I will start with some photos of the KOA campground in which we are staying. I like it here, because we are surrounded by redwood trees (young redwood trees, that is, not old growth):
I mentioned the animals in this campground once before. There are four peacocks - 2 male and 2 female. I haven't been able to get too close to them for photographs, but finally got one that will have to suffice:
Teddy, a very friendly cat who loves attention, lives under the RV next to us. Lee invited him to join us for a walk one day, and he followed until we reached the outer edges of his territory. Then he sat and waited for us to return.
Here he is, sitting on our doorstep, hoping we will invite him in. (Boy, would he love Munchkin, Beanie, and Barney! Tasty! Yum!)
This last week we visited two airports. The first is a small airport, just south of the town of Sonoma, where 3/4 of the planes are antiques, all restored for flight. I went along because the weather has been so beautiful, these excursions are an excuse to be outdoors. Lee actually purchased his first airplane at this airport years ago, a Piper Cub (think bright yellow with a black bolt of lightening painted across the cowling).
A pilot climbed into this P40 and took off while we were there. He did several low fly-overs. The P40 was used in WWII, and its engine is very LOUD.
There were a few planes that would give rides, for a VERY LARGE fee! Needless to say, we didn't do it, although Lee would like such a ride for his birthday. (Hmmm...)
The owner of the plane below is in the process of restoring it. There are only four of these remaining in the world today.
While Lee talked to owners, I enjoyed the scenery - the hills, clouds, and vineyards. The Sonoma valley is so beautiful:
The second airport was in Santa Rosa, and has an aviation museum. This particular museum has an odd assemblage of military jets, including the first one to arrive in NY airspace on 9/11. It arrived just as the second hijacked aircraft hit the south tower of the World Trade Center (not something I care to be reminded of):
How did they arrive so quickly?
Also on display is one of the actual Tomcats used in the movie "Top Gun":
Odd, if you ask me.
On yet another day, my friend Nan and I visited China Camp State Park. It is one of over 70 parks that will be closing this year, due to budget cuts, just before the summer season begins. China Camp was created in the late 1800's, when 500 Chinese lived here to catch and dry small shrimp from the bay that were then packaged and sent back to China. The camp was self-sufficient, with gardens, a barber, and school. It was also isolated, with little opportunity for interaction with Americans. The inhabitants continued to speak Chinese, and to practice their religious and cultural traditions. One Chinese family still lives here today - they run a small hamburger stand during the summer months.
There was a century plant in full bloom here, in front of one of the small cabins:
In the photo below is the lower half of the century plant:
The pier has been closed to visitors:
Abalone shells serve to decorate:
A fun place for photography!!
The oven below was used to dry the shrimp, although the sun worked just as well so shrimp were often dried in outdoor trays:
The place is so picturesque, we came upon a group of artists who were painting their canvases with watercolors and oils:
How could an artist pass up such an opportunity? Impossible!
Nan and I found a trail that led away from the camp and to more vistas:
To give you an idea of where these places are, I have inserted a Google map below. China Camp is just east of San Rafael, and Petaluma is farther north.
This is enough for one post. And to think, I thought I would run out of material!!
