Russian River Vacation: Day 3

We started our Saturday morning being happy healthy wilderness explorers. A big group of us drove out to Armstrong woods and split up into three different groups who wanted to do hikes of different levels of difficulty.

Armstrong Woods is great because there is a short flat loop through the redwoods that's accessible to people who want to walk slowly, and is also accessible to those who just want to drive through a forest.

However, there are also trails that lead to the top of some pretty steep hills overlooking the Russian River Valley. My little trio thought we were going for a 3 mile jog through the flat area, but we ended up hiking for eight miles and hitting the summit. We wish we'd brought water, but the views were incredible. It was a little different from any scenery I've ever seen: really lush mountainsides of pine tree, eagles soaring overhead, and lush valleys of long wavy grass. There was a mix of wooded and open areas, and some ponds and creeks along the way.

After that hike, we were naturally starving. After a quick shower we regrouped with everyone and had a delicious lunch at Stumptown Brewery. This is C's plate of ribs, which was extra large and came with a tall glass of blueberry beer because the server forgot her order. I think the ribs and fish and chips are the best things on the menu, though our pulled pork sandwiches weren't bad either. The food is homey, cheap, and plentiful. And the beer is good! J's favorite was the Xporter, which is dark and sweet. I like wheat beer so the Rat Bastard was right up my alley.

I was too tired and tipsy most of the afternoon to do much more than lie on the deck and sunbathe. Other people went down the the river and waded around or floated on inner tubes.

Look! Nature! A mother duck scooting her baby ducklings down the river.

And a weird little caterpillar living on the large redwood that grew up from the ground in the center of the house's many decks. No one touched it because of its rather intimidating coloring.

So pretty! If only I could have this view every day. All while sipping vodka sweet tea with a wedge of lemon, of course.

Dinner was another delicious home cooked meal. N made garlic bread with fresh garlic, J grilled up polish sausages and garlicked salmon, we recycled the pesto and watermelon salads and added a green salad, and I baked up some fresh parsley biscuits and made sweet tea cocktails for everyone. One of the great things about a RRV vacation is that we don't have to spend a lot to have a great time.

We spent the evening eating pie, playing cards, Scattegories, and Scrabble, trying unsuccessfully to light a fire, drinking wine, and admiring the stars outside. Great company, great food, great time.