Southern Sonoma Country Life

Alice By Design

Looking to remodel or refresh your living space, indoors or out? It's a daunting task for many, even with the best of taste and ideas. I've several friends in the North Bay who are interior designers and it always amazes me how much they enjoy taking someone else's room or a house or business and transforming it often beyond recognition. It's a skill that comes with years of practice and know-how, contacts and savvy, not to mention a calm and capable demeanor. 

A fellow British American friend, Petaluma-based taste maker Alice Chan has long had a fascination with how to help a space express its soul and reflect the personalities of those who inhabit or use it. 

"When I look at a space for the first time, I inevitably look through the lens of my multicultural background—from the UK, to California, and Hong Kong," explains Alice. "I’m passionate about taking cues from a building’s external environment, whether that’s a bustling city, a tranquil coastal setting, or a small town."

Alice has lived in historical houses for much of her  life and blending history with modernity is at the heart of many of her projects from San Francisco to Petaluma.

"I believe that creating harmony—with our lifestyle, our physical location, and the environment of the space itself—is the key to an end result you’ll love," she says. "Practically speaking, I love ‘interior’ design – by which I mean, how do you design an interior space to be the most in tune with the flow and needs of your life."

Alice has launched into designing for others and is available for new clients currently. If you’d like help bringing your vision to life – reach out to Alice at alice@alicedishes.com.

Click here for Alice's website

Alice grew up with parents who had distinct and definitive design sensibilities. There was always some kind of DIY project going on at home. "Whether my dad was hanging Laura Ashley wallpaper, or my mum was picking out colored cabinets for our kitchen—dark green paneling as I recall—it was impossible not to absorb some of their passion and interest in interiors as I developed my own personal style," she recalls. Fast forward many decades later, and Alice has remodeled a number of her own homes, tweaked interiors,and put together seemingly incompatible patterns, colors, and textures.

"And now I want to do this for others. I take my main inspiration from the interior and exterior environments that envelop a space," she says. "If you listen closely, a room will “tell you” what will work best to create a stunning, yet comfortable place to be."

Travel Tuesdays — Walking Holidays in the UK & Sicily

Dreaming of travel?  British slow travel specialists Inntravel have introduced a trio of enticing new walking holidays this fall, just as travel begins to open up. There’s a pair of new UK breaks, taking in the diverse charms of Snowdonia and the Fife Coastal Path ahead of the latter’s 20th anniversary in 2022. Also introduced is a trip to Sicily’s western corner, including the dreamy Egadi Islands with their distinct North African accent and a gentle pace of life. Inntravel’s program of self-guided walking holidays offers tempting trails in all corners of Europe. Each is meticulously researched and is accompanied by detailed walking notes and maps. The focus is on a slow, immersive form of travel, enjoying local food and welcoming hotels, and discovering the culture. There are all kinds of short and intermediate and long walking tours to chose from with options for guided walks too. I like the idea of hotel to hotel walks, personally and have been talking with girlfriends about planning one in the UK for years now. If cycling is more your thing, Inntravel offers itineraries from easy to moderate to more challenging throughout Europe.   Snowdonia: from Sea to Summit With Snowdonia in the headlines with concerns of over-tourism, this new self-guided walking holiday showcases some of the National Park’s quieter corners and more surprising attractions. Beginning in the coastal town of Porthmadog, guests will walk past Glaslyn Estuary, where giant leatherhead turtles can be seen, and pick their way among quiet sandy coves, each perfect for a wild swim, to the town of Criccieth on the Llyn Peninsula. Riding the historic steam-pulled Welsh Highland Line, guests travel further into the mountains with a two-night stay in Beddgelert, where a circuit takes walkers to a Victorian copper mine and past the waterfalls of Afon Cwm Llan. The final two nights are spent in Llanberis, reached after a walk from Rhyd Ddu through one of the National Park’s remotest landscapes, an area little-touched by roads. From Llanberis guests can strike out for the summit of Snowdon on foot or by train, or escape the crowds with a lakeside circuit of Llyn Padarn. Price: from £690pp sharing, including 6 nights’ B&B accommodation, 2 picnics, 2 dinners, route notes and maps and return transfer to car. Available 15 September to 31 October 2021 and 1 March to 31 October 2022.  Fife’s Coastal Corner In 2022, the Fife Coastal Path, which runs for 116 miles between Newburgh and Tayport, celebrates its 20th anniversary and Inntravel has introduced this new short walking break that takes in some of its very best bits. Beginning in Anstruther, a timeless seafaring village, the walks give guests the chance to discover everything that makes the region so special: quaint fishing villages; dramatic ruins that hint at a far-reaching history; an abundance of marine and birdlife; and some really excellent local food and drink – visit smokehouses, distilleries and a rather wonderful chocolate shop. The final two nights are spent in the university town of St Andrews, where there is a ruined castle and cathedral to explore, plus two glorious beaches and a world-famous golf course. Price: from £345pp sharing, including 4 nights’ B&B accommodation, luggage transfers, route notes and maps and return transfer to car. Available from now until 31 October 2021 and 1 March to 31 October 2022.   Wonders of Western Sicily On this new self-guided walking holiday from Inntravel, guests will discover the quiet charms of Western Sicily and the Egadi Islands, where the history is as rich as Genovese, the local cream-filled shortcrust pastry. The trip begins in the medieval hill-town of Erice, with its stunning views and maze of narrow alleyways. The highlight here is the Castello di Venere, a 12th-century Norman fortress perched perilously high on an outcrop. The following day’s walk descends from Erice to vibrant Trapani, where an hour’s ferry takes walkers to Marettimo, the remotest and furthest-flung of the Egadi Islands. Three nights here, in a comfortable apartment just outside the island’s main village, enable visitors to slow down, enjoy long leisurely al fresco lunches and soak up the distinct North African vibe. Inntravel’s suggested walks take in Punta Troia, a craggy headland dominated by a Spanish fortification, and up thyme-scented slopes where peregrine falcons and Bonelli’s eagles swoop overhead. After the ferry ride back to Sicily, the final two nights are spent in the charming coastal village of Scopello, within easy reach of the Zingaro Nature Reserve, with its rich variety of flora and fauna. Price: from £775pp based on 2 sharing, including 7 nights’ B&B accommodation, 1 picnic, return ferry Trapani to Marettimo, luggage transfers, transfer on day 5, route notes and maps. Available from now until 31 October 2021, 1 April to 15 June 2022 and 1 September to 31 October 2022.

Book travel with confidence. Click here for latest COVID info.

For more information on Inntravel, visit inntravel.co.uk or call 01653 617000.

Travel Tuesdays — Explore the National Parks and Forests and Tastes of Visalia This Fall — Don't Miss Oktoberfest in Sequoia & Other Fall Events

Ready for a road trip? Yosemite & Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are open. Only California's National Forests are temporarily closed through Sept. 17 in order to protect public and firefighter safety.

With the exception of Lassen Volcanic National Park (closed due to the Dixie Fire since July 24), National Parks in the Golden State are open — as are roads through the National Forests that connect parks.

Photo: Visit Visalia — Cedar Grove Pack Station, Kings Canyon National Park 

Visalia – an easy three hour drive from the Bay Area – lies in the heart of the Central Valley, at the base of the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

This welcoming community typically hosts visitors from around the world, though during the tail end of the pandemic, mostly domestic travelers – all eager to explore the unrivaled beauty of the National Parks and adventure in the great outdoors.

As the center of the nation’s most productive agricultural region, Tulare County harvests more than 250 different crops and is the world’s top dairy producer.

Visalia is the oldest city between Los Angeles and Stockton and one that is proud of its endearing hometown atmosphere, enlivened by a vibrant downtown brimming with great restaurants, art galleries, antique stores, boutique shopping and live entertainment.

An abundance of outdoor adventure for all ages and skill levels awaits amidst the serenity and natural tranquility in some of the world’s most magnificent surroundings. Visitors enjoy hiking, biking, camping, swimming – and exploring the unique natural features of each park. 

Photo: Visit Visalia — Buena Vista Peak, Kings Canyon National Park 

Photo: Visit Visalia — Moro Rock, Sequoia National Park

If you’re going to be on the road for a while, Visalia is the starting point for the Majestic Mountain Loop that takes you to three national parks in as little as three days. 

Visalia is definitely a best bet as home base, with lodging options for all budgets, a family-friendly atmosphere and plenty of things to do when you’re not at the parks. 

Road trips are a great way to explore and National Parks make a great destination for a classic road trip. Click here for itineraries for road trips to Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks. With soaring giant sequoia trees, thundering rivers, and amazing vistas, a national parks road trip is just the start of a great adventure. 

Fall Events 

Visit Visalia has recently announced an exciting lineup of fall events happening in its charming city and the nearby national parks. Grouped into three itineraries, events will allow visitors to experience the best in local food, culture and adventure while enjoying the cool fall weather.

The seasonal itineraries, “Beers, Boots and Brunch,” “A Taste of Visalia” and “PRIDE Visalia Weekend,” include a visit to the two nearby national parks, home to the largest living trees in the world.

“Visit Visalia is looking forward to welcoming visitors to enjoy these fun festivals and activities,” says Nellie Freeborn, Visit Visalia executive director. “The rich cultural heritage, artistic expressions, and diverse cuisines of each festival as well as access to two of California’s most majestic national parks make Visalia the perfect destination for fall travelers.”

Beers, Boots and Brunch

“Beers, Boots and Brunch” itinerary centers around the region’s largest Oktoberfest Celebration, to be held at Vossler Farms on September 24. Over 40 booths of the Central Valley’s best food, wine, and of course beer are on tap! While breweries and restaurants will keep the beer and food flowing, live music will keep the crowd dancing. Visitors put on their hiking boots as the weekend continues with a visit to Sequoia National Park on September 25 when Park entrance fees are waived for National Public Lands Day. Round out the weekend with a leisurely brunch at some of Visalia’s top restaurants like the Cellar Door or the Vintage Press.

A Taste of Visalia

Visitors will get “A Taste of Visalia” in this itinerary that offers two authentic festivals. On October 16, Taste the Arts fills the streets with the Central Valley’s largest -and FREE-outdoor arts festival with over 100 artists and workshops. The pumpkin patch and corn maze at Vossler Farms offer seasonal fun. Then it’s up to Sequoia National Park to see the dogwood trees as their leaves turn beautiful golds, oranges and reds. Foodies will love the Taste of Downtown on October 19 which showcases Visalia’s vibrant food scene giving revelers a taste of both popular fan favorites and introducing new restaurants.

PRIDE Visalia Weekend

Diversity and inclusion are on tap for “PRIDE Visalia,” the region’s only pride festival, scheduled for October 23 at Valley Strong Stadium.  The day-long event offers family-friendly activities, food booths, vendors, entertainment, and organizations in support of the LGBTQ community. Add to the weekend a trip to Sequoia National Park where visitors can marvel at the panoramic vistas and the giant sequoia trees. Sequoia Guides is offering a free, guided hike to festival goers who reserve in advance. Special hotel rates are also available.

Visit Visalia is partnering with local hotels, restaurants and entertainment venues to provide visitor information. Visitors can find free maps and guides in local hotels and are encouraged to stop by the Visit Visalia office, at 112 E. Main Street, for itineraries and additional information.

More information about these events and itineraries is available online.

https://www.visitvisalia.com/articles/get-a-taste-of-visalia-with-these-fall-events

Photo: Visit Visalia —Grant Grove Stables, Kings Canyon National Park

If You Go

View the Visalia Visitors Guides below or download the Visit Visalia Brochure for vacation ideas, hotel recommendations, and more.

You may also send your mailing address to the Visitor Services Coordinator at requests@visitvisalia.com or call (559) 334-0141. Office hours are  Monday - Saturday, 8:00am - 5:00pm PST.   

 Click here for the Sequoia Visitors Guide for park and regional information.

Click here for Parks & City Maps.

Click here to see the Sequoia and Kings Canyon Newspaper for seasonal park information. 

 

 

 

Escape Time in Stamford, Lincolnshire — Roast Dinner, Tea and A Stately Home Ramble —A Taste of Quintessential England at The George Hotel & Burghley House

All Photos - Frances Rivetti 

One of my favorite places in the Lincolnshire/Cambridgeshire border lands where I was born and raised is the historic Georgian market town of Stamford. And within the town itself, The George ranks as a jewel in the crown of quintessential and enduring English style, design, history, heritage, warmth and hospitality.

It was an absolute treat to stay a few nights on my trip to England this July. My niece's classic country wedding was nearby so there was no excuse not to make a reservation to soak up all that I love best about being home in a part of the country that is not over run by tourists. 

Pandemic restrictions may have kept overseas visitors at bay this summer of 2021, though the staycation revival for quality travel and tourism with careful protocol in place was clearly at full throttle in the Stamford area and throughout the country's most scenic locales. 

So where is Stamford, you may ask if you've not yet had the time to look beyond London and the Cotswolds for English escapes?

It's located along The Great North Road, one of the most famous highways in the world. Phoenician traders, Ancient Britons and the legions of Rome traversed its storied route. Later, marauding bands of Saxons and Danes and Norman armies followed suit.

For over a thousand years an historic inn has stood by the Welland River crossing in Stamford, Lincolnshire at the roughly 100 mile point north of London and 100 miles south of York, providing food and shelter to the hungry and weary traveler at the half-way mark between these two fabled cities. 

This route served as the main highway between England and Scotland from medieval times until the 20th century. In its heyday it was a coaching route for mail coaches and horses between London, York and Edinburgh. 

Highwayman Dick Turpin's rapid flight from London to York on his mare Black Bess is one of the most infamous legends of the Great North Road. Several inns  claim Turpin took refreshment or stopped for respite for his horse along the route. Though The George of Stamford stakes no claim, The Winchelsea Arms, an inn now known as The Ram Jam Inn, nearby at Stretton, Rutland, is reputed to be one of his haunts. 

Today, the A1 more-or-less parallels the original route of the Great North Road. Coaching inns such as The George of Stamford provided staging posts for  accommodation, stabling of horses and replacement mounts. In order to make a stop at any one of these gracious old inns that have survived the test of time, motorists must turn off the modern highway and make a detour into town. 

The exact age of The George is unknown, but early historians referred to it as: "A very ancient hostelry, once belonging to the Abbots of Croyland". This is of particular interest to me as the ancient town of Croyland, now known as Crowland, located about 18 miles from Stamford, is where I grew up and my folks still live. I bused in and attended Stamford College from age 16 to 19 while studying for my A Levels at the end of my high school years. 

It is believed that The George may have been standing in 947 A.D., and was included with much of Stamford Baron in a gift made by Turkotul, chancellor King Edred, to the Abbey of Croyland.

Shortly after the Norman Conquest the lands and buildings that Croyland Abbey held south of the Welland passed into the possession of the Abbey of Peterborough (now cathedral).

The George of early days would have been much smaller in size, for the present inn incorporates the bulk of two former religious houses which bounded the old inn on each side. On the south stood the house of the Holy Sepulchre, a hospital of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, sometimes referred to as Knights Hospitallers.

It was here that the pilgrims and knights of the Holy Sepulchre were hosted and entertained as they traveled from the north on their journey to Jerusalem to visit the Sepulchre of Christ, the knights accompanying the pilgrims for protection.

According to the inn's history page: "We know that in the 15th century, The George was a place of considerable importance, for a proprietor, John Dickens, was three times Alderman or Chief Magistrate of Stamford, in the years 1478, 1483 and 1493. His daughter and heir, Alice, was married to David Cissell or Sicilit, a gentleman of Stamford, who became one of King Henry VIII's Sergeant at Arms. David Cissell had a son, Richard, who in 1539 obtained the grant of the site of the recently dissolved priory of St. Michael as well as the church and 299 acres of land lying in the parish of St. Martins. Richard Cissell was father to William Cecil, the first Lord Burghley, the great Elizabethan statesman, whose descendants, the Marquises of Exeter are still seated at Stamford at Burghley House.

When Lord Burghley founded his bedehouse on the Welland bank where the hospital of St. John and St. Thomas once stood, he gave the landlord of The George in perpetuity the right of nominating one inmate, and this right has never lapsed. The main block of The George inn was rebuilt by Lord Burghley in 1597, and to this day his coat of arms is to be seen over the front entrance proclaiming the aristocratic antecedents of this noble hostelry. The Elizabethan stone mullioned lattice windows in the upper story on the north side of the main block date from this time."

Visitors to the hotel see on their left as they enter a door marked "London" and on their right a doorway marked "York". These two old paneled rooms were the original waiting rooms for passengers gathering for their coaches which changed horses in the hotel yard.

 In the west wing of the hotel there was a stately ballroom. Guests in the rooms in this part of the inn may be intrigued to learn that above the ceilings of their rooms, the original lofty ceiling and minstrels gallery still remain as they were over two hundred years ago.

In recent decades the hotel has been modernized for comfort, though considerable care has been taken not to destroy its historical features. Much of the most recent updates and decor has been focused on restoration.

Luxurious accommodation, a cuisine to satisfy the most discerning tastes and excellent service make The George a favorite for return visitors. Its wine cellars are a source of great pride, where fine wine  is stored under ideal conditions in vaults which date back to the earliest days of the inn's foundation.

The night before my niece's wedding (rehearsal dinners are not a thing in the UK), my brother, father of the bride, joined my husband Timo and me for supper in The Oak Room restaurant at The George, renowned for its fine dining - with wines to match - in an incredibly beautiful, oak-paneled setting.

We were compelled to opt for succulent and traditional Roast Beef, carved at our table from the silver domed trolley, accompanied by Yorkshire pudding, hot horseradish, mustards, gravy and roast, boiled and mashed potatoes - and a selection of vegetables — the dining room's signature dish.

After supper highlight was the cheese trolley with traditional British cheeses and a Brandy, Armagnac and Whiskey trolley assortment. 

During the summer months, and between seasons, the à la Carte Restaurant has tables outside under the heated canopy. We were fortunate to have gorgeous sunshine throughout our stay at The George and reveled in morning breakfast outdoors under sun umbrellas in cobblestone, courtyard seating.

English decor is never complete without a folly or two. The ladies' bathrooms are the perfect example!

After dashing around visiting our two families, a little quiet time over tea was a tonic to process all that we'd undertaken to travel safely from the States to the UK during the pandemic. 

The day after the wedding we had a few hours to ourselves for a wander along the River Welland and into and around the grounds of Burghley House. Burghley is one of the largest and grandest surviving houses of the sixteenth century and a magnificent example of the great Elizabethan ‘prodigy’ houses.

Conceived by William Cecil, Lord High Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth I, between 1555 and 1587, Burghley is a testament to the ambition and vision of the most powerful courtier of the first Elizabethan age.

Green tranquil walks, modern sculpture abound. The gardens and parkland that we experience today at Burghley were largely designed by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown in the 18th century.

There are sweeping vistas leading down to the spires of Stamford in the parkland and an oasis of flowing water to be viewed in the Garden of Surprises. We enjoyed a tranquil walk next to the lake after passing by the Sunday picnics with envy. British picnics, complete with wicker hampers, bubbly, cucumber sandwiches, scones and tartan rugs are certainly back in vogue.

William Cecil, the first Lord Burghley, had a strong sense of family. Burghley House, the Cecil family’s home for over sixteen generations, continues to be the centerpiece for this sense of shared legacy.

Burghley Estate was endowed to the Burghley House Preservation Trust by the 6th Marquess of Exeter in 1987. Made up of Burghley House, farmland, woodland, and a significant property portfolio, the Estate covers an array of residential, agricultural and commercial properties including hotels, pubs and offices with additional quarries, gardens and allotments as well as the rights to sporting activities. Horse trials were taking place the day we visited. 

I've visited Burghley House and its superb Sculpture Garden many times in the past, so we didn't make an indoor tour this time, but I'll be back! The collection of Fine Art held within Burghley House is extensive and varied and includes many highly important objects. The collection of Italian Old Master paintings is one of the finest in private hands. The collections of both Oriental and European ceramics are world famous and of great interest to scholars. Fine English and Continental furniture, 17th century Objects of Vertu, English portrait miniatures and European Works of Art all feature strongly, whilst the collection of Chinese Snuff Bottles is thought to be one of the finest in the Western world.

I was relieved to find most of the shops in Stamford's bustling center have made it through the country's extended stay-home orders as well as the Saturday street market. It's such a pleasurable town to potter around for a few hours of window shopping and boutique browsing. 

In the words of Stamford's visitor's program: "A joyous coincidence of geography and geology has allowed Stamford to remain the "finest stone town in England", its prosperity drawn from the wool trade and its historical position as a mail coach inter-change on the Great North Road almost halfway between London and York.

Stamford was the first town in the country to create a conservation area in 1967 and it has this to thank for the fact that over the subsequent half century much of its historical architectural heritage has remained intact. See Martin Smith's History of Stamford

Stamford is idyllic enough to have formed the backdrop for television costume dramas such as Middlemarch and the 2005 film Pride & Prejudice. It is regularly a finalist in The Sunday Times the best place to live in Britain survey."

If You Go

Getting There

Stamford is easily accessible by train from London's King's Cross to Peterborough and a short change of train directly into the heart of Stamford. It's quite feasible to make this a long weekend or two or three day get-away without a car if you are mobile enough on foot. Plan a half-day either end of your stay if traveling in and out of London. 

To drive, connect motorways out of London to take the A1 North for approx 100 miles. 

The town boasts 11 churches, 30 pubs, 20 restaurants and over 10 quality hotels and guest houses. Most of the pubs serve Real Ale and are easy walking distance of the town centre, railway and bus stations. Shopping is a pleasure in a pedestrianized main street with a wide choice of boutique-style independently owned clothing, home and curiosity shops and small, upscale chain stores. It's a foodie's haven with its range of butchers, bakers and fishmongers. 

Click here for the website for The George.

I highly recommend you figure out the eight hour time difference if calling from California and booking directly. The staff are super responsive and helpful and will advise you of best rates. In these times of rapidly changing travel directives, its better to be safe than sorry with regards to cancellation fees etc. If you book a meal in the inn, you'll receive a discount on one of your room nights. 

Burghley House is open every Wednesday to Sunday and the Gardens are open daily. Pre-booking your time slot is essential prior to your arrival.

Admission to the House & Gardens is valid with House & Gardens or Gardens Only ticket. Your ticket is valid for 365 days, allowing you to return as many times as you like from the date of purchase. All visitors and staff are required to continue to wear face masks, coverings or visors inside the House at all times.

Staycation in Style — New Saturday Night Pop-Up Dinners Celebrate Harvest at Sonoma Valley's Kenwood Inn & Spa

Here's a stellar staycation offering for you! If you've been sticking close to home but you're hankering after a memorable overnight getaway, the gorgeous Kenwood Inn and Spa is just the ticket. 

With the first grapes coming off the vines, crush season is officially underway here in wine country. To celebrate this year's harvest, Kenwood Inn & Spa is offering a series of multi-course pop-up dinners, available exclusively to overnight guests of the elegant inn right here in Sonoma Valley.

The dinners will be presented nearly every Saturday night from late summer through fall.

New dinners are the creation of Guest Chef LeeAnn Geneve, owner of The Gilded Grape Catering in Sonoma, whose cooking has delighted wine country diners at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone and offshoot CIA at Copia, as well as numerous private events.

Chef Geneve specializes in distinctive wine country fare that is locally sourced, from artisanal cheeses and meats to the region's abundant produce, seafood and wine.

Though items from the small-plates menu at Kenwood Inn & Spa are available for purchase throughout the day and guests enjoy daily complimentary breakfast and an afternoon wine and cheese tasting, the property does not have a regular dinner restaurant.

However, the European-style Centro Courtyard and adjacent Cucina provide an intimate garden setting for these extra special pop-up dinners, with diners seated at private tables surrounding a trickling fountain.

Prices for the Saturday night pop-ups at Kenwood Inn & Spa range from $135 to $150 per person depending on the featured menu and include a four-course meal plus wine pairing with each course. The menu — and highlighted winery -- changes each Saturday.

Overnight accommodations are required to participate. For more information, call Kenwood Inn & Spa's concierge at 707-833-1293. Seating is socially distanced and limited.

About Kenwood Inn & Spa

Located in Sonoma Wine Country, Kenwood Inn & Spa is a serene, Mediterranean-inspired boutique inn set on more than two-and-one-half peaceful acres, surrounded by vineyards and ancient oaks. All 29 guest rooms are thoughtfully designed with private entrances, fireplaces and Italian furnishings. Many suites feature views of the surrounding vineyards and a private terrace or balcony.

Kenwood Inn & Spa's public spaces include three lushly landscaped courtyards accented with fountains, a swimming pool, a warming pool and hot tub. A complimentary breakfast is served each morning. Each afternoon, all inn guests are provided with complimentary tastings of wine and cheese and freshly baked cookies. Wood-fired pizza, charcuterie plates and hummus are available for purchase.

The recently remodeled spa includes three individual treatment rooms, one couple's treatment room, a private, outdoor terrace for couple's treatments or lounging, and a luxurious, private tub for bath treatments, with glorious vineyard views.

 Kenwood Inn & Spa (www.kenwoodinn.com) is one of 17 properties in the Four Sisters Inns collection, all in California. Other inns in the group are the Blue Lantern Inn (Dana Point), Newport Beach Hotel (Newport Beach), Hotel Casa 425 (Claremont), Channel Road Inn (Santa Monica), Inn at Playa del Rey (Los Angeles), Gosby House Inn and Green Gables Inn (Pacific Grove), Coachman's Inn (Carmel-by-the-Sea), West Cliff Inn (Santa Cruz), Milliken Creek Inn (Napa), Maison Fleurie and Lavender (Yountville), Healdsburg Inn on the Plaza (Healdsburg), Gaige House (Glen Ellen), Inn at Sonoma (Sonoma) and Blue Door Inns (Mendocino).

Travel Tuesdays — Escape to Rural Rutland — England's Smallest Historic County

Photos: Frances Rivetti

One of the upsides of the pandemic era has been the glorious rediscovery of treasure spots on our doorsteps — or within driving distance at least. And for me, the best of both worlds applies when it comes to a trip back to the homeland to visit family.

Hence a day visit to England's smallest county of Rutland — located a mere 40 minute drive from the small Lincolnshire market town where I was born and raised and my parents, aunt and uncle still live. My sister-in-law, Maria and her husband relocated to a village in Rutland during the pandemic since they've settled into permanent work-from-home positions and don't have to plan for a commute. I can't think of a better spot a hop, skip and a jump to the north of the market town of Stamford (up next on Travel Tuesdays) in which to set up camp if lifestyle permits living a little off the beaten track when it comes to city life.   

My water-loving folks were into windsurfing when I was a teenager and if my memory serves me right, I can't have been more than 19 the last time I visited Rutland Water, surely the most bucolic and picturesque of the largest man-made reservoirs in Europe. The landlocked East midlands county of Rutland is neighbor to Lincolnshire to its west, Leicestershire to its north and Northamptonshire to its south. 

Rutland Water is an important nature reserve covering 3000 acres of non-tidal water, serving as an over-wintering site for wildfowl and a breeding ground for Ospreys. Considering he entire county's greatest length north to south is 18 miles and its greatest breadth east to west is 17 miles, the reservoir is certainly integral to its identity since its inception in the 197os. 

Cottages in the towns of Oakham, Uppingham and 54 surrounding villages are built from limestone or ironstone with roofs of Collyweston stone, slate or thatch. 

To make Rutland Water a large part of the parish of Empingham was flooded, which resulted in the destruction of several small, historic communities. Both the ancient village of Nether Hambleton and Middle Hambleton were cleared as the river Gwash and several others were diverted in order to provide the water needed to fill the reservoir. This lost village, part of the Hambletons is thought to have been the capital of Rutland’s Anglo-Saxon kings.

It's eerie to think of a village that remains under the water, a small community of houses and farms abandoned forever and frozen in water time. Read more about this interesting history here. 

Rutland Water is thirty-four meters at its deepest and the crest of the dam is 1,200 meters long. Once completed, various areas were designated as sites for recreational use. Small marinas, parks and restaurants were built around the edge of the reservoir.

Maria took a week day off work to join us as we reacquainted ourselves with this watery wonderland on a quiet Monday in July during my busy trip with my husband, Timo, visiting with our British-based families.

It just so happened to be the day after the hottest weekend in Britain's summer and we had timed it just right to avoid all the Saturday and Sunday leisure seekers.  

In fact, we had the place to ourselves in parts and enjoyed a waterside walk and a boat ride under the prettiest of blue skies. When in the UK, every good walk should end with a good pub, especially when four-legged family members are welcome, too! Maria's dog, Trixie enjoyed her romp around Rutland as much as we did. 

There are several scenic Pub Walks around Rutland from village to village, with far reaching views, ranging from a mile or two to four, five or six miles or more, depending on stamina and how much beer walking companions can drink! Country pubs are renowned for delicious dining and there are many historic inns, halls and hotels offering hearty English breakfasts, lunch, afternoon teas, Sunday roasts, light bites and gourmet suppers.  

It's a foodie haven with farm shops, butcher shops, bakeries, farmers markets, wine merchants, ice creameries, tea shops and coffee houses. 

National Sailing Academy Rutland Sailing Club and Rutland Water Sports provide excellent training for grown ups and kids looking to develop their water legs. 

For those who love the water but would rather stay dry, fly fishing adventures await. There's a nice, sandy beach for relaxing waterside and also a weekly Rutland Water Park Run on Saturday mornings at 9am and a cycling hire center offering wheels for all ages, including electric. 

The fun-looking aquapark was the busiest spot on a Monday, with kids out of school and enjoying a chance to let off steam in a safe, outdoor environment. 

Rutland Nature Reserve occupies shoreline and shallow water lagoons along nine miles of the western end of the reservoir, which is home to the Rutland Osprey Project. 

If golf is your thing, there are five excellent courses to play in Rutland offering satisfying challenges for newbies and pros alike. What I was most enthralled with was the natural wonders of the waterside with its lagoons and meadows, hedgerows and woodlands, that flourish in this meticulously managed region thanks to a strong partnership between Anglian Water and the Rutland Wildlife Trust. 

The full Rutland Water route for cycling or hiking is 23 miles. Next time I'm back I plan a few days to enjoy more that Rutland has on offer. I'd love to start at either Whitwell or Normanton and cycle the route all the way round, passing through these its lovely villages and woodland.

Getting There 

Rutland is located both 100 miles from London and York and makes for a great place to stop and enjoy classic English rural culture when traveling between these two major tourist cities, or as a stand-alone destination itself. It's ideal for rambling or bike riding with a loved one or friend and a super pick for a family or group getaway with car-free activity options galore. 

Situated between Peterborough and Leicester, Rutland benefits from a central location in the East Midlands, close to major road networks including the A1 and A47. The railway station at Oakham has a direct service from/to Stansted airport and connects the county with the rest of the region. See National Rail Enquiries for trains.  

For places to stay, day or week-long itineraries visit Discover Rutland. Self-catering abounds, as well as guest houses, hotels, caravans, camping and glamping, B&Bs and inns. 

Photo: Discover Rutland 

A cruise aboard the Rutland Belle allowed us to enjoy the sights of Rutland Water whilst listening to commentary highlighting points of interest.
The Rutland Belle can carry up to 110 passengers, with 60 places in the under-cover saloons. Drinks are available on board.

Travel Tuesdays — Hideaway on the North Norfolk Coast — England at its Best

All Photos - Frances Rivetti 

According to BBC Good Food there are two types of samphire – marsh and rock – though only marsh samphire is widely available. Marsh samphire, with its  vibrant green stalks, similar to baby asparagus, although with a distinctively crisp and salty taste, is all the rage in North Norfolk where foodies snap it up from all sorts of charming honor-system baskets in the summer months. It may be used raw in salad, though as it tends to be so very salty, it's more often boiled or steamed for a few minutes before serving, or sold in jars of pickled samphire in gourmet shops.

I don't remember marsh samphire being so popular when I was a teenager, the last time I had the opportunity to fully explore the North Norfolk coastline at leisure prior to my recent trip to England to visit my folks. This is an area of immense natural beauty but not all that easy to access given that it's well off the beaten track and tiny Norfolk lanes are tricky to navigate.

British culinary trends have returned to the days prior to the era of pre-packaged convenience in that farmed and foraged, homegrown, homemade, local and fresh is hugely popular. Just as the return to home shores for travel and leisure has upped the demand for quality stays in lovely locations, the food that goes along with it is just as great. 

With my July 2021 test-out-of-isolation record on my phone a week after arriving in the UK from the US, the first place I'd been hopeful to cram into my shortened travel itinerary was Wells-Next-The-Sea, an ideal destination an hour-and-a-half's drive east from my folks' in which to soak up the sea, fishing boats, crabbing, birdwatching, coastal walking, pub garden pit-stops and coastal cottage dreaming. 

Checking out the classic English beach huts was top of my list. Who wouldn't love one of these wonderful, quirky, colorful beauties? The good news is, if you plan it out far enough ahead, you may be able to rent one! You can't actually stay overnight, but how civilized a day or two at an award-winning beach to make a pot of tea, read a book and lounge?

Wells beach hut (not as pictured) has seating for over 6 people including deck chairs and wooden folding chairs. It also has a bench and folding table inside, for those seeking some shade on the hot summer days, or to get out of the cold when taking brisk walks in the winter months. There are an array of buckets, spades and beach games available, as well as a couple of surf boards for fun in the sea. Tea and coffee making facilities, cutlery, cups, plates and everything needed to wash up afterwards. 

Wells-Next-The-Sea was a harbor as far back as the eleventh century. There was a commercial fishery by the end of the early fourteenth century and vessels fished for herring and cod off Norway and as far a distance as Iceland. 

The seaside town became famous in the eighteenth century for its export of malt. It's incredible to think that a third of England's malt barley exports passed through the Wells custom house where large malting buildings dominated the skyline above town with its quaint narrow yards and Georgian architecture. Several remain and have been converted to apartments. History and heritage abound. 

Today the harbor is used by local and visiting leisure sailors and fishermen who bring in crabs, lobsters and whelks. 

The Crown Hotel, warm, comfortable, inviting and cosy, serves some of the best seasonal breakfasts, lunches, afternoon teas and dinners along the coast. There are some pretty fancy spots to stay between Wells-Next-The-Sea and Blakeney, but I was pleased I opted for The Crown, it was an absolute delight. Seeing as we were staying during the extended restriction period in the UK, it was reassuring to experience how many protocols where in place for staying and taking refreshment in the hotel. 

Staff are super, the region has had record low COVID numbers and yet nobody took any less care to adhere to safe standards. We enjoyed a memorable dinner in the dining room which I had reserved a couple of months prior, which was a good thing, seeing as the place was fully booked up. It's best to book directly and especially so with sensible cancellation policies in place. 

Click here to read the fascinating history of The Crown, which is believed to have been built in 1450. 

Summer is a lovely time to visit, but the English weather being unpredictable means that you could just as easily find yourself basking in the sunshine whether it's summer, spring, autumn or winter! 

The weather was kind for my husband Timo and me as we wandered the town and enjoyed fish and chips on the quay. I was impressed by the number of quality boutiques and potteries, cafes, bespoke butcher's shops, fish shops and a terrific interactive history museum in the Maltings. 

Along the coast visitors may take harbor tours, seal trips or sea fishing trips. 

For those who prefer land legs, walking and cycling are big in this little corner of the world. I wish we'd had longer to stay and explore. We'll be back! 

We opted for a breezy 10 mile trek alongside coastal marshes on the Norfolk Coast Path from Wells to Blakeney to the south, stopping off for refreshment along the way! Though the wild and expansive marshes are tempting, it's best to stick to the path and designated beaches due to unpredictable and fast incoming tides. We watched a couple expertly time hopping onto their boat in Wells harbor as the impressive tide swept in late evening. I wouldn't recommend it unless you absolutely know your tidal skills are up to it. 

Norfolk is famous for its bird watching and is home to some of the rarest birds in the UK. Visit Norfolk Wildlife Trust for more info. 

Pubs galore and the local beers are to savor. 

Two Magpies Bakery on the quay in Blakeney is well worth a hike for its artisan pastries, fresh bread, sourdough stone baked pizza, assorted treats and and espresso drinks. 

Blakeney National Nature Reserve hosts an endless list of enticing activities and holiday stays.

The town itself is as pristine as the protected coastal land. Coastal hopper buses are frequent and far preferable to squeezing a vehicle through village lanes. 

Where to Stay

The Wells-Next-The-Sea Tourist Information Centre in Wells Maltings (011441328710885 if calling from the US) has a full list of hotels, bed and breakfasts and self catering accommodation accommodation, plus there are several camp sites in the region.  Click here for website. 

Getting There

Unfortunately the railway line that once was a vital link to the town of Wells was taken away in the 1960s. Now that English tourism is back to pre-1970s popularity, rail access would save on considerable summer traffic. Click here for coastal bus services that run hourly seven days a week westward to Hunstanton and King's Lynn and eastern to Cromer. 

 

 

 

There are plenty of ways to get to north Norfolk from within the UK or from overseas. North Norfolk is accessible from the north, west or south of the country and the A11 dual carriageway makes for travel from the south. The Broadland Northway provides quicker and easier access from Norwich and once in north Norfolk, there are lots of ways to get around. 

Greater Anglia trains leave London Liverpool Street and King's Cross every hour, arriving in just under two hours into Norwich or King's Lynn. From Norwich you can catch a regular train to Cromer or Sheringham, and from there and King's Lynn, there are connecting local bus services.

A New Jewel In The Crown of Magical Santa Barbara and Montecito

Santa Barbara View above — Photo by J Sinclair courtesy of Visit Santa Barbara 

Photos  — A Rivetti  2021

Nothing beats a visit to the Santa Barbara 100-mile stretch of coastline while driving the central and southern Pacific route down to Southern California. The region holds a special place in my heart and I'd happily entrench myself there for weeks at a time if I didn't love my Sonoma County, Nor Cal roots so much.

And so the timing proved fortuitous for me to have a quiet scout around the Montecito area on my way back from a visit with my oldest son in Los Angeles to celebrate his birthday. It just so happened that I was to pen a piece on Meghan and Harry's new home base in Montecito, Santa Barbara's exclusive unincorporated neighbor to the south when the news broke of the June 4th birth of couple's second child, a daughter, Lilibet Diana (named after her great grandmother the Queen and grandmother Diana).

Meghan delivered her sweet girl without any fanfare mid-morning on a sunny Friday in the nearby birthing  center of Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, a handy 10-mile drive from the Sussexes home in the hills of Montecito.  By the time I pulled into town she was back home with Harry and Lili's big brother, Archie (2), resting in what is reputedly a rather luxurious bedroom with its amazing en-suite bathroom and no doubt, exquisite views of the Pacific and verdant Santa Ynez Mountains.

Really, whatever your take on their royal departure from Britain and the big debate about speaking out with regards to the reasons for their culture-shaking move, who could possibly find fault in their choice of relocation for the now four of them? 

It was a relief to discover that there wasn't any evidence of mass media hysteria along the quiet, secluded hillside housing enclave. The only people I spotted on the winding roads past gated estates with forests of palm and olive trees was the occasional masked and helmeted cyclist (could have been Harry for all I knew), landscapers in baseball caps and a housekeeper with her lunch box waiting for a ride. 

I spent some time chatting to cafe and storekeepers and friends in the area with regards to the general response to the royal birth. Not everyone had heard. It was no big deal. 

If the family stays long term in the area, I've no doubt young Archie and Lili will be kept out of the radar as much as possible until they're old enough to decide for themselves if they're going for the limelight, but hopefully it won't be too hard to do given the geographic location and nature of Montecito and surrounding area.

I wrote my account of my visit in brief for British-based The Royalist, a fun and informative, informal weekly newsletter by career newspaper and magazine editors Kerry and Maria that has subscribers around the world. You can read it by clicking on the following link. Sign up to receive it in your inbox. 

The Royal List 

While in Montecito we stayed at the historic Montecito Inn. Before Hollywood was a thing there was Santa Barbara and its old school western allure. The early movie production companies that eventually relocated to Los Angeles first made their home in the Santa Barbara area. Even after many stars moved on to Hollywood, Santa Barbara's allure could not be denied and this was where they came back to play and to live.

According to the Inn's heritage: "Charlie Chaplin immediately fell in love with the area. So much so, that he, along with a small group of investors, built the Montecito Inn in 1928 as an upscale getaway. It soon became one of the most desirable destinations along the California coast. Soon after the Montecito Inn opened its doors, it became the "cream of the coast" between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Years later, in 1943, Mr. Chaplin returned to Montecito to marry the love of his life, Oona O'Neill. Since then, many things have come and gone, but the popularity and luxury of the Inn has remained."

The Inn has endured many eras of California history, not least the devastating mudslides that roared through its parking structure after ravaging this small city in January 2018.

In the spirit of revival that we see time and time again in our California coastal communities, the Inn, as with its surrounding merchant neighbors, picked itself up, cleaned itself off and is more popular than ever with visitors seeking the peace and tranquility of more secluded beaches and hillside properties. As a hotel, its not all that fancy, but clean and classic and well priced for the value-seeking traveler. The thing I liked about it was its unpretentious air and the fact there was a Rolls Royce convertible in the parking lot and not down the road at the much more expensive ocean-front accommodation options.  That kind of sums up Montecito perfectly. Low key. Casual style yet glamorous in its own way. 

And we indulged in a hearty lunch (a few hours before meeting friends at their house for a seafood dinner) at the wonderful Bettina, with its outdoor seating in Montecito Country Mart which I highly recommend for Neapolitan-style pizza made with seasonal California ingredients and a cheeky Spritz if you're in the area. 

Photos — F Rivetti 2021

If you go — things are really opening up this summer. Demand is high for the coastal region, so do book ahead for your accommodations, special dinners and activities whenever possible and to plan for what you'll need as we navigate all the new protocol. I felt extremely safe and well cared for everywhere we stayed and stopped in at on our five day road trip. 

Visit Santa Barbara is a great resource of where to stay and things to do, especially for the first time visitors but also for regulars, as activities and events get back on board. 

 

Recommended Read —We Are What We Eat — A Slow Food Manifesto — Bay Area Legend Alice Waters on the Food Values We Need to Embrace

Flash back a year and one of the positive aspects of life during a pandemic was an international lock-down culinary revival. Here in the United States, where an estimated 95% of its people regularly consume fast food, the art of cooking and cooking seasonally, let alone slow food concept was suddenly and massively in vogue. And it lasted for months.

Shopping for flour and yeast and coming home empty handed was like living in a revolution era — scoring said ingredients was a triumph of the week and how many loaves of bread, cookies, cakes, scones, quiches, soups and stews were served up at tables filled with family members for weeks on end? The mind boggles. That part was wonderful.

What I hoped, as an ardent home cook, food writer and proponent of the shared family meal was that folk would get a taste for the good life of simple, locally sourced meal ingredients and stick with it more frequently after everything opened up again. 

It's no problem to find a bag of flour or packet of yeast now, so needless to say, the rush to stock our pantries has subsided significantly. And while I'm all for supporting our local restaurants, be it dine in or eat out or take home, it would be better for us and the planet if we no longer frequent the non-chain fast food eateries that have nothing to do with nurturing or nourishing us or the earth.

I was excited to learn that Alice Waters was releasing a new book We Are What We Eat — A Slow Food Manifesto. And I signed up through local indie bookstore Point Reyes Books for a copy that included an invitation to hear Alice, chef and founder of Berkeley's Chez Panisse in conversation with another Bay Area legend, The Omnivore's Dilemma author Michael Pollan, Knight Professor of Journalism at UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism and the director of the Knight Program in Science and Environmental Journalism. 

If you haven't heard of Alice Waters it's most likely that you're not in the United States. Alice has won numerous awards including the National Humanities Medal, the Cavaliere of the Italian Republic, the French Legion of Honor Medal and three James Beard Awards. She is vice president of Slow Food International and founder of the Edible Schoolyard Project, bringing healthy food awareness to communities all around the world. 

Back when Alice opened her restaurant Chez Panisse in the early 70s, her goal was to feed people good food in a time of political turmoil. Nothing much has changed fifty years on when we look at life today. And Chez Panisse, like so many restaurants worldwide continues to prove its mettle having hung in there through the past fifteen months.

I've eaten at Chez Panisse only two or three times in the years that I've lived in the Bay Area. My oldest son studied at CAL and I fondly remember a lunch we enjoyed together in the cafe upstairs from the main restaurant. If I lived in Berkeley I would eat there as often as I was able. Like the best of food and wine, the menu is seasonal, the ingredients fresh, delicious and local. In fact, most of the items on the menu when I last ate there were from Sonoma County, where I live and shop the farm stores, so lunch at Chez Panisse is like coming home, only better! Restaurants across the country have modeled themselves on the core values of Chez Panisse and how thankful are we for that?

Alice talks frequently of Bob Cannard, the iconic Sonoma County farmer behind my favorite Green String Farm, whose produce sold her on fresh, seasonal and local in the first place. I spoke with Bob a couple of years ago for a story on farmstands for the Petaluma Visitors Guide and have written about his long history in biodiverse farming.  I feel so fortunate to call this bountiful region home.  

Over five decades, Alice and her partners deduced that many of the world's most serious problems are, at their core, connected to food. In We Are What We Eat, 

the author and activist urges us to take up the mantle of the slow food culture if we haven't already. It is the philosophy that has guided her life's work as she came to see that it is the phenomenon of fast food culture, that prioritizes cheapness, availability and speed that is not just ruining our health, but dehumanizing the ways we live and relate to one another while poisoning the environment. 

Michael Pollan was the perfect choice for this online conversation to introduce the book. Michael lives and lectures in Berkeley and is a Chez Panisse regular during more normal times. He and Alice go back a couple of decades in the call to slow food living, championing a different kind of culture, one with values of biodiversity, regenerative farming, seasonality, stewardship and pleasure in work. 

"We Are What We Eat" is a wonderful, beautiful, elegant piece of work — a manifesto that is so clarifying, simple and with a sense of inevitability," said Michael, as he introduced this important new book. 

It's about a whole lot more than food, the positives and negatives of the way that we eat and how we live our lives. It's an illuminating read even for the committed farm-to-table reader. 

The book talks about why we are buying so much fast food and why we believe we need access to convenience food 24/7, why it's okay to eat in our cars, why its okay to expect supersize portions, with much of it going to waste.

Alice spoke about growing up in New Jersey after the second world war. Her family ate seasonally. She remembers playing outside until it was dark, the taste of a New Jersey tomato and of a summer strawberry. When, in the 1950s, convenience food came into play and along with it, mass advertising, Americans became immediately addicted to it and to the salt and sugar that came with it. 

"We lost our seasons and we lost the camaraderie of the table," she said. Other countries held on to their food cultures for longer, whereas America, built on puritan values, never put much stock into fun and flavor at the table. It was always more about growing and producing food for quality.

Both Alice and Michael laud Italy for "Still fighting the good fight when it comes to food values." This made me smile, as my husband of over three decades, Timo, was born into and raised by Italian immigrant parents in the UK and even after we moved to California he can honestly say he has only ever eaten fast food in a car once in his life and that was when an unsuspecting friend stopped in at one on a road trip. He likes to remind anyone who will listen that there's nothing too important to get in the way of sitting at a table for a bite to eat.

According to Alice: "The fast food culture destroyed the family dinner." 

The two of them discussed how culinary skills have been lost and many people don't believe they have time to cook. They aspire to but don't find their way to it. 

"I'm always trying to win people over with taste," said Alice. "I want to give them this, I don't just want to tell them what to do. If you know some very, very basic things about cooking and buying food it can be easy and important."

Alice is determined to demonstrate to the government that organic and local food can be purchased for school lunches for the same cost or less than mass produced foods. She's devoted the past 20 years to working in schools on the Edible Garden Project. My own three sons went to Valley Vista Elementary School in Petaluma and were fortunate to have school garden classes run by an excellent garden teacher and parent volunteers throughout their early years. It's not this way everywhere but it should be.

"Nature is such a compelling teacher," said Alice, a former Montessori teacher herself. She talked of a world that is sensorily deprived, whereas:"Food touches all of the senses."

"Kids don't all know that chicken nuggets come from a bird," added Michael, agreeing that we should teach stewardship of the earth in our gardens from kindergarten on up. 

Both spoke of the shocking degree of food shipped out of state in the mid west to feed other states by powerful industries. "This is an emergency," warned Alice, calling for regenerative agriculture and biodiversity of crops to become more widespread, immediately both to repair our immune systems and pull the carbon back down into the parched earth. 

The Central Valley for instance, would benefit vastly from a layer of compost on dry, barren, drought-hit land. It wouldn't need nearly as much water to grow crops.

A big take out was that we must treat kids as adults with regards to food, respect them and ask them to help, empower them. "That's what food communicates," expressed Alice. "Love. It's terribly important at this moment in time.

 

We have the power to chose what we eat. And we have the potential for individual and global transformation by shifting our relationship to food. "All it takes is a taste," says Alice.

I'm about half way through reading the book as I write this post. It's short and succinct and powerful. Highly recommend. 

Are You Prepared For 2021 Wildfire Season? Stay Sonoma County Safe

All photos - Frances Rivetti 

One of the things we pride ourselves on most here in Sonoma County is our unwavering collective resilience and spirit and extraordinary community-mindedness in the wake of the past four years of devastating wildfire seasons. Adding to the pressure of this unprecedented period in time, extreme challenges of pandemic measures, which came hot on the heels of wildfire trauma have pushed our communities into a constant overdrive. 

Unfortunately,  it's not something that we're able to pat one another on the back and say: "Well done, we did it, we made it through," for this year's extreme drought conditions are heralding dire warnings from fire ecologists and firefighters in the region who fear there is sufficient available vegetation to burn all over again.

"Fire is a natural occurrence on the landscape and as such, California ecosystems have evolved to survive and, in some cases, thrive when impacted by fire," says Cal Fire Division Chief Ben Nicholls in a recent article on the grim fire outlook in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.   

PD Reporter Guy Kovner has written of the fires that are seared into the region's memory and their footprints remaining across a burned landscape that stretches from the Mendocino National Forest to Interstate 80 outside Vacaville and from the Russian River near Guerneville to Blue Ridge overlooking Lake Berryessa and the Central Valley. 

This is the landscape that could very well burn again this year, including Sonoma County's worst wildfire areas in history that were scorched by the Tubbs Fire and Nuns in 2017, the Kincade Fire in 2019 and last year's Walbridge and Glass Fires.

Collectively, we've experienced so much devastation in the region over the past few years that it is tending to merge into one, long, four-year saga of smoke and ash and power outages, school and business closures and mass evacuations. 

Driving through the wooded, hillside backroads of Sonoma County from the Fountaingrove area where winds that hit as much as 60 to 70 mph caused a catastrophic, freeway jumping inferno that wiped out 1,600 homes in the fall of 2017, it's surprising, impressive and worrisome at the same time to see how many folk have returned to their homesites with bold rebuilds that have transformed the architecture with a trend toward the modern and a necessity toward fire resistant. 

While many have refused to give up on their properties, ready in an instant to take on the ominous warnings with a great deal more learned knowledge and preparedness, lots more people have moved away from the more remote parts of the county where firefighting efforts may or may not be able to concentrate efforts should the worst happen in 2021.

It's extraordinary and encouraging to watch as vital, new ground-level controlled burn fires are focused on establishing strategic fire breaks in the most fire-prone corridors. Native peoples set their own carefully controlled burns for centuries and we're finally acknowledging and implementing this vital practice to clear out excessive brush and cluttered forest land that will hopefully come back with healthy new plant growth in time. 

Last fall, Point Reyes National Seashore in neighboring Coastal Marin was ground zero for hundreds of firefighters from around the world who camped out in tents for weeks on end. This may well be a familiar site during the summer and fall and we must prepare to be good neighbors by doing our part to provide resources and support. 

According to the article in the Press Democrat, the U.S. Drought Monitor listed about 60% of the state of California in extreme drought. One year ago, that figure was a mere 3%.

Fire chiefs urge our North Bay communities to prepare for a "long and significant fire season."  According to the Press Democrat, given the movement of recent wildfires, the city of Santa Rosa is currently clearing fuel from the Fountaingrove, Mark West and Riebli areas and north side of Rincon Valley as well as preparing for a Cal Fire prevention grant to cover much of the cost to property owners undertaking this work.

In the south county, Petaluma has opened its city gates and resident's doors to thousands of evacuees searching for safe ground over the past four fire seasons and volunteer training is underway for a fast, effective response should mass evacuation centers be a necessity sooner rather than later this summer. If you wish to volunteer for Disaster Recruitment this year, click here to sign up ahead of time with Petaluma People Services. 

It's now no longer an if we need to feed several thousand hungry folk for several weeks, but when. And the generosity of individuals, groups and businesses as well as the many outstanding non-profits in the area continues to humble each and every one who step up to donate goods or services or help in any way needed.

In my West Petaluma neighborhood we have a Neighborhood Communications List, a Google doc that we've all signed into and updated with information that can be accessed and changed as needed by anyone in the group. We know who lives in which house, which family members are generally home, special needs and pets. 

It is very likely our local emergency services and other resources normally available will be overwhelmed during the height of this next wildfire season and we've utilized our neighborhood outreach during winter storm season and for COVID lockdown also. 

I'm thankful for our lead neighbor, Tim Thompson, a retired Marin County Fire Chief with 34 years of firefighting experience who rallied us to outreach and we've had informative (pre-pandemic) meetings in person with most of our neighbors in attendance. 

Tim recommends if you haven't done it already, you should sign up for emergency alerts from Nixle and SoCoAlert.  Another useful tool he recommends is the Alertwildfire.org site. By getting on this site you'll be able to access a network of mountain top cameras that cover the entire county and other areas of the state.  If you are interested in checking on the progress or location of a reported fire you can access the site.  Fire dispatch centers are currently using the same site which is now available to the public.  Click here for FireSafeSonoma

In order to be better prepared for evacuations this year, here are some basic suggestions from regional fire experts at firesafemarin:

 

COMMUNICATIONS

Keep your cell phones fully charged.

Notify an out-of-area contact of your phone number, location and status & update regularly.

Leave a note with your contact info and out-of-area contact taped to a fridge or inside a front window.

Check on or call neighbors to alert them to prepare at first sign of a fire.

Dress all family members in long sleeves and long pants, heavy cotton or wool is best, no matter how hot it is.

Wear full coverage goggles, leather gloves, head protection. 

Cover faces with a dry cotton or wool bandana or scarf over an N95 respirator. Tie long hair back.

Carry a headlamp and flashlight (even during the day).

Carry car keys. wallet, ID, cell phone.

Drink plenty of water, stay hydrated.

Put Go Kits in your vehicle.

 

PETS & ANIMALS

Locate your pets and place in carriers at first indication of evacuation.

Be sure pets are wearing tags or are microchipped.

Place carriers (with pets in them) near front door with fresh water and extra food.

Prepare horses and large animals for transport and consider moving them before evacuation orders.

 

IF TIME ALLOWS

Shut all windows and doors and leave them unlocked.

Remove combustible window shades and curtains, close metal shutters.

Move furniture to the center of the room, away from windows.

Leave indoor and outdoor lights on. 

Shut off HVAC and ceiling fans.

 

OUTSIDE & IN NEIGHBORHOOD

Place combustible outdoor items (patio furniture, toys, doormats, trash cans etc) in garage or 30 feet from structures (optional, place in a pool).

Shut off gas at meter or propane tanks, move small propane tanks at least 15 feet from combustibles.

Connect garden hoses with squeeze grip nozzles to outdoor spigots for use by firefighters.

Fill water buckets and place around outside of house, especially near decks and fences.

Clean gutters and blow leaves away from house.

Back car into driveway, loaded with doors and windows closed. 

Prop open fence and side gates.

Place ladders at the corners of structures for firefighters.

Seal attic and ground vents with precut plywood or metal covers (even duct tape will protect from ember entry) if time allows. 

Patrol your property and monitor conditions. Leave if spot fires ignite or conditions change.

 

WHEN YOU LEAVE

Leave immediately if ordered.

Don't wait for an evacuation order if you feel unsafe or conditions change. Leave early if unsure.

Assist elderly or disabled neighbors.

Carpool with neighbors to reduce traffic.

Take only essential vehicles with adequate fuel.

In your car, turn on headlights, close windows, turn on inside air and AC, tune in to local radio.

Drive slowly and defensively. Be observant. 

The best evacuation route is the one you know best. Take the fastest paved route to a valley floor, away from the fire if possible.

Proceed downhill, away from the fire if possible. Know at least two routes.

If roads are impassable or you are trapped: take shelter in a building, or an open park area, park in an outside turn if trapped on a hillside; stay far from vegetation; look for wide roads, parking lots, playing fields etc.

If trapped, you are better protected inside a building or vehicle.

Don't abandon your car in the road if passage is impossible. If you must leave your car, park it off the road and consider other options for shelter.

Evacuate on foot only as a last resort.

Don't evacuate by fire road, uphill or into open-space areas with unburned vegetation.

Remain calm, panic is deadly.