kathleen bonham

Leaving the center of Occidental we head south on Bohemian Highway toward Freestone and Bodega Road.

The 4 or 5 miles between Occidental and Freestone offer some of the most scenic and bucolic landscape in Sonoma county. The winding road has gentle slopes and runs through a valley carved by seasonal creeks that join Salmon Creek that finally empty into the Pacific Ocean.

Along the way are sunny meadows, alternating with forested hills and gulches carved by the creek.

Today, Freestone contains a few small shops, hotel and inn and is the nucleus of a wider community that includes organic farms and wineries, nature lovers, slow food advocates and artists. It is also a destination for bicycling, canoe rides and other out-door advocates.

As we drove through Freestone on the Bohemian Highwaythe aroma of brick oven baked pastries and breads announced our approach to a west county institutoni - WILD FLOUR BREAD BAKERY. There is no question that you have to STOP!

Below is a picture of THE WILD FLOUR BREAD BAKERY. Such decisions?? Which one??? WILD FLOWER GARDENS is next door to the bakery. We sat under a huge live oak and enjoyed tea, coffee and biscotti (more than one I might add.) Happily next door is a whimsical boutique with a variety of "ENDURING COMFORTS."

A hundred yards up the road the Bohemian Highway ends at Bodega Highway were we turned east and headed for home with hillsides clad with apple orchards, cattle ranches and woodlands all around us.

Kathleen Bonham

Country and Vintage Specialist

Healdsburg, Santa Rosa, Sebastopol

I think we all agree that much of the satisfaction in our profession comes from helping young people buy their first home.

I just had the privilege of working with a young man purchasing his first home in the town were he was born and reared. I think it is safe to say that not many single buyers would consider buying and renovating a fixer -upper and the reality of living with a house torn apart. His hometown is in the wine country in Northern California, an area of high house prices, but the current market offered him a chance he might never have had and he was willing to make sacrifices and stay focused on his goal.

Fortunately his unflappable attitude and optimism got him through more than one disappointment and glitch in the process. He never got frustrated, gave-in to disappointment or anger. For example, when the house did not appraise for the contract price, he choose to stay with his original offer. His response to me when I consulted with him about different options was quite simple, "I told the seller I would pay X price and my word is my word."

I have to mention that his parents helped in this purchase and as hometown folks the family were there for financial, practical and emotional support. He also had the help of a terrific friend who helped him look at every house and discussed the work they could do together to improve the property.

I felt lucky to be a part of it.

Kathleen Bonham

Sonoma Country and Vintage Specialist

Healdsburg, Santa Rosa, Sebastopol

SMALL BUT UNIQUE - OCCIDENTAL

Another couple of miles down the road through valleys, with redwoods and spruces on one side and beautiful pastures on the other, Graton Rd. ends at Occidental Highway. We turned right and followed a route that lead us through dark redwoods over the coast range ridges before descending into Occidental, where Occidental Road intersects the Bohemian Highway.

At first glance Occidental looks like another proverbial wide spot in the road but there is a lot more to it than that!

The present day village has a population of only 1200 people but has an assortment of attractions.The main street is only 2 blocks but there are several restaurants, antique shops, numerous artisans displaying their special creations, a Japanese-inspired spa and a rare plant nursery. The original Occidental Hotel, built during the timber boom of the 19th century is still operating and its dining room is renowned for its Italian cuisine.

Occidental originated as a rail head that connected the Russian River Redwood Forest to the Sausalito ferry and the entire Bay area. Hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of board feet were shipped from Occidental on the railroad (NPCRR) on its way to construction sites further east and south.

Today, Occidental and its lovely country roads that radiate outward, are a favorite for cyclists, car clubs and motorcyclists.Every Friday it is the home of the Bohemian Farmers' Market and is located close to several award-winning wineries that are open to the public.

Stay tuned for our final segment and the Bohemian Highway, one of the most scenic drives in the whole state of California.

Kathleen Bonham

this mural is painted on the side of a bulding in the center of town as map and directory for visitors.

Sebastopol, Santa Rosa, Healdsburg

hA KATHLEEN BONHAM

COUNTRY AND VINTAGE HOME SPECIALIST SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

For reasons that are lost in the mist of history Halloween is a "BIG OCCASION" in the North Bay area of Northern California.The cover story of Datebook, the Sunday magazine of the San Francisco Chronicle has a survey of Halloween action around the region. Among the "hot" spots listed is my own neighborhood, the historic MC Donald district in Santa Rosa.The MC Donald area includes several blocks clustered around the old MC Donald Mansion, a 19 th century reproduction of a Mississippi plantation house. The neighborhood has always been a favorite place because of the wide avenues, mature landscape and charming architecturally diverse style homes.This creates the perfect environment for the witches and goblins that inhabit them on All Souls Eve. Families from all over the area come to see the sights and either get a trick or a treat!

As quoted in Datebook by a neighbor, "Many of our houses, including ours, decorate like crazy with fun Halloween themes. We often have fog machines, music, laser light shows to accompany the scary clowns in race cars or Harley Davidson's that we stage on our lawn. We go through roughly $400 worth of candy every year, but it is well worth it!

So if you find yourself in Sonoma County at the end of October the sights along McDonald Ave. and adjacent streets are well worth the "EXPERIENCE."

Kathleen Bonham

Country and VIntage SPecialist

Santa Rosa, Sebastopol. Healdsburg