Jeff and I used our anniversary as an opportunity to plan a trip for ourselves. Our criteria was that it should only be a few hours drive away, and offer things we don’t normally get to do or see. Since I get to plan the trips and I love kayaking, our stay centered in Tomales Bay. Just north along the coast of San Francisco, Tomales Bay seems to be where the movers and shakers go to relax. There is an...

This is a small zoo which houses animals who have been rescued and cannot survive alone in the wild.  There are quite a few animals to check out, as the enclosures do not have to fit things like elephants or giraffes. There are tigers, bears, wolves, bobcats, foxes and plenty of others, most of whom are native to this area. The paths are windy, so there seem to be new things to discover around each bend. ...

There is something delightful about being greeted by animals. I have noticed that kids who come to visit are often excited to see our large dog at the door. It was the same way when we went to visit the Folsom Zoo / Sanctuary.  The kids were fascinated with the flock of chickens who ran up to greet us. These chickens, quite beautiful in plumage, roam freely outside of the zoo’s entrance. Likewise within...