Victory Gardens on the Mendocino Coast

Things are so chaotic all over the world right now, what really calms and centers us is to get back to the earth. Yes, it might sound sort of clichéd, but Heidi and I do take real consolation from the simpler things and it's hard to stay worried, no matter how much bad news we see on TV, the way all of the gorgeous bulbs are coming up right now.

We spotted this amazing event at our local Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. They are doing a Victory Garden growing class, showing folks how to grow wonderful edible gardens in our coastal climate.

Details here!

The gardens are so lush and wonderful right now. You don't even need an excuse to go, but it couldn't hurt to learn something. That class is March 26th from 1 - 4.




Shiver the dog loves the Gardens at every season -- even though the dog ice cream doesn't start for a couple more months.  By the way, he looks 100% Podengo to me. I wonder if he's even aware of it himself. Oh, Shiver.

Early rhododendrons on the Mendocino Coast

Heidi here!

I have to say, I'm not a patient donkey, and thank goodness our wonderful rhododendrons are in bloom at last at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens.

Did you know that rhododendrons only grow in very specific spots on earth -- and the Mendocino Coast is one of those rare spots in North America?

We are so blessed -- between our temperate weather, ocean views, fertile soil that ensures the best cuisine on earth, ancient trees that tower over us, and I could go on and on!

According to Monique, I frequently do.

It's not my fault spring is so glorious in our home!

I am so looking forward to popping up to the Gardens to take a peek at the whales and visit the rhodies at the same time. They are planning very special whale watching walks at the gardens, in conjunction with this year's whale festivals, starting this weekend!

The bounty is almost too much for me. If I were a donkey from an earlier era, I'd be tempted to swoon. But then Monique is always on hand to provide a reality check. We are modern miniature donkeys. Our dignity is everything to us. Next to our meals. And having our backs scratched.

Here's another rhodie photo from the gardens. Catch me if I faint!

Spring has Sprung on the Mendocino Coast

 Here we are, in a contemplative mood because of spring's arrival.

Thanks to our continuing warm. balmy weather, spring has come early to our blessed section of the Mendocino Coast.

Wildflowers are one of the great attractions here on the temperate coast.

Because our soil is so lush and our rainfall is generous, we enjoy a colorful display such as you won't find in other parts of California -- or even the world.

Here's a snazzy specimen from our fabulous Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens.

Dylan and the Ice Cream Cone

We've said it before and we'll say it again -- our favorite thing about the Gardens is that they are dog-friendly, like us.

Come warmer weather, Cowlick's Ice Cream cafe will be serving dogs (and people) scoops of handmade frozen deliciousness, right in the gardens.

We can't wait.

If there's anything we like better than wildflowers, ocean views, and dogs, it's fresh-made ice cream from honest Mendocino cows.

Podengos do the darndest things!

Here's the world's smallest hunting dog, enjoying our pristine, private beach on one of our ridiculously unseasonably warm days.

The weather continues to be balmy and Heidi is going nuts with her bird watching. If you've never seen a miniature donkey using binoculars...Well, you haven't been hanging around our cottage.

The second best place to bird watch after our 9 acres of gardens, meadow, and woods is the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, just North of us on Route 1. They even have guided birding walks as follows:

Early Bird Walks: 3rd Wednesday of the month at 8:30 am

Beginning Birding Walks: 1st Saturday of the month at 9:00 am or go to this link:

Birdwatching at the Gardens

 OK Heidi? Hope you're happy now! She's bird-mad this spring -- which has definitely sprung in our parts.  Come up and see for yourself.

 

I'm a Whale Watcher

Hi from Heidi!

Monique thinks I'm a nature-loving nut, but this time of year I get very excited because we start to see the really heavy part of the grey whale migration -- a movement that peaks in March, right around when the local towns have their annual whale festivals. (Little River's is March 12 and 13th this year.)

The wonderful thing about our whales is that you can see them right from land. Guests at the Inn can even catch them from our hilltop hot tub outside our Creekside spa in a yurt or from their private balconies or hot tubs.

Of course there are boat tours too but not everyone enjoys being on a boat -- including me -- and especially not on the Pacific when it's rough weather.

Another option for landlubbers (those of you who don't have the vantage point we have from Donkey Cottage) is to go to the wonderful Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens or Point Cabrillo Lighthouse, not too far from the gardens, where I have heard the Mother Whales leave their babies directly under the headlands in a sheltered cove and go in search of snacks.

The lighthouse is just a fun place to visit in general because it has won awards for its amazing restoration of the keeper's house and other buildings and there is a museum and mini-aquarium there.

Monique is poking me, telling me it's too soon to start going on about whales since the festivals aren't till March, but the whales are coming by NOW and I'm too excited to keep it to myself!

Pt. Cabrillo Lighthouse

Bye for now!

--Heidi

A prince among mushrooms

This beauty is from the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. It's a great place to see some of the thousands of varieties of mushrooms that grow here at this time of year.

Of course, the only varieties we are interested in are the ones that they cook up at La Petite Rive. And pretty soon at Pacific Tapas, the new place coming in by the post office.

The gardens, which are located right on Highway 1 overlooking the Pacific, are surprisingly temperate year round, which makes it a great spot to grow all kinds of wonderful tropical beauties.

But what is our favorite thing about this, the only coastal gardens of its kind in the Continental US?

We snatched this from the Garden-by-the-Sea web

Dogs, naturally! They are welcome on leash in the gardens.  Isn't that nice? We keep meaning to ask about donkeys. Memo to self!

At last!

Heidi here!

I'm thrilled to report our crispy Fall weather is here which is to say the weather is finally back to normal. We love this time of year -- the scent of woodsmoke in the evening, the mist off of the Pacific in the morning.

Of course autumn makes me think of delicious fall dishes and gets me excited that mushroom season is just around the corner...

October is the perfect time to visit the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. I have read that it's the only coastal garden of its kind in the Continental US and I know from guest dogs that it's also the rare dog-friendly botanical garden. Because of our balmy climate, lots of things are still in bloom over there.

Lovely!

Gotta run. Monique wants to talk Halloween costumes. Someone needs to remind her that we are already wearing donkey suits!

--Heidi