show menu

Cloverdale Comments by Carol Russell and Reece Foxen - July 2017

Each year, more Americans enjoy a low-cost, hassle-free, eye-opening “staycation” benefiting from all the beauty, adventure, history and fun available right where they live. Recently, just in time for adults’ and kids’ 2017 staycations (and for the theme of this column), our Chamber of Commerce invited us all, residents and visitors alike, to

We soon realized that, with the live theater, film-related events, free Friday night concerts, museums, gallery, diverse restaurants, and unique shops, there are far more things to see and do than we can list so we’re suggesting just a few easily reachable by car, boat, foot, bike or…parachute!

Love to swim? Play by a calm lake? Or just daydream? For a full day of relaxation, Yorty Creek Recreation Area, Lake Sonoma Wildlife Area is only a 20-minute drive out scenic Hot Springs Road. Slip your kayak or row boat into this “no-wake zone” of Lake Sonoma and relish the quiet as you paddle into little coves during a day of taking in the splendor of the surrounding hills. Enjoy passing egrets, eagles, hawks, ducks or a rare peregrine falcon as they sit on stumps or float on the lake surface awaiting an unsuspecting fish. Plan a BBQ in the picnic area, too.

Whether you’re a licensed parachutist or taking your first thrilling tandem jump at Cloverdale Airport with an expert Norcal Skydiving instructor, nothing can give you such glorious views of our region’s natural beauty while few activities can provide such a feeling of accomplishment. A “Classic Tandem” jump starts at 12,000 ft. and then has you floating throughout your gentle descent into the Alexander Valley. As you look about, the views are spectacular, including: Mt. Tam; the Russian River: the wine country, and even the Pacific Ocean. All of this and more brings a whole new perspective. You see the world as you have never seen it before. Just ask Carol who took her first tandem jump in 2010. (norcalskydiving.com; 1-888-667-2259).

A leisurely stroll along Cloverdale Boulevard is great exercise and a stress reliever. As you walk along the special small town feeling builds because people, but not crowds, mean friendly hellos and welcoming smiles both received and returned. You might start your stroll by fueling up with a cuppa’ and some treats at Plank Coffee, then head south. Along the way you’ll see a lovely Victorian home and museum, the Gould-Shaw House built in 1868, plus a second historic building between Plank and the Historical Society, built in 1880, which has housed the original mercantile business plus a post office, restaurant, jewelry store, coffee shop and more including the first home of the 130+ year-oldCloverdale Reveille. Continuing southward you’ll come to the famous

For more historic things to enjoy, pick up a brochure on the walking tour of Cloverdale (you can bike most of it, too) either at the nearby Historical Society or the Chamber of Commerce. For an amazing diversion from daily routines, especially for adults and kids interested in science and the environment, travel north a short while on 101 to Hopland and catch 175 over to Bottle Rock Road. Turn south to Middletown and toThe Geysers Calpine Geothermal Visitor Center (15500 Central Park Rd, Middletown) in the lovely Mayacamas Mountains. Exhibits of “the world’s largest geothermal field” explain how steam/water are used to create electricity for our county and four neighboring ones and the Geysers’ 12,000 year old Native Tribes origins that make our 21st century lives for the better. Catch the tour out into the fields to learn even more! Be sure to take your picnic lunch with you and eat at the Center as this is an all day trip. (geysers.com & click on Visitor’s Center to reserve your tour; 1-866-GEYSERS.

P.S. For a perfect staycation: Turn off all email & cell phones!

We've moved our commenting system to Disqus, a widely used community engagement tool that you may already be using on other websites. If you're a registered Disqus user, your account will work on the Gazette as well. If you'd like to sign up to comment, visit https://disqus.com/profile/signup/.
Show Comment