Muir Woods - Stinson Beach - Wine Country!

So here's the start of my California photos. I'll let them do the explaining! (A little note of warning: there are ALOT!)



Heading up the mountain on the way to Muir Woods.



First glimpse of the huge redwood trees in Muir Woods.



Another view.. I like how I caught the sun shining on the leaves in this one.



And now actually catching the sun in the photo as well.






Trio of redwoods.



Interesting angle of a tree that had fallen into pieces.



This just had a very calming feel to it. Well, the whole place did, but this spot even moreso than the rest.



Some of the trail through the woods.



I call this one.... Rebel. =P



Twisted redwoods!



Taken at the very base of the tree.. looking up at how the bark spirals around to the top.






Fire can't even kill these trees!



Catching the sun again.



Now we're headed over to Stinson Beach. This was taken during the twisty turns of the mountain road.



Someone's house on the mountain.



Stinson Beach Fire Department... with that heavy fog overhead.



A view of the beach... it was so very cold too.



Closeup of the waves.



Looking back towards the mountain, again with that heavy fog.



Driving back away from the beach through that curvy road again. This was taken of the whole beach from a place along the side of the road to stop for a scenic view.



A little closer.



Even more closer, with the waves rolling in.



Do I even need to explain?! =)



Maybe I should just stop talking...



Beautiful pink lilies taken outside of a 7-11 convenience store. I noticed them all around the area after seeing these.



This is Mount Diablo, taken back near Brentwood, CA.



Yummmm.



I can't get enough of the palm trees!!



This starts the photos of the drive up to Wine Country!



It was a beautiful drive!





Stopped at a stoplight and just took this random view of the mountains.



This is where we stopped along the way and picked up some melons (honeydew and cantaloupe) at their little farmer's market.



No idea what D & S stands for, but I liked this capture. It was found in the area where all the fresh fruit/veggies were sold.



Fallen rose petals just outside of the farmer's market. There were alot of rose bushes around the market, as you will see in the next photos...



Gorgeous rose that I found out is called Double Delight.



More roses.



Beautiful house and vineyard seen along the way (we were heading to Sonoma).



And another one!



City streets of Sonoma.



San Francisco Solano Mission.



Chapel area inside the mission.



In the courtyard looking back towards the mission.



Another view of the courtyard.



Old Italian restaurant that I was told is probably not in business anymore.



Lobby/bar area of the Toscano Hotel, a very old hotel that is no longer in service, except as a museum. If you look closely on the full view, you can see me taking the photo. =)



Dining area of the Toscano hotel. (It wasn't open to the public)



The home of the owners of the Toscano Hotel, located just outside. Watch your step on that top doorway! =P



One side of the town square in downtown Sonoma.



Sonoma City Hall. Surrounded by a park in the center of downtown.



Cute little secluded area with lots of shops (which were all closed when we walked through). Oh and that random gnome creature...



A sushi restaurant.



Pretty flower I found in the town square park.



And another!



This one was my favorite.



The park!



Going for an artistic view... while laying down in the park. It was comforting.



I was trying to catch a cool view of the reflection in his sunglasses but it didn't work out that well.



His and hers?!



Heading towards Napa.



Another house/vineyard along the way. It reminded me of my favorite book by Nora Roberts, The Villa and what the "villa" in her book would have looked like.



At the Veterans Home of California.



Napa's highway wall designs... it's a bit blurry, but you should be able to make out the vines and grapes...



The sun setting behind the trees.



First off, I love the palm trees in this photo! It was at an old naval base that was decommissioned in 1996.. Jacques was showing me where he grew up.



Captains' housing.



Just a view while driving through the base.



Old storage for small arms and artillery... not far from where Jacques used to play as a kid.



Trio of eucalyptus trees.



Old boat that Jacques says he remembers riding on at one point.



Old hospital that is now known to be haunted by a civil war soldier, and is now part of a university.



Done for the day.

More to come...