Month: April 2022

5 Things to Do in the Russian River Valley

If vacation plans include a trip to California’s wine country, consider exploring the Russian River Valley, which lies in the heart of Sonoma County. So named for the Russian River that winds through this part of California wine country, the Russian River Valley is full of things to do – including taking in the many wineries. Book a cabin or cottage at Russian River and settle in for a getaway that includes beautiful scenery, plenty of outdoor activity and a few other things we found of interest.

  1. Charles Schulz Museum/Peanuts Sculptures: If you’re a fan of Charlie Brown and his friends, the town of Santa Rosa will be of interest. The Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center (schulzmuseum.org) is dedicated to the works of Peanuts creator, Charles Schulz. The museum includes a collection of both permanent and traveling exhibits and a re-creation of the studio where Schulz created the beloved Snoopy, Charlie Brown, and friends. For fun photo ops, there are several over-sized statues of the Peanuts characters around downtown Santa Rosa. Visit sonomacounty.com for a location listing.

  2. Outdoor Adventures: There is so much outdoor activity to be had in Sonoma County from biking to hiking to whale watching and, of course, sipping wine in the sun. Check out some of the vineyards as you bicycle by on the Santa Rosa Creek Trail, a 2.14-mile paved trail complete with scenic views. Sugarloaf Ridge State Park offers a hike with a waterfall while Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve features hikes among giant redwoods. Cloverdale River Park is great for water-based activities like canoeing, kayaking, and fishing on the Russian River.

  3. Jack London State Historic Park: If The Call of the Wild is one of your favorite books, or other works by Jack London top the list, head to Jack London State Historic Park, which contains the cottage where London wrote as well as several other historic buildings related to London and his life. Free guided tours are available and the Park also has hiking trails and opportunities for wildlife viewing and picnicking. For details visit jacklondonpark.com.
Sonoma County Winery
Sonoma County Winery
  1. Wineries: Of course, wineries have to be part of an itinerary for a trip to Sonoma County and the Russian River Valley. There are at least 425 in Sonoma County alone and the best way to see them is on a tour. Whether you want a private tour, a walking tour, a group tour, a biking tour, or a trolley tour, they are all offered here. Check out sonomacounty.com to see the various tours available. Reds, whites, bubbly, rose, sustainable, rustic, majestic – the wineries here serve up something for everyone.

  2. Cheese Trail: If you’re not into wine, or just want a little cheese to go with your wine, consider exploring the California Cheese Trail. While the trail stretches from northern California on south to San Diego, there’s plenty of cheese to be found in Sonoma County. Visit cheesetrail.org to find cheese near your cabin at Russian River as well as other Sonoma County locations.
Russian River Cabin
Russian River Cabin

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3 Recharging Getaways

Nothing better than a getaway when the getaway gets you gone but doesn’t involve numerous “travel” days, long lines, and a big hit to the budget. De-stressing, reconnecting, and recharging are important to a happy and healthy life. Here are a few quick getaways that will hopefully have you happy and stress-free by the time you head home.

LA to Palm Springs: Of course, Los Angeles has plenty of sunshine and beautiful beaches, but if it’s your homebase, a little road trip out of the city is guaranteed to ease stress and help you reconnect to the beauty that is California. Book a colorful cottage at Palm Springs and get ready to unwind. Palm Springs is a great place to reconnect with nature thanks to the proximity to Joshua Tree National Park, an ancient desert which is known for having multiple energy vortices. Hike this magical desert landscape which is loaded with spring wildflowers in April and May. Do you enjoy the feeling of wind in your hair? If so, then plan a windmill tour where you can enjoy a self-guided driving tour through a California wind farm (windmilltours.com). If your astrological element is water, then a hike through Tahquitz Canyon to see the waterfall should be on the agenda. For details on this 1.7-mile loop check out tahquitzcanyon.com. This healing vibes getaway is about an hour and a half drive from Los Angeles.

Phoenix to Sedona: Just under two hours from Phoenix, Sedona, Arizona, can be called other-worldly with mystical powers and healing vortexes that can even bring calm to the A-plusses of Type A personalities. Sedona is a healing place thanks in part due to the red-orange color of the red rocks that surround it which is considered one of the most neuro-stimulating colors. Book a cabin, cottage or tiny house at Verde Valley and you’re on our way to restful retreat. Plan hikes to see the vortexes and soak up their healing energy; take a yoga class in the desert; or enjoy some of the spa services offered at one of the numerous spas in town. Plan ahead and enjoy the Sedona Yoga Festival, scheduled for June 2-5. The Verde River is great for relaxing canoe and kayak trips and a wine tasting at nearby Alcantara Vineyards may be just what you need to take the edge off!

Mt Hood Tiny House Village Tumbleweed
Mt Hood Tiny House Village

Portland to Welches:  A roughly less than one-hour drive is nothing if it means within that short timeframe you can travel from the bustle of the city to the serenity of wooded wilderness. If Portland is where everyday life finds you, you’re lucky the drive to Mt. Hood National Forest is a quick trip. Plan a tiny home adventure at the Mt. Hood Tiny House Village and get ready to recharge in the great outdoors. To name a few, outdoor activities here can include hiking, biking, climbing, horseback riding, fishing, birding, and rafting. There is a wine trail and a tap trail (which highlights the region’s breweries, cideries, and distilleries), plus antique shops, galleries, and eateries. If music is your go-to for recharging, make note that the Mt. Hood Jazz Festival is scheduled for May 6-8. If fields of flowers bring you peace, check out the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival, set for Sunday May 1, or the Spring Fever Open House, sponsored by the Cascade Nursery Trail, where area nurseries are open for tours, host plant sales, and other flower-themed fun events. Spring Fever Open House is a three-day event scheduled for May 28-30.

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(Natural) Springs Travel

Spring break time may be over but what about planning a springs break? As in heading out to take in a spring or two. Natural springs, hot springs, thermal springs, and mineral springs – there are plenty around the U.S. and they are more than bodies of water. Thermal springs are naturally heated while mineral springs contain mineral deposits but aren’t necessary naturally hot. These springs are believed to have healing powers. And that theory of the healing powers of water dates to circa 360 BC when Hippocrates began to study the benefits of water from a therapeutic standpoint.

Palm Springs (CA): It’s all about the healing and soothing waters here – waters which are naturally super-heated and sulfur free. And, while most of the soaking waters are located within spas and private establishments, day passes to enjoy the restorative waters are available. Check out visitgreaterpalmsprings.com to find out where day passes are available.

Warm Mineral Springs (FL): Noted as having one of the highest mineral contents of any natural spring in the United States, Florida’s Warm Mineral Springs is believed to possibly be the “fountain of youth” Ponce de Leon was seeking. Open to the public daily, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., visitors (for a small entrance fee), can enjoy the water that contains more than 50 minerals, including sodium, potassium, and magnesium – all of which help with aches, pains, and general well-being.

Pool at Rambler's Rest
Pool at Rambler’s Rest

A cottage rental at Rambler’s Rest in nearby Venice is an excellent location to stay while enjoying the waters!

Saratoga Springs (NY): While most people can say they’ve experienced a wine tasting or two, how many can say they’ve tried a mineral spring tasting? Cross this one off your bucket list if you’re planning on heading to the town of Saratoga in upstate New York. There are more than 20 springs throughout the city, all of which you can taste and, due to the mineral make-up of each, they all taste a bit different. And, just like the taste, the health benefits said to be derived from each spring also differ. Clear up your skin, aid your digestion, or strengthen your blood. For information about the springs, visit saratoga.com/things-to-do/parks-landmarks-nature/mineral-springs.

Book a rental cabin at Lake George Escape, which is just 30 miles from Saratoga, while you sample the springs.

Paulina Hot Springs (OR): The Paulina Hot Springs, which contains five geothermal pools, are best when visited between May and July, for optimum water coverage. Located within the Deschutes National Forest, the springs are a result of a collapsed volcano crater filling with water. The pools can be found along Hot Springs Beach within the forest. As this is a geothermal spring, there is no sulfur smell with this dip!

Bend-Sunriver Yurt
Bend-Sunriver Yurt

(A cabin, yurt, or cottage rental at Bend-Sunriver is a nearby accommodation.)

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