Fled to Russian River Wine Country

SEPTEMBER 2006 BLOG POSTS

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2006
Here I am, looking out on redwoods that stretch up to the blue sky, typing at my brother's computer. Below me, the lazy Russian River winds past vineyards and forest.I have been checking out some great places for you to find at www.lotsafunmaps.com!The reason I'm here is that they are spraying my neighborhood with a Category 1 highest hazard pesticide, and dozens of my neighbors have become ill. When I found out that the dichlorvos that the pesticide breaks down into is linked to leukemia, lymphoma, and brain cancer, and when my son was coughing like crazy after playing outdoors I came here to get some fresh air. It's cold up here, but astoundingly beautiful! Every time I stand on the balcony I can't believe the view! And from my room, I see the same lovely view. Once I get home and upload the photos, you'll be able to see all the entries for this area. There'll be: Johnson's Beach on the Russian River, Armstrong Woods State Park, Jenner, Bodega Bay, Luther Burbank Gardens, Howarth Memorial Park, Iron Horse Vineyards, and more.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2006
Back home!!! I was a little sad leaving beautiful Guerneville today. It's the kind of place that you want to be able to return to, because it wedges its way into your heart. I drove along River Road, that winds through glistening vineyards, and delighted in the green, green, green everywhere!!! Some of the trees are turning orange and yellow now too. It was magical staying up there at my brother's house, looking out my window every morning at the Russian River way below.But my news is good news- the spraying of Naled in Santa Barbara has been halted- and so we have been able to return home! My son got so much better once we left Santa Barbara, so now I'm hoping the air will clear soon and he'll be fine. It's so good to be home. Once I see palm trees and eucalyptus, sunny beaches and ocean, I know I'm home.It was a six hour drive, and now we can relax. Yippee! Since I'm home, I'll finally be able to load the photos I took onto lotsafunmaps and have lots of new wonderful places for you to explore! Life gave me lemons...my son got sick, we all got exposed to a nasty pesticide, but I made lemonade...I fled and did some funmaps exploring! Hope you like the new places...