Tolay Lake Sonoma County | Mariko-Irie.com Blog

“1184. Love in the Sky” Oil painting by Mariko Irie

This location is Tolay Lake Regional Park CA.

It’s a 3434-acre property located in the hills southeast of Petaluma, between the Petaluma River and Sonoma Valley, for ecological and archaeological preservation, as well as public use and enjoyment.

At the entrance, there is a parking lot under trees picnic tables and a Farm Stand building.

Then big open field and sky.

Let’s go for a hike.

The park rangers in their uniform patrol on horses not by car. It makes me smile.

They are so kind and guide us.

I just read a book “ The Sense of Wonder” by Rachel Carson.

In the book, “ Take time to listen and talk about the voice of the earth.”

This place is great for that.

The last page of the book, “The lasting pleasure of contact with the natural world are not reserved for scientists but are available to anyone who will place himself under the influence of earth, sea, and sky and their amazing life.”

Have a fantastic life😊💞🌻🌈

“1178. Farm Stand at Tolay Lake” Oil painting by Mariko Irie

This location is Tolay Lake Regional Park, a unique 3434-acre property located in the hills southeast of Petaluma, between the Petaluma River and Sonoma Valley.

I joined a paint out group, “Ready, Set, Sketch!” in Sonoma County and went to paint with them. They are happy painters.

Wikipedia:

Dating to at least 4,000 years, habitation of the original Tolay Lake perimeter occurred on a seasonal basis by the Coast Miwok, Pomo and other native Californians. It is known that this has been a regional gathering place for diverse tribes, probably associated with the beliefs that healing powers were derived from this lake.

These archaeological findings received such widespread attention that the lake was at one time alternatively known as Charmstone Lake.

I didn’t have any of this knowledge.

In 3 hours, I had to find a place and paint.

There were so many to choose from; finally I set up my easel. I just painted, painted, painted until finished.

After I looked at my painting, my brush strokes were flying as though dancing 😊💞

It’s very beautiful place to be💖