Petaluma, California
April 2–3, 2022
April 2–3, 2022
I know Petaluma for being the hometown of two of my favorites: Lagunitas Brewing Company and Karen Kilgariff, co-host of My Favorite Murder. The boys and I visited the very dog-friendly outdoor taproom, with the dogs enjoying the company and me enjoying a couple pours of a special seasonal IPA called Island Beats. Mochi fell particularly in love with a German shepherd who was seated at the same long table as we were, but all of us pesky humans kept them from running off together into the sunset. I think Mochi would make a stellar spokesdog for the brewery, should they ever need a new model. I spent the evening “camped” in the large parking lot, and no one seemed to mind. In fact, a fellow van inhabitant (and former Vermonter, apparently) left a friendly note on my window. I did not take him up on his offer to hang (and was somewhat surprised to realize my van in particular had been noticeable in the big city), but it was nice all the same.
After taking the dogs for a romp at Rocky Memorial Dog Park and visiting the Lagunitas “Schwag Shop” the next morning, I headed back toward the coast to see Bodega Bay and nearby Bodega, two filming locations for Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds. The Potter School has been occupied continuously by the family who purchased and restored it in the mid-’60s, so I felt a little creepy walking around and taking photos, but I’m 100% sure the family is accustomed to that behavior by now. The St. Teresa of Avila church, made famous in a photo by Ansel Adams, is right next door. The bro-dude in the Schwag Shop had recommended visiting South Salmon Creek Beach while I was in Bodega Bay, and I’m so glad I did. I hiked up into the dunes and lay down to rest my eyes, lulled by the warm sun, brisk breeze, and soughing seagrasses.
My last stop in the area was Healdsburg, right in the heart of Sonoma wine country. The town felt a wee bit snooty for my taste, but there was a great bike path along the train tracks, and the old, abandoned depot building was a stunner. As I headed out of town, I got a sandwich at the Dry Creek General Store on my cousin Julianne’s recommendation, and the dogs and I sat outside and gazed out at the grapevines and hills beyond while I ate. Wine Country may be a bit rich for my blood, but it sure is purty.
After taking the dogs for a romp at Rocky Memorial Dog Park and visiting the Lagunitas “Schwag Shop” the next morning, I headed back toward the coast to see Bodega Bay and nearby Bodega, two filming locations for Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds. The Potter School has been occupied continuously by the family who purchased and restored it in the mid-’60s, so I felt a little creepy walking around and taking photos, but I’m 100% sure the family is accustomed to that behavior by now. The St. Teresa of Avila church, made famous in a photo by Ansel Adams, is right next door. The bro-dude in the Schwag Shop had recommended visiting South Salmon Creek Beach while I was in Bodega Bay, and I’m so glad I did. I hiked up into the dunes and lay down to rest my eyes, lulled by the warm sun, brisk breeze, and soughing seagrasses.
My last stop in the area was Healdsburg, right in the heart of Sonoma wine country. The town felt a wee bit snooty for my taste, but there was a great bike path along the train tracks, and the old, abandoned depot building was a stunner. As I headed out of town, I got a sandwich at the Dry Creek General Store on my cousin Julianne’s recommendation, and the dogs and I sat outside and gazed out at the grapevines and hills beyond while I ate. Wine Country may be a bit rich for my blood, but it sure is purty.
