For our anniversary my mom bought Jake and I a night at the Ashland Mountain House B&B (to use during our trip). It was a perfect break from sleeping on the ground and showering in public facilities. Ashland Mountain House is a beautiful, historic place in the rolling hills of southern Oregon, surrounded by farmland while also just minutes away from downtown Ashland. We ate dinner at a wine bar and went to see a show at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (The Very Merry Wives of Windsor). All, again, a welcome break to our rustic vaca. The next day we shot down inland CA, taking in views of Mt. Shasta for hours (and hours and hours) and making it to a small town in time to go to some wineries before setting up camp. The next day we drove through Napa and hit another winery before making our way to In-N-Out (our first time!) and then to camp in Big Sur.
Big Sur was, well, big. So big. The views are difficult to even take in because the cliffs are so steep and the roads so windy. We drove the length of it down to Hearst Castle (which was VERY cool- we recommend going there if you're in Central CA), and then drove the length back to our campsite, stopping to see elephant seals. That alone was a full day. Taking in all the views can take it out of you.
The next day we made our way back up the coast to San Francisco, stopping in Monterey for a great breakfast and visiting two breweries in Santa Cruz. Like the rest of the trip, we made the journey the vacation more than each destination we hit (now there's a life lesson wrapped up in a vacation). We stayed again with a friend (and went to another brewery), and then went to Alcatraz on our last day (and yet another brewery, of course).
Big Sur was, well, big. So big. The views are difficult to even take in because the cliffs are so steep and the roads so windy. We drove the length of it down to Hearst Castle (which was VERY cool- we recommend going there if you're in Central CA), and then drove the length back to our campsite, stopping to see elephant seals. That alone was a full day. Taking in all the views can take it out of you.
The next day we made our way back up the coast to San Francisco, stopping in Monterey for a great breakfast and visiting two breweries in Santa Cruz. Like the rest of the trip, we made the journey the vacation more than each destination we hit (now there's a life lesson wrapped up in a vacation). We stayed again with a friend (and went to another brewery), and then went to Alcatraz on our last day (and yet another brewery, of course).
We were excited to come home to our house and our pets, excited to bring back all the photos and share the stories. We were sad to leave our meandering, wandering vacation lifestyle too though. We realized this is how we love to vacation- more than arriving at an alternative to home and settling into a new space for a reprieve, we love the chance to wander and see. And to do it together is the best gift of all. I can't believe that as of tomorrow we'll have been married for an entire year.
Looks like you had a glorious vacation. The photos are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHappy anniversary!