Heritage Days in Mendocino County

All this month, our proud county celebrates the history that is never far from us, with the Heritage Days event.

Heidi and I are very historically-aware donkeys, by virtue of our surroundings.

For instance, did you know the Ledford Farmhouse, which is the main building of our Inn, is an important historical structure and that our Inn was the first resort on this stretch of the coast?

We equines have always played an important role in the history of Mendocino -- as you can see above -- and we continue to be a key part of life in this still rural and breathtakingly beautiful corner of the world.

Check here for some of the events that have been scheduled around this wonderful month of reflection on Mendocino's colorful and sometimes surprising past.

Heidi and I are surrounded by this rich history every day.

Come up and join us this month and learn more about the goings on and characters who shaped our county.

Apparently, now it's summer here in Little River

The Mendocino Coast really has the best weather on earth. It's supposed to be in the 70s tomorrow! Heidi and I can hardly wait. We are basically sun-loving donkeys, due to our Sicilian roots, and we are looking forward to some nice long sun baths tomorrow.

Chunk and Punk's niece, Lovey, took this photo. She's quite the little shutterbug, isn't she? This is a view from our pen, that surrounds our lovely Donkey Cottage, here at the Inn at Schoolhouse Creek. 


Perhaps we are biased, but we do believe that our ancient trees are the most majestic, our ocean views the most pacific, and our food, of course is the freshest in the world!

Here's a shot of the new onsite Creekside Restaurant, courtesy of Lovey's busy fingers.

Gorgeous, yes?

She's a very talented chipmunk. We have high hopes for our Lovey!

She's growing up into such a nice girl too. She's a real asset around here, greeting all of the guests at breakfast.

As you can see, she's a real morning "person."

Bleeding Hearts and Tiny Donkeys!

We get a weekly (or so) "Bloom Blast" from our fabulous Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. They include photos of what is just coming out, flower-wise, in these e-newsletters, as well as events and other items of note.

This week's gem is called Bleeding Heart. Isn't it exquisite?

The gardens were recently named by AOL's Shelterpop as one of America's Most Fascinating Public Gardens. Do you suppose it's because you can whale watch right on the premises (it's the only coastal garden of its kind in the contiguous United States) or might it be the fact that dogs are welcome -- and there's even ice cream for them in season?


Speaking of new things blooming this spring, our Creekside Restaurant here at our Inn is open now to rave reviews.

But get here and try it before Chunk eats everything in site!

Mendocino Sunsets

Hi!

Heidi here!

It's not often that Monique lets me have access to the laptop (that's a topic for a whole other post), but while browsing around today while she got her pedicure,  I discovered this great website that has a camera pointed at the ocean in Mendocino Village:

http://weather.mcn.org/

There are also complicated weather maps and the actual temperature on this page, but as a mostly home bound donkey, it was the live view that interested me. It occurred to me that this website could be used to observe the stunning, justly famous Mendocino Coastal Sunset, from anywhere at all on earth.

Of course I can see the sun set over the Pacific every single day from right outside Donkey Cottage at my Inn.

But maybe you aren't so lucky?

I would recommend that you come up here before the busy season hits us. Chuck has been raving about the dishes they are cooking at the new on site restaurant that opens April 15th, and I believe they are running some kind of a special to encourage people to come try it.

You'd be silly to miss out on something like that, at such a beautiful time of year up here.

Heidi over and out!

Creekside Restaurant Opening Soon!

Chunk is so excited he can barely contain himself.

The new restaurant at the Inn at Schoolhouse Creek is opening up this month. Even though he's not the chef (weird "no chipmunks in the kitchen" policy!), he's still very excited about the menu.

Here's a sample of the appetizers:

Scampi Prawns
Garlic butter sautéed wild-caught prawns with extra bread for dipping

Scallop & Bacon Towers
Pan seared scallops, layered between crispy bacon in a red wine reduction

Crab & Artichoke Dip

Mushroon Artichoke Sautée with a Garlic, Shallots & Sherry Reduction & Bread for Dipping

They are open nightly, starting April 15th.

Chipmunks will be dining well!

Real Spring on the Mendocino Coast!

Heidi here!

How lovely it is. This is a current photo, from our beautiful Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. Almost dog ice cream time there too.

We are so blessed to live here.

Even Monique is enjoying all of the adorable little birds surrounding us right now.

And the blooms! Wow. What lovely sweet smells too. All that rain has made this one of the pretty springs we have ever had.

Here we are, reveling in nature.

Happy spring!

--Heidi

A little rain makes the frogs grow fonder

OK.  So we are having a little bit of rain. Chunk is refusing to go out -- except for breakfast of course.

Heidi and I are becoming Parcheesi Ninjas.

It's hard to complain though when everything is getting so nice and green. At least it's a mild rain -- and all of the moisture is wonderful for the flowers.

You know what really loves rain? Ferns. We have many, many types of native ferns here on the Mendocino Coast and I'm betting that right about now, each and every one of them is extremely happy.

Van Damme State Park, our local state park, right here in Little River, is famous for its multitudes of various types of fern.

Even in this misty weather, it's an awfully nice place to be.

Some guests at our Inn tell us that it's been years since they heard a frog. Can you believe that?

I can almost guarantee that if you come to Van Damme State Park this week, you will hear not only lots of frogs -- but some very happy frogs.