This is a picture of Sonoma from Sonoma Heights. This was a great short hike we did several times right from our house.  It took about one hour up and down and it was a beautiful view.  You can actually see San Fransisco on a good day!

This was intended to be on the page with the Sonoma entry.  Just one of so many beautiful fields with grapes!

Sonoma, California, 2012

We leave Sonoma CA tomorrow after spending one full glorious month here. I feel so grateful for this experience I find myself not wanting to let go of this amazing place, not wanting to go home. It feels different to me as usually I am looking forward to going home. Of course being the lover of light and sunshine, I am aware of the wonderful sunny, warm weather that Sonoma will predominantly have until next fall. With such an abundance of sun I can  see myself settling into life knowing that each day for awhile will have a sunrise and sunset I can actually see and hours in between with the warmth of sunlight on my body. Here I found the part of me that comes alive in the out of doors, in the beauty of nature. Even in the cool, cloudy weather I was pulled to find new hikes,new walks in the woods, on the green hills bursting with new life, sometimes, often in the evenings walks in town on the quiet streets of Sonoma taking in the beautiful homes, brilliant gardens or strolling around the square. Spring is in full bloom here with so many vibrant colors to feast on wherever I go. This last month in Sonoma offered activities with new and different experiences to share with others creating a sense of community. Dick, Donna, Mike and Diane were also here in Sonoma as well as James and Julie who are friends of the Peabody's. I attended a couple of classes at the Community Center and found the people very friendly and available. (classes were fun as well) Actually wherever we went in Sonoma it seemed that the people were friendly, kind, and real. It is a community I could see myself living in. It was especially nourishing to have this much time with David without the distractions of our everyday life. We found a rhythm here each day that allowed for real connection and fun. Our time in Esalen was unusually special. We both share such a deep love and connection with Big Sur, another very unique part of California. We are going home committed to giving each other Esalen massages! And so for now I will close as I am being informed that on our day of departure major protests are being planned for the Golden Gate Bridge and other parts of San Francisco, hence it looks like we will need to leave very early!