Bodega Connections

“Bodega” is very special to us.

Shortly after we meet in Santa Barbara, Tim and I take a road trip up to Northern California. Being Aquatic Biology majors, we decide to drive through Bodega Bay where a Marine Lab is located. We are incredibly enamored with this little fishing town, take the Lab tour and joke about how cool it would be to end up here someday.

Fast forward a few years, and we have relocated to Davis where Julie is a graduate student. A year later we move to Sonoma so that Julie can commute to the Bodega Bay Marine Lab for research and Tim can continue his job at UC Davis. Who would have thought?

We settle permanently in Sonoma but spend a good deal of time in Bodega Bay where Julie finishes her Masters and works as a lab assistant.

After little McGee #1 is born, Julie decides to stay home, and our time in Bodega Bay dwindles to social visits, beach days and fond memories.

When we view a house sit possibility on the Sonoma coast just north of Bodega Bay (27 years later), we cannot resist applying. We drive out to meet the cottage owners, connect easily with them around travel, wildlife and pets and meet “Bodega”, the dog.

Our first sit with “Bodega” or Bo is lovely. It feels like being home in Bodega Bay, and our morning beach walks with Bo are picturesque. Bo is another big dog, shy at first but incredibly gentle. We come to love hanging out with him in this special place.

We end up continuing our relationship with the cottage, the humans and dog. We are happy to stay with Bo when needed, and they leave us wine and often a gift certificate for dinner out. Gratitude all around!

More recently we have been hanging with Bo at his new house in Jenner, just down the highway. It is not Bodega Bay, but he is “Bodega” and we are connected.