Cruising country roads…

On By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Photos, Poetry

We needed the getaway a couple of weeks ago, so I’m sharing some highlights. Luckily, our destination wasn’t too far, and driving the back country roads at this time of year was truly magical with the rolling green hills dotted with black and white dairy cows, not to mention, the umbrella of blue sky and downy clouds.

A curious guy!

The town was small but charming with just the right amount
of excellent restaurants and quaint, quirky shops.

Cheers!
The best ever gingerbread latte!

Saturday morning, we walked through the old growth redwood grove,
and as you can imagine,
it was another enchanting experience.

“Preserve the trees, for they are the finest art.”

Then we were ready for some wine tasting, and the winery we chose gave us the best experience so far – Char Vale Vineyards and Winery. We lucked out with the weather on Friday and Saturday because Ms. Rain held the raindrops until Sunday. Her thoughtfulness allowed us some outdoor exploring on the main two days without messy conditions. Our palates enjoyed the elegant, fruity, and velvety notes, and the delicious adventure lasted about 2 1/2 hours, gracing us with a bright blue sky and cool but comfortable temps. We also had a good chat with the owners, a husband and wife team, who have been in the business for decades.
Our knowledge about making wine expanded on this day, but don’t quiz me!

Lastly, we reflected a lot about our beloved Copper.

He enjoyed the season of autumn.

April 3rd marked one month since his passing,
and one of my photos just happened to prompt a poem.
It’s still in draft mode, but I’m sharing anyway…

March to March

Reminiscent of Elton’s circle of life,
from March to March
he arrived with youthful spirit
and left with angel wings –
our family for thirteen years,
now glowing memories
in the spaces
and around each corner.
We celebrate his life –
those soul-searching eyes
that connected to us –
we were links in a golden chain,
now one link is missing,
our golden boy –
tears still follow
like a shadow –
the shadow he was,
but smiles gently find their place
because he is in our hearts,
because joy needs room to simmer.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you for popping in, and I hope you enjoyed the photos and poem.
Have a wonderful week ahead. ❤️

© Lauren Scott, BaydreamerWrites.com – All rights reserved.
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106 thoughts on “Cruising country roads…”

  2. Your drive through the country road was magical, Lauren! I love your scenic photos. The latte looks delicious. Your poem to remember your golden boy is touching. Have a relaxing Sunday!

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  6. Blue skies and putty white clouds have a way of making every photo beautiful. What a lovely trip, Lauren. And a lovely poem about Copper. Thanks for sharing it (seems done to me! Lol). Hugs.

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    1. They sure do, Diana. Thanks so much for your kind words all around. As for the poem, I wanted to share it but wasn’t sure if it was done yet. So I had to add a disclosure. 🙂 I appreciate you thinking it is. Hugs and hang in there and happy gardening! 💞🌻

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  7. What a wonderful getaway. I want to visit the wineries in Northern California someday. My DIL was raised in Kenwood among wineries. I found out my husband’s boss’s wife owns a winery in Sonoma with a tasting room. My DIL said she’d go with me on our next visit north.

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    1. Thanks, Elizabeth! We were in Sonoma County and spring and fall are the best times to visit. The hills are beautiful. I hope you have a great experience with your DIL like we did. Thanks again, and Cheers! 🥂🥰

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  9. Hi Lauren
    Thanks so much for sharing your lovely photographs.
    A well deserved break does a power of good.
    What a beautiful poem for Copper❤️ he will be wagging his tail on rainbow bridge.
    Forever in your hearts 🙏

    Reply

    1. Thanks for your lovely words, Maggie, and I’m glad you enjoyed the post. You’re right about a break doing a power of good. Aww, thanks about the poem too. I’m sure he’s wagging his tail on the bridge. I appreciate your compassion, my friend. Sending hugs! xoxoxo

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  13. In 1980 we purchased a car on the east coast and circumnavigated the US with our children as an educational tour. Saw most of the states in the process and preferred the back roads to the freeways because in the back roads that’s where the real America lives. I think the redwood country stands out in our minds as a highlight of the journey though there is much beauty to be found elsewhere. Nothing can be more relaxing than to be away from the cities and in the rural areas where it is so peaceful.

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      1. You’re most welcome. Yeah, since it’s fresh I can imagine it’s difficult sometimes but I’m sure overtime you’ll be able to focus on the good memories 💗

      2. We’re starting too, Pooja, but emotions are funny. Just when you think you’re ‘fine’ something stirs them again. But it’s part of life. Thanks again, and I hope you’re having a good day! ❤️

  15. “joy needs room to simmer” – that is so brilliant, Lauren! Thanks for sharing the poem and your road trip! Beautiful redwoods and I love the picture of Copper!

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  16. petespringer's avatar petespringerauthor

    My favorite kind of traveling is taking some of the backroads and visiting small towns. It seems that the people make every effort to be friendlier there.

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  24. The photos are awesome Lauren! What a wonderful place! There is nothing else better than nature to unwind and find some peace. Copper is with you forever ❤️. Sending you much much love and hugs for a sweet week to start.

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    1. Thanks so much, Marie, for your beautiful and compassionate words. I appreciate them. And I’m glad you enjoyed the photos. Nature is amazing! Love and hugs to you, my friend, for a great week ahead. 💖

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  25. Pingback: Cruising country roads… – Post Underlined

  28. What a wonderful time. I’m not familiar with this winery but it looks wonderful. Glad you had a lovely getaway and your pics are awesome. Awww your poem is touching and love that photo of Copper! ❤️

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    1. Thanks so much, Cindy! The winery is in Sebastopol, Sonoma County. A little boutique winery and just beautiful. The owners sat down at our table and we chatted. A lovely time and really good wine! I’m glad you enjoyed the pics and thanks about the poem and photos of Copper. 💕🥂

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  30. Thanks for sharing some of your slice of life with us Lauren. The poem was moving – especially since today is my husband’s death anniversary. ❤

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  32. What a tender and heartfelt tribute—beautifully capturing the deep bond, the grief, and the quiet joy of remembrance. Your words resonate with love and loss in equal measure, and the image of a “golden chain” with one missing link is especially poignant. Thank you for sharing this gentle reflection, and for beautiful shots.

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  35. What a lovely post Lauren and a whimsical get-away with your hubby! I loved all your pictures. You are an amazing photographer, looking up through the trees, your beloved dog, you and the hubs – every one is magical but especially your poem. Lovely, touching, and heartfelt. I’m so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing your adventure, we should try and join up on one of these with our husbands some day. That would be so much fun. Hugs, C

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    1. Thanks for your thoughtful and lovely comment, Cheryl. And for your kind words about Copper. He was my third child for thirteen years, but he was going on 15 years old. Loss is loss, whether human or pet. Anyway, meeting at a winery would be so much fun. Maybe later in the year. Take care! 💞🥂

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  38. Your post was a delight in so many ways. I moved here from the wine country of Sonoma, so I enjoyed the photos and your poem about having lost your Copper boy of 13 years wore heavy on my heart.

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    1. Thanks, Violet, and talk about a small world! I’m glad you enjoyed the photos and found my poem to be moving. We adopted Copper 13 years ago, but he was 14 1/2, inching towards 15 when he crossed the rainbow bridge. I’m currently working on a book about our life with him (joyful) that segues into losing him and grieving. It’s helped me move through the grief. ❤️

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  39. What a beautiful relaxing couple of days you both had Lauren, such gorgeous countryside… And I loved that beautiful tribute poem for Copper…. Memories to be treasured, every one of them… I know the void Copper must have left….
    Sending you both much love dear Lauren…. ❤ I know Coppers and your hearts will forever be cruising down memory lane with love.. ❤

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    1. Thanks for your lovely words, Sue, and I’m glad you enjoyed this post, the photos and my poem. I love your words, “Coppers and your hearts will forever be cruising down memory lane with love.” That’s what we’ve all been doing. Love and hugs to you! xoxoxoxo

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  40. Lauren, your words in and of the graces of life do indeed complete life. For all that you share, I am deeply grateful. My most favoured travel, close to home or days away, always included those treasured drives through enchanted, mystic forests and magical breaks in roaming hills with cattle and horses grazing in leisure and muted curiosity!

    Having been raised in the midst of country meadows, replete with farmer’s fields of corn, vegetables, livestock, fanciful starlit nights and golden rays of sunshine by day, birds, eagles, night owls and so much more was indeed a treasured part of life!

    Your words bring back the best of memories, dear Lauren! Thank you for it all.

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  42. A lovely post about a rich getaway, Lauren.

    The rustic, the quiet and the joy of nature abound here.

    Thank you for taking us/me on your trip with a look back on it.

    Your poem is copper coloured with patina, and that is one beautiful image.

    Thank you!

    ❦❦❦xo🍒xo❦❦❦

    Reply

    1. Hi Resa, I’m happy you enjoyed our country road cruising! It was such a great, relaxing weekend that we needed. A time for reflection about many aspects of life, and of course, Copper. We miss him so much! Thanks a bunch for your lovely words, especially about the poem. You have a way! Love and hugs for a peaceful Sunday and week ahead. xoxoxo

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  44. Willie Torres Jr.'s avatar Willie Torres Jr.

    These pictures are truly wonderful, and it looks like you all had a great time… The journey through the countryside, the charming town, and the wine tasting experience sound like such a perfect getaway. Your poem for Copper is beautiful and heartfelt.

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much for your wonderful words, Willie. It was a great weekend getaway that now seems like years ago. 🙂 But I’m glad you enjoyed the photos. And thank you about my poem for Copper too. Have a blessed Easter. 🙏

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