Travelogues: Sonoma County Adventures, River Road to Goat Rock

Sure am taking my sweet time getting California up on this here space! But before you go thinking too many harsh thoughts about me, just know that since I posted about Preston Farms 6 days ago, that cold I mentioned is still hanging on and a secondary health issue developed (one that's kind of weird and embarrassing so I'd rather leave it to the imagination). So needless to say, I've been spending a LOT of time in bed being very lazy and feeling very sorry for myself. But self pity is over! Time to get back to life. And soon enough, I'll be able to work out again. Who knew I'd miss my morning runs this much??

Anyway, looking at these pictures from a little adventure Jackie and I went on is making me wish I'd stayed in California. SO GORGEOUS. The story goes like this: We were all at our gracious hosts' home, hanging out, some of the crew possibly lazing off a hangover and trying to decide how to spend the day. Alan comes running in and goes "Hey! The guys are going to play golf!" So excited I hated to burst his bubble but way to just totally make plans that didn't involve me on our vacation! He realized his faux pas pretty fast but by that time, I had invited Jackie on a mystery adventure mini road trip to Goat Rock. And the boys were pretty stoked to be able to go off on a boys only adventure so, you know, win win.

A friend from work got a list of recommendations from her dad, a wine rep who does a lot of work in Sonoma County and Napa. His most highly recommended activity was to drive along River Road to Goat Rock. I decided to keep Goat Rock a mystery from myself and didn't google anything but directions. With a quick stop in Monte Rio to check out a weird movie theater and a bridge over the gorgeous Russian River, we slowly meandered our way almost to the coast.

Almost to our destination I accidentally took a right when I should have taken a left. Worked out well though! I saw a place to pull over that looked like a restaurant or cafe and sure enough it was. I was hoping for a beverage, a coffee or something, and River's End hooked us up way better than that with a cocktail and a beer and a bomb beet salad for a snack. I asked where to find Goat Rock and the bartender merely pointed out the window. "Ohhhh, you mean the giant rock in the ocean? Sweet!" Killer view, so rad. We enjoyed our snacks and the view and then wound our way over to Goat Rock.

This wasn't my first time up the Pacific Coast. I've seen it before while on an epic road trip to Seattle a million years ago. But you know what? It doesn't matter. It's always beautiful. It's always magical. It always will be. We ran around for a bit and headed home, totally refreshed and happy and ready to hang with our dudes again.