2026 The Sea Ranch Iterum - Day #4

Drew made pancakes for breakfast. Afterwards, he, Sharon and I went out for a hike along the bluffs. We had talked about driving to another spot to start our hike, but Sharon punted on that idea...

We ended up walking to the Sea Preserve before we turned around. Drew and I took a detour on the Sea Meadow Trail as we headed back to the house. We covered 3.4 miles in just under an hour and a half.

Sharon and I got cleaned up, packed and loaded the car. We rolled from Monette just after noon.

Avoiding the cliff section, we took Timber Cove Road to Seaview Road to Fort Ross Road to Meyers Grade Road. We stopped for lunch at the River's End in Jenner. While Sharon and Janie ate there once, I had never been to this restaurant. It took just about an hour to get there.

We split River's End Clam Chowder [light and herbaceous]. For entrees, Sharon had Lemongrass Halibut [grilled alaskan halibut set over forbidden black rice, red, green and yellow pepper confetti finished with a fragrant lemongrass broth], while I had Kicking Ahi Salad [pan seared ahi tuna and set on organic mixed greens, thin slices of cucumber, avocado and mandarin oranges finished with asian vinaigrette and crispy wonton strips].

We left the Jenner about 2:15 pm. Heading towards Guerneville (a mistake!), we finally got cell reception. Waze took us on the Bohemian Highway to Grafton Road. It was windy; Sharon was not pleased. Eventually, we dropped on Highway 12 to get to Highway 101.

Going through Napa rather than Highway 37, we were home at 5:30 pm without a stop.

We really enjoyed getting a chance to spend time with Dawson, Carmen and Drew!

2026 The Sea Ranch Iterum - Day #3

The plan for the morning was for Drew, Sharon and I to play nine holes at the Sea Ranch Golf Links. We teed off about 9:30 am. Drew and I rode together, while Sharon had a cart to herself.

I was pretty happy with how I played. I had a liberally scored 53. I would have been really happy if I hadn't melted down on the par five 6th hole. I started with two fantastic shots. I was lying four under a greenside tree. I proceeded to screw up two chips and ended up with an ugly nine.

I feel more consistent, but I have to continue to work on my concentration and the pace of my swing. I get in trouble when I don't focus.

After golf, Dawson and Carmen met the three of us at Trinks Cafe in Gualala. Sharon and I both had a BBLT [Bacon, local Point Reyes blue cheese, lettuce, tomato, mayo, on a sliced sourdough].

The five of us explored Four-Eyed Frog Books. Eventually, Drew took Dawson back to the house, while Carmen and Sharon continued to shop in the Cypress Village. After a quick stop at Red Stella and the Surf Market, we headed back to Monette.

Sharon and I babysat Dawson, while Drew and Carmen went to dinner at the Vue Coastal Kitchen.

After Dawson went down for the night, the four of us played Burgle Bros. The goal is to infiltrate a multi-floor building, crack the safe on each floor, grab the loot, and escape via the roof helipad—all while avoiding patrolling security guards and tripping alarms. Because it is a strictly cooperative game, everyone wins together. If even a single player runs out of Stealth tokens and gets caught, everyone loses.

2026 The Sea Ranch Iterum - Day #2

When we were at Sea Ranch in February, I was disappointed that I didn't get a chance to go out for a run. As I have said repeatedly, with fifty miles of trails, The Sea Ranch is my favorite place in the world to run.

Taking off before breakfast, I ran north from Monette. I covered 5.03 miles in 1:10:48. I forgot to stop the timer when I stretched at the halfway point. My body, particularly my right knee, felt better than I expected.

After late, lazy breakfast, we got everyone organized for a hike. Drew, Carmen and Dawson drove to the Pebble Beach parking lot. Sharon and I hiked to the parking lot and met them there.

The five of us hiked along the bluffs from there to the seal preserve. We passed the Sculpture Point house where we stayed in 2020. It seemed like there weren't as many seals at the preserve as there has been in the past...


Drew, Carmen and Dawson headed back to the car. Sharon wanted to keep going. We ended up going all the way to the White Barn Recreation Center before starting back. Essentially, we covered the same route that I had run in the morning.

Sharon and I ended up hiking just over five miles in two hours and twenty-three minutes. Combined with my morning run, I covered more than ten miles! My leg are going to be trashed.

Sharon and I had a late lunch of smoked salmon that we bought at the Tides Market in Bodega Bay.

Sharon made massage appointments for her and Carmen in Gualala. While they were gone, Drew and I took advantage of the hot tub. Dawson, Drew and I spent some time in the living room hanging out and listening to music, including an artist that Nooter had recommended: Stephen Wilson Jr.

The five of us had dinner at the Sea Ranch Lodge. Trace was behind the bar. With all of the bar stools taken, we didn't get a chance to visit with him.

We split King Salmon Sashimi* [nori-sesame crunch, white soy, garlic brown butter crumble, trout roe, avocado purée]. Sharon and I split a TSRL Farm Lettuces [carrot, cucumber, watermelon radish, “Sea” Ranch dressing]. For mains, I had Honey Glazed Duck Breast [beet puree, braised red cabbage, pickled berries, toasted hazelnuts], while Sharon Grilled NY Steak [6oz Snake River Farms beef, cauliflower puree, coffee soil, mushrooms, green garlic oil, charred scallion]. Drew and Carmen had the same mains.

Our waitress was Amber. We had here when we were there in February.

We ended the day watching Jon Stewart on the Daily Show.

2026 Sea Ranch Iterum - Day #1

We both slept later than we planned. Eventually, we got organzied and had breakfast at the lodge [granola, oatmeal and a muffin].

The plan for the morning was to hike the Estero Americano Coast Preserve. This is a new area that only opened in 2025. It was seven minutes from the hotel.

We ended up hiking three miles in an hour and a half. Given our late start, we didn't make it all the way to the beach. Sharon talked about coming back in the fall.


Getting back to the lodge, we packed up the car and checked out. We made a quick stop at the Tides Market. From there, we headed north. Rather than driving the cliffs, on Highway 1, I took Meyers Grade Road to Fort Ross Road to Seaview Road to Timber Cove Road.

We stopped and had lunch at the Timber Cove Resort. Although I have passed it dozens of times, I had never stoped there. We split a very good SMOKED TROUT CHOWDER [Potato, Fennel, Clam, Cream, Micro Greens] and both had SALMON BURGER [Lettuce, Tomato Confit, Pickled Red Onion, Lemon Aioli, French Fries, Brioche].

We rolled up to Monette at Sea Ranch about 2:10 pm. Drew and Carmen have rented the house for a week. This is the sixth time that we have stayed at this house at Sea Ranch!?!.

Drew and I went out for a walk in the afternoon. I wanted to check out the lodge, but it was closed for a private party. We looped back by Moonraker Recreation Center. We ended up covering almost two and a half miles in fifty-two minutes.


Drew and Carmen made a nice dinner of barbecued salmon, rice and roasted cauliflower.

After dinner and getting Dawson to bed, We played Love Letter after dinner. I ended up winning.

The four of us walked out to bluff to watch the sunset. Although it was cloudy when we got there, it started to clear off over the course of the afternoon.

Drew and I finished the night playing cribbage. Drew beat me handily; I just avoided the skunk.

We all crashed about 10 pn.