DAY ONE | DAY TWO | DAY THREE | thank you
This weekend, my Daddy and I hit the for the inaugural Leather Invasion Sonoma, put together by Leathermen Travel. The event began percolating late last year and came to fruition on what could not have been a better weekend. The weather has been gorgeous and the company quite pleasant. The trip ran from Friday, March 6th to Sunday, March 8th and was centered in Guerneville, California.
It’s been ages since I’ve been to Guerneville. The last time I came through here would’ve been within the last decade and a half when the Pup and I stopped in to check things out. I bought Frank L. Baum’s entire Oz collection at a bookstore here, a set of beautiful books that is currently a third-read. We also stopped at a diner for a cracking bibimbap, the details elude me but I do remember it was quire tasty.
Day One
MEET & GREET / BOWLING
The first day began with a very busy commute from the SF Bay Area up north on the 101. Facing slow traffic from the Golden Gate to San Rafael, the going was a crawl before a dose of highway poppers was administered; then, the road opened up. To the east, the sky was darkening as the sun set to the west, the sky a radiant orange and red, embers growing fainter with every minute. It was almost enough to make the driving pleasant. Almost. By the time we hit Windsor, it was full dark, the moon shining like a pinhole star poked through deep, black velvet.
Getting onto River Road, it was time to navigate the nearly 20 miles through the Armstrong Woods to the R3 Hotel, our home base for the Leather Invasion. I remember being thrilled to drive winding roads in the dark at high speeds back in my more youthful days; however, that sense of whimsy was lacking. With Dad in the passenger’s seat, we pushed on through alternating the high and low beams so as not to blind oncoming vehicles. The road shoulders dropped off into darkness before being replaced with trees. It was the sticks and the sticks was everything. My hands were a vice grip on the wheel, my nerves a little frayed and getting moreso with each high beam/low beam dance.
By the time we reached the R3, all I wanted was food and a shower. We quickly checked in, washing up, and changed into some gear for the Meet & Greet at the Rivertime Restaurant & Bar on Main Street. There, we meet our Host Billy and several familiar faces from San Francisco. The joint was convivial and full of life from the locals. Met some new faces and looked longingly at a plate of half-eaten fries and a discarded pickle slice. “Fook, I’m hungry.” After getting our Leathermen Travel shirts and getting the 411 on the evening, we hit the road (Dad driving this time) for some night bowling in Windsor.
About eight or nine of us bowled, it was a great time. A welcome release of energy after being cooped up in the car for a long time. Dad and I ordered burgers, fries, and drinks as we watched a great group of Leathermen bowl and laugh. SIR partook and had a few strikes, it was refreshing to see that there were others who bowled more “spirited and carefree” (as the Pup has told me) than I do. We bowled until 11PM, then hit another winding road back to Guerneville, the quite handsome 2013 Mr. Bullet Bar in tow. Somehow, the ride back to the R3 was shorter perhaps because we were chatting, that may have taken the edge off the nighttime driving through the woods.
Getting back, we got ready for bed and crashed the fook out.
DAY TWO
BODEGA BAY, THE REDWOODS & THE LEATHER INVASION
It’s 1o past midnight on Sunday, March 8th; knowing full well we’ll be losing an hour, I needed to get the day onto the interwebs because it was a helluva great day. To be in a place with fellow Leathermen in Sonoma for the past couple of days has been fun, enriching, and inspiring. I am tired but it’s the good kind of tired, the kind of tired the comes with conversing and connecting with folx who are a brotherhood, a remarkably sexy brotherhood at that.
The day started with a little bit of sleeping in before Dad and I hit the Coffee Bazaar Cafe for some fuel: Breakfast sandwiches, OJ for Dad, and a quadruple shot iced Americano for me. Due in Bodega Bay for lunch, we hit the winding road out of Guerneville, taking in the scenery we could not see the night before. I’ve got to say, I’ve always loved this part of California with its trees, rivers, and the quietude of Nature. The last bit was apparent as the road became single-lane and we had to wait for oncoming traffic to pass before we could proceed. Our windows open, the forest was bright and quiet, a pleasant silence gently broken by the sound of the Russian River down the hill.
Monte Rio. Sheridan. Duncans Mills. They passed by in steady succession before we took a left at the fork for Bodega Bay, the right a path to Jenner. I’d been here before some time ago; first as a lonesome lad with a camera and a pervasive sense of singularity. I drove the coast for days, taking in the grey skies and black rock beaches, searching for inspiration, some place to belong. The next time, I was not alone, I was with my Pup. We stayed in a seaside hotel in a conjoined room. The occupants next door play Alicia Keys’ “Girl on Fire” ad nauseum all night. It was fitful rest and I cannot listen to that song now without thinking of that time. I’d brought my guitar and sat out on the back patio strumming to the sea, marveling at how different life had become. I wasn’t alone anymore and that was good.
We made another trip to Bodega Bay during the pandemic, a day trip to get out of the house. Driving to Bodega Head, we hiked the trails up and around taking in the fresh sea salted air and the endless ocean waving. In the distance, the sound of sea lions croaking a chorus as we cautiously passed fellow hikers, social distancing even in Nature. At that point, we’d been trained to keep away and it was strange to think that the virus could invade such windswept, moist perfection. The sea lions probably could not get COVID but we could and even at land’s end we took precautions, trying to stay out of downwind from others’ breaths. Such strange times, hard times and it was a blessing to have Bodega Bay as a refuge of sorts.
Fast forward to this weekend, my Dad and I made our way up the hill toward the Bay. I could feel the ocean, that silent rush of anticipation before the green hills rolled away and the Pacific revealed itself in all its magnificent glory. No matter how many times I see the ocean, I am always awed to catching my breath in a silent gasp at the great, vast blueness with white-capped flecks appearing and disappearing in an ever-shifting cyan shawl of diamond dust. We’d picked a wonderful day to be here and I could not be happier to be back in this place once more.
We arrived at the Inn at the Tides Restaurant a few minutes late but not too late. Wearing our Leathermen Travel shirts, we were escorted to the group and presented with a special limited menu titled, “Lunch for the Leathermen.” Now, I’ve got to say that this was a nice touch and it opened my eyes to how much difference minor detail makes to the customer experience. As an event organizer, I am often told how cool it is to have thoughtful little touches in place, like personalized greeting cards or badges for volunteers. It doesn’t occur to me the impact these things have until I’m told. Recently, I was told, “SIR, you think of everything. You’re like a gay, Leather Martha Stewart!” It was a great compliment, to be honest.
Anyway, as an attendee, the custom menu with its Leathermen title was a wonderful touch that I very much appreciated. I opted for the grilled chicken breast followed by the apple pie a la mode. Filling and tasty, Dad and I sat at a six-top where we chatted with fellows from San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Palm Springs, the conversation was mellow, the environment friendly save for one uppity waiter who seemed to have an issue serving folx in Leather. Other than that little blip, lunch was pleasant.
After lunch, we hit the road for a 3:30PM reservation for a docent-led tour of the Armstrong Redwoods. Our docent was gracious and informative as he took us on a brief tour among the tall, tall trees. The forest was cool and dim, the sun reaching over the hills but into where we were. Bootfalls on mountain soil, the docent passed out several facts; here’s what I remember:
- It takes 5,000 seeds to create ONE redwood tree.
- Redwoods grow in clusters with a Mother tree as the main one; due to a mutation, the other trees in the cluster are clones of the Mother.
- Nature heals burned trees by growing over the burn scars, rolling inward from the outside to heal the inside of the tree.
- Redwoods are saltwater-averse, they do not grow on the coast.
- The tips of the redwood roots are covered in a fungus that can transfer moisture from one tree to another, ensuring the trees’ survival.
- A sapling may stay a sapling for a long time due to the canopy that redwoods create that prevents sunlight from reaching the ground.
Losing light, the forest started to darken substantially as we concluded the tour. Thanking the docent, we made our way back to the R3 to get ready for dinner. I started to write this post while Dad napped. After releasing the draft, we geared up for dinner about 200 feet away at Baked on the River, the R3’s in-house eatery. A group about 10 of us came together to peruse the menu. Feeling peckish, I opted for the house-smoked tri-tip with truffle oil mac/cheese which was pretty damn good. The beef was fall-apart tender and soaked in BBQ sauce, the mac/cheese flavourful.
Dessert was Chewy Mocha Cake with Dark Cherry Cream and an espresso. This combination was a tasty cap to dinner; I thoroughly enjoyed the cake as I’m a sucker for anything with cherries in it.
After dinner, we geared up in BLUF for the Leather Invasion at the Rainbow Cattle Company on Main Street. The venue was hosting a night of House music, a nice surprise because I love House. Stuffed with tri-tip and cherry cake, listening to House while smoking my Kristoff Pistoff cigar was an awesome time. We made our way to the back area and made our place with the locals who were very friendly. Many stopped to tells us we looked sexy in our Leather. All in all, it was a great time. We left a little after 11:15PM so as to get some rest before the 2AM time change when we lose an hour.
Bidding adieu, we got back to the room and crashed out but only after I did some writing here.
DAY THREE
BRUNCH
The third and final day of Leather Invasion Sonoma 2026 began and ended with brunch at Americana in Santa Rosa. Dad and I checked out of the R3 before making our way to the venue. Finding great parking, we sat down for the last time with our fellow Leathermen. The restaurant was bright and lively, the smell of food making the morning bearable. Those who know me know that I AM NOT a morning person AT ALL. Losing an hour of sleep only added to the heap of horse shit that opening my eyes and having to live became.
I ordered…something with eggs and a nice slab of hashed browns topped with a spicy crust, bacon, and toast. The coffee was a blessing as I struggled to activate my humanity seated between folx who seem to enjoy the rise of the burning circle. The food was decent, the company pleasant, I was about 65% awake by the time we said our goodbyes. With hugs, andkisses, we parted ways in Santa Rosa.
Dad and I made our way back to San Francisco, reflecting on our time with Leathermen in Sonoma. It was an awesome time and we were grateful to have been offered the opportunity to attend this inaugural event. Would I do it again? Yes, if Leathermen Travel can make this happen, I am onboard!
THANK YOUS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Billy & Leathermen Travel
Thank you for putting this trip together! Dad and I had an amazing time; it was a relaxing and fun trip. To be out and about will fellow Leatherfolx really made the trip special. If you’re looking for help in planning Leather-centric travel, check out Leathermen Travel, folx.
The R3 Hotel & Baked on the River
Thank you for your hospitality and service. The room was spacious and I enjoyed the pellet stove. The restaurant was great; REALLY enjoyed the chewy mocha cake with dark cherry cream. I’ll be thinking about it until I return.
Windsor Bowl
Thank you for having us in for the evening. I always enjoy a great of bowling and you were very welcoming. Thanks for clearing Lane 3 when the pin decided to nap in the middle of the lane outside the pin grabber. Great fries!
Rivertime Restaurant & Bar and Coffee Bazaar Cafe
Thank you, Rivertime, for hosting the Meet & Greet on Day One. Thanks to Coffee Bazaar Cafe for keeping SIR caffeinated. I wanted to steal that giant jar of kosher dill pickles though.
The Tides Wharf & Restaurant
Thank you for hosting, “Lunch for the Leathermen!” The personalized menu was a great touch and the food was good, too. It’s been a spell since I’d been there and it was nice to be back.
Rainbow Cattle Company
Thank you for hosting our Leather Invasion and for keeping House music alive! That was a surprise and I lived for it. You’ve got a great thing going there and I’m looking forward to visiting again.
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve
Thank you for having us there for your docent-led tour. Everyone was super friendly and the forest was gorgeous. I learned a lot and enjoyed learning more about these wooden giants.
The Communities of Guerneville, Bodega Bay, Windsor, and Santa Rosa
Thank you for welcoming us this past weekend. The hospitality and friendliness you all have shown was appreciated. I am looking forward to visiting that area of Northern California in the future.
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