Goodbye Mendocino

It's been a wonderful summer-four months went so fast! I have many memories of visits from friends and family as well as the special events here in Mendocino. I have new friends and a new community I'll call my second home. do look at my previous blogs-the pictures are priceless! 

A grammy visit

My kids are great-they took the time to come and visit me in Mendocino so I wanted to return the favor and visit them in Patterson. It's about a six hour drive and I certainly have a more flexible schedule so I asked my colleagues to switch some hours and took off for a four day visit. It was so great to see them again! It was too hot to do anything (94-104) so we just hung out

C's favorite corn dogs 

C is very generous to the "puppies." They are actually waiting for the OK to finish off whatever is on the plate. They tolerate a two and a half year old with unbelievable patience. 

Little dude had to be bribed with tootsie pops to sit still and get her hair brushed and put into a pony tail.

She pulled the cushions off the couch (no easy feat-they were velcroed on) and found lots of stuff-so out came the vaccuum.

But the mess was too much for a baby vacuum so mom got involved. I was the supervisor of course.

Then it got funny-C vacuumed mom! 

A beginning and and an ending-corn dogs-and the ever present "puppy" waiting for scraps! I loved every minute of my visit-no matter how hot it was.

Welcome Dave and Mary

Mary & Dave Fountain stopped by on their way South and I was delighted to see them! Jim & Mary were still here, too, so we of course had to have a fire to greet them. Thanks, Dave, for the delicious steaks! Dave and Mary spent their first night in a tent-they don't look worse for wear, do they?

Ranger came to visit  and he is usually shy around strange men-he took to Dave immediately!

He liked Mary, too but Dave was #1.....

Loved having them visit and hope they'll come back next year..I realize it's a bit out of the way for most and hope I've given them enough of a taste that they'll return next year.

Mary and Jim in Mendo

Jim says it one of the best steaks he's ever had.....that's outdoor cooking for you! 

Mary and Jim Hambelton are good friends from my home park in Coarsegold, Ca. They decidied to get away for a few days to enjoy the coastal weather play tourist. I think they're enjoying it so much they might consider volunteering!

I got Jim working right away-he's our new Lord of the Flame.

They fit just perfectly in front of my rig-nothing fancy very comfy.

Couldn't let Mary just supervise-we're getting ready for dinner

My new neighbors stopped by to say hi-they are replacing Gary and Cecile, not that anyone could actually replace the Thompsons.....

Jim got the fire burning just right for a nice chat around the camp-sorry I didn't get the fog rolling in.....

Welcome to St. Anthony's

Welcome to my community of Faith in Mendocino. St. Anthony's was established in the mid nineteen fifties, and has been active ever since, even though fire has destroyed the building more than once. The most recent fire was in 1990. Coming to St. Anthony's reminds me of my home-St. Anne's Chapel in Raymond. 

This beautiful stained glass depicts a fisherman casting his nets.....

And another showing the whales as they reach for the sky.
A local artist painted the backdrop for the alter.. It's very life-like.
And, here's the exterior on a typical day on the coast...

Art and Anne Come to Visit

Art and Anne Aitken are good friends from my home base, Park of the Sierras. They stopped by overnight on their way to visit their children and grandchildren in Washington. We were very happy to see them-actually it was way out of their way so we were especially glad they took the time to visit! They were laughing about their good timing.....it was 91 @9:00 in the am and predicted to climb to 114 that day in Park Sierra. 

As you can see, Art & Anne are dressed for central CA, not Mendo

So glad to be in cooler weather-but I thought it was pretty warm today.

They're not unhappy, just full after enjoying Bay View Cafe's hot crab and jack sandwich. This is a resturant right across the street from the Ford House and has some spectacular views.

This is the front of my site at Headquarters. Gary and Cecile helped get the fire started before I got back from work.  We enjoyed another fantastic meal-smoked salmon (Gary smoke last week), roasted corn and yams. Cecile made one of her famous trifles..yum! 

Fourth of July in Mendocino

This is my first 4th of July in Mendocino, and I had no idea what I've been missing! We sold polish dogs with or without chili and/or saurkraut, roasted corn on the cob and sodas. All the revenue goes to the Restoration Fund for the Ford House and this year we made $1,000! Sweet! 

But that's not all, folks. Mendo has an annual parade that could make you cry for your childhood. It lasts a little over 1/2 hour and goes right down Main street-right in front of us! There were lots of political statements as well as newly married couples celebrating the Supreme court ruling. Sadly, there were fewer firemen 'cause they're still out fighting fires. We kept them in mind as we celebrated our unique holiday.

The parade begins... This is the Bay View Cafe, right across the street from the Ford House. Lots of folks decorated their trucks. 

Here's the crew setting up for food sales in the staff parking area of the Ford House.

And Cecile and I are the money takers

Jenny Heckeroth is our Ford House manager.

Denise Mueller is one of the docents for the Ford House and obviously an Obama  fan.

Gary, our Lord of the Corn Roasters got quite a workout this day-it was so yummy no one could resist!