Tag Archives: gardens

Carmel edge

When you travel with your dog, you can  hardly go wrong if you visit Carmel, a truly dog friendly place with dogs everywhere, miles of sandy dog friendly beach and lots of dog friendly stores and activities. Carmel has the canine edge that doggies love.

 

A wonderful place to stay right in Carmel are the Edgemere Cottages, a block from the beach.

take Hwy. 1 to the Ocean Av. exit turning towards Carmel. Go down the hill, through town and continue on to the bottom of the steep hill. There you will see a sign pointing to the 17 Mile Drive. This is San Antonio Av. Turn LEFT onto it and proceed 7 and a half blocks. Edgemere Cottages is on San Antonio between 13th and Santa Lucia on the left hand side

Check in is after 4 pm, check out noon

Gretchen and Doug are the innkeepers, very personable, friendly and knowledgeable.

http://www.edgemerecottages.com/

We stayed in the Piccadilly cottage and found out that the difference between these two cottages is that Piccadilly has steps leading up to the bathroom and kitchen and Devon cottage does not (we had our choice to stay at either and I should have mentioned that stairs are challenging for me. oh well… The cottage was roomy, comfy and very clean.

 

piccadilly_fireplace1

This B&B has been pet friendly since the 1990’s. Gretchen’s parents bought the property in 1964. It already was a B&B called Edgemere. Gretchen and Doug have been the innkeepers since 2008.

There are four rooms, three are pet friendly plus there are innkeeping cats.

The inn has many repeat guests who come back year after year, for anniversaries, festivals and just to visit Carmel whenever they can. Anita and Dick from NYC are a couple who have been coming to the inn since Gretchen was a little girl in 1965. Anita: “It’s fun for us and very nostalgic. We love it here.

“Whatever excuse, we just want to be here.”

Gretchen loves collecting cook books (and there are a lot of them on her shelves). She is a home cook and baker and makes delicious breakfasts. The first morning we had a fresh fruit salad with strawberries, bananas, apples, grapes and blueberries. There was a choice of juices from V8 to orange juice. And an asparagus quiche (she has modified the ingredients by adding sour cream and nutmeg) with a Mississippi spice muffin (cinnamon, allspice, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, applesauce and chopped nuts) plus coffee or an assortment of teas (herbal and caffeinated). She uses local ingredients from farmers markets. The hospitality is superb. During breakfast each guest was asked for their preferences which were cooked to their liking. Second breakast was a fruit salad, scone and scrambled eggs with or without ham, onion, cheese and veggies. She loves to cook from scratch and it shows.

Her mother collected antiques which are on display everywhere throughout the cottages.

Cici and I enjoyed the one block access to the beach, nice walks and beautiful sunsets. Two doggie bowls for food and water were left out in the kitchen and the bed and couch and chair were covered with sheets.

 

 

picadi7

All in all, if you are visiting Carmel and IF they have a vacancy, you should definitely check into the Edgemere Cottages.

http://www.edgemerecottages.com/

LIGHT AND AIRY”
Split-level cottage with two sleeping areas
Queen bed on lower level with flat-screen TV/DVD player 
Gas-log fireplace
Sofa-sleeper bed and kitchenette on upper level
Windows and doors opening onto beautiful gardens
One bathroom with tub/shower

Continental breakfast with fresh organic fruits, sweet breads, with quiche or egg dish
Orange juice and fresh ground Pleasant Morning Buzz coffee
Warm atmosphere, garden views and classical music

(831) 624-4501
(866) 241-4575
Toll-free

Email:  info@edgemerecottages.com

 

 

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Filed under Adventure, Carmel, cats, dog travel, dogs, four paws up, pet friendly lodging, pet travel, travel with dog, Uncategorized

cleone gardens inn

a very convenient option when you want to stay in a dog friendly place, just two miles north of Fort Bragg is the Cleone Gardens Inn…in Greek, Cleone means gracious and beautiful. this homey place has ten suites, all pet friendly, a nice grassy pet meadow, and it is a family owned and run business. Please call ahead of time to make reservations. We stayed in the Meadow View Suite, with a queen bed, futon, tv, internet access (wireless), small refrigerator, microwave, radio, alarm, coffee maker, hair dryer, large private gated deck with garden, meadow and forest views.and lovely view of the pet meadow. Very affordable and great location, peaceful and quiet.

$25.00 for the first pet, and $6.00 for each additional pet. Pet Fees are per stay, not per night. A portion of the pet fee will be donated to one of the local shelters. Pet blanket, bed, bowl, towels, and pet sheet available upon request.

MacKerricher State Park, Lake Cleone, Inglenook Fen-Ten Mile Dune Preserve, country market, restaurants, campgrounds, and riding stable; are all within an easy walk.

http://www.cleonegardensinn.com/

Dog Friendly Beaches On the Mendocino Coast

* MacKerricher State Park
Located three miles north of Fort Bragg, and behind our Inn, in the community of Cleone. Dogs on leashes (no longer than 6 feet), are allowed on the beach but are not permitted on park trails.
* Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens
Located on the south end of Fort Bragg just off of Highway One. Well-mannered dogs on leashes are always welcome and enjoy free admission. Relish the day in the gardens and walking the spectacular ocean bluffs with your pet.
* Noyo Beach
The beach is a dog friendly off-leash play area for year round use. It is located in Fort Bragg at the Noyo River harbor. On the north end of the Noyo bridge, take North Harbor Drive left and follow the road and signs to the jetty.
* Union Landing State Beach
Located 15 miles north of Fort Bragg on Highway One, and 2 miles north of Westport. Dogs on a leashes (no longer than 6 feet), are allowed on the beach.
* Mendocino Headlands State Park
Big River Beach is on the south side of Mendocino. It is accessible by vehicle from the east side of Highway One. Dogs on leashes are allowed on the beach.
* Van Damme State Park
Located three miles south of Mendocino on Highway One. Dogs on leashes (no longer than 6 feet), are allowed on beach.

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Filed under dog friendly, pet friendly lodging

A river in Carmel?

carmel river inn The Carmel River Inn was built in 1934. In 2003 the property was purchased by Moonstone Hotels Properties and plans for renovations and additional cottages are in the making.

95% of the cottages are pet friendly… and have white picket fences, too…

cottage-with-fence

The Cottages

Nestled throughout the 10-acre grounds of the Carmel River Inn, are cottages. Several feature a white-picket fence, others a wood-burning fireplace, and some have a kitchenette. Each of these eclectic cottages is named for a well-known character in California’s colorful history. Among these famous names, you will find such California historical icons as conservationist and photographer Ansel Adams, and controversial author Henry Miller.

we stayed in the newly renovated steinbeck cottage… with its own patio, whirlpool tub, fireplace, coffee maker, came with pet amenities, dog bowl with treats, waste bags and a ball, which cici loved… they also gave me a welcome bottle of wine… no breakfast… nice touches, fresh flowers, cute signs, sign above the bed said smell the roses…

like the other Moonstone property we stayed in Cambria (Cambria Pines Lodge), there were gardens and fountains everywhere… very quiet, peaceful atmosphere…

the location is off of hwy 1 just past Carmel valley road, beyond Rio road, and just down the street from the Barnyard and Crossroads shopping centers, where there is a very pet friendly winery tasting room (A Taste of Morgan), several pet shops, a pet groomer, holistic vet with doggie daycare, SPCA thrift store and other shops…

The Visitor Center for A Taste of Morgan is open from 11-6, EVERYDAY at the Carmel Crossroads Shopping Village, at Rio Road and US 1.
204 Crossroads Blvd, Carmel, CA 93923
Tel: (831) 626-3700

Cici and I dared to go back to Carmel beach one afternoon/evening… She played with two labs chasing balls and pups for about 1-1/2 hours, great fun for her…


dog friendly beaches of monterey bay

asilomar state beach
carmel city beach
carmel river state beach
garrapata state park
monterey recreation trail
monterey state beach


dog friendly restaurants of carmel

allegro gourmet pizzeria at the barnyard
anton and michel
bahama billy’s
bruno’s market and deli
buon giomo bakery cafe
caffe cardinale coffee roasting co.
carmel bistro
casanova
china gourmet
club jalapeno
da giovanni
hog’s breath inn
jack london’s grill
katy’s place
la dolce vita
le coq d’or
nico’s
porta bella
the forge in the forest
tita’s cafe
village corner

doggie etiquette tips at restaurants

leash your 4 legged friend and tie them to a chair not a table.. try to keep them out of walkways… bring your own water bowl, pets are not allowed to drink out of restaurant glasses or dishes, avoid allowing your pet to socialize with other patrons unless welcomed…

Carmel Cafe Dining

I was invited to a meal sans Cici at the Cafe Demetra in Carmel, off Ocean Avenue and Lincoln… Owners/partners Faisel and Bashard have known each other for a long time. They are from Jordan and Syria. I met Faisel at Whole Foods in the Del Monte Shopping Center and he invited me to come on down. The cafe has only been open for nine months and is packed almost every night, so go early. It is a very small place but don’t let that stop you, the atmosphere is warm, homey, friendly and the food is FABULOUS !!!

Mediterranean food, Italian and Greek… I had the huge Greek salad for an appetizer, it was a meal in itself with creamy feta cheese and olives, authentic and divine. Then I ordered the Pasta Demetra with chicken, think Greek pasta… luscious… bread came with the meal with olive oil and I had no room left for dessert. I was tempted to try the Lamb, spanokapita, and other Greek specialty foods (sandwiches), kabobs, and the Italian specialties, various kinds of raviolis, lasagne, pastas and pizza, all in all, there is a lot of delicious sounding food to choose from and I would definitely go back there for another taste sensation. If you go, be sure to let them know that CeliaSue sent you !

http://www.yelp.com/biz/dametra-cafe-carmel-by-the-sea

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Filed under Carmel, dog travel, K9 travel, pet friendly lodging

pet friendly paso and cambria…

Cambria Pines Lodge is one of the Moonstone Hotel Properties… with hotels in Monterey, Carmel, and Oregon…

Smokey the cat greets you in the lobby… and snoozes frequently on the job…

We had a nice peaceful room/cabin with a porch, fireplace, two queen beds, ethernet Internet connection, microwave, coffee maker, and fridge, and lovely forest in the back, with deer, grass, great place to walk the dog…

Pet amenities were a bag filled with waste bags and dog biscuits…

had a lovely breakfast buffet with food from the restaurant made from organic produce from the gardens… Cici and I ate outside at a table with a fireplace, she ate scrambled eggs and sausage, I had the same with potatoes and pancakes.

This is a rustic historic 26-acre property featuring beautiful gardens, a full-service restaurant and lodging options, from honeymoon suites to family cabins. Proprietor Dirk Winter’s passion for fine horticulture is showcased across the grounds, including an organic kitchen garden, a literal “flower bed” and a new California native plant pathway to the affiliated Cambria Nursery and Florist. Several conference rooms can accommodate groups of various sizes. Outdoor fire pit gazebos are nice and nightly entertainment in the Fireside Lounge is popular with visitors and locals alike.

THE NURSERY
Located just across the street from the Lodge, Cambria Nursery & Florist offers complete floral services; an astounding array of unusual plants and succulents for all types of landscaping; and display gardens such as a “sea coast tolerant garden.” The nursery offers regular demonstrations and workshops for the general public, too, such as “How to Make a Living Birdhouse,” “Deer-Resistant Gardening” and “Gardener’s Boot Camp.” At the nursery entrance, visitors are greeted by the “Deer Resistant Garden,” which offers a variety of animal-deterrents such as the “fraidy cat” plant, which repels deer as well as cats and dogs with its repugnant fragrance.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN
Double doors wrapped in passion vine and nasturtiums open into the property’s California Certified Organic Farmers kitchen garden. Hedges of mint, chamomile and lavender line the pathway that winds through raised beds that are bordered with rock and terraced to follow the ground’s natural slope. Here, artichokes are planted with arugala and cilantro, peas climb trellises and summer squash sprawl. Parsley, chives and rosemary are tucked into every nook and cranny while beneficial flowers like yarrow and cosmos perform both ornamental and bug resistant functions.

The “Butterfly Garden” offers a habitat for both butterflies and hummingbirds, and the “Wishing Well Vignette” is a quaint setting popular for photo opportunites, especially for wedding parties.

download

As devotees of “habitat gardening,” or using bugs to catch bugs, the Lodge’s garden crew uses an extremely small amount of toxins in tending the property. They also use only trucked-in grey water for the grounds and are firm believers in organic gardening.

There are 152 Rooms Total with 12 pet rooms and a $25 a day pet fee (if you are bringing a pet, please call ahead of time and let them know at Reservations: (800) 966-6490)

http://www.cambriapineslodge.com/

flower-bednewimprovedcolors

There is a dog park in Cambria, and a doggie daycare

Estrella Boarding Kennels
Harmony, California
Phone: 805-927-7827

Paso Robles

Hotel Cheval is newly pet friendly hotel… all of the rooms are named after horses, the room we stayed in was called Whistlejacket… It is located in downtown Paso Robles in walking distance to a nice park.

http://www.hotelcheval.com/index.php

Some of the amenities:
Fresh Baked Welcome Cookies
Complimentary Welcome Glass of Champagne in the Pony Club

Complimentary Breakfast:

Monday through Friday a Continental Breakfast of fresh fruit and pastries is delivered to your guestroom

Saturday and Sunday guests enjoy a Hot Buffet Breakfast in the Pony Club

California King Beds
Down comforters and pillows
400 thread count cotton sheets
Spa Robes & Slippers
Bamboo & Cotton blend towels
Temple Spa Bath Products

Some of the pet friendly wineries in the area include:

Harmony, Eberle and Red Soles

http://www.californiawineryadvisor.com/wineries/view/Red_Soles_Winery

there is also a calendar with winery dogs…

Steve from Computer Stuff in Paso is a fountain of info… about Macs and computers in general so if you need to bring your sick computer in, need accessories or helpful information, go see Steve at 6th and Spring Street.

And his brother in law designed the curved architecture in the hotel cheval…

The Pet Department is next door and they have pet supplies, from food to dog beds and more.

Ten miles down the road toward Atascadero, off Hwy 41 is a wonderful pet friendly lavendar farm, with several dogs and seven cats… lovely organic lavendar plants, two varieties…

http://www.greenacreslavenderfarm.com/

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Filed under California, pet friendly lodging

a GRAND project…

Grace

Respect

And

New

Dignity

a GRAND Project…

since NO ONE deserves to be exiled in a shelter, not animals nor humans… am putting out that women of means over 50, women like Oprah, Suze Orman, Shirley MacClaine, Tina and others support women with low and no income over 50 with pets… giving a new leash on life… One on one, a woman of means can Adopt a Woman and help her get back on her feet, ( giving her a strong support system)…

the mission is to create a community of women supporting one another…

l. Eco friendly Home/B&B with gardens …. each woman has her own room and bathroom (whenever possible)… and works a rotating job on site such as answering phones, taking reservations, tending the gardens, housecleaning, pet sitting and dog walking, fencing the property, doing construction, renovation and home improvement tasks as needed…

2. RV/Mobile home park, each woman has her own RV/mobile or park model and works a rotating job on site such as answering phones, taking reservations, tending the gardens, pet sitting and dog walking…

3. Yurt Motel, each woman has her own Yurt and works a rotating job on site such as answering phones, taking reservations, tending the gardens, pet sitting and dog walking…

In addition, women can choose to train a dog from an animal shelter/rescue to give the dog manners and get the dog adopted…

If you are a 501c3 organization (animal rescue, shelter or other), pet business owner, have land you would like to invest in a GRAND project or would like to donate items such as gardening supplies, fencing, computers, food (dog and human), prepaid cells phones, prepaid phone cards and more, please contact me and I will send you more info…

An Idea Whose Time Has Arrived…

grounds_0804

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Filed under affordable housing, self help, sustainable travel, women with dogs, women writers with dogs, yurts

an inn for all seasons and reasons… Howard Creek Ranch Inn…

http://www.merchantcircle.com/business/Howard.Creek.Ranch.Inn.707-964-6725

Seldom in this world today does one find a location which ingrains itself upon one’s very soul. Where one can remove oneself from the chaotic modern world and return to a simpler time of peace and tranquility.

The innkeepers, Sally and Sunny Grigg, have, over their 30+ years of stewardship, transformed the (c.1871) ranch through masterful craftsmanship and heartfelt restoration into a realm of quixotic romanticism seldom found. Through the warm-heartedness of the innkeepers and staff, the made-from-the-heart breakfast presented gracefully elegant, one is enveloped with a sense of kith and kin.

Plato called beauty a privilege of nature; Carneades, a solitary kingdom; Aristotle, that it was better than all the letters of recommendation in the world; Homer, that it was a glorious gift of nature, and Ovid, that it was a favor bestowed by the gods. Beauty is Howard Creek Ranch Inn….Nita and Peter von Sintzenich

Whether you seek a romantic getaway, a peaceful healing nature or spiritual retreat, or a pet friendly farm to bring Fido and Fluffy with you on vacation, come to  howard creek ranch in westport, ca about 15 – 20 miles north of fort bragg…

it is about an hour and a half south of the Avenue of the Giants and same distance north of the Anderson Valley wineries along highway 128.

I was not feeling well, an upset tummy and a bit dizzy and after a few days back at the ranch, have gotten my equilibrium back… it was dicey for awhile there.  I have never had motion sickness but I felt like I could not drive one more mile.

Cici and I stayed in the lovely Willow room suite… two rooms with a king sized bed  in one and a queen size bed in the other, front and back doors, modern shower, small kitchenette… lovely quilts and tree motifs on the redwood walls….

The blue balcony room is a nice alcove type space for a lone traveler or couple but is not pet friendly and has a microwave and sink in the adjacent living room.

Another pet friendly room is a boat house made from a former boat. A couple from San Francisco stayed there for their honeymoon 11 years ago and come back to visit from time to time. The SeaView is also a very romantic location with ocean views and is pet friendly as is the Meadow room.  Hello young lovers… wherever you are, with stars in your eyes… The Beach House is the perfect place to while away your time together.

Beautiful fragrant award-winning gardens make your heart sing and soul soar. There are numerous trails and acres of Nature conservancy to explore and sheep, llamas, a horse, and other creatures are plentiful. We saw a lovely deer and doe on our way to the beach, could not find a way to drive to the beach, but you can walk… the beach is 300 yards from the Carriage House and is accessible along a short path.

Sally makes the most flavorful hearty home cooked breakfast on the coast… scrambled eggs, sausage, country potatoes, fresh fruit, muffins, mint tea straight from the garden, and if she does not have something you want, she will improvise. I needed ginger tea and she made me some from the spice ginger she had on her shelf and it worked.  Just a spoonful of ginger makes the tummy ache go away. Mint is wonderful but doesn’t make my tummy ok.

Another morning we had french toast, salsa quiche, turkey bacon, fresh fruit.

For other meals, bring your own sandwiches or stuff to barbecue or there are restaurants within a few miles down the road.

Cici met a new boy friend named the Divine Mr. M(arshall) who is a 7 year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel obsessed with sticks. They ran on the beach together, mostly Cici trying to take the sticks away from M, but he prevailed, burying one big stick to hide it away from her. Bark softly and bury a big stick is his motto. Cici also played with a girl dog named Callie who loves to fetch balls. Finally, she got some good exercise, burning off all of those treats people fed her in Sutherlin, Oregon.

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Filed under beach, birds in sky, California, deer, dog friendly, dog travel, dogs, farm animals, four paws up, K9 approved, K9 travel, llamas, pet friendly lodging, pet travel, San Francisco, sheep

wild turkeys, Himalayan yaks and deer, oh my…

did you ever see a baby Himalyan yak stand up for the first time and walk, well, i almost did…

woke up this morning to the sound of wild turkeys gobbling… then around 4 pm, another baby yak was born; one was born about a week ago… and this new one was very weak, people and yaks were hovering, taking photos, and one big yak seemed to take a liking to me, avoided his horns… getting pushed down into a pit did not appeal at all…

the baby was born in the hot sun and was moved to the shade, given water, and now, about 6 pm, the owners came and think that the baby may not make it… apparently, they are supposed to walk upright within half an hour of being born… the other baby is huge already… they were getting milk from the mama to give to the baby who still had not stood upright.

Shambhala Ranch truly is an incredible property on 140 acres and a welcome change from Ukiah and Santa Rosa, lots of greenery and beautiful views… the best way to get here, in my humble opinion, is to go to the coast and then take the road just north of Little River, which is Orr springs Road, it is nicer and less twisty and windy than the same road from Ukiah…  although the road from Ukiah is supposed to be shorter, that was not my experience. 

The cabin we are in is small, there is no a/c, nor mosquito netting or screen door, there is a fan that cools the air off, phone, TV and other modern amenities are in the main house… am able to get on the internet, this is a place for a relaxing getaway… 

The ranch is gated and fenced so cici can go off leash as long as she does not disturb the other animals… in that way, it is the dog friendliness place we have stayed at…  there are two pet friendly rooms, some people leave their pets while they go about their activities and the staff takes care of them… with treats, food and toys….

Personal touches that i love… the little handwritten signs everywhere that say glad you are here… thank you for being here… the essential oil soap in the bathroom… love the cool shower curtain and rug… looking out at the Tibetan yak pasture with lovely purple bluebell flowers… and green trees…

 

the funny thing is that it turns out that owner Stuart Marcus and I both went to the same high school, a year apart, Martin Van Buren in NYC. 

It is soooooooo peaceful and sooooooo hot, a record breaking 100+, time for a jump in the pond that you can swim in, there is also a hot tub to relax in. It’s quite a meditative environment, who could ask for anything more? 

well, cooler weather and a less twisty windy road to get in and out… 

Montgomery Woods State Park nearby is home to the tallest tree in the world. Also in close vicinity are hiking trails, lush gardens, and a  fruit tree orchard.  There are also multi-media rooms perfect for yoga and dance groups), if you are seeking a peaceful eco-friendly place to hold a retreat, wedding, seminar, workshop, party, reunion, girlfriend getaway or a romantic getaway, Shambhala Ranch just may be the venue for you.

 

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yak

http://www.happy-nomads.nl/nepal-informatie/yak-nepal-himalaya.html

http://www.yaksinamerica.com/yaksinamerica/index.htm

 

 

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Filed under all you need is a dog, animals, California, dog friendly, dogs, four paws up, girlfriend getaways, K9 approved, mutts, peace, pet care, pet friendly lodging

I left my heart in Mendocino, Little River and Westport…

 

 

At Abigail’s B and B in Mendocino… 

 

http://www.whitegateinn.com/abigails.php

 

We had the whole house to ourselves thankfully the way cici was carrying on…  not sure if it’s Mendocino or cici is just whacking out, having a dog breakdown or what but she was pretty crazed yesterday with all of the dogs, cats and people around here. Abigail’s smells very fresh and not chemical like some places do. The feather bed is very comfy and also very fresh.

We stayed in the Drawing room downstairs. A large, very private sunny room with a view of the garden. It contains a queen sized four poster bed, a large closet, sitting area and full bath with shower/bath combination.

The wine and cheese spread at 5 pm was fabulous… there were different cheeses, two wines, olives, salami, rumaki, a hot dip with artichoke that was scrumptious, different kinds of crackers, and cookies. Slept well and so did cici. got her a new halter instead of her collar, which i like a lot.  she also needs a new stronger retractable leash… They have some nice toys and treats for the pups at the gift shop at the Whitegate Inn, bully sticks for $1 and squeaky toys. 

It was a little confusing to get to Abigail’s so here are the directions. Exit Highway One to Little Lake Road. Turn left on the second street which is Howard. Go two blocks to the Whitegate Inn on your left.  Go to the office, and they will check you in and direct you to Abigail’s which is just down the street . 

At breakfast, which was an egg souffle, some banana bread and fresh fruit, I met a family from the Netherlands and several couples from the Bay area.  after I had breakfast, I came back to the car and cici was shaking a lot, so i decided it would be good to walk her around a bit. 

We went to Evergreen Barn which is around the corner and has pet supplies. She threw up at Evergreen, there were two dogs there that she could not play with so we left… the woman there was kind and suggested I get her some rice. Did some errands and drove north up the coast, a bit twisty and windy but beautiful, a little like driving to Big Sur… we stopped at a beach along the way and got out… and cici had a great time running around getting all of her pent up energy run off, so much fun getting all sandy and wet… she finally sat down so then i took her back into the car and we drove the rest of the way up to Westport… it is a tiny little town, smaller than Little River which is saying a lot…

We looked for signs to the Howard Creek Inn and Farm and found it and drove in the driveway passed some sheep grazing along the grass. 

Howard Creek Ranch Inn is an historic, 60 acre, ocean front farm bordered by miles of beach and mountains on the beautiful Mendocino Coast.  Charles (Sunny) and Sally have been working on the Howard Creek Ranch for the last 20 years. They met, fell in love and bought the property from people who had a commune on the land. Howard Creek Ranch is a Mendocino County Registered Historic Site nominated to the Federal Register of Historic Places.

http://www.howardcreekranch.com/history.html

The Ranch has farm animals, nine cats, award-winning gardens, fireplaces/wood stoves, a 75 foot swinging foot bridge over Howard Creek, hot tubs, on-site hiking, sauna, 1000 year old redwoods, and horseback riding on the beach or in the mountains.

Accommodations include cabins, suites and rooms furnished with antiques, large comfortable beds, and handmade quilts with views of the ocean, mountains, creek or gardens. 

Sunny and his wife Sally came here in 1973 and renovated the old building and built new buildings with some modern amenities of Internet and TV videos of old PBS shows and Star Trek… wireless was intermittent in my room… There also is no phone in the room. Atrium B&B and Abigail’s also had no phone in the room. The Little River Inn, Pacific Mist Inn, Surf Motel and Pine Beach Inn all had phones in the room.  If you want to get away from TV and Internet, Howard Creek is a good place to disconnect.

There is a deli in town for food for lunch and dinner, or you can bring your own. The market/deli is not like the one in Little River, I asked for Chicken Teriyaki and got some hot spicy Indian food instead, I did not know until I got back here. I also brought some hot dogs and breakfast is at 9 a.m. in the dining room. 

Breakfast was the heartiest breakfast ever, delicious… eat until stuffed, lots of portions… strawberry banana pancakes, whipped cream, fresh juice, apple granola muffins, turkey bacon, fresh fruit and edible flowers, spinach and cheese quiche, and the best mint tea ever, fresh from the garden… the gardens are spectacular, gorgeous flowers… and it’s soooo peaceful…  the antiques are real, too… 

The ambiance is very peaceful and relaxing and rustic, and very down homey. You can walk to the beach from here and there is a community living room. We stayed in the Walden room.  It is quite large, with a fridge, sink, coffee pot, hanging plants…  deep rich brown wood walls and reddish brown tile floor. 

I had hoped that Cici would be mellow from her run on the beach, but she was up all night, nosing around sniffing everything. We took a few walks and met the other people staying at the farm. It is lovely to be out in the country a hop skip and a jump from the beach. There is a nice grassy area to relax, sunbathe, and barbecue. You must keep your dog on leash at all times so as not to disturb the animals.

If you stay in the Redwood Suite, there is a beautiful view of the ocean from the upstairs bedroom loft and downstairs… if you stay in the Walden room and people are upstairs in the community room, you can hear them walk around up there. There are 12 rooms, four of which are pet friendly. There is a Beach house, and a cabin, which have ocean views, too. 

Visitors come back to the farm on their birthdays, anniversaries and other special occasions. Some notables include billionaire entrepreneurs, celebrities, and regular folks from cities near and far. the inn is non-smoking as were most of the inns I stayed at this trip.

Takes about five hours to get to San Francisco, Tomorrow we will travel to Branscomb Road to go across to the 101 and go south to SF. 

Branscomb Road takes about an hour, you get onto 101 (and don’t necessarily know it) and you are above Willits… it was easier than the 128 and took less time and was nice and scenic… 

San Francisco was a whole other matter… the best thing that happened was I found a way OUT of SF easily and fast, by not knowing where I was going… I got off the 19th and had a stop at Geary and 5th. Afterwards, I got onto 19th Avenue, it dead ended and I proceeded towards the 1, the beach and took Hwy 1 south to the 280… easy… no getting lost and driving along the beach, no traffic either… 

We were supposed to stay by the airport but that did not work out so we went to Gilroy and Monterey beach… now we are at a secret location near Lancaster, CA… it is a very nice place is all I can say…  the Mystery and Adventures continue…

 

Walden room at Howard Creek Inn 

      

 

 

 

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