Gerle Creek...can't stay away ;)

Headed back up to the El Dorado Forest for another visit to Gerle Creek.
two days spent unplugging ... swimming, reading, and definitely unwinding
cast: Ginger and Yolanda....

Afternoon sun... water is perfect for a serene dip

a day spent on a mossy enclave, reading and observing and swimming

More sun shadows

the epitome of relaxation, and happiness. Nothing like the current National geographic, a 'Denogginzer', and a good sun hat.

Local Knowledge discovery

Our sojourn was given an extra spark by a visit from Lucy's friend, Jody, who  introduced us to his childhood haunts...
A gentle hike to some refreshing falls, and pools

Picnic

Spot the hikers...funny how the guy in the lower left looks photoshopped...hahahaha

lol...looks like the B version of a Merchant Ivory production 

Camping Life...Gerle Creek

Lucy...preparing to tell her story...

...Definitely a heart warming story...lol

Skilled appetizer prep... proscutto, basil, and peach.  Summer in a mouthful

Miz Christine... looking very glamorous in the wilds

Supreme dinners, planned out by Lucy. Night One...Steak stir fry. Night Two ...Sumptuous Burgers.  Night Three ... Marinated Chicken...that was shared with a family that somehow lost half their dinner to Rebel's need to feed

The Set-Up...a veritable home away from home

Evening walk, and swim ...for Rebel

The actual Gerle Creek...supposedly teeming with trout

Gerle Creek...first time around

Talk about being ... so very pleasantly surprised.
What a great nugget of escapism...
Always, it is with trepidation that one books a 3 night/4 day retreat ...to camp ...referencing referrals only found online.
But ....look at this...it worked out, and we had a wonderful, restorative time up in the woods.
Cast: Ginger, Christine, Lucy, and Rebel, with supporting roles filled in by Jody, Ari and Francois.

Cinco De Mayo Ballgame

My favorite Giants fan...although she does sway between the Giants and the A's. Local girl :)

Such a great spot for a ballgame

it was the Sergio Romo Gnome day...and Sergio performed like a champ...Yea!!!!

Back Porch Barber Shop

It's the Ari & Augie Barbershop Duo...

Augie says he is getting ready for the hot weather times at SkateCamp...

Patterns on a Saturday Morning

Escape to Abbotts Lagoon, Point Reyes

My goal... to get a nice meander in up at Point Reyes before the weekend crowds headed that way. Success. Pretty much had it to myself, with exception of some really avid bird photographers, whose cameras had more visually in common with military armaments, than simple image capturers.  Was National Geographic on the loose?
Yes...I skulked by with my sweet point&shoot, looking like a tourist, just without the map

Parental Quail keeping an alert eye on those interfering humans

Baby Quail...oblivious to those interfering humans

On the way back, had a great breakfast/brunch with Yolanda, at a favorite spot 'Pine Cone Diner' in Point Reyes Station. It is the best way to start a weekend...hard to roust out of bed, but the rewards are so great.  All 'pre-yahoos!' lol

You know there has to be a Foodie post!!!

The perfect accompaniment to my Birthday Weekend...
A Menu Beyond Compare...
and I didn't lift a finger.

Breakfast...Saturday Morning, Cheffed up by Yolanda, The Breakfast Queen. Cinnamon French Toast, sweet sweet blueberries, and Chicken apple sausage

Later in the day, Lucy started buzzing in the kitchen, chopping, slicing, dicing...and more!

Eh voila, the first course, a spectacular visual and taste treat. Cara and Blood oranges with olive oil, sprinkled with deep fried kalamata olives and rosemary. Supreme.

Second Course: A Roasted Carrot Soup with a dollop of Greek yogurt, and a wonderful garnish of chopped pistachios, cumin, caraway seeds, and several other travel worthy spices. Truly Yummy

Third course: Pappardelle pasta, with a vibrant mix in of Zucchini, Tomatoes, Basil, Mint, Sugar Peas, Red Onion, and Corn, topped with a wave of Parmesan. Served on well traveled sunshine yellow melamine plates from Minnesota :)

The crew...Cheers!  Not pictured...probably because the glass was continually in motion, were the beverages...cocktails: a concoction of Bourbon, Lemon, Mint, & simple syrup... all muddled up with crushed ice, followed by a beautiful French Rose. Oh so tasty!  As Julia would have said "Bon Appetit"

One of the Best Birthdays EVER!

An escape up to Marshall, on the eastern shore of Tomales Bay, proved to be the perfect way to highlight the transition to 53.
Accompanied by the most excellent friends, Lucy and Yolanda, truly sisters in the non-same-mother-way, and Miss Ingrid, who rounded out the group with her jewel like self...
Our little cottage was perched on substantial posts over the waves of the bay, which provided us with a soundtrack that many attempt to recreate via relaxation tapes.
The activities were minimal, the food was sumptuous, and we all just unplugged ... a very very perfect weekend!

View from the Bay side door

Our cottage is on the left

Playing in the front yard...

Definitely cocktail time

You could hear the far off roar of the Pacific from the other side of Point Reyes

Sunday Morning... My Birthday Morning. What a great start to a new year.