Weekend cafe: get thee to the California coast
29 April 2012
Getting out of town for a weekend away with the ladies is a logistical nightmare extravaganza. In addition to the in-laws, it took no fewer than five additional adults (not including the husband) to move the chess pieces of our life around and get everyone where they needed to be for three days – so thanks Veronica, Kelly, Jeanine, Susan, Beth (for the car), and Angelee (even though in the end, you were given a pass). Every year at this time, I head up to Big Sur/Carmel to run a relay marathon and every year I think how much easier it would be to stay home. And then we pack up the swagger wagon anyway and hit the road.
Some say it’s important to get away every now and then and take a break from the usual routine. I agree, but more crucial is getting away to a place that feeds your soul. For me, it’s here. If you live in California and haven’t driven up the coast or spent any time in and around the Monterey Peninsula and points south to Cambria, you should be ashamed of yourself. The sights will take your breath away and force you to bask in the beauty and wonder of nature, the power of the ocean, the smell of the pines, and the touch of cool, sometimes foggy breezes.
This summer, head to San Simeon and Hearst Castle (make reservations beforehand), then further north to Big Sur. Stay at one of their cabin/campground operations (reserve now) and after a long hike, have a drink and an Ambrosia burger at Nepenthe. Twenty-six miles north still (hence the marathon), you’ll hit Carmel with all its charm. Dogs are allowed on the beach so head down Ocean and take in the scene on the sand where our furry four-legged friends frolic with the two-legged humans. (Did anyone appreciate my alliteration just now?)
This place…it’s unexpected, undeserved, expansive, gracious in its offerings. It’s the coast of California. It’ll make you feel lucky.
Getting out of town for a weekend away with the ladies is a logistical nightmare extravaganza. In addition to the in-laws, it took no fewer than five additional adults (not including the husband) to move the chess pieces of our life around and get everyone where they needed to be for three days – so thanks Veronica, Kelly, Jeanine, Susan, Beth (for the car), and Angelee (even though in the end, you were given a pass). Every year at this time, I head up to Big Sur/Carmel to run a relay marathon and every year I think how much easier it would be to stay home. And then we pack up the swagger wagon anyway and hit the road.
Some say it’s important to get away every now and then and take a break from the usual routine. I agree, but more crucial is getting away to a place that feeds your soul. For me, it’s here. If you live in California and haven’t driven up the coast or spent any time in and around the Monterey Peninsula and points south to Cambria, you should be ashamed of yourself. The sights will take your breath away and force you to bask in the beauty and wonder of nature, the power of the ocean, the smell of the pines, and the touch of cool, sometimes foggy breezes.
This summer, head to San Simeon and Hearst Castle (make reservations beforehand), then further north to Big Sur. Stay at one of their cabin/campground operations (reserve now) and after a long hike, have a drink and an Ambrosia burger at Nepenthe. Twenty-six miles north still (hence the marathon), you’ll hit Carmel with all its charm. Dogs are allowed on the beach so head down Ocean and take in the scene on the sand where our furry four-legged friends frolic with the two-legged humans. (Did anyone appreciate my alliteration just now?)
This place…it’s unexpected, undeserved, expansive, gracious in its offerings. It’s the coast of California. It’ll make you feel lucky.
…because she won’t tell all of you, I will….they took 3rd place in the masters women relay division. woohoooo!! what a bunch of jocks…you rock! thanks for another fab weekend!