Valentine’s Weekend 2014

Did you know we were newlyweds? Yep, not even married a year and here’s a little Valentine trivia….we met online using eHarmony!  Who’d a thunk?  Yup, it works!  Seriously, I’ve known others that have met using online services, but I never dreamed it would happen to me!

Because it was Valentine’s Weekend, we took this opportunity to visit the winery where we met on our first date, Shadow Ranch in Amador County, CA.  We had a great afternoon, glass of wine and a terrific picnic.  The picnic included a delicious Pressed Picnic Sandwich – a sandwich I put together the night before, a refreshing Cucumber salad and my sweetie’s favorite cookies; Salted Dark Chocolate Cookies, It was a wonderful afternoon!

From Shadow Ranch, we traveled to the California Coast.  We stayed at a quaint little B&B, The Glass Beach Inn – the Inn has a reputation of being haunted, though sadly, I can’t report any ghost sightings!  Our room was clean & comfortable, the owners fun & accommodating.

If you’ve never been to Glass Beach, it’s something to put on the bucket list!  Glass Beach is located in Fort Bragg, CA.  There is a cove on the beach that is covered with glass.  Many years ago, the area right off the coast was used for dumping (this practice has since stopped).  Over time, glass was tumbled in the ocean and has washed ashore.  The sea glass is beautiful.

Thru the tumbling of the sea, Mother Nature has turned something awful into an amazing place to visit.

From Glass Beach, we traveled south along the Pacific Coast Highway.  It hugs the California Coastline.

The views were stunning!

With something different to see around every corner.

Isn’t this amazing?  This is The Sea Ranch Chapel.  I caught a just glimpse as we were driving thru the area and told my hubby I wasn’t sure what I saw, but that we definitely had to turn around and go back.  We were so happy that we did.  The architecture was amazing.  Stunning stained glass, beautiful teak wood, words cannot express its beauty. The Chapel is open to the public 365 days a year from sunrise to sunset.

From Sea Ranch we continued along the coast and finally ended our day in Bodega Bay, a beautiful fishing village.  Does Bodega Bay sound familiar?  Well, if you’re an old film buff it probably does!  Bodega Bay is where Alfred Hitchcock filmed “The Birds”.

We had some fabulous food!

Such a proud moment, my hubby watched while I cracked & devoured an entire crab myself!  So delicious!!!

We ate at the Spud Point Crab Co. – I personally think they have the best chowder I’ve ever eaten.  It’s tucked away just off the Marina where the boats are docked.  The crab, chowder, crab cakes, shrimp cocktail, you name it, it is fabulous and definitely worth the drive!

I hope you’ve enjoyed a glimpse of the California Coastline.  Truly a gem and I’m privileged to be lucky enough to be able to drive and enjoy it!