February 21, 2015: Fort Ross (near Jenner) with Jeanette

All images copyright Casondra Sobieralski

I had always wanted to go to Fort Ross but it is just a bit too far away to be easy.  Then finally I found a good excuse: Eastern European egg decorating festival!  Just like home (Pittsburgh).  

Northern California certainly does not have the degree of Eastern European culture that I grew up with in Western Pennsylvania.  Asian and Mexican culture are more evident here.  But the Russians came to this area very early on to trade with the Native Americans (whom they treated far better than the Spanish did, even if they were not perfect) and to hunt seals for pelts.  (Sorry vegetarian friends. It's just historical fact.)  Fort Ross is a Russian Fort.  To learn more, see: http://www.fortross.org 

The lighting here was beautiful.  Here are some favorite photos from this excursion with my cultural heritage kindred Jeanette.  PLEASE CLICK TO VIEW THESE BIG.  There is lots of great texture in there.