Monthly Archives: July 2012

The Crazy Fun Bay to Breakers Run – San Francisco

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In the Spring of 2009, Lexi had to go to San Francisco for work – poor girl.   I took advantage of this torture and we turned it into a combo work/girls trip.  While we were out and about shopping, we came across signs for the Bay to Breakers 12k foot race (The Bay to Breakers) which was set to kick off during our stay.   I always heard this race was pretty crazy – people dress up in wild costumes or nothing at all.  Of course we went straight to the registration booth and signed up. Because we registered so late, I think we were in the VERY last wave.

The next day we arrived at the start with our goofy heart shaped sunglasses and Nike running gear – that was the best we could do for a costume – lame-o.  We realized very quickly that being in the last wave meant we were with all of the drunk college kids who were throwing corn tortillas around like frisbees. Not only did we get beaned in the head by a flying tortilla, but a very inebriated runner asked us if we were moms.  I literally wanted to pummel her….not that there is anything wrong with being a mom, it was that she insinuated we were old ladies.

The race finally started and along the way, we saw naked runners with saggy rear-ends and boobs, men dressed up as women, and people running with kegs in tow. I don’t think they can do the keg thing anymore, but rest assured, sobriety and clothing are still not required to participate.

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All in all, this is one of my favorite fun runs of all time as you run through Golden Gate Park and it is incredibly entertaining.  One thing to note, the t-shirts SUCKED in 2009. They were cotton and had a windmill that covered the entire shirt – that quickly went to good will.  I couldn’t bring myself to pass it on to Greg to wear, it would have been the equivalent of approving black socks with tennis shoes.

The expo is excellent and you are sure to have a good laugh along the way.  If you want a decent finish time, I suggest you register way in advance so you are ahead of all of the frat boys and girls.  Or, just go with it and take your time – the photo opportunities are priceless so bring a camera.

Paddling the Blue Waters of Lake Tahoe

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I clearly heard Greg say he wanted to start our summer road trip in Lake Tahoe as he thought it would be a great place to kick off a vacation…..After a few weeks of research on where to stay and what to do, I shared what I found. His first question was, “Why are we going to Lake Tahoe?”  He swore the conversation never occurred. Whatever, I suppose it could have been a dream.  I plowed forward with a plan to start off in Tahoe anyway.

We did a bunch of cool stuff but thought I would focus on the day we went kayaking and happened upon some naked people while hiking in the same area.  Let me start by saying there was A LOT of wind the entire time we were there. So much, that Greg mentioned it every 10 seconds. Because of the wind, the chance to kayak on the pristine blue waters seemed to be slim to none.  Mainly because kayaking on white caps is not my personal favorite.

We never gave up hope – we got up extra early one morning and I had the Wind Monitor (aka Greg) check the velocity of the wind.  It turned out to be a pretty nice day so we drove over to the East side of the lake to a place called Sand Cove.  There are kayak rentals on the shore, however, if you happen to find another kayak shop in town that is of interest to you, they may be able to drop off some boats for you.

When we got there, the first thing I noticed is that the water is Caribbean blue – had NO idea.  It was amazing.  We hopped in our kayaks and took a right (North) to a beautiful cove about .2 miles away from the rental spot.   After about an hour and some change, the wind picked up AGAIN so we turned around and returned our equipment. Unfortunately, it was a short trip for us, but on a gorgeous day, it would be a great idea to pack some food and spend the entire afternoon paddling along the shore (the kayak company will give you dry bags).  The opportunities for some good picnicking and cove exploring are plentiful.

In spite of the devil-wind, we decided not to end the afternoon and headed South in Lola – our rented gold Chevy Impala.  A few miles down the road, we stopped at an unmarked (but rather busy) parking area and went for a hike. The trails will take you down to the shore or on a high trail that will skirt the Lake and present you with some pretty awesome views.  We took the ‘high road’ and after about a half mile, we came across a cove I would have never expected to see in Tahoe.

When I saw the clear, blue-green waters, instinct kicked in and I started snapping photos.  I was focused on the water, apparently Greg was more focused on the shore. The next thing I hear from Greg is “There are naked people down there!”   Sure enough, we inadvertently made our way to the one and only nudist beach on Lake Tahoe to a place called, ‘The Secret Cove’.  If you decide to rent kayaks, you can paddle your way down there and see some interesting stuff.

For Greg, being naked outside is second nature so it meant nothing to him.  I of course, giggled like a dork, and felt like a little school-girl.  The day ended on a good note with plenty of laughter and a ridiculous amount of wind – it was the day I fell in love with Lake Tahoe – can’t wait to go back and who knows, maybe I will end up on the beach in the Secret Cove!

Talkeetna: Funky Mountain Town with the World’s Best Cinnamon Rolls

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[slideshow]In true Life Bus fashion, Pam. Greg, Todd, and I were continuing our Alaskan adventure by driving to Denali National Park to try our hand at backpacking in Denali’s backcountry.  On the highway to Denali we saw signs for Talkeetna and veered off the road to make a pit stop here.  All we had really heard about Talkeetna was that Talkeetna was a tiny, scenic mountain town and the place where most climbers begin their quest to summit Denali.  Despite the fact that our views of Denali and the surrounding mountains were obscured by low clouds and mist, Talkeetna is a pit stop any Life Busser has to make when venturing in Alaska.  With or without the spectacular views of the Alaska Range, Talkeetna is a town with a great vibe, great food, and great people.  Even if you are not part of the mountaineers heading out to take on Denali, you can’t help but feel a part of something cool when you are here. You almost feel like you want to grab some crampons and go for it.  Normally I would never speak kindly of dampness but in Talkeetna it makes you want to grab a cozy fleece and head in doors for a cup o’ coffee and one of the world’s best cinnamon rolls. Talkeetna might be the epitome of a Life Bus pit stop.

In Talkeetna you will see people getting ready to push their limits on Denali, people who have chosen a slower life way off the grid, and people like us who love these small, out-of-the-way towns with character and scenery in abundance.  This scenic, historic, “end-of-the-road” town feels like you just stepped onto the set of Northern Exposure.  This is a town where, we were informed by the locals, they have a sign-up list for moose road kill.  When a moose is killed on the roads, the carcass gets shared with whomever is on the list.  Talk about using all of your resources to the fullest! Quaint, historic store fronts line the town’s tiny main thoroughfare with lush, beautiful flowers that appear to thrive in this damp climate.

For such a tiny town, there are quite a few great looking watering holes.  We ventured into the Roadhouse for a bite to eat.  Wow, what a find!!  Talkeetna Roadhouse.  The Roadhouse is the quintessential, mountain-town, breakfast joint jam packed with patrons hanging out in various levels of fleece / climber fashion.  The walls are adorned with tons of Denali climbing memorabilia.  It is a small, busy place and you wonder how they turn out such amazing food in a building  built in 1917.  Anyhoo, let’s get to the really important part of all of this …. the food.  We saw pancakes the size of platters draping over the edges of the plates, burritos the size of your head, and yes …. gooey, not too sweet, humongous cinnamon rolls that are gifts from heaven and still have me dreaming about them.  So good I recently tried to FedEx them to Colorado for my husband’s birthday.  No dice, they said they won’t travel well.   We then cruised over to the West Rib Pub.  We had good hamburgers and a great local bartender.

In all honesty, there isn’t a ton to do in Talkeetna proper.  It is clearly an access point to lots of outdoor adventure.  It is, however, very beautiful, has great food, and a cool vibe which makes it worth a stop.  And, if you’re lucky to have good weather, the views of the Denali and the Alaska Range are said to be breath-taking.  One caveat, we had the misfortune of sharing this quaint town with a tour bus full of cruisers from a Princess Cruise tour. They apparently descend on the town periodically.  Oh well, what do you do? So, take your bus to Talkeetna sometime.  The beauty and cinnamon rolls are worth the trip!!!

Great Food in Coral Bay St. John’s USVI

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So ya’ gotta eat while you are on an adventure, right? My friends routinely tease me because I vividly remember meals I have eaten on my travels. What can I say, I am a devoted foodie. I was blessed to have a mother who was an amazing cook and food was a big part of our family and our travel experiences. It isn’t typically super fancy food that I love, however. I am usually a sucker for the local watering hole with simple local specialties. Two tiny restaurants in Coral Bay, where I can remember each morsel I ate, are worth mentioning.

Miss Lucy’s is a tiny restaurant where your dinner table is practically sitting in the waters of Coral Bay. I can’t imagine many better places to enjoy a meal than looking out over the Caribbean with your toes almost in the water. Sometimes, the setting of a restaurant can compensate for a lot when the food is merely mediocre. This is absolutely not the case with Miss Lucy’s. If anything eclipses the fabulous setting it is the pina colada pancakes. These were LOADED with pineapple, coconut, and banana chunks and the fluffiest batter I’ve ever tasted. Todd and I also ate dinner and lunch at Miss Lucy’s. All of these other meals were very good as well. It is the pancakes, however, that I continue to dream about!! [slideshow]

Donkey Diner with kick ass food was another culinary highlight. Exactly what you’d want on a Caribbean adventure. Total boho vibe with amazing food. Todd had the stuffed french toast with mango pineapple chutney and I had the burrito special. Both meals were amazing and the staff was great. You can see that I really do vividly remember every great meal experience. So when the Life Bus takes you to Coral Bay, make sure you check out both of these places for your meals. Great locations, great vibe, and great food. What more could one ask for?

The Awesomeness that is St. John’s USVI

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Who knew that you could find quiet beaches, secluded hikes, pristine snorkeling, and an environmentally friendly resort in the Caribbean without shelling out hundreds of dollars a night? Todd and I certainly didn’t until we happened upon St. John’s USVI and the Concordia Eco Resort.[slideshow]

On a whim, Todd and I decided to go to the Caribbean over Christmas. Not exactly the cheapest place to visit that time of year! Just as we thought it wouldn’t work out,  without a huge financial commitment, we came upon an article I had torn out about snorkeling Waterlemon Cay on St. John’s and the Concordia Eco Resort.  We called immediately and, as luck would have it, they had one room left for the nights of our trip.

We couldn’t have imagined a better Caribbean experience.  Even at the busiest time of year in the Caribbean, we found ourselves frequently alone on hikes and on beaches.  Thanks to philanthropist John D. Rockefeller, approximately two thirds of St. John’s is preserved as a US National Park.  This means that for most of the island there are few roads, mega resorts, mobs of sunburned tourists, or drunk cruise ship passengers over running your paradise.  Cruz Bay, despite being a port town,  is remarkably laid back and retains it’s charm.  Coral Bay, on the opposite side of the island, is even smaller and more laid back than Cruz Bay.  It does have amazing dining, however.  (See Food Finds post on restaurants here).

So, what to do while you are on this paradise?  The options are numerous but here are some of the things we did which turned out to be fabulous!  Waterlemon Cay surpassed our expectations for snorkeling.  To get to Waterlemon Cay, you hike along a beautiful trail around Leinster Bay.  You can snorkel all the way around Waterlemon Cay but be mindful that with strong winds, the far side can be a bit rough for a novice swimmer.  Be sure to bring a picnic lunch and sunscreen.  Combine this with a hike up to the Anneberg Ruins for an amazing day of sun, snorkeling, views, and sheer Caribbean beauty.

The Reef Trail hike was a beautiful hike where you can get some good exercise.  Todd and I started at Little Lamshur beach and hiked up.  There was actually a decent amount of elevation gain on this hike.  We made it to the old plantation ruin, covered in a beautiful pink vine, before it got too late.   Little Lamshur is in the national park, it is a rather quiet beach.  At dusk, when Todd and I found ourselves alone on this beach, we threw caution to the wind and skinny dipped!!  The road to the beach is a bit bumpy but well worth the ride.  (4×4 may be advisable.)

Then of course there is Trunk Bay, Hawksnest, Cinnamon, and Maho Bay.  These have all been written about extensively and rightly so.  Beautiful, beautiful beaches.  FYI – Trunk Bay does get a lot of day-trippers from the cruise ships.  We went here later in the afternoon and had the beach all to ourselves.  No skinny dipping this time.

Driving is of course a small thrill unto itself on St. John’s.  You drive on the left side of the road and the steering wheel is also on the left.  Not too bad getting used to.  The roads are narrow two lane roads with sharp turns and 20% grades.  Nothing scary, just fun.  4×4 totally the way to go.

Last but not least, is our awesome hotel the Concordia eco resort.  Concordia is not for someone seeking a luxury 5 star Caribbean hotel experience. Concordia is a special place for so many other reasons. The location of this resort is unbeatable. Concordia is near Coral Bay.  Even though it’s only approximately 12 miles across this island, the steep, narrow, curvy roads make it hard to drive faster than 10 mph. Most people don’t even venture over to this side of the island.  The Coral Bay side of St. John’s is so much quieter you feel almost like you are alone in the Caribbean. The USVI National Park lies between the two sides of the St. John’s.  www.concordiaeco-resort.com/

Todd and I stayed in Premium Eco Tent #19.  A permanent canvas tent with everything a happy camper could want.  Full pan and dish set with 2 cooking burners, a sink for washing dishes, a cooler chest for food / beverages, a separate smaller building with solar shower / WC, and endless beautiful scenery. Potable water stations are located everywhere.  The way the tents are situated it is almost impossible to have any of your neighbors get a glimpse of you unless they are really motivated to do so.  Given the secluded setting of each tent, you can (and should) unzip all of the walls of your tent and let the amazing breezes blow through your tent along with the sounds of the sea and the glimmer of the stars.    In the event  you don’t feel like leaving this great place, the food here is very good as well.

St. John’s was a serendipitous, spur of the moment Life Bus experience.  One I could repeat year after year!  Enjoy this Caribbean jewel.  Oh yeah, don’t forget to keep a look out for the donkeys and sheep that roam the island freely.

Southeast Alaska – Cabins, Float Planes, Grizzlies, and Fish

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If you really, REALLY want to get away from it all:  TV’s, cellphones, spouses, kids, work, escape to Alaska where it is easy to get lost!   What’s that saying about dating in Alaska?  “The odds are good but the goods are odd.”   Pretty sure there is some truth to that saying based on what I have seen.  What does that have to do with travel you say?  Absolutely nothing.

After plowing through multiple guidebooks, Lexi and I concluded we needed to reserve a cabin in the Tongass National Forest in Southeast (SE) Alaska – we wanted to experience the true Alaskan wilderness and exit off the grid for a few days with Greg and Todd in tow.  I did a bunch of research – went to Outside and Backpacker magazine websites and Google, scouring for reviews on the experience. I came across a few but never found the information I was looking for – what to expect, what to bring, how to get there, etc.  Hopefully this blog will save you some time and reduce the headaches associated with planning a trip like this.

Here is the low-down on the cabin situation.  There are approximately 150 cabins in SE Alaska.  The cabins are managed by the US Forest Service and can be further researched at http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/tongass/cabins/cabins.shtml.   Descriptions on this site are relatively good and will inform you as to the location and the basic (VERY) amenities available – bed configuration, fire ring, boat availability and hiking opportunities.  They are generally located on pristine lakes, rivers, streams and salt water beaches and require a float plane to access.

First things first.  You have to figure out just how remote you want to be and how much time (and money) you have on your hands.   The islands in SE Alaska are not connected by highways so your mode of transportation is either by boat, float plane or by Alaska Air – as you can imagine, they have full marketshare of the airways up there so options are slim.  Because the islands are not easily connected, the time to get from place to place can take some time.

We were limited on time and cash so we chose a cabin that was very close to Juneau on Turner Lake.  At first, I was disappointed it was only an hour from civilization.  I really wanted to be WAY out there.  However, the further out you want to go, the greater the cost – similar to the cost to fly to Europe – fuel costs are ridiculous.  In the end, it doesn’t matter where you are.  You will definitely feel as though you are away from it all.

Key Tip:  Book the cabin at http://www.recreation.gov/ as soon as the reservation systems open up for that time period – at least 6 months ahead.  Note the cabins closer to Juneau have a tendency to fill up fast.

The next item to tackle is to determine how you are going to get there.  We chose Ward Air http://www.wardair.com/.  We have a friend who works there and has been a pilot in Alaska for a VERY long time.    We called other companies to validate pricing and they were all pretty comparable.

Key tip:   Book well in advance and ask for pilot Dan at Ward Air to escort you on your journey.  Also inquire about potential boondoggle routes you can take – over glaciers, special lakes, etc.  It will cost extra but it is well worth it!

Packing the right clothes and gear for a trip like this can be a challenge – mostly because it can be cold and rainy (even in the summer) and if you are on a lake, you may be able to partake in some fishing, kayaking or swimming activities.

Key Tip:  Bring a fishing pole (there is potential for snagging Salmon and Trout depending on cabin location), warm and cold weather clothing – preferably not cotton – that stuff doesn’t dry, I don’t care how cute it is – and rain gear.    Also, march down to your nearest bookstore and load up on books.  You will not have the option to check Facebook or read this blog!  If you want to bring a kayak or 2, don’t be shy about that – the plane should be able to accommodate you, however, I would double check with the float plane company.  You will have to bring a sleeping pad and sleeping bag with you as the beds are not equipped with mattresses.

Face it, unless you plan on hunting and fishing to feed your family and friends, you need food and drink to survive out there in the wilderness.   Pack as though you are car camping and don’t skimp.  We ran out of adult beverages on day 2 and it was painful.

Key Tip:   Bring a camping stove and plenty of fuel (cabins are not equipped with kitchens), utensils, foil (for cooking fish on the fire ring) and bring coolers of food and drink for a few extra days beyond what you are planning. We brought backpacking cooking gear with us and that worked out fine too – it just limited what we could cook.  Also, pack a water filter so you can drink the water from the near-by lake.   Chairs are a must, we had backpacking chairs which worked great.  Double check with the float plane company to see if they have weight restrictions.

Now for the good stuff.   From the moment you take off in the float plane, you will instantly feel as though you are part of something special.  Pilot Dan took us on a boondoggle past some of the most phenomenal glaciers I have ever seen in my life. After about an hour of flying around in paradise and a surprisingly smooth water landing, we made it to our destination – a small, log cabin on an emerald colored lake – nothing surrounding it but an outhouse and a couple of aluminum fishing boats. I think all of us were so excited we nearly peed our pants.

We unloaded our gear and said goodbye to Dan who said, “I will see you Tuesday noon, assuming the weather is good.”  What does THAT mean you ask?  The weather in SE Alaska can be, shall we say, moist.  So much so, the pilots cannot always come and get you as scheduled, hence the dire need to pack more food and drink than you need.  It could be days before you see your pilot.  It drizzled about 80% of the time we were there, so when Tuesday noon rolled around, we sat there like anxious dogs waiting for their owners to come home from work (he showed on time).

One last parting comment:  If you happen to see coarse, brown fur wedged in the cracks of the outside awning of your cabin and claw marks on the door and windowsills – yes folks – that means you are in the midst of grizzly country.  Understand it, respect it, and by all means, don’t do something stupid like leave your food and cooking equipment outside over night.   If you do so, rest assured you will have a visit from one of these 600 lb creatures – you could potentially put yourself and others in harms way – can’t say that would be a pleasant experience for the animal either, unless you have some tasty thighs on you.

Sound fun?  To date, It is in the top 10, “most fun things” I have ever done in my life.  I say, jump on the life bus for the experience of a life time and give it a go – grizzly bears and all.

Glow Worm Caves in New Zealand

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In 2005, I left a job that was toxic to my soul.   This is one of the rules of the Life Bus – under no circumstance is it ever acceptable to stay at a job that nearly pushes you to the brink of insanity.    As part of the healing process from this ordeal, I decided to go on a 3 week solo road trip around New Zealand (NZ).  One thing to note, I was not a photographer back then, so the only photo I could find to attach to this post is one of Jersey cows meandering on the side of the road.   Jersey cows = glow worms.

Lexi had been to NZ a few times to visit an old boyfriend and mentioned the Waitomo Glow Worm caves…sounded interesting to me so I looked into it.  Waitomo is about a 3 hour drive South of Auckland and is known for the infamous Glow Worm caves.   Visually it looks like something out of the Lord of the Rings – very ‘shire-like’. The tour Lexi took included a repelling component – I happily skipped that part and found an option less terrifying.  I booked a tour with the Blackwater Rafting Company and buckled my seatbelt for a pretty cool adventure via the Black Labryinth Tour.

Once my comrades (4 other tourists) and I paid the fees and filled out the necessary legal paperwork, we took a small bus to a shack to gear up.  And by that, I mean don some VERY heavy wetsuits with extra padding on the knees, butt and elbows.   I made the mistake of not pulling up my wetsuit appropriately and had a saggy crotch for several hours – not recommended.   We were also given some very attractive white booties and a hard hat with a headlamp attached.

We then all lined up like ducks, walked across ‘the shire’ in our getups to a mysterious crack in the earth and climbed down into the darkness.   Once we were situated in the cave, our guide Nikki tested our ability to handle the adventure – i.e., were we claustrophobic and going to have a panic attack?   We were asked to crawl, twist and turn through a VERY small ‘test’ cave – I think we had our photo taken – perhaps to see the potential terror (or not) on our faces.

I am proud to say, we all passed with flying colors and moved on to start the tour.  The first thing we saw was a 3 foot eel – it had to have been a plant (at least that is what I told myself).   The next 2 to 3 hours were spent swimming, climbing, and tubing through the immense cave system under the earth.  The water was about 10 degrees Celsius so it was definitely chilly at times.

After what felt like eternity, we stopped on a large rock and turned off our headlamps – we finally got to see what we came for – the glow-worms – they literally covered the roof of the cave.   Contrary to their name, they are not really worms but larvae that grow long, sticky tendrils.  Insects get trapped in the tendrils and are subsequently eaten.   When the glow-worms are excreting toxins, their light shines from an organ which is the equivalent of a human kidney.  The light is what ultimately attracts the insects as they believe it is the light shining at the end of the tunnel and is perhaps, a chance to escape from the cave.

I have to say the caves were cool, but I was 100% ready to see the light at the end of the tunnel.   It was pretty evident I was a little stressed down under as my wetsuit reeked of B.O. when I stripped it off.   All in all, the experience was truly amazing and I am glad I did it.  The world we live in is an incredible place with new adventures around every corner in the most unexpected places.

If the thought of crawling down into a crack in the earth makes your skin crawl, then this trip is not for you.  I believe they have boat tours that may suit you better and would still be amazing.   If you are remotely excited about the thought, jump on the Life Bus and give it a go, you will not be sorry!

Yes, you can sleep like a baby while backpacking

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I am the kind of person who can sleep anywhere, anytime and yet I have never been able to get a good night’s sleep while backpacking.  Despite the extensive collection of sleeping pads I have amassed (5), I have until recently been unsuccessful in achieving my goal of a reasonably comfortable night while backpacking.  Carrying a car-camping pad or a white-water Paco pad into the backcountry was of course not an option.

I am excited to say that Big Agnes has finally made my dream come true.  It is with great pleasure that I recommend to you the Big Agnes Q-Core sleeping pad!!  I feel passionately about the Q Core.  It is incredibly comfortable regardless of whether you are a side or back sleeper.  I am a side-sleeper and the Q Core is the first sleeping pad I have ever tried that allows me to sleep on my side without my shoulder falling asleep or my hip bone sinking into the hard ground.  If you are a back sleeper, the pad’s quilted pattern allows you to sleep comfortably without falling into the grooves created by some pads that have vertical, inflated tube structure.  Since I’m not an engineer or a technical person of any sort I won’t carry on too much about the technology behind Q Core except to say that the comfort is apparently a result of the I-Beam internal technology.  This technology allows for a smoother, more comfortable feel.  It’s true!!

The cool part is that the Q Core provides this great comfort without excess weight or size, making it excellent for backpacking.  I would even consider it a comfortable enough option for car-camping.  The Q core is a light and compact three season pad at 3.5”/9cm thick for extra comfort.  When rolled up it is about the size of a Nalgene bottle.  The pad has an estimated R value of 5.  I have heard a few comments about how long it takes to blow up the Q Core.  It took me about 5 minutes to blow the pad up while camping at an altitude of about 11,500 feet. A  small sacrifice for the quality of sleep with which you will be rewarded.  So while you’re heading out on your own life-bus experience, give this sleeping pad a try.  You really can sleep like a baby while backpacking!!

24 Perfect Hours in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

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When I was 17 years old, I took a road trip down the California coast with my best friend’s family. It was the first time I had experienced a road trip not jammed in the back of a Stay-Wag with 3 older siblings torturing me along the way or a car full of cigarette smoke with the windows rolled up – it was actually an enjoyable experience.

We started in San Francisco and made it all the way down to Redondo Beach outside of Los Angeles.  One of our pit-stops along the way was Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA which is located 120 miles South of San Francisco.   In 1982, I remember feeling as though Carmel was one of the most beautiful places in the world. We happened to pass by the Tickle Pink Inn which is perched on a cliff overlooking the Pacific ocean.  I swear it was pink at the time and I remember thinking – “It would be really killer to stay there some day.”

Fast forward 30 years later and Greg and I are on a road-trip passing through Carmel via Big Sur. I did some research on hotels via Trip Advisor and found that the Tickle Pink Inn is ranked the #1 spot to stay in the Carmel area. (You have to get over the name, it really is a beautiful place.)  I quickly got on the phone with the hotel and reserved a room for the night – with an ocean view – happy early birthday to me. And by the way, If you have never been to Big Sur, it is incredible and a must see.

This boutique hotel is a great buy.  It is somewhat expensive i.e, $250 + range but, you get all sorts of free stuff and free stuff = good stuff.    There is an excellent wine and cheese reception that is really nice AND, you are presented with a complimentary bottle of champagne when you check in.   The risk here is that you get so loaded you can’t drive to dinner and they don’t have a restaurant on site.  Continental breakfast is included in the rate. The breakfast is a little on the cheap side with what appears to be a bit of Costco ilk, however, it is free and they will deliver to your room.

Key Tip:  Request a room with an ocean view and a private balcony.   You will be completely fulfilled waking up to the sight and sound of waves crashing along the shore line. This means paying a little more, but it is worth it. Beware of overly healthy seagulls attempting to infiltrate your room if you leave the sliding glass door open too long.

If you feel the need to get out and burn some calories while you are in Carmel, check out the Point Lobos Reserve www.pointlobos.org.  If you follow the North Shore hike, you are guaranteed to spot some gorgeous harbor seals lounging around on the rocks along the coastline. Look closely as they sometimes blend in with the colors and patterns of the rocks.  If you are over 40 and have younger kids with you, have them spot those wonderful creatures. These trails are great for trail running if hiking is too tame for you. Also, you can get a nice 1 mile run/walk on the beach which you can easily access via Ocean Avenue in downtown Carmel.  If you are into golf, you will have a nice view of Pebble Beach.

Boutique shopping in Carmel can be quite fruitful.  I found some amazing Frye boots (my new faves) at Lloyd’s shoes – they also have brands like Stuart Weitzman and Tom’s.   Paloosh next door had some great stuff and carries brands like Ella Moss, Joie, and Splendid.  They get a bad wrap on Yelp because of customer service, but I had a great experience.   Girl Boy Girl (GBG) is another upscale boutique that may be considered one level up on the cost scale from Paloosh.  They sell brands like Haute Hippie, Rebecca Taylor, and Trina Turk.

As far as restaurants are concerned, if you are into Sushi, we found Sushi Heaven to be a great value and of excellent quality. The Carmel Valley Roasting Company is great for a cup of coffee, and the quaint La Bicyclette Restaurant  was excellent for dinner www.labicycletterestaurant.com. The menu changes nightly and the food is crafted with fresh local, organic ingredients, much of which is supplied by a local Middle School.

Carmel, is still a gorgeous place and will always hold a special place in my heart.  All I have to say is THANKS to Raleigh and Judy for unknowingly introducing me to the life bus in 1982!