Summer is coming to an end.

It's been a challenging summer for us here at the cottage.  I won't go into too many details yet, but I feel I have turned a corner and I am very grateful for it.  I hope everyone has enjoyed their summer and will continue to grow and change as needed.    We did get to the coast 2 weeks ago, but just for the afternoon.  (We were in the middle of a large wildfire in the area which I am sure you heard about, the Rocky fire in Lake County, California.  It was 20 miles away so we were not in any danger, only lots of smoke on most days and worry about our fellow citizens and animals friends in the area.   And of course the firefighters safety too.)  The smoke was all the way to the coast, but at least you could smell the freshness of the ocean air.  It was a glorious day, 75 degrees with no cold breezes...warm and comfortable to sit in the sun with your toes in the sand. 

One of our lovely views on the beach in Fort Bragg.  After a couple of hours we headed to Mendocino for a bite to eat and to wander around the village.  One of my favorite things to do!  (Click on photos to enlarge)

Our view during dinner on the outside deck.  Again, the weather was warm and calm at 5 pm, which doesn't happen very often.

A couple of gorgeous plants you will find on your visit to Mendocino Village.

One of the many fabulous hydrangeas on our walk.   And look at this fabulous succulent wreath!  It was almost 2 feet in diameter. 

After our stroll around the village we headed out to the Headlands for a quick walk along the cliffs.  

Isn't this a lovely tidal pool? 

Lovely sunset off the Mendocino Coast. 

August 16, 2015

We didn't stay to watch the sun go down completely, but as we were heading home the sun was a bright red because of the smoke.  I wish I had gotten a photo...it was very mysterious looking.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.

--- Sir John Lubbock

Mendocino, Fort Bragg and the Pacific Ocean



I found a similar saying,

 but this one is anonymous.

Remember, you can smile

at many people and your

smile will shine just as

brightly as before.   :o)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I wanted to get these pics posted

before the time got away from me.

   As you know, I am always saying

 I will post stories and pictures

 later and hardly ever do!   Trying

to work on that this year.  I still

plan to post some pics from

 a Halloween party we went to

 and our Disneyland trip during

Thanksgiving.  Maybe I will

start next week as it is 

suppose to start raining

 again in Northern California.

Below are a few pics from our

overnight trip to Fort Bragg/

Mendocino on Super Bowl

Sunday.

Arrived 2-6-11, looking off our

 deck at the Beachcomber Motel

 in Fort Bragg.

Down on the beach...high tide.

SUNSET 2-6-11

Pacific Ocean

Morning 2-7-11

Pudding Creek Beach





My favorite tidepool.  Looking
down, it looks like the old
 Submarine ride at Disneyland!  :o)
(Which is now, Finding Nemo) 

 

Mike looking for treasures.

  This is looking towards the

 Beachcomber Motel.

The tidepool and ocean are

behind us.

Someone's sweet little footprint.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Off to Mendocino.  It is about

 12 miles South of the motel.

 This is the main street along

 the "cove" (which is to the

 right) in Mendocino.

The ocean is behind me.

The two-story building with

the dormers is one of my

dream buildings.  It is for sale

for $ 1.3 million...it also has a

house behind it with a lovely

garden.  I have posted a pic

of the garden in the past.

We always have to stop here for

my favorite dark chocolate-covered

peanuts.  Yes, I did have them and

I took a pic, but I can't find it now.

They were delicious and quite

large.   :o)

One last pic before we go.... 

Mendocino Headlands Park...

looking South.  It

was so windy I could barely

stand up to take this pic!  Mike

stayed in the car.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HAVE A BEACHY DAY!
For wonderful photos go to:
A Beach Cottage

HAPPY APRIL FOOL'S DAY

Poor, dear, silly Spring,

preparing her annual

surprise!

--- Wallace Stevens

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Guess what we stumbled upon today on our day trip to Mendocino? The Parade Of Fools !

It was about 5 pm and we were just returning to our car after climbing around the bluffs above the beautiful Pacific Ocean and we heard some yelling and laughing and beating of drums. And there they were.......a parade of fools! So funny and inspiring. Some were dressed up and the kids were having so much fun! It made you want to just join right in! The woman in purple seemed to be the ringleader and she was asking the "fools" to tell silly jokes. It was windy and I tried to get a good pic of their sign without much luck.

Here they come!

The sign-holders (so cute!) waiting for

the rest of the "fools".

Everyone catching up and telling jokes.

Onward to the next block and inside they went to
Out of this World, a store that sells
binoculars, telescopes and science toys.

I wished I had gotten a group pic, but I was in such a state of surprise that I was dumbfounded!
Hopefully I will post a couple of ocean pics tomorrow.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HAVE A DAY FULL OF HUMOR!

The Beachcomber Motel

The important thing is to use
today wisely and well, and face
tomorrow eagerly and cheerfully
and with the certainty that we
shall be equal to what it brings.
--- Channing Pollock

No writing or postmark date on the back of this postcard.
~~~~~~~~~~

I am finally posting as I didn't feel like it the past couple of days. We got back from our 2 night trip to the Mendocino coast on Thursday night. Of course, we had a fabulous time and it just reinforces again, how much we need to live there. I think Mike is coming around. :o) I'll post several pictures, in somewhat order, over the next few days.

Mike had to take a picture of the back of our van loaded for just a 2 night trip! We took just about everything including the toaster ! It is a pain, but even Mike said it is worth it once we are there.

Here is our room this time. We splurge and got a room with a fireplace and whirlpool tub. With tax, etc. it was 269.00 for 2 nights. It was nice to have the gas fireplace, which was on a timer so we could go to sleep with it on. The tub was great.....you could still watch tv and sit in the tub! The room also had a vcr and I brought several shows I had taped on video for Mike to catch up.

The view on the day we arrived....Tuesday, 2-24-09. As you can see, the room was a bit more to the right of the property instead of having the beach directly in front of you like the other times we have stayed there.

Of course, we took a walk on the beach after we got everything unpacked. I'll post more pics tomorrow.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And lastly, this darling little kitten that was on a card Mike gave me. :o)

HAVE A DIVINE DAY!