The Sea Ranch

Up the Coastal Highway, about 2.5 hours north of San Francisco, is a lovely planned, but planned-to-be-sustainable, community called The Sea Ranch.  There are rules about whether you can cut trees down on your property, from what materials your home can be built, and how to landscape your "yard."  There are public paths throughout the community and, of course, the lovely CA coast line with cliffs, seals, and whale watching abundant.  It is quite nice.  And I am unbelievably lucky in that I have a friend who's parents let us stay in their lovely home from time to time.  I went with coworkers in February 2010, and was blown away with how lovely and peaceful it is up there.  So when this friend suggested we go again in December 2011, I jumped at the chance.  Two days of sitting around reading magazines and books (I actually completed my Christmas cards up there), several hours wandering the paths, some time watching whales tail-slap.   

We had perfect weather and it was just incredible...





Whales tail-slapping! If someone wants to buy me a larger lens, I would not complain!










Loads of different mushrooms (not being experts, we did not try to consume any, but apparently some are edible).















Banana slug





There is this lovely non-denominational chapel that is open to everyone who would like to pray/meditate. It is an incredible piece of architecture.





















Did I forget to mention we saw a fox in the yard? Of course, he refused to work with the light and when I moved to get a better angle he fled.



Snacks on the deck...





Neighborhood birds