California Dreamin' Road Trip

                                "Travel brings power and love back into your life." 
                                                                                                         Rumi

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!

Lobby of the Village @ Squaw Resort

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 

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.

Beach in Carmel

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.

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.

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!  

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!. 

SOWA Food Film Festival

Settling an Estate is certainly not for the weak or weary.  Finding an attorney that you can trust is a gift.  (I now find myself with two in two different states.  Who ever knew I’d be so important?!)  Coming back from Costa Rica had me receiving some disturbing news, to say the least.  It sent me into a tailspin, yet again.

Needing something positive to keep me busy, I invited myself to join a Food Film Festival event in the South Walton Beach area of Florida.  (Thank God for JetBlue’s very generous benefits.)   If you know me at all, you know how important my FFF Family (and some of our wonderful partners) has become in my life.  We laugh hard, play hard, work hard, and eat very well together! 

The Hub on 3A

Meeting a new dear friend, made at the Charleston FFF last fall, as well as one of my favorite chefs (of Karl’s Balls) and his wife at the Jacksonville airport; we had a long, flat drive across the Florida Panhandle.  After settling into our hotel, we found our Leaders and had a quick dinner at one of the sites for the weekends’ festivities, The Hub on 30A of Santa Rosa Beach.

Caliza at Alys Beach

Friday the fun began!  Oh my, Caliza Restaurant at Alys Beach made me feel like I was finally living in the lifestyles of the rich and famous where I belonged.  Until I realized I was actually “the hired” help.”  It was still magnificent, and working with the staff of this beautiful place made it all the more special.

Brunch @ Bud + Alley's

Saturday had us back at The Hub from morning til midnight for two great events.  And Sunday was capped off at the beach, at the gorgeous Bud + Alley’s Seaside at Alys Beach for a brunch event.   Much of our cast and crew left shortly after the brunch ended.  But, my Road Trippers and I stayed an extra night since we had a 6 hour drive back to Jacksonville.

I shared this story the next week with our FFF Family.

                                             
                                     Magical Mysterious Ring

Still feeling fuzzy from yet another wonderful weekend with some of my favorite People in my world, I opened today’s meditation and was hit by these lines, and thought it most appropriate to share.  

“This world is in deep trouble, but it can be swiftly healed by the balm of love.” ― Rumi

I would also love to share a little story, if I may.  Sunday after most of you lovelies departed, Mary, Karl, Tammy, and I lolled on the beach as beauties bathing (oh, no, are we now bb’s?!...don’t even get me started…), chatting, hanging, etc.    A lobster and then a crab roll later, (for Tammy! the tiniest of the bunch.  Life is so unfair…) we went to the hotel with plans to pass out in the hot tub with wine, beer, and hotel food.

As Mary and I sat veggin’ in our room, first plastic cup of wine in hand, we got a call from Karl of the Balls.  His wedding ring was gone.  Thought it came off at the beach.  In the, elevator to the lobby, I instructed Everyone to start to praying to St. Anthony, finder of lost things.  He is non-denominational.

Stopping at the front desk to borrow a flash light as I had left my phone in the room that holds my license, but managed to grab my big purse?!  Poor Karl had to drive (read above as to why).  It got darker as we drove.  It was a quiet ride.

Retracing our steps on the beach, we found our spot as Mary had poured out her beer and the imprint was still there, as were the towel imprints.  By light of phones, and borrowed flashlight, we looked and sifted, and prayed.   I must admit I though it hopeless, but kept on, keeping my mouth shut (for once), praying, and feeling Karl and Tammy’s sadness.  I was willing and able to keep on until they decided otherwise.

After Karl went through the trash barrels, God love him, we all gathered around Mary, who had decided to dig deeper.  OMG, she pulled something gold out of the sand.  It was the ring!!!

The ride home was much different.  We did get to sit in the hot tub, getting drunk off one drink.  (Never had dinner, I ate half the bag of popcorn that was left for us at midnight.  Thank You!)

So, the Power of US..the magical mysterious Food Film Festival Family.  We come from all shapes, sizes, nationalities, ethnicities, countries, faiths, and I am so incredibly thankful and feel so blessed to know and have each and every one of you in my life.  I can no longer see through my tears (thank God, happy ones, finally..). 

Better take a nap before George’s big event tonight.   

George Motz, the Founding Director of our FFF, just released his book Hamburger America: Completely Revised and Updated Edition: A State-by-State Guide to 150 Great Burger Joints.  The big event was the book release party at the very cool PowerHouse Arena Bookstore in DUMBO.

George’s response to this story was  “What a great story, but didn’t find the ring by chance.  The ring found you.  As much credit as you want to give yourself I truly believe that the desire to do something does get you closer, but the thing you are trying to achieve ALSO gets closer to you.  It’s a symbiotic relationship that can only be explained by finding something as ridiculous as a ring on an enormous white sand beach… Credit your hard work but know that you were destined to find that ring.  It’s in the fabric of your being to be persistent.  And THAT is why our group of misfits is so .. good at what we do.”

Is there any wonder why my FFF is so special?!