"Travel brings power and love back into your life."
Rumi
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| Alpine Glow over the Sierra Nevada's |
During one of our many phone chats in late spring, Mom asked
if I’d like to go to California with her to see my niece play volleyball? Yes! I
still was able to take advantage of JetBlue’s generous gift. I explained to Mom that I thought I’d stay
longer and indulge in a “bucket list item.”
It was quickly decided that the trip would progress from my going alone
to a Mom –Daughters Road Trip. Route 1: The
Pacific Coast Highway from Santa Cruz to
San Diego, here we come!
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| Lobby of the Village @ Squaw Resort |
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| Need I say more? |
My Sister has been in the hospitality world for
most of her life, and been living in the Tahoe area for many years, so we were
the recipients of some wonderful places to stay. We began at the Village at
Squaw Valley, sitting at the base of Squaw Mountain. Truly beautiful. After spending a lovely four days visiting,
watching volleyball, and
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| Sand Rock Farm |
First stop, Santa Cruz.
A long leisurely day driving from Truckee to Santa Cruz brought us to
one of my sister and her family’s favorite areas. After exploring the beach, enjoying lunch on
the pier we made our way to
Sand Rock
Farm B&B in Aptos; owned by dear friends of my sister. After settling in to this truly beautiful
place, we then had a great dinner at
Paradise
Beach Grille in Capitola. Following
a long, lazy, delicious breakfast we, a bit reluctantly, said our goodbyes to
hit the Road again.
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| Beach in Carmel |
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| Big Sur |
Oh, all the accolades of the majestic scenery along that
infamous
We meandered
through the shops of Carmel for awhile.
Visiting Nepenthe, meaning “no sorrow”, in Big Sur and its lovely gift
shop where Mom found a treasure that will hopefully always remind her of our
special trip, and the fact that she did all the driving that day along the Big
Sur coast of California!
Stopping briefly at the Hearst Castle, we
marveled that people really did live this way in this country. (reminiscent of
the Estates in Newport, close to home.)
We
hit our home for the evening at the
Fogcatcher
Inn right on Moonstone Beach of Cambria.
Another delightful dinner downtown was thoroughly enjoyed at
Linn’s.
Before heading out the next day my sister and
I enjoyed a beautiful walk along the boardwalk lining the beach amongst
wildflowers and cypress.
Rt.1 are all true.
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| Santa Barbara |
Continuing on our treck south, ooing and ahing with the
beauty of it all, we settled into the
Hotel
Santa Barbara and meandered it’s Main Street (State Street) where Mom
happily discovered a great Marshall’s!
We traveled by trolley bus down to the Pier for a bite to eat at the
Wine Room on Stearns Wharf.
Having met
quite the “Lady” on the trolley bus ride back who regaled us with the fact we
must do the first Thursday Art Walk, we did, for a bit.
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| Mission at San Juan Capistrano |
On the final day of our Road trip we coasted through Santa
Monica, on our way to San Juan Capistrano. We had a lovely stroll around the infamous Mission, where we actually
did get to see a few of the
swallows!
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| San Diego |
Honestly, our stay in San Diego was a bit of a bust. We were tired, hungry, and the hotel that
looked so promising online was anything but.
Finally after a late light dinner, we decided we simply had to find
another place. The positive note on that
is I tried out the app “Hotel Tonight” for the first time which did deliver on
a clean place to stay at a great price near the airport.
So, although not everything was “perfect” it was a magical
trip. The talks, the laughter, and yes,
even some tears, provided for a most memorable time with two of the best Ladies
I know. Priceless!.
