Better late than never

Today marks one month since the hubs and I returned from our week long trip down the California coast. We have traveled a fair amount, mostly outside of the United States, but this trip was, hands down, the best vacation we've ever taken.

So often, when Americans vacation, we try to travel outside of the country. Cruises, the Carribean, Europe, Mexico- we're all trying to get out! The truth is, there's so much to see in our own backyard.

The hubs was gone all summer so I planned our 7 day trip down the "golden coast." Our adventure began in Sonoma, and continued down (via convertible woohoo!) to San Francisco, then Monterrey and Carmel. We spent 2-3 days in each place and saw the best of what they had to offer. Our trip was a perfect marriage of meticulously  planned activities, spontaneity and exploring the beaten path.

I could ramble on and on about all we did, but I will allow our photos to tell the story. Enjoy!

                          

                            

                           

 

There you have it, in 31 photos, our California adventure.

Heading West

One of my most favorite things to do is travel and I have been blessed with the opportunity to travel quite a bit this year. In April I went on a cruise with my girlfriends to the Bahamas and had more fun than should be legal,  last month I ventured to the Florida Keys. Though each vacation was a blast, I'm sad to say that neither of them was spent with Paul.

Well, that's all about to change! I am so excited to share that, my handsome husband of mine and I will be heading West next week to spend eight days traveling the California Coast. I have an exciting trip planned for the two of us as we hit up Sonoma, San Francisco, Monterey and Carmel.

  I am so excited, I can hardly breath.

Because I'm obsessive compulsive a planner, I have made a spreadsheet of what I'd like to do each day of our trip. I've been researching for months and months and have narrowed down the major details of our trip and scored great deals in some wonderful hotels and B&B's. With only 2-3 days in each place, I don't want to waste my time trying to figure things out. Though nothing is written in stone, I feel more comfortable vacationing with an agenda in mind.

The thing about me and traveling, which drives the hubs a bit nuts, is that I always say I don't want to travel 'like a tourist.' When I go somewhere, I want to experience it. I want to do what the locals do, eat where they eat, and really get the idea of what the place is all about. I want to find those 'hidden gems' that a city has to offer. Call me a snob, but under no circumstance will you ever find me in a chain restaurant, Planet Hollywood, Hardrock Cafe, or TGI Fridays when I am vacationing. The only exception to this rule is The Rainforest Cafe- who doesn't love a thunderstorm every 15 minutes and a talking Willow Tree? This girl sure does!

Vegas 2008 Rainforest Cafe

Needless to say, I cannot wait to head West for a week full of food, wine, scenery, and fun with a guy I'm pretty fond of. I will be sure to have lots of pics and posts to share of our adventure!

I know that am a little, ok a lot, nuts when it comes to planning a trip so I'm curious about others. What is your vacation style? Do you prefer to plan ahead or play it by ear? Go the tourist route or take the road less traveled? Anyone have any tips on California- I want to hear it all!

Key West- "Where the World Goes to Party"

... or to kill time while their husband works!

This summer is very bittersweet for me. Though I have 10 glorious weeks off, Paul will be gone for 7 of them. This separation makes for a bit of loneliness, many house projects, countless dinners alone, and... the chance to travel! What sense would it make to be a Navy wife without taking advantage of this sweet, sweet opportunity?

I was fortunate enough to spend 4 1/2 days "with" Paul this week in beautiful Key West. Though Paul worked 3 of the 4 1/2 days I was there, I managed to find plenty to do to entertain myself. There is nothing a good book and a beautiful beach can't solve.

Did you know that approximately 800 islands make up the Florida Keys? Of these islands, only 30 are inhabited by people. Key West has the greatest population of 25,000 full year residents, or "Conch's" as they are called.


Key West offers something for everyone; museums, history, art, diversity, beaches and...drinking. There is never an inappropriate time to have a cocktail (or two) in hand. Most people that visit Key West take full advantage of this, myself included!


A trip to Key West would not be complete without the very cliche, yet very necessary photograph with the Southernmost Point marker. This marks a distance of 90 miles from Cuba, which is actually closer to Key West than Miami (154 miles).

The highlight of my trip was my visit to Mallory Square. According to the locals, Mallory Square used to be a quiet place for Conch's to hang out, drink, and party. With a backdrop of an unrivaled sunset, who can blame them for choosing this spot so many years ago? In recent years, Mallory Square has become a large tourist attraction, full of performers and local art vendors. What has not changed, is the view of the sunset. Absolutely and simply breathtaking.