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| Greetings from our cabin in the redwoods of Monte Rio! |
Since leaving Florida on July 23, we've made the small village of Monte Rio, California our home. Once again, Beth out did herself and found us an amazing Airbnb that we're really enjoying. Monte Rio is about an hour and a half north of San Fracisco. It's located along the Russian River in Sonoma County, on what would be considered the western edge of the California wine region. Just over 1,000 residents live amongst the redwood trees in this amazing setting.
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Walking the neighborhood in the shade of the redwoods
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| When we're at the house you can usually find us in the beautiful backyard |
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| We knew the house came with a pet. Chloe is an "outside cat" that's letting us share the yard with her. We've never been "cat people", but Chloe may be changing our minds a bit. |
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| James and Emma love visiting MiMi and Pop's vacation home.........and Chloe! |
Monte Rio
We're about fifteen minutes from the rocky shoreline of the Pacific Ocean. However, there are big changes that take place in that fifteen-minute drive. The redwoods give way to hilly grasslands where cattle are grazing with a million-dollar view of the crashing waves of the Pacific. The temperature also changes dramatically. We hoped for cooler weather, and cooler weather is mostly what we're getting here in Monte Rio. The morning lows are in the low/mid-fifties and daytime highs are in the seventies to mid-eighties. Where we are staying is similar to most of the houses in the area and doesn't have air conditioning. The house is well shaded so even on the hottest days it's not too bad. However, if we want cooler temperatures we simply have to head to the coast. The temperature drops about a degree per minute on the drive. As I am writing this blog, the weather channel is showing the Monte Rio temperature as 78 and the coastal temperature just a few miles away is 62. Along the coast at this time of the year there is frequently some fog, which only adds to the ambience. This region is a good example of California's "microclimates".
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| There was no fog on our first visit to the coast............ |
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| .......the view was a little different on our next two visits! |
I'm not really sure of where it originated, but Monte Rio often bills itself as "Vacation Wonderland". If outdoor activities are your thing it's hard to disagree with that tag line. The coast is nearby, there's an abundance of hiking and biking trails and swimming, tubing, canoeing and fishing on the Russian River as it passes by on its way to emptying into the ocean.
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| Monte Rio Beach on the Russian River. At this time of year there is more "beach" than "river"......... |
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| however, there is still enough water that Captain James was able to navigate the small rapid with Emma as his passenger. We didn't have time to take too many pictures, we had to chase them down! |
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| Bridge over the river in Monte Rio |
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| It may be a small town, but it has its own theater. It shows both old and new movies. One show per night, several nights a week. |
If you like golf, you're in for a real treat. There is a nine-hole golf course, which just happens to be about a 3-minute walk from where we are staying. It's not just any old nine-hole course. It's Northwood Golf Club and it's spectacular. It was designed by Dr. Alister MacKenzie, who also designed Cypress Point and Augusta National Golf Club. The nine holes are laid out among the towering native redwoods, and it is consistently recognized as one of America's Top Nine Hole Golf Courses. We enjoy walking by it daily and often hear the unmistakable sound of a golf ball colliding with a tree......in this case, not just any tree, but some of the largest on the planet! My game is pretty much nonexistent these days, and given the number of trees on Northwood, I think I'll just enjoy being a spectator.
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| Northwood Golf Club. The pro shop is on the left and there is also a restaurant overlooking the first tee. |
Northwood Golf Club
Although small, once a year Monte Rio plays host to some of the world's wealthiest and most powerful men. They gather at an ultra-secure campground known as the Bohemian Grove for two weeks of...............well, who knows what! It's rumored to be guarded by former military and super secretive as well. According to historians, it started as an annual gathering of musicians, artists and journalists. Soon after its formation, they began to accept businessmen, entrepreneurs, and politicians (Nixon, Reagan, Bush Sr. and Colin Powell were all members). The gatherings are held every year in July, so it was likely going on when we arrived and according to Google Maps, the campground isn't far from where we're staying. We heard nothing and saw nothing other than a private helicopter buzzing overhead one day. One other thing, it's a "male only" club. Women can be "honorary members", but as far as full membership goes, it's still "Men Only". Google "Bohemian Grove" and see what comes up, it's pretty interesting!
There are a number of interesting places to visit nearby. But those will be for another blog. Afterall, I don't want to work too hard while I'm here in the Vacation Wonderland of Monte Rio!
