A Little Easter Love...

 Easter began early, a bit too early for the side of me that craves a good lie-in on Sunday mornings. We had promised to join friend George before the weekend crowds filled the trails, on a hike up Mt. Tam. The sun eased the fatigue, and gave comfort no doubt to the large group doing the holiday run across the Golden Gate. We somehow managed to get a word (if only briefly) to our dear Suzanne in Charmé, wishing her a "Bon Paque", Katie excitedly trying to convey the description of the sun, the bay, Alcatraz...
 Snaked our way up trails left green from recent Spring rains, the stream beds echo of falling water staying with us until high up in the manzanita. Not lost were the few turkey buzzards which kept pace with our ascent, seemingly waiting for a waver in our resolve. We watered on top, the Bay giving way to the Pacific, the thicket of redwoods that was Muir woods tucked just the other side of Stinson,  a turn in the far coast marking Point Reyes, the City looking much too small. Our recent addition of little mop-head mix rescue puppy took seamlessly to the change from kennel to hillside. Once down, we made up for the lack of breakfast with margaritas, shrimp tacos, and crab enchiladas in Mill Valley.

 A nap was not far off, and a short, yet hard sleep very appreciated before the afternoon meal at Jon and Kayta's. Increasing clouds had them shift the tables in from under the massive oak out back, running instead through their Glenview District Craftsman. With an ease that we've come to expect from them, they offered platters of deep pink lamb chops, grilled young asparagus, and a lamb stock rissoto turned light green by a purée of mint, chive, and parsley. A trio of cheeses, tossed greens, and red wines in abundance left for little room, but I still managed to sneak in a few of Katie's citrus shortbread cookies with just a bit of cognac.
 As their little ones were put down for sleep, and even the energetic dogs showed a slowing in their play, it was time to head back to the City. So content at the long day's end, even the absence of a single chocolate egg couldn't shake the satisfaction.

http://www.chez-gautier.com