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Monday, July 4, 2011

a visit to point reyes and marketing with sonoma bento!



Hi bento pals...still sharing the bounty of Northern California trip pictures. Our visit to coastal Point Reyes National Seashore was so beautiful, a place of magic and serenity. We started the day with a stop at the Pine Cone Diner in Pt. Reyes Station. Pine Cone Diner had a sweetly vintage feel and offered briny local oysters in a tasty sandwich....







Fried oysters with crisp slaw...yum


Pt. Reyes Station is a great foodie destination. Tomales Bay Foods, roughly across the street from the Pine Cone Diner, houses an engaging variety of locally produced organic foods along with conservation farming organizations and ecological information about this special region.

The wonderful cheeses of Cowgirl Creamery are available for sale here along with a friendly education about their relationship to the landscape (and wonderful cows) of Pt. Reyes...



Wildflower and ocean views




We sat on this driftwood log for a long time, talking and starting out at the rolling waves...


This bento while not the prettiest tasted so good after a few hours of walking in the clean ocean air. It contained eggs and potatoes with mushrooms, ripe blueberries and almonds.




Another highlight of this trip was meeting up with Sonoma Bento to explore the Wednesday morning Santa Rosa Farmer's Market. Michelle was an awesome guide to the beautiful local produce of Sonoma County, even introducing me to her farmer pals. The market had a very Provencal feel with its bright colors and great quality...

Thanks so much, Michelle! What a treat to experience first hand the Sonoma source of your lovely and seasonal bentos...






Just-picked arugula...


Our adventures continue in upcoming posts!


 

14 comments:

Robin O said...

Just plain ole beautiful. Your images are both captivating and artful in revealing the narrative of your adventure. Too hard to pick a favorite, but I am smiling at the sweet cattle and vibrant yellow squash.

Makes me want to hit the road Jenn!

Bentobird said...

Hello dear Robin! So glad you liked what I shared here...am captivated with your special part of the country and love seeing your expressions of it.

Warm greetings from us both on this holiday weekend!

Megg said...

What a cool trip! I really need to get out to Cali.. and I hope one day to travel the country (& world) and meet all these bento friends I've met through the internet. You're living the dream, Jenn! ^_^

Bentobird said...

Hi Megg, how are you? It was SO fun to meet a bento pal IRL, and I highly recommend a trip to the Bay Area, I think you'd love the richly colorful food and friendly people...wishing you a wonderful week!

Happy Little Bento said...

Gorgeous, as always! Love Point Reyes. I have to check out Sonoma soon myself; it looks so beautiful :o)

Bentobird said...

Hi Sheri! Isn't Point Reyes amazing? Thanks for coming along on this visit and have a great day...

tinyskillet said...

Some more awesome photos! I love that you got to meet Michelle IRL, how cool is that. She would be a great one to guide you through the farmers market.

I love the platter's on the wall of The Pine Cone Diner, the whole look reminds me of up north Michigan. Love the cows laying down watching you! and what a stunning coastline!

Bentobird said...

Hi Lyndsey, that is so cool that a certain retro spirit can be enjoyed throughout the USA...I loved these expressive and wonderful cows, too! Michelle is the coolest.

Hope you are having a great week...so muggy here!

Sonoma Bento said...

Eeeee! I just love this post... I've never been to the Pinecone Diner, it looks awesome. Your post is proof that we all should try being tourists in our own backyard. New discoveries await! And I am so glad you made it to Cowgirl Creamery. I've had a chance to meet the lovely ladies behind the cheeses, and they are so wonderful. Every time we have had them on our shows, I become more impressed with their products and passion. :)

Bentobird said...

Hi Michelle! Yes indeed, and when your backyard is so fun and beautiful, all the more true! I think you'd like to funky, cute, colorful vibe at Pine Cone, and they made a nice cup of latte, too.

How cool is it that your radio activities involve awareness of quality local foods? I LOVE that!

Angeleyes said...

What a great trip! I was up in SFO in mid of May but Michelle's was a little far for us to go as we have very little time so missed the chance to meet up with her.

Bentobird said...

Hello Angeleyes! Glad you got to enjoy this beautiful region...hopefully next time there will be a chance to meet wonderful Michelle.

Sophie said...

I just started reading your blog (came here from the flickr bento photostream), and this post nearly killed me. I haven't been to Point Reyes in a couple of years, but it's such a magical place, so special.

Also, would you mind if I linked you on my blog?

Bentobird said...

Hello Sophie! Welcome to my blog, lovely to read your comments. Point Reyes is magial indeed! I'd be honored by your link.

Have a great day!