Leisurely coffee in Mill Valley

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Originally uploaded by js_hale

The mug is from my dot com days - hanging out in Mill Valley almost fools you into thinking that we're still at the height of the bubble! Mill Valley is a very casual, yet well-to-do suburb of SF - just across the Golden Gate Bridge. I regularly hear urban dwellers who are tired of the city talk about how they'd LOVE to move to Mill Valley.

Peter and I have been camping out at the in laws house because our house is getting worked on. We're staying in Tiburon, which is just across the highway from MV - both places are pretty rockin', I have to say. Though it will be SOOOOOO nice to go home!

Car camping in Bodega Bay

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Originally uploaded by js_hale

Peter, the dog and I went car camping in sketchy weather at the Sonoma Coast State Park. If you decide to camp here and nearby, be aware that the campgrounds are dominated by gargantuan RV's and noisy generators. 

Weather this morning, as you can see, was beautiful, but it was rainy and windy the previous night. Weather put a temporary damper on the mood, but the food and fire quickly made up for the hardships. On the way home, we stopped at dog-friendly Wright's Beach and watched the surf - the wind was tremendous, and the waves looked like they were at least 15' or higher! Afterwards, we went to lunch at Lucas Wharf Restaurant on Highway 1 - EXCELLENT seafood - if you're in the area, you simply must go here. We sat in the cozy front area next to the fireplace, ate calamari steeped in creamy butter lemon sauce and New England clam chowder - it was a fantastic welcome back to 'civilization.'