Jeff & Joan Message: September Beginnings

Beginnings & Anniversary

Joan, Jeff, Kate and Alex - the Stanford Family September marks the end of summer when structure replaces “freer” days. Before shifting back to routines, we take time to consider what do we most want to give ourselves each day, give our family, give our community? And what new experiences can we offer our guests?

September 15th marks our anniversary taking stewardship of this amazing property – 43 years, a lifetime. Our kids are in their 40s and our first grandchild just started kindergarten. Watching her excitement and curiosity as she starts this adventure, knowing how her world is expanding, we are embracing this new year, as our granddaughter is, with enthusiasm.

(Photo: Joan, Jeff, Alex, Kate – 1986)

Come visit this fall – mornings’ crisp air invigorates, the starry skies inspire, Big River flows on.

Joan and Jeff

Christine Gustafson2023-09-15T03:27:48-07:00September 15th, 2023|

Mendocino sits atop beautiful ocean bluffs surrounded on three sides by Mendocino Bay and the Pacific Ocean. The bluffs comprise the Mendocino Headlands and offer walking trails that afford incredible views of the ocean and the lovingly restored 1850’s New England style Victorians which now house restaurants, specialty shops, galleries and provide lodging for Mendocino artists.

The Mendocino Art Center serves area artists as well as artists throughout the United States. All this is the nature of Mendocino, located about 150 miles north of San Francisco on Highway 1.

Besides the natural beauty, visitors to Mendocino will find a variety of things to see and do.

Hikers and mountain bikers enjoy bluff-top excursions to view seabirds, the seasonal gray whale migration and spring wildflowers. Nearby Big River Beach is ideal for family picnics and Big River is an ecological treasure which is easily explored by canoe or kayak which can be rented at Catch A Canoe & Bicycles, too! Montgomery Woods up Comptche Ukiah Road offers virgin redwood groves with the tallest living tree in the world.Redwoods and Douglas Firs dominate the Russian Gulch State Park as well as other nearby State Parks including Van Damme and Hendy Woods. Many of these parks allow dogs on their trails. And at MacKerricher State Park Lari Shea offer horseback riding along the beach.

Mendocino is the perfect destinations for gay and lesbian travelers as Mendocino is gay-friendly. Stanford Inn provides gay-friendly lodging, massage and vegetarian dining. Mendocino is truly a special destination – it is the “wine country coast” with Anderson Valley wineries within only twenty minutes drive and Sonoma’s fine wineries just an hour south.

Jeff & Joan Message: September Beginnings

Beginnings & Anniversary

Mendocino, California