A Week in Northern California

Last month, I spent a week in Northern California.

It was my first real out-of-town vacation trip since the pandemic struck three-plus years ago. I hitched a ride out there on my friend’s private jet, and took some good shots of the views outside the windows.

More views from aloft.

Coming in for a landing.

After I enjoyed a few days with “the guys,” Barbara joined me at the Montage Hotel in Healdsburg, a center of Sonoma County’s wine region. That’s the entrance to the hotel (behind the grapes),
the lobby and the bar.

We lunched poolside.

Lush surroundings.

Vivid skies.

All the rooms of the hotel are located in free-standing structures such as those at top left. We ate breakfast each morning out on our
flame-equipped terrace.

Here are some views from the terrace . . .

. . . as are these.

We surmised that these gentlemen were not visiting Martians but rather crop-sprayers. And guess whose shadow that is pointing the camera in their direction . . . .

Healdsburg is a lovely small town with abundant shopping
(to Barbara's delight) and fine eateries.

This is the little park in the center of town.

Lots of flowers abound.

Speaking of flowers, Barbara took some fine pix on her iPhone throughout the trip. Here are four with a floral theme.

Willi’s is one of the better restaurants. We never tried the one whose name was simply “Restaurant.”

Barbara recorded my cravings from the tasting menu at Dry Creek Kitchen.

There’s an attractive winery called DaVero right in Healdsburg.

It has a lovely extended garden.

And not only does it boast a fine dog, but also a cluster of pigs that Barbara wanted to bring home.

Here are some of the flowers in the DaVero garden.

We journeyed by car outside of Healdsburg, this vineyard being one of the sites along the way.

Here’s what it looked like through a telephoto lens.

Not to be outdone, the Montage Hotel has its own vineyard, with differing varietals in each row.

And the grounds of the hotel feature interesting foliage and even
some green apples.

On this particular day we ventured further afield to Lake Sonoma
(less than a half-hour drive).

This scenic bridge spans the banks of the lake. Please note the single pole at the extreme left of the photo.

The top of that pole is the home of a family of ospreys.

Here they are – up close and personal.

Now we’re viewing the bridge from its other end.

I’m not sure what this structure was meant to be, but it does offer some interesting photo opportunities.

From on high, we had a fine view down to the lake’s boat basin,
nestled ‘neath the handsome surrounding hills – a very scenic spot.

Here are some closer views of the boat basin . . .

. . . and now we’re right down beside it.

The next day our venture was to a fabulous forest of Redwood trees about a forty-minute drive from the hotel. Check the relative size of the trees on the left, towering over my dear wife.

Now she’s perched on the right under some tall trees that just won’t quit.

Here Barbara unleashed her lens and returned the favor to me.

Some offbeat shapes.

Barbara was in her glory here.

Not everything stretched to the sky.

We stopped some passersby to snap us in joint poses.

Well, it was a worthwhile trip. Here we’re approaching the Golden Gate Bridge on our way to the airport – but the fog got here first.

We made it though, and here are my pix from on high.

More aerial shots.

And here's a good one to end the portfolio.