Monterey in 36 Hours

Before we had made our way down to Santa Monica, my West Coast True Love, Mike and I had both decided we would prefer to live in Monterey out of all the cities we had visited. For me, it would take a little getting used to the chilly weather, but the location on the water, the quant shops, proximity to all the parks, hiking and beaches AND the cutest of cutest houses I may have ever seen stole my heart.

We stayed at a small hotel in Pacific Grove, called Lover's Point Inn. Spacious rooms and views of The Point made it a great stopping point for a few days. We were in Big Sur within an hour, and (a surprise to Mike) at Pebble Beach Golf Course within 20 minutes. We stumbled upon the 17-mile drive, a gorgeous - and pretty - drive through Del Monte Forest.

For eats we hit up Hula's in Monterey, which I was convinced was too gimmicky for my taste. However, it ended up Happy Hour all night and we scored big with strong drinks and lots of appetizers to share.

Even though it was just by chance I picked this charming sea town to stop at, I will definitely be putting it back on the must-stop places in the future.

July Self Portrait

There was a birthday card my sister sent me more than a decade ago. On it was a photograph she had taken from one of her excursions out west, with these adorable yet bizarre-looking seals. The message inside said:

Have a wonderful day of your celebration of birth in your 19th year! Leave all your worries behind and eat lots of pie, but do not set any fires! ... Do not fret any longer, fretting only uses up time and produces only doubt. That is unproductive, and you are the most productive person I know. I want you to know that you are the sweetest, most beautiful person in my life. You've kept me going ofr 19 years! Keep confident and stay honest to yourself and you will always be brilliant, I can promise you that.

Obviously, my sister is pretty awesome. And of course the photo and message stuck with me. I immediately added Elephant Seal Rookery and Big Sur to my Bucket List and tucked the card away.

Now, twelve years later, I am checking those boxes and realizing the card couldn't be more true. For starters, we ran into an impressive forest fire that shut down several of the hikes and view points. I was, of course, bummed as the overlooks were covered with a dusty-orange plum of smoke and the entrance path to infamous McWay Waterfall was draped in closed caution tape.

But what could we do? Not fret. We powered through the thick haze and made our way to a gorgeous hike in Lime Kiln where we met several larger-than-life Redwood trees. We took in these eerie, once-in-a-lifetime views of the Pacific Coast Highway sprinkled with firefighters. Mike confidently drove us up, down and around, pausing at every chance to get just one more photo. And yes, we finally met our Elephant Seals, just like the ones on my sister's card.

The whole trip was nothing short of brilliant. We didn't over plan or exhaust ourselves trying to see every site. We embraced every moment, even the ones in a gum-filled alley.

Self Portrait: March

Yes, I know it's long overdue. It's not March anymore, in fact we're 10 days into April and I'm just now posting my March portrait. But honestly, I took some cheesy photo last month because I was in a hurry and could have written about some non-meaningful story. Instead, I decided to wait until our annual Spring camping trip. I always look forward to these trips for many reasons. The exercise, the friends, the fresh air, the ability to clear my mind and relax. And this time I needed it more than ever.

I read an article last week from the retiring AltDaily Editor that said "Dive into Yourself." That means something different for each person. For me, for the past six weeks since my last self portrait, it means stretching my limits and crossing my boundaries. I've spent countless hours driving to estate sales. I've attended a half dozen coffee dates meeting loads of new people. I designed a "neighborhood map" which the city and Better Block has backed and will be printing for the this weekend's event. I've built a website. I had a 9-inch needle hammered into my thigh. I took a marketing class. I refinished furniture and sorted through 1,000 pounds of crafting materials. I went camping and hiked 12 miles. I'm not listing this to brag, but to simply say: I dove Head First into myself.

I'm exhausted. Drained. Pooped (as my Grandma always said). But I have never felt so great.

Monday Musebles

 Our 4th Annual Spring Camping Trip! We stayed at a new cabin this time, on Skyline drive at mile marker 81. Great location and really well-taken care of cabin.

Spring is in the air!

Newly-engaged couple, yay!

Glad we weren't the ones having to carry the chainsaw to this part of the woods!

 

Almost there, one mile to go.

10 miles down. Time for our traditional pasta dinner and s'mores. And wine.

Weekend in the Woods

 

Time for our annual camping weekend to the Shenandoah. This year we had a total of nine hikers, including my seester and her friend! 

 

We tried out a new cabin (and location), which I'm totally in love with. The cabin was originally built and used in the 1920s by conservationists who starting making all the trails. Do you see this view? It would never get old. And right on the Appalachian Trail!

We survived the more-than-10-mile hike (originally sold to us as a nine-mile hike) to see a waterfall, a cemetery, dilapidated cabins and a true rock scramble (never meant to doubt you, John).

It's tradition to have a spaghetti dinner with garlic bread, however this year, John added tofu sausage to mix things up a bit. I took the Mama role by running the fire and dishing out dinner.

#4: Visit Richmond

Precious little Molly :)

Saturday we made a trip to Richmond (#4 Visit Richmond) to visit some friends and their adorable daughter. We had such a great time hanging out and doing a little sight-seeing around the city. Plus, I inadvertently was able to cross five things off the Summer to-do list.

Lunch at Legend Brewing Company (#40 Visit a Brewery) where I tried a couple of the Pale Ales and a veggie burger with fried brussel sprouts. Not only is the beer delicious, but they had a terrific vegetarian menu and can make any burger into a meatless one!

We took a little "hike" out to Belle Isle (#66 Go Hiking), which I actually visited a few back with my sister. It was Mike's first time to the Richmond hot spot, and isn't quite convinced this would replace our weekend beach days if we lived in Richmond... I agree, but it's a pretty close second!

Then we treated ourselves to Slurpees (#22 Get a Slurpee). Sugar Free Peach Mango? Yes, please!

On Sunday we packed a little picnic lunch and headed to Maymont Park. I can't believe I had never been, or even heard of this 100-acre park. It has luscious gardens ( #47 Botanical Gardens), a petting zoo, a small wildlife preserve (with bears, eagles and foxes!), a mansion which you can tour and tons of land to just enjoy the outdoors.

I'm tackling the second annual 92 Days of Summer list.
See the full post and list here and comment
if you want to help me cross a off a few!