come away to the north bay

something terrible happens when you're born and raised in the north bay area of san francisco... it ruins you for living anywhere else.  and leaves you feeling bluer than a smurf after visiting and then having to go back to home in charleston.  charleston happens to be a humidity hot spot of the south, i think yesterday ended up being about 107 degrees.  when you've just enjoyed temperature ranges from the 60's-80's for eleven wholesome days, anything over a hundred degrees feels like a blazing hot furnace taking your very breath away, which could contribute to the blue-ness.  since i've now talked about the weather in the last three posts, i'm ready to receive my senior citizen discount.  ; )

for eleven days i was with family, had one child to take care of instead of two (easy peasy!), my mom was like sage's second mom (contributing to the ease factor) and i didn't have to worry about a single food allergy (hunter is allergic to eggs and anything that might touch them).  minus the sadness from my grandfather's passing, it was easy... a break from reality.  yesterday, reality hit hard as i was back to being a mom of two, two and under, with daddy working a 14 hour day.  we were plumb out of groceries and since i'm car-less on most occasions, we had to eat goldfish dipped in peanut butter.  - which isn't half bad; it may become a regular around here. 

so yeah, if i'm being honest, it was a hard day.  i want to take a little break - and take you away to the north bay, the country of wild california poppies budding this way and that... to show you why i love this land like i do.

i'm taking you to petaluma, my birthplace - which happens to be the former egg capital of the world - nestled in the heart of sonoma county.  it's about thirty miles north of san francisco - you even get to cross the golden gate bridge - twenty miles from the napa valley, an hour's drive from the redwood forest, a thirty minute trip from the beach, woven with farm country, rolling hills, and victorian homes.  the year round temperatures average (this is my last weather report - promise!) a comfortable, blissful 50-80 degrees which is simply pleasing and satisfyingly comfortable for my outdoor loving self.

sometimes i forget that i was raised near the farming country.  i usually think that's reserved for the midwest and the plains.  

on the way to the beach, you come across winding roads spotted with cows, while travelling the scenic highway 1 route...

with pretty palm trees lining the way... 

until you reach the pacific where cliffs lead you to watery waves made for surfing.  my favorite spot is bodega bay with a population of 900.  it's a beach town if there ever was a beach town.  there are simple, no frills seafood joints spread about with the best calamari and clam chowder you might ever eat in your life.

i'm certain i leave a piece of my heart here every time i visit.  i celebrated my 9th birthday on these beaches, had a bon-fire party and then my dad died of cancer a few weeks later...  my irrevocable love for this bay is nestled deep in the corners of my soul and has only grown since the earthly absence of my grandfather.

coming back from the beach into petaluma, you near the old union pacific railroad station,

the victorian homes fill the downtown area, 

with brick alleyways 

and vintage consignment shops,

leading me back to my grandparent's house that holds a harvest full of hearts and flowers - sweet, sweet memories from my childhood on.  i used to create plays, be a dolphin trainer at sea world, climb trees, dance ballet, all in this backyard ~  

my love says he will move me back one day; i hope he is right.  : )

-carissa

i'm linking up today with my blogger-turned-real-life friend, rachel.  because petaluma is my favorite!

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