From Redwoods, Coastal Drives, Delicious Eats, to a Trip Back to Texas

Our stay at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds RV Park in Santa Rosa was… let’s call it “no frills.” This spot isn’t about luxury, but its reasonable price and central location between the wine country, the coast, and San Francisco made it a solid choice. Although we booked months in advance, there was a mix-up with our site reservations. Thankfully, Rocky, the “Rock Star” of the campground, swooped in to save the day. He worked hard to find us a spot that fit Beauty and kept Marie, our RV watchdog, nearby while we headed to Texas for a few days to help Ethan (our youngest) move into his new apartment at the University of North Texas.

While we were in Texas, Rocky stayed on top of things, even fixing some accounting errors caused by the site shuffle. And he kept an eye on Marie, checking in periodically to make sure all was well while we were away.

Grill Santa Rosa - Mediterranean Goodness

Before jetting off to Texas, we discovered a gem of a restaurant: Grill Santa Rosa. It’s a Mediterranean spot with killer Yelp reviews, and it did not disappoint. We grabbed a patio table and enjoyed the cooler weather. The Dip Trio Meze—hummus, baba ghanoush, and tzatziki—was one of the best I’ve ever had. We all went with the Lamb & Beef Gyro on pita, and while it wasn’t the crispy shaved meat we’re used to, it was still a win, especially paired with Greek fries. We were so stuffed, dessert wasn’t even an option!

A Quick Texas Pit Stop

Back in Texas, we helped Ethan move into his new apartment. He’s returning to school at University of North Texas, after a gap year, and we couldn’t be more excited. We also caught up with friends and—most importantly—Shelly squeezed in a much-needed hair appointment. (You know priorities!)

An Evening with Friends

The day after our quick trip home, we were able to spend a wonderful night with Shelly’s co-worker, Danielle and her husband, Martine. Not only did they take us to a fabulous dinner but they also treated us to awesome pre-dinner treats and drinks! Martine gifted me with an amazing bottle of Fortaleza tequila after he found out my love for a good tequila! Truly grateful! Since they’ve been following our RV adventures, we brought them back by Beauty for a quick tour!

RV Life: Maintenance Never Ends

Of course, RV life isn’t always about the views and adventures. Sometimes it’s about the stuff that breaks. My sister’s water pump decided to call it quits, so we were on the hunt for a replacement. After striking out at several places, Reed’s Trailer Sales in Petaluma came to the rescue with a new pump and a well-stocked parts store. Shoutout to David at Reed’s for saving the day!

Muir Woods National Monument & Coastal Views

Back in California, we took a day to visit Muir Woods National Monument. I had been as a kid, but it was a first for Shelly, and Marie didn’t remember it. Our America the Beautiful pass covered the entrance fee, and the rhino cover on the “Beast” must’ve been our good luck charm because the parking attendant let us in even though the lot was full. We scored a spot close to the entrance and took a leisurely stroll among the towering redwoods. It was breathtaking.

After Muir Woods, we headed to the northern California coast and stopped at Muir Beach overlook. The WWII observation bunkers were a cool historical touch, and the coastal views were stunning.

Feeling adventurous, we decided to take Highway 1 back. Big mistake. The views were gorgeous, but the twists and turns had us all wishing we’d stuck to the main roads. Two hours later, we ended up in Petaluma at Wild Goat Bistro—just in time to avoid a full-blown case of hanger.

Wild Goat Bistro - Worth the Detour

The Wild Goat Bistro is nestled in the historic Great Petaluma Mill and offers casual dining with local ingredients. We kicked things off with “The Nutty Goat,” a warm pistachio and cranberry-crusted goat cheese served with prosciutto, fig jam, olives, and crostini. For dinner, I had the halibut special, while Shelly and Marie went for Neapolitan-style pizzas. Shelly’s Fog Lifter pizza, loaded with sausage, pepperoni, and bacon, was a winner, and Marie’s Four Cheese Fig & Pig hit all the right notes. Not a crumb was left behind.