Spring 2005 Newsletter

W I L D F L O W E R S

It's almost spring. You can see it in the Anderson Valley and feel it all along the North Coast. In these early months, my husband and I try to spend at least one day a week touring the local sights. There are certain favorites that we repeat each year — and then we get out the maps and try new ones. Here are two of our "top ten."

The Whistling Swans, who have been nesting along the Garcia River and the ocean ponds near Point Arena, have taken wing and are heading north for the year. Until the end of February, white masses of the graceful, big birds can be seen gathering in the greening pastures at the Stornetta Dairy Ranch and other local seaside ranches north of the Point Arena Lighthouse. They come here every year from Canada and Alaska to winter in the relative warmth of our coast. We never miss it. We mount an expedition with friends and bring a spotting scope to watch for a while and then head to the pier at Point Arena for fish and chips.

Our other annual "can't miss" trip is more inland. If you come to Mendocino on Highways 101 or 128 you may have noticed Mountain House Road. You can approach this beautiful stretch of county road from either direction. On the 101 side you will be in Hopland and on the 128 side you will be 10± miles west of Cloverdale.

At this time of year the wild flowers are beginning to show and Oh! What a show it is! Wild columbine, lilies, blue-eyed grass, poppies and every other wildflower you can imagine can't wait to bloom. The rolling hills are landscapes of lavender and yellow. Clumps of eager flowers display in turnouts, in rocky outcroppings and other improbable places.

    

The countryside along the Mountain House Road is extraordinary: big parcels of land that offer stunning vistas. Ernie and I start at the corner of 128 and Mountain House and stop for lunch at the Bluebird Café (closes at 2:30pm) or the Hopland Brewery, the home of Red Tail Ale. If you like to taste wine you have lots of choices in Hopland. If you're coming from Hopland toward 128, the Anderson Valley with its world-class pinot noir is only a few miles away. Along the way try the wines of Maple Creek in Yorkville. Linda and Tom would love for you to stop by to try their vintages.

  

There are seemingly endless routes of discovery in Mendocino County and the surrounding areas. You don't need a destination to discover wonderful sights and out of the way places that will give you lovely memories for years to come.

If you should see a real estate sign or two in your travels either by car or by armchair, and you get curious as to real estate values (or if you simply fall in love with our beautiful County) please give me a call or send me an email. I'd like to help you find your perfect Mendocino place.

Gio

Spring 2005

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