Annadel State Park and Occidental, California – 8/26/2015

August 26, 2015 (Wednesday)

Today we lazed around in the morning until around 10:15 AM. At that point we walked across the street to the presentation center for the owner’s update. We ate a really nice breakfast (potatoes, omelets, pastry, fruit, coffee) and then sat down in a room with about eight or ten other people. Our “hostess” Stacy talked to us for a little bit and then she gave the presentation to everyone in the room. After the presentation we went into another room, individually, for the sales pitch. No real pressure but Michael and I are so divided on this. I think more points (i.e. Diamond status with travel share) would help in our travels. He feels it’s okay the way it is with just paying cash. It’s working for us but I think we would have many more benefits with travel share. Going to keep working on him.

Here we go again, another timeshare presentation.

A local excellent restaurant provided the breakfast. It was excellent. — A local restaurant provided the breakfast. It was excellent.

After the presentation we headed to Santa Rosa for a walk in a park Michael used to run in. The park is called Annadel State Park and it’s lovely. Michael said the walk was about five miles but it seemed much longer. By the time we were done (almost three hours later) we were both filthy and exhausted. The park is so beautiful and we saw many mule deer and wild turkeys. We walked past oak trees, manzanita bushes, laurel trees, redwood type trees, a beautiful lake, a relatively dry riverbed type area with very little water in it. The park also (thank goodness) had places to sit along the way. The first mile was almost totally uphill and very rocky. Occasionally a jogger or a mountain biker would pass by, but otherwise it was so peaceful and serene. Loved it but after about four miles I was pretty done and wished Michael could go get the car and come get me.

After the presentation we got in the car and headed to a Park that I never thought I'd see again. This two seater trike was in our parking lot. — After the presentation we got in the car and headed to a park that I never thought I’d see again. This two seater trike was in our parking lot.

Bold little guy on the way to Annadal. — Bold little guy on the way to Annadel.

When I was a runner, a friend showed me a neighbor entrance to the park. If you didn't know this was an entrance you'd negver guess. — When I was a runner, a friend showed me a neighbor entrance to the park. If you didn’t know this was an entrance you’d never guess.

Looking back from the park into the neighborhood.

Into the park, a little over 5,000 square acres.

A manzanita, our Prunedale property is thick with this. — A manzanita; our Prunedale property is thick with this.

Near the top of today's route a nice bench to take a break. — Near the top of today’s route, a nice bench to take a break.

Edie has such good eyes for spotting wildlife. Everytime she sees them first and most. — Edie has such good eyes for spotting wildlife. Every time she sees them first and most.

Lake Ilsanjo. The property belonged to Ilsa and Joe before being acquired by the state.

Edie spotted obsidian, the Pomo natives used it for weapons and tools and to trade. — Edie spotted obsidian. The Pomo natives used it for weapons and tools and to trade.

Not air conditioned, but better than on top.

There were about 8 wild turkeys down here. Top center is a bluish looking turkey headed up the opposite bank.

We were both glad to see the path back to our car.

When we got to the car we immediately turned on the air conditioner. We thought it was about 85 outside during our walk but the outside thermometer said it was 95. We had only brought one bottle of water and it was consumed a little over half way through the hike. After we cooled off, we decided to go to Occidental, California for dinner. Occidental is about 20 miles from Santa Rosa, heading towards the ocean. There was an Italian place Michael and his wife took his mother to that he wanted to revisit, it is called Negri’s Restaurant.

We found the restaurant and were surprised that there were only two other people eating. It was still kinda early. There were more people in the bar area. Michael ordered the chicken Marsala and I ordered a dish called the half and half – half ravioli and half spaghetti. Before we got our entrees, we were given a bowl of minestrone soup, some bread with both butter and a dish of oil and vinegar, then some salami, pickled vegetables, garbanzo beans, and a salad. Right before our entree arrived, we were also given a small bowl of ravioli with meat sauce.

It's probably been 27+ years since I was here. It has changed. — It’s probably been 27+ years since I was here. It has changed.

Edie's half and half. — Edie’s half and half.

Full and ready to get back to our resort.

Excellent everything. I felt like we were back in a Basque restaurant as there were so many courses to the meal. We were both full when we left and decided to take the back roads so we could digest our meal and reflect on the wonderful (but very tiring) day. .

When we got “home,” we got into our swimsuits and went to the hot tub. We’re hoping it helps with the soreness tomorrow. We’ll let you know. Anyway, that was our day. Hope yours was great!