Today was our first day of remaining within a small area. We drove to Freestone, a short distance from Bodega Bay. Our first stop was at Wildflour for breakfast. When we arrived the queue to buy loaves of bread, scones, cookies, and coffee was long. The line quickly grew behind us. I understand why. The aroma was exceeded only by their excellent coffee and baked goods.
Then it was off to Osmosis Day Spa. We arrived early so we wandered through their gardens, which are Japanese influenced and serene. It was the perfect way to ease into relaxing treatments. First a massage, then a cedar enzyme bath, which originated in Japan. I’ve never experienced anything like it anywhere in the world. I stepped into a tub filled with a heated mixture of soft, fragrant ground cedar and rice bran. An attendant covered me until only my face emerged from the mixture. It was a cross between a sauna and a mud bath and utterly relaxing. The spa advertises that the treatment provides myriad health benefits, from improving circulation to relieving joint and muscle pain. My back felt much better post-treatment. Then a loofah to remove the cedar mixture followed by a warm shower. Pure bliss.
A few miles up the Bohemian Highway is the town of Occidental. It was time for lunch. At Altamont I ate one of the best poke bowls ever, delicious.
On our return to Bodega Bay, we stopped in the tiny town of Bodega. It has the look of a movie set—perfect small church, post office, school, a ridiculously small casino, and a lot of art galleries.
We spent this evening with Jeanne’s husband, daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter who have rented a house on Bodega Bay. It felt wonderful to be in a warm, loving home eating a home cooked dinner.