As Martha says, "It's a good thing!"

This morning we left early to drive to Point Reyes so we could go to the farmer's market.  We found some delicious kimchi (a fermented delight I haven't had since I lived in California); we also bought some mixed baby greens, and a new cap for Jon.  Then we walked around the little town and drove to a great dog friendly state park with access to the bay.  Sparta enjoyed her hike, swim, and several rumbles with other eager-to-play dogs.  We spied oyster farm beds and our mouths watered at the thought of our upcoming lunch feast at Hog Island Oyster Company, an outdoor haven for oysters on the half shell. (Several years ago I saw this place on Martha Stewart and she raved about it having the best oysters she had ever tasted.  I wondered if she knew what she was talking about then.)  Just after noon we arrived in Marshall to commence our feast.  We each had a dozen of their plump offerings . . .they had a shallot, cilantro, and rice vinegar sauce to dip the oysters in . . . it was a great accompaniment . . . .the beer was cold and flavorful, and the view was spectacular.  The oysters rank up there with ones I used to shuck on the oyster beds of Broad River.  Totally awesome!  While we digested Jon drove us to a couple of vineyards near where we are staying.  The first was Joseph Swan; they had a nice Zinfandel so we bought it as well as another Zin they had on sale that we thought would make a good everyday drinking wine.  The wine event of the day was at Sonoma Cutrer; normally they don't sell their Founder's Reserve to non-wine club members, but they agreed to sell us some of the chardonnay and some of the pinot noir because I had been in the business and was a big fan of these two wines.  We bought some of the last bottles available to anyone.  While we were sipping these beauties we watched people playing croquet on the courts below us . . . so much fun!  We are now kicking back for some down time at our sweet little rented house . . .I think I'm going to take a soak in the hot tub before dinner . . . what a vacation!