Always looking for things to write about, it came to me that it would be a good idea to ask others what they loved about Anderson Valley. Unfortunately I told people the deadline for responding was Monday at noon only learning at the last minute today (Sunday) that because of the 4th of July my deadline was a full 24 hours earlier. I will publish anything that missed the early deadline next week; my apologies. Also if you would like to contribute your favorite thing about AV for next week please send it to me at tryder@mcn.org.
To get the ball rolling this is what I texted to people on my cell phone list (some of them bounced back… and were never delivered; sorry): “I thought it would be interesting and uplifting to ask 100 Anderson Valley residents (or past residents) to list their favorite things about Anderson Valley. I will put the replies together in a group list for the AVA with no names attached. Would love an entry from you.”
What came back was both expected and surprising. The two most common themes were beauty and community. My personal favorite was from a younger person who was born here, “I think my favorite thing about Anderson Valley is the magic in the air.”
There were lots of other interesting answers both longer and shorter.
“Being raised in Anderson Valley with deep family roots, it holds a special meaning for me with its eclectic community qualities, gentle climate, stunning geography, enchanting Redwoods, and the expanding vineyards around us. It’s a great place to call home.” … “I love the beauty of this valley in all of the ways it is manifested; the land that is filled with ancient redwood trees who have lived here way longer than we have. The perfect quality of the air that allows the passage of the cool coastal air to mix with the warmer inland air, the community of generous people who open their hearts, hands and their purses when there is a need, small or large, local gardens that supply local food and my garden in particular that brings me so much joy, the stability of community. Knowing people from birth growing into old age and helping them through their final days. I guess you could sum all this up by this phrase: I love the rootedness I feel here as I have lived in the Anderson Valley longer than I have lived anywhere.”
“The camaraderie of people and dancing to Dean Titus and the Boot Jack Five.” … “Natural beauty and Community.” … “The sense of community.” … “The beauty of the coastal valley and the open, loving, creative and intelligent community. I feel so lucky to live here.” … “Gotta love all the nutty and genuine characters that gravitate around this valley. That’s what keeps me in orbit.” “EVERYTHING, raising my kids here, the beauty, how people have your back.” … “Beauty and community.” … “The AVA, crooked roads, fewer people.” … “All the history my family has here. It’s where my roots run and where I’ve always felt at home.” … “Anderson Valley is a place where neighbors are there for you. It’s beautiful on the eyes and has a beautiful soul.” … “The way that everywhere you go in the valley you see someone you know.” … “Endless hikes in the Redwoods and the Navarro River.” … “The people and the stories they tell.” … “Friendly.” … “The natural beauty of the valley, the ability to get out and walk in open spaces and the community.” … “Hard to choose just one. The beauty of the landscape, the mix of people, KZYX and the AVA.” … “The Redwoods and residents.” … “Sense of community.”
“I can think of lots of things that I love about the Valley, small things to big things! I love it when I cross the street and am standing out in front of the post office, people shout out my name and say hello from their cars. But probably my most favorite thing is how everyone in the valley pulls together for someone in their time of need.” … “My favorite thing about living in the glorious Anderson Valley are the people, many of whom I’ve come to know. After living in San Francisco for 26 years I probably knew more people after several months here than my whole time living with the ‘bright-lighters’.”
“One of many favorites about Anderson Valley is that I am privileged to be part of a couple of old homestead ranches still left and working (cattle, sheep, horses, and working dogs). Where beautiful redwood barns still stand, old river rock piers that support massive sheep and hay barns. Remains of split rail fences made from true clear heart redwood. Good water, fed by very old springs. Money poor but dirt rich! Most importantly I get to raise my children up the way I believe is good in God’s country! I pray that our children will be able to live in the land of the free in generations to come.”
“So many things. My list would start with the climate. Really appreciate the cool nights. Then there’s the group of friends and neighbors that is always there to help. The list goes on and on.” “Love the people; love the beauty and creativity and generosity of valley folks. Love Sunday morning Pancake Breakfast (at the Grange) and live music at the Anderson Valley Brewing Company and the wine. The cool nights and warm days.” “Hendy Woods. I attended a ‘Let’s Save Hendy Woods’ concert with Kris Kristofferson. Hendy is great for locals; free on 2nd Sunday. Such a lovely and peaceful place. The Redwoods are fudging awesome.”
“I love the Mendocino County Fair and Apple Show. Every year we all come out of our little corners and promenade up and down the Fairways to meet and greet, see how much all the children have grown; and new ones just born. We catch up with our neighbors and friends. We eat a lot of ‘not health food’ enjoying every sugary, fatty, carbohydrate filled bite. We drink beer and wine and apple cider/juice. We watch the kids roam in giggling packs, ride the rides and ask their parents for more money. We sit in the Hall of Fiber to cool off and watch a sheep being sheared. We stroll the Hall of Flowers to cool down and be inspired. We visit the Arts Building and make resolutions to enter something next year. We rodeo, and dance and buy junky fun stuff and some of us even get piercings! It’s a wild old-fashioned All-American-Ride. Thank you to Jim, Gina and the great Fairgrounds crew for making so much happiness happen.”
“I love that the core of the Valley really hasn’t changed in my more than 65 years living here (all my life). And the Fair which also hasn’t changed.” … “I love how accepting AV residents are of diversity. A ‘Back-to-the-land’ person can ‘howdy’ with an old time rancher on a tailgate just as easily as a gay person can give out scholarships to the deserving.” … “The legacy of the native peoples in this watershed that proved sustainable over thousands of years with no overall loss of natural resources, and a generally peaceful coexistence with neighboring tribes. This model that was devastated here only around 1858 could prove in part a solution for global warming.” … “Anderson Valley’s natural beauty with its watershed, redwoods, oak woodlands and ambient weather. Rural nature. That Anderson Valley is a community of people that can work together to improve all of our lives and to help protect our natural resources for future generations.”
“My favorite thing about Anderson Valley is that it’s a place where people are connected to each other and are open to being connected. Some bonds are stronger and some are weaker, but they’re there even across socio-political divides that are full-stop barriers in other places. Also it’s beautiful here.”
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