June 4, 2010

• I Had to Git

  I ran away from home this week. Well, I drove away from home. I was bent on a coastal destination. For more than a stick my toe in the surf day. I am long over due for this get away.

  I found a yurt in Point Reyes Station (check out the link to Windsong Cottage) available for a a couple of nights. On Tuesday, off I went. A yurt  is a round, portable, felt-covered, wood lattice-framed dwelling structure traditionally used by nomads in the steppes of Central Asia. A yurt is more home-like in shape and build, with thicker walls than that of a tent. They are popular amongst nomads. That info is from wikipedia.

  I was feeling like a nomad so when I arrived at the yurt too early for check in I figured I would kill time by cruising further up Highway One in search of some grub. I was starving and I knew fresh sea food was around some unknown corner.

  

  

  I pulled into Nick’s Cove and Cottages in the small bay front town of Marshall. I thought this place might just do!

  

  

  I was at the coast!
  Nick’s Cove is a really nice place, the service was excellent. I ate the best fish and chips ever.

  Finally, full and relaxed, it was time to return to yurt central.

  

  This was no portable or felt made yurt. This was a rustic, inviting round cottage settled in the center of amazing pastoral and bay views.

  

  It was cozy and quiet. I sighed a breath of relief when I put down my (many many) bags.

  

  This is taken from the living room into the bedroom and showing the circular ceiling with sky light.

  

  I had sunset views. Every night. Awesome.

  There is also a jacuzzi. I used that both nights and even the morning of my departure. My shoulder has been in pain from some recent falls. It was a wonderful way to get relaxed before falling sound asleep.

  
  Well, I’m here! Time to take a walk.

       

  I took a walk from the house to a trail head up Hwy One Tomales Trail head. I passed grazing cows, lots of bird friends and plenty of wild flowers. The path led me to swamp pond that gave views of the inlet and the bay. Just a nice warm up to my day ahead.

  

  This guy was very social. He trotted up the fence as I walked by. He wanted to greet me and get his nose nuzzled.

  

  A couple of fun-gi’s I met in the neighborhood. I knew I would be inviting them over to party and hang in the hot tub.

  As for my day, I planned on going to Point Reyes Station for some shopping. I had a list of gifts to buy the people I love. My son wanted a t-shirt and my daughter wanted cheese. I wanted to buy my grand daughter her first Toby’s Feed Barn t-shirt. There is also a wonderful jewelry store (Zuma’s) that I can always find amazing earrings (for ME).

  Once I accomplished the gift list my plan was to visit an oyster farm and purchase fresh live oysters for dinner that night.

     

  I headed over to Tomales Bay Oyster Company. I had driven past it when I was driving north along Hwy One the day before.

    
  I picked up some smalls for eating raw and some mediums for bb’qing too. I bought lots so I would have some to bring home.

   
  It being mid week, the place was quiet and the oyster dudes and dudettes were very helpful.

  I had forgotten to eat much food so I had to get back to the yurt STAT to start doing some dinner making.

    

  I had my work cut out for me. Fresh live oysters mean a bunch of prep work to get at those tasty treats!

  There was a whole bunch of that up there to get to this right here!

  

  It was heaven on the half shell. There is nothing like fresh raw oysters, NOTHING!

  

  Ok, well yeah there is. BBQ’ed fresh oysters and ice cold beer. Just keep ‘em coming.

  I gorged myself. It was amazing. A food orgy. A food symphony. A food masterpiece.

  I fell asleep in oyster ecstasy.

  After all those oysters and just having to chase them with all those ice cold beers, the pastoral view to the bay was not the only thing that was foggy the next morn. Alas, it was time to pack my bags and journey home. But not so fast! I need to clear my head and feel some ocean breezes!

  A drive out to the Point Reyes Lighthouse was just the ticket.

  I have not been all the way out to the lighthouse in a couple of years. I packed my car and hit the road while the morning mist was still in the air.

  

  I drove past all the dairy farms and ranches full of the Oreo Cows. Moo, I would tell them, Mooooo!

  

  It was foggy at the light house. But, when you are the coast, weather doesn’t really matter, does it?

  

  Being there mid week, very few people were out and about. The visitor center was open.

  

  There are 308 steps in all. I climbed them all. Up and Down.
  I had passed a group of four men riding their bikes up to the lighthouse, some 20 miles. But pretty much a calve cranking up hill. I still felt proud when I walked down to sight see and made it back up all those stairs with out vomiting or passing out.

    

  My head cleared and my stomach growling, it was indeed time to hit the road for home.

  I stopped in the little town of Olema to get something to eat.

  

  I chose the Olema Farmhouse Bar and Restaurant to stop and eat.
  First Mistake…
  I had their fish and chips. Really really great!
  With a local IPA.
  Second Mistake.
  Had a second beer…
  Third Mistake.
  Oh sigh, I was not ready to go home yet!
  So I took a walk, texted my kids and booked a room at the Point Reyes Seaside Lodge right next door.

  

  The woman who checked me in also gave me a great price on the room when I balked (just a little) at the cost. I was on the first floor with a deck/porch with a view of the lawn and creek. It was midweek and the place was quiet. I walked around the grounds, dipped my feet in the creek that ran at the back of the grounds and then sat on the porch and relaxed. I ordered food to go and sat on the porch and enjoyed a crab salad and a glass of wine (or two). It was lovely. I could not ask for a better end to my get away.

  I came home this morning. Not too early but with enough time to unpack and tidy up. Putting things in order. Giving my cat extra pets.

  • 9:51 pm
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