This post is a travelog with minimum perfume-related content.
Do you have a bucket list? I don’t. And even if I did create one, a farmhouse stay probably wouldn’t have made the cut. But now, after experiencing it firsthand, I can confidently say that I’ve crossed it off my non-existent bucket list.
When we were planning our anniversary trip, we had a few criteria in mind: it had to be a car trip within a 4-hour limit, not another designated wine country excursion (we already do those 4-5 times a year), and a destination with moderate temperatures. Point Reyes, California, seemed like a promising option. After thorough research on Expedia and Airbnb, we decided to step out of our comfort zone and rented a farmhouse on a working cattle range in Nicasio, CA.
Day 1
SOTD: Jo Malone English Pear & Freesia.
Midday midweek traffic made our journey to Point Reyes a breeze. Since we arrived early for check-in, we decided to explore some renowned local cheese places.
Our first stop was Nicasio Valey Cheese Company conveniently located just off the main road. It’s a charming, tiny store with a window that offers a glimpse into their cheese-making process. They have an assortment of cheeses, crackers, jams, and chocolates. We couldn’t resist and ended up purchasing two cheeses.
Next, we ventured to Marin French Cheese Co., a larger store offering not only cheese and related products but also gifts and a cafe serving lunch. What captivated us the most was their picnic area. That was probably one of the rare cases when the photo looks almost more picturesque than what one’s eyes could register. After a brief introduction to their cheese varieties, we sampled four flavors (I don’t know who thinks that jalapeno is a good additive to brie), bought four (but not the weird ones) and took numerous photos of the grounds, promising ourselves to come back one day with a picnic.
I know and like cheese from Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co., so I was curious to visit their home place. But had I known the road in advance, I would have probably skipped it. The narrow, unpaved path with blind spots made passing other cars a nerve-wracking experience. Nevertheless, we persevered and were rewarded with a “self-serve” tasting station at their shop. We bought two – one familiar and well-loved, and the other a recent addition to their lineup.
Our final stop for the day was Point Reyes Vineyards winery. Having visited before, we didn’t have high expectations for their wines… and the place didn’t fail to live up to them. While their wines are plainly not good, they have two redeeming qualities: their well-kept sitting area and … the scarcity of activities in the area. All-in-all, we enjoyed a tasting with our own supply of cheese and bread.
The farmhouse we rented was located a 5-minutes drive down a windy gravel road, “tucked beneath the rolling hills” (from the listing). It was spacious, clean (as much as can be achieved with a non-IKEA-standard “sanitized” furnishing setup based on the real people’s house) and quite unique. On our way, we encountered cows and chickens, and upon arrival, we were delighted to receive fresh eggs and farm-produced meat (we ordered in advance). We hoped the cows and chickens were oblivious to our culinary plans.
Day 2
SOTD: Lancome Climat
Given the limited activities in the area, our day mainly revolved around indulging in local cuisine rather than exploring the outdoors through hiking or biking, which isn’t our forte.
Morning breakfast with the local eggs and cheese sustained us through the walk in the Point Rayes Station “downtown.” This town hadn’t been too flourishing for as long as I remember it, but it seems that Covid has almost killed it. It’s the same small provincial town it was but now without tourists.
Other food stops this day included a couple of (square) slices of pizza at an outdoor pizzeria (better than could be expected), oysters (for my vSO) and crab claws (for me) at a roadside restaurant (both dishes were perfect) and the local meadery (though once we got there, I decided their tasting was too expensive for what they offer, so we skipped it this time). We concluded the day with a celebratory dinner at the farmhouse, showcasing our culinary skills.
Day 3
SOTD: Ormonde Jayne Ta’if Elixir
As our short two-night stay came to an end, on our way back, we decided that wine country wasn’t such a bad idea after all and visited two of our favorite wineries, Paradise Ridge and Sunce. Everything cooperated that day – exceptional wine, friendly stuff and beautiful weather. It was the perfect conclusion to a memorable trip. And when we got home, Rusty was happy to see us.
Images: my own
Undina's Looking Glass 
Sounds like a wonderful time. And yes, I’m sure Rusty was thrilled to see you back home although he does look like he’s giving you a bit of the stink eye.
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It was a pleasant trip. As to Rusty, it’s defiance: he claimed my sitting pad and was scratching it even though he knew I didn’t approve :)
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Sounds like a nice, low-key getaway! I tried making a bucket list once but am not very committed to it. More of a capsule of ideas in case I run out of them completely one day. Would like to make it to Italy in the next year or so, especially Venice!
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I thought of coming up with some “future ideas,” but I’m afraid it’ll be too depressing if I cannot fulfill them. So, I’d rather be spontaneous.
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We have not mastered the low key short duration trip. Right now our travel to do list has a lot of visiting friends on it – which is lovely for my extrovert husband but usually quite tiring for the introvert in me. We also need to do a wine trip – being in PA it’s a bit of a haul to go somewhere with the good stuff. This little trip sounded nice, quiet and calm!
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I know what you mean! When we visit my son’s family there are often a lot of people from his wife’s family around, too. I like all of them, but too many people are tough for this introvert as well. I think they all understand now that I’m not a party person and big gatherings exhaust me.
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Ladies I hear you about not being a party person. I no longer care!
I’m not totally antisocial but since retiring I only bring out my party persona for very special occasions.
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Well said!
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I always thought of myself as an extrovert, but it looks like age in combination with two Covid years have changed something in me, so now I almost prefer “low-key” trips. It’ll be interesting to see if it stays this way.
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Your trip sounds delightful, just the kind of trip I would love. The farm is lovely and the cattle look healthy. I grew up on a cattle ranch so I’m very familiar with all things bovine. I’m glad you had a relaxing trip. And always glad to see a photo of gorgeous Rusty.
I’m deciding now which fragrances to take with me during my upcoming radiation treatments. I think I’ll stick with green and citrusy freshies in case my olfactory glands are negatively affected. I don’t want to have my favorite florals ruined by thinking they smell like a garbage can during the treatments! I don’t think this is a common side effect, but I tend to have bizarre side effects to every medical treatment so I’m going to be prepared.
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Please be careful where you apply fragrance during radiotherapy. You may need to ask the radiotherapist during your planning appointment when you’re given advice about caring for radiosensitised skin.
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Good advice! I have a special prescription skin cream to use from neck to waist on the side getting radiated. I think perfume may only go on my legs and left arm.
I’ll be careful.
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When do you start your treatment? I will be sending positive thoughts your way.
Recently, whenever I don’t feel well, I tend to wear light vanilla perfumes – everything else bothers me, and I’m afraid to “spoil” my favorite perfumes by me being sick.
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Radiation starts next week, July 24. I’m ready to do it and then put it behind me. Light vanillas sound great! Nicolai’s L’Eau Chic feels comforting to me now so I’ll take it for sure, being very careful where I spray it.
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What a wonderful trip!! Love the photos!
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Thank you! It was a great getaway.
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When I was a child a farmhouse holiday would have been a dream! My friends were all dreaming of Spain, I wanted a working farm holiday.
Good food & drink are such an important part of relaxing aren’t they? I love how you have prioritised them, how lucky to have three cheesemongers to visit too. That platter looks scrumptious 😋
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I think that good food enhances any great experience, so I always try to make sure that part is well planned together with everything else.
As a child, I spent many summers at my grandparents’ house, which wasn’t a true farm but had some land with orchard and chickens. So this trip was also slightly nostalgic.
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PERFECT getaway. What a sensational anniversary trip Undina.
I will have some jalapeno brie thanks.
Portia x
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It was, it was!
If you ever come visiting, we will go to that cheese place and get you that brie! (There also was a mustard-flavored one.)
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It’s a date. What a wonderful thing to do when we finally meet. Undina, cheese and wine. Heaven
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Still chuckling at: “We hoped the cows and chickens were oblivious to our culinary plans.”
Your food looked amazing – both the home cooked and the dishes you had out – and I smiled when you cracked and went to a couple of wineries after all. Sounds like a memorable way to celebrate your anniversary!
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It was a good celebration (and adding some wine to it didn’t hurt either ;) ). And I didn’t even mind cooking.
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