauvignon Blanc @16
• '01 Merlot Estate @25
• '02 Merlot @22

4:30 Everett Ridge: 1 each:

• '04 Sterlina @20
• '02 Zin @22
• '03 Zin @26
• '03 Cab @28

5:30 Quivera: 1 each:

• '05 Petite Sirah @26
• '04 Zin @34
• and Holley got some Truffles @12

We then searched for camping by Lake Sonoma, but failed. We saw some wild chickens while there.

We sought out a campsite around Sonoma Lake, but failed. So we headed back to Highway 101, but saw a camping sign before arriving in Cloverdale -- this was the Dutcher Creek RV Park. It was nice, and we got a great RV spot for $30/night. We set up camp and cooked dinner there.

Dutcher Creek campsite

morning coffee

We left our camp and drove down the east side of the Russian River. We stopped at Korbel to do some wine tasting. Korbel had a spectacular flower garden out front which included a huge dahlia, which Holley broke when bending it down to smell it. The wine was good, so we purchased some wines and sparlking wines.

Holley broke this big dahlia while trying to bend it down to smell it

We stopped in Guerneville and had some good Mexican fare at the Taqueria la Tapatia before driving to the coast to walk around the beach where the Russian River enters the Pacific.

Old railroad tracks near beach

We then drove up the coast, getting some gas, before heading back to Cloverdale.

View from Hwy 1 about 20 miles N of Jenner

We re-supplied at the Safeway in Healdsburg before getting back to camp.

back at camp

roses at resort

Holley climbing fountain by pool

Morning at first campsite

Kathy talked to the owner of the Dutcher Creek RV Park, and although our site was reserved for the night, she arranged to move us to another nice site nearby. We moved the tent without disassembling it, and moved it onto a deck on the new site.

We we headed north into Mendocino County. In Boonville, we gassed up the car and had a not-so-good lunch at what was the old brewery building, now called the Highpockety Ox.

Old brewery is now the Highpockety Ox

At 2p.m. we proceded to do some more wine tasting, visiting the following vinyards:

Toulouse -- we bought 2 bottles and the vintner gave us a bottle of Cab, which was not up to snuff:

Yorkville Cellars, we got a couple of bottles here, as well:

In the tasting room of Yorkville

3:50 Husch: 1 each of:

• '03 Reserve Cab @35
• '05 Pinot Noir @21
• '06 Chenin Blanc @11

Wine tasting at Husch

Posing with vintner

The 3 of us in front of tasting room

We visited Hendy Woods State Park before it got too dark.

Left Dutcher Creek RV Park, and headed south. Stopped by SF, and dropped off a bottle of wine with Patti. After battling the streets of SF, managed to continue south. We accidentally drove by Chinatown (at the end of Grant St.) on way out.

Stopped in Los Gatos for dinner at a diner. Toured Santa Cruz while looking for a hotel. Finally settled on the Continental. Later that night, we visited the amusement park on the beach.

Kathy on beach with moon in background

Holley on ride

Kathy and Jef went on a walk to end of pier, getting some coffee there.

Cool house near pier in Santa Cruz - flowers are dahlias

After checking out of hotel, drove to pier and had lunch -- some excellent chowder! Holley spent a lot of time looking at the seals there.

After lunch, headed down the coast on Hwy 1. No time to stop at San Simeon. Found Morro Strand State Beach had lots of space, so got a good campsite there. After seeing a great sunset Kathy cooked another nice dinner at our site.

Broke camp on Morro Beach and drove to Oxnard, where Kathy showed us her old town -- much had changed, and she didn't recognize most of it! We ate at the Whale's Tail -- one of her favourite lunch spots. Lunch was good. Then we headed for McGrath State Beach. The campground there had changed and gotten further from the beach. We stayed at site #100.

Our campsite

We took a walk on the beach before leaving the campground.

Holley took this picture of a blue heron in flight

Bird in lagoon blocking beach access

Yes, walkers on this beach wound up with black feet!

After our walk, we drove all the way back to Borrego, completing our great camping, wine-tasting, touring adventure, and getting Holley back in time for the 5th day of school.