Bodega Bay

This was the last of our stops with Sean, visiting from Texas. We loved the drive from Petaluma to Bodega Bay with more dairy farms than we could count amongst the rolling coastal hills. Somewhere along the way, some bozo person shot our truck with a white paintball. Fortunately, by the time we reached a convenience store to wash it off, the paint was still pliable enough to wipe off. Whew! What a relief - especially since it was on the side that was so recently painted!

Each of our drives in the more rural areas of California reveals so many properties for sale. Some are obviously drought ridden, but others seem to be functional - but many, many FOR SALE signs everywhere we travel. The mess of things is even more apparent in the local news reports and the ongoing state budget mess that remains unresolved as of this writing. Tons of debt, voters adamantly opposed to increasing their tax bills and many unyielding on expected continued state benefits and services. Something has to give! We will continue to watch and pray for our country in these troubled times.

We didn't know what to expect at Bodega Bay. We knew that it was the location where Alfred Hitchcock filmed 'The Birds'. None of the kids have watched the movie and could not understand how a flock of birds could be frightening. One of the local hotels was promoting a visit by Tippi Hedren. It's been too long since I've watched the movie to recognize specific locations. The bay was very peaceful and we spotted a couple of sea lions begging near arriving boats to the docks. We drove around the bay to get a glimpse of the Pacific, especially since Sean had only seen the view from the Golden Gate bridge last week.We were looking for a coastal hiking trail and found one that climbed above giant boulders and along some open meadows full of wildflowers. The trail wove close to coastal overlooks occasionally and continued to a fantastic view of Bodega Bay. Fog was rolling in and we could hear fog horns echoing with barking sea lions. The incoming fog blocked being able to see much of the Pacific, but for a bunch of landlubber Texans we loved it just the same. After our hike and a litte time listening to the waves crash into the boulders, we drove back to Bodega Bay and enjoyed fish tacos and fish & chips - so delicious with truly fresh caught ingredients!

We made it back to the KOA in time for the Petting Farm. Several goats, sheep, cows, chickens, donkeys, horses and peacocks are kept in and next to the campground. KOA staff join guests at set times to pet some of the goats, including our favorites - the kids! Mario, Luigi and Floyd were 4 weeks old, while Lewis and Clark were only 3 weeks old. Yup - all boys! You all know the namesakes for Lewis and Clark, and many of you will also know the Nintendo brothers. Floyd was named after one of the men that worked at the KOA and introduced us. The boys all enjoyed the goats, even the ones that tried to eat their clothes and hair, kicked their shoes, and soaked down Sean's flipflop sandal (and foot). Fortunately, the campground was prepared with a dispenser of soap and bucket of water for such occasions.

All in all, we had a great time in the area and were so pleased to have Sean join us. The guys had a great mix of sightseeing, hiking, biking, computer and video games. At the end of his two week visit, Craig and Cory saw Sean off at the airport - we'll miss him! Thanks for coming Sean!

As promised, here's the view of the camper in the tight fit between trees at the KOA. We were relieved to squeeze our way out of there!