Thursday, November 20, 2014

Northern Exposure


The purpose of our road trip was to gather with my cousins to celebrate

out paddling 3 days before her birthday

the 90th birthday of my amazing Aunt Kay.


Our rendezvous location was Fort Bragg which is nearly at the top of California


where the coastline is quite different from that of Southern California.


We stayed at a funky motel right on the ocean just a short walk to the famous Glass Beach.


We almost missed it because we were expecting a little more signage than this, but the road to the beach is under construction.


Glass Beach abounds in sea glass due to years of dumping garbage into the area - we couldn't find any sand beneath the glass.


On our hunt for Glass Beach, we passed cute cottages


with gardens that made me envious because we don't have the water for my garden to still be blooming.


We strolled through the downtown area of Fort Bragg


and my aim was to find Pippi's Longstockings.


 I had done my research and finally found a store that carries Maileg.


I had my pick of elves and other Maileg products.


But, I contained myself (and my wallet) by choosing just 2 little pixies.


I was not physically able to kayak with everyone so Steve and I drove to Mendocino which provided a blast of sunshine and color.


Charming houses - many of them are B & B's,


picket fences


and bay windows abound in the quaint coastal town of Mendocino.


So many picturesque views . . .


so little time.


We scouted out the Mendocino Hotel


where we would gather later for the birthday party.


Our getaway north with my crazy family was perfect - except for the 10 hour drive home.

57 comments:

  1. Love love LOVE your elves!!! How cute! Hubby and i have been to Ft Bragg and Mendocino . I was so disappointed to not be able to find glass beach..... Can you possibly give any better directions on how i might find it. We will be leaving CA soon for a new home in Arkansas and i would love to scratch glass beach off my bucket list. Anything would help.... street names...buildings ... anything... Hugs! deb

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  2. Loved seeing all the cute cottages. A bay window adds so much to the inside of a house doesn't it? It's interesting that those two houses with bay windows look to have the exact same bay, but I think it's two different houses.

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  3. Thanks for sharing all those beautiful homes and what a great picture of you and your family, looks like you were having fun !
    Maybe Glass Beach is hard to find because it might disappear with too many visitors (especially if they were bloggers who like crafting and collecting) - I'd certainly like to go there !

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  4. What a fabulous trip! I would have gone crazy picking up sea glass! How neat! Love your photos and sharing some of your fun! Hugs, Diane

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  5. Thank you for sharing your trip, Carol. The photos are great! You brought back some fond memories for me. My family used to camp at Fort Bragg when I was little, and my father would hunt Abalone that we'd fry over the campfire. Happy Birthday to your aunt. I love your family photo!

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  6. wow, tolle bilder!!! danke für die inspirationen!!! einen schönen abend wünscht angie

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  7. That looks like my kind of trip! Cute little shops, the beautiful ocean, houses to look at and people you love. What more could you want? Oh I'm sure there was good food too. :)

    Are you feeling better? Slowly but surely?

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  8. It looks like the family all had a great time!
    Too bad you weren't able to kayak. Did I miss a post? Have they figured out the problem?
    I hate that you're still under the weather. :/
    That little yellow cottage is just too cute! the beach with all the glass. Interesting. I've only been to the beach twice in my lifetime. So...sheepishly, I say... I didn't know what beach glass was. Now I know! (nope, never googled it either!)

    have a great weekend. Get better. ;)

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  9. What a wonderful reason for a trip. I love the coast and it looks like you had a great time. Your elves are adorable and I'm hoping one of these days to have a couple come live at my house! Hope you are feeling good and home and ready for Thanksgiving!
    hugs,
    Linda

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  10. An area I'm still kicking myself for not exploring when I had the easy chance... Thanks for making it come alive in my head!
    Still sending gentle healing thoughts, and {of course} hugs ~

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  11. That was a lovely trip. I would have went crazy at the glass beach. My pockets would have been full. HA! HA!

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  12. I think, if truth be told, most All of our families are a tad bit crazy, it's what makes family work! I Love Northern Cal beaches. It is so fun to find all the nooks and crannies around the beaches, the sea creatures, rocks and waves are just great! I've been to Fort Bragg and love that whole area! I'm so glad you were feeling well enough to travel for such a special occasion! Blessings to you Carol!!!

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  13. Hi Carol, I love that family photo . . . what a bunch of fun loving people. Your Aunt Kay is awesome. Young at heart and in the best of physical health . . . Kayaking, WOW!!! I'm so sorry that you were not feeling strong enough to join the fun. Here's wishing you the very best of health and a Happy Thanksgiving:)

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  14. What a fabulous trip Carol...your photos are stunning!! Happy Happy Birthday to your Aunt Kay...WOW kayaking!!

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  15. Carol, looks like a fabulous time on this trip to celebrate your awesome Aunt Kay. Wow, she is certainly in good health. Wonderful!
    Happy Birthday, Aunt Kay!
    Love seeing the family photo. What a treasure! Where are you in the photo?

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  16. looks like a perfect trip. Wow, your aunt celebrating 90 and such a young lifestyle

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  17. Thank you for sharing. It looks like a great trip.
    What a great celebration as well.
    xx oo
    Carla

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  18. great trip. thanks for taking us along. Did you know that the house used to film Murder She Wrote is a bed and breakfast in Mendocino? It was supposed to be Angela Lansbury's house and was used for outdoor shots and some inside.

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  19. Thank you for the tour. What a beautiful place!

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  20. Your photo's were beautiful and such lovely homes. Sounds like you all had a terrific.
    Thanks so much for sharing.
    Mary

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  21. I need to go there! Every shot was like a dream! Those cottages knocked me straight out of my chair! What a joy to just pop around and see all of this goodness! And your family is adorable! I am so glad you were able to spend this time with them! Your aunt looks incredible!! What is her secret?!?!? Wishing you all the health in the world friend....I hope you are gaining back your strength bit by bit! Nicole xo

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  22. What a beautiful place!! I have been to the northern CA coast a few times and have never even heard of Glass Beach. Imagine, I went all the way to Lake Erie before I ever found any sea glass. If we take the coast route to Sacramento again one of these days this will be on my list!

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  23. How fun Carol. I love to go along with you on your trips. You go to some of the cutest spots. Glad you have fun with family. Wow your aunt is amazing!!! Wooo Hooo you go girl!!! Glad you found and adopted a couple of the pixies you love. They are really sweet.
    Kris

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  24. I always enjoy your delightful photo essays. What a wonderful adventure you had, charming places, a BD party with a family reunion and pixies too ...
    xx

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  25. What a fabulous trip with wonderful sights along the way! Your aunt looks absolutely amazing!!

    I love the pixies you chose and I'm sure they will have lots of fun in your cottage!

    I hope you're feeling better, Carol.
    Vickie

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  26. What a delightful getaway! Beautiful weather, gorgeous views and laughter with people you love. Couldn't be better.
    Those elves are so darling. And I love the name of the store - Pippi Longstocking is a favourite childhood character.

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  27. It does look so different to your part of California. The glass beach looks so different, do people sit on the glass? Your aunt looks incredible for her age. Sarah x

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  28. Good morning dear Carol.....how beautiful YOU ALL ARE! And this part of California is such a charming spot to live and retire! You aunt is fabulous. Healthy living, good genes, happiness and love...it sure makes for a great life. You are so inspiring to me.....I can't wait to get back to Carmel, and a lot of it is because of YOU. HAPPY FRIDAY! Anita

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  29. What a darling little town...I love all the adorable little cottages!

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  30. So glad you seem to be feeling better even though not 100 % yet. Loved the tour - so many nice photos. I was wowed by glass beach - love to search for sea glass here in the east but there is nothing like that!
    I was tickled when you mentioned Meilig. Even though my Scandinavian ancestors were from generations ago ago a few vestiges remain. We say our 'Scandinavian tendencies are coming out!' Thoroughly enjoyed your post. I've added you to my blog roll although Art & Sand has been in my favorites list for a while now.

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  31. Hi Carol, looks like a grand time had by all. I would love to hunt for sea glass and the Meilig eleves are adorable. Love the charming cottages.
    Have a great weekend.
    Hugs

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  32. Oh how relaxing and pretty it all looks. I have always wanted to start at the top of California and drive south stopping at all the different towns along the way and taking my time. Since I will probably never get the chance, your adventures help me do that from my recliner. Lovely pictures as always. Debbie

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  33. Road trips are so fun! Great to tag along with you. All the little cottages are sweet! I took a peek at your embroidery too. Lovely work! Enjoy your Thanksgiving celebration!

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  34. What beautiful pictures. I've never heard of the glass beach. Oh, I love all of those wonderful cottages, and just look at all of the beautiful flowers. Looks like a fun place to celebrate a birthday. laurie

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  35. I really enjoyed seeing the different cottages. I hope you took some time to rest after that long trip.

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  36. Your aunt certainly doesn't look (or act) 90, does she? Glad you were well enough to travel that far to be with your family. Love the group photo. While you were at Glass Beach, did you pick up lots of sea glass?

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  37. Looks like so much fun! I'm sure it was worth the 10 hour road trip, and in the future, when you think about this quality time with family, the long drive may even be romanticized in your memories.

    Poppy

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  38. Carol, What a hardy soul your aunt is. I love all the smiles on everyone's faces. The area was so full of charm, I would not know where to look first. I know you must have enjoyed yourselves. Blessings for a wonderful weekend, xoxo,Susie

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  39. What a wonderful celebration!! Looks like such a charming town...and such a cute family pic! :)
    Susan

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  40. Looks like a wonderful weekend. I always enjoyed watching "Murder She Wrote," because Mendocino stood in for the fictional Cabot Cove where Jessica Fletcher lived.

    Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. xoxox

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  41. What a great trip! She must be one cool lady. Love the northern coast.

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  42. Loved looking at all the beach cottages and gardens. I'd say the trip was worth the 10 hour drive!

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  43. I really enjoyed this post! The pictures are wonderful and I just love all those pretty white houses, and picket fences. So glad you tracked down the Maileg shop and have some pixies :) Your family party looks like such a happy celebration.
    Happy weekend, Carol.
    Helen xox

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  44. Now that's what I call a great family portrait! :)

    So much fun to see the cottages and all...I think my favorite shot is that red one against the deep blue sky with the picket fence.

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  45. The photos are lovely, of course, but it is your aunt kayaking just shy of her 90th birthday that I find most fabulous!

    Karen

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  46. That is the most beautiful area! It looks like it's right out of the movies. I loved the cottages. I just happened to go to an antique store not far from me that sold Maileg items too! I just about died when I saw them, because I wanted them a couple of years ago. I didn't realize how expensive they were! I didn't buy any, but at least I know where they are if I ever decide to. They're mainly sold overseas. Your aunt is amazing for her age, btw! I would love to be as healthy and vibrant as her at 90.

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  47. Happy Birthday to your aunt.

    Beautiful scenery. The cottages and B&Bs look great. Glad you had such a nice trip.

    Hope you are feeling better.

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  48. Oh my Carol, what a gorgeous place! And how fabulous does your Aunt look for being 90? What a woman!! The glass beach is amazing. Do they let you take some home? I rarely find any sea glass when I am at a beach. Love, love your new pixies! They are ever so sweet. Hope you get your strength and energy back my friend! Can't wait to see your 'Creating Christmas' post!
    hugs,
    Jann

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  49. What a great vacation and purpose. I love those areas. I also LOVE those dolls you found. xoxo

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  50. California just seems filled with cute cottages and gorgeous gardens! Sounds like you had a wonderful time (minus the long car ride).

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  51. Congratulations to your aunt! My grandmother is coming to my house this week. She will be 88 in January, and I cannot wait to see her. She has as much spunk as your aunt seems to have.

    Also that sea glass beach would be heaven for me. I love polished beach glass and have quite a collection.

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  52. Your aunt must be a hoot Carol, and how lucky are you and your family to have her in your lives?!

    I remember that hotel in Mendicino. We didn't stay there, but as you know it is not a huge town and that hotel stood out. We only stayed in the area a couple of days but what I remember most was going out on a fishing boat and everyone, including the deck hands, got sea sick. It was ROUGH! The only person that didn't get sick was our daughter. Interestingly, as she got older things changed and I'm sure she would get sea sick now. Even though it was an awful trip, I do remember most of us catching three or more fish AT A TIME! Hubby, aka 'Fisherman' was happy ;)

    I hope you got a well deserved rest after your adventures!

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  53. What a fun getaway! Thanks for taking us along on your picturesque trip up the coast, love all those cozy looking homes and the beautiful scenery.

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  54. What an enjoying post...love seeing the beautiful cottage, your photos ever so pretty, but how can they not be in such glowing sunlight. Happy you tracked down the Maileg shop and your family party looks like such a happy celebration.
    Happy Thanksgiving!

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  55. Wow Carol, it looks like you had a wondeful time away visiting family! Thanks for showing us the beautiful homes. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
    Julie

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  56. My goodnes!! Your elves are so darling! Glad you were able to score two of them! Sounds like you had a wonderful time. I always love the little cottages in the towns along the ocean beaches. They have so much personality....like yours.

    Good on your aunt still kayaking at 90. I had an aunt who was still mowing her yard on her riding lawn mower til she fell off and broke her leg at 80. Her son took it away from her. She water skied well into her 70's.

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  57. Wow 90 and still kayaking. At 58 I won't be kayaking. LOL Looks like a fun time. Love the pictures of the homes in Medocino.
    Love the little Pixies. ;o)

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