Dinata Misovec

Anyone who has done it will agree that the drive along the California coast is spectacular. It is not just the brilliant blue Pacific, but also the redwoods and other trees. Then there are the giant rocks and cliffs. We didn’t see much of that. It was foggy for most of the two-hour drive. Once, when the road was down near sea level, Andy said he could see the waves. It was a pleasant winding drive anyway. Although, I didn’t care too much for the section of our south-bound lane that was missing.

We are staying at Redwood Acres again this year. It is fairgrounds and a race track. Here, we have water, electric, and sewer connections. Another advantage is that we can walk to the grocery store – and get our exercise and food at the same time.

I am excited to be here, almost as much over the blackberries as seeing Christopher and Cordelia. Full blackberry season is not until September, but I got a few delicious ones in Christopher’s yard yesterday. Blackberry picking is on the agenda.

When we stayed here before, we were backed up to the trees and the fence behind us was laden with huge, shiny, blackberries. It is bad camp manners to walk into other people’s campsite uninvited, so I am going to have to do my berry picking elsewhere this year.

It was not long after we got set up on our site when son Christopher arrived. After hugs and initial greetings, we got down to the serious business of deciding where to take Andy for his birthday party. Andy chose Renata’s in Arcata, a crepe restaurant.

I forgot to take my camera, but Christopher took one photo of Andy when Andy’s mocha. It came out a bit blurry but is too funny not to post.

The coffee was served in a good-sized bowl and even came with a spoon (I suppose to eat some of that thick whipped cream). Andy’s expression is priceless.

We sat out in the back yard in the warm sunshine in the afternoon. The temperature here is in the high 60s and low 70s. I got acquainted with my new granddog, Cooper. Actually, Chris and Cordelia have had him about a year; Chris went to pick him up the day we left here last year.

He’s a big dog, a year-and-a-half old and very playful. He has a rag that used to be a lobster dog toy. I had to let go before he tipped me and my chair over. Later, we were chasing each other around the yard and Cooper got so excited, he ran right into me and almost knocked me down.