A Visit to the Past? Why, Yes, It Is

I'll freely admit this is a repost of last year's Spring Break. Only because I have not gotten to our insanely wonderful Spring Break trip this year. Enjoy! And if you're anywhere near Pismo Beach in California, you won't regret visiting Sycamore Springs.

For a rundown of the whole trip and links to other activities from our vacation, go here.

Our first day in Pismo Beach we hit up the natural mineral springs hot tubs in Avila Beach at Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort. Brando had the brilliant idea of splurging on massages beforehand. Generally they have you use the hot tubs beforehand, but because we were headed to dinner afterwards and Brando wanted to make sure we could rinse the massage off, he insisted we use them afterwards. Fortunately, Ashley (oh I hope that's her name!) at Sycamore Mineral Springs was kind enough to make sure we would have one afterwards as she knew they were not booked at all for the Friday afternoon.

We arrived for our massages and entered the cute little gift shop area,

and then through a walkway to our massage area. We were met in the lobby by Ashley and sent back to change in the lush bathrooms.

Once changed into our robes we headed to our beautiful private couples massage room.

I love the details adorning the door handles.

The entire grounds surrounding the massage room were stunning.

Inside the rooms you could hear the birds tweeting outside.The ceilings were open at one time when the rooms were private jacuzzi rooms and now have gorgeous wood covering them giving them an open airy feeling. The black curtain appears to be used to separate the two massage tables.After our fantastic massages (wish I could remember the names of the masseuses),

we headed straight up to our private outdoor natural mineral springs jacuzzi. The walk itself was lush green, and gorgeous. When we got to our stairs that had the sign directing us to our hot tub,

I absolutely LOVEd that we had a private little walkway to our very own hot tub.

The views of the other hot tubs through the trees was beautiful.

Once we got to our own little place (as you can see, I couldn't be bothered to stop walking to take the picture, thus the blur of action)

we were relieved to see no one could be looking down on us from above.

Brando hopped in right away.

An hour or so of soaking,

taking fun photos,

and taking in the beauty surrounding us, we leisurely headed back to the main shop area to walk around.

We had seen a purple tree orchard and a sign for a labyrinth on the way in, so now was the perfect time to check it out before the sun set.

The labyrinth was mesmerizing.

Yes, I attempted to walk it, but gave up after the first 5 minutes as were on our way to dinner to see my childhood best friend. The purple tree orchard was my priority any way, with it's gorgeous blossoms and volcanic mountains in the background.

Stunning. I love how relaxed my smile looked and felt after the massages and soak.

Trip Outfits

I always love visiting California, besides family and friends and being my hometown, I get the best outfit inspiration there, and the weather is perfect for any combination of clothing. The sunshine, the casualness, and the free spirit lend themselves to trying new combinations.

In Santa Cruz, it was a little too chilly to wear a straight up miniskirt (I don't care if I'm turning 30, I'm still wearing them :) -- and I'm glad to see I'm not the only one), so I wore leggings under it, a black tank, a black short-sleeve jacket that I adore, the silver sandals I love that M and Li bought me for my birthday a few years back, and tons of jewelry, for lunch at Crow's Nest, going to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, and a few beaches. This was the first time I'd worn a ton of bracelet bangles and I'm in LOVE. I threw deconstructed teal earrings together with metal bangles, a pearl bracelet, silver bangles, a rhinestone bracelet, and royal blue bangles. Perfect.

and an obligatory photo of the guest bedroom that will no longer be, but replaced by something even better...

To see Point Lobos in Big Sur, I wore my fav skinny jeans with one of my favorite sexy but casual grey stripe off the shoulder shirts, along with my earrings from our second trip to Hawaii, and my new favorite self-made set of bangles.

For ATV riding in Pismo Beach, it was skinny jeans and a t-shirt, a necklace Shawners made for me out of red and purple paperclips, my favorite black earrings, my new "fill in" heart bracelet as I had forgotten the one Brando got me for our first anniversary at home, and a newsboy hat to keep the hair from going crazy since we had massages scheduled, then a dinner date with my childhood best friend later that evening.

Before I Forget

This trip has been epic. Oh, and my back recovered later on Saturday, thank goodness. Not 100% up to par, but definitely not feeling like I need to be back in bed. The chiropractor said recovery would be quicker, and I'm glad that has been happening! This is becoming a story of my back blog, so back to the trip...

Thursday -
Arrived in Santa Cruz
Had lunch at In n Out (the first of many at In n Out) with my Mommy
Brando and I went to an event my dad put on at a restaurant in San Jose and had a delicious dinner while the boys stayed with Brando's Mom

Friday -
Lunch at Walnut Avenue Cafe with Brando's Mom
Shopping with Brando's Mom - got a new wardrobe, whoo - spoiled me!
Dinner at Kianti's with my family

Saturday -
Watched the sunrise over the city and the ocean
Watched the tsunami hit SC at West Cliff while on the phone with my Mom who was watching it at the harbor
Had breakfast at Kellye's French Pastries - delicious
Lunch at Crow's Nest on the beach with my Mom, sister, nieces & nephews
Took the boys to the Boardwalk on the beach
Watched the boys play on the beach and in the ocean

Sunday -
Ate breakfast at Aldo's on the harbor with Grandma and Grandpa
Took the boys to Seymour Marine Center to hold starfish and see dolphins while Grandma and Grandpa napped in their RV
Took the boys to the movies to see Rango with Grandma and Grandpa

Monday -
Lunch with my Mom at Paradise Beach Grille on the ocean
Headed to Sacramento to stay with my sister

Tuesday -
Went to Northstar where Brando & Justinbustin snowboarded and I skiied
Brando and Justinbustin snowboarded down the mountain all day
Went all the way up to the summit on my first time skiing and very second run - the first run was the bunny hill - Brando has a video of me going down it then turning around and saying, "Okay, I'm ready to go up the mountain!"

Wednesday -
Headed back to SC by way of San Francisco
Took the boys to the Golden Gate bridge with the view of Alcatraz, Angel Island, and the coast
Had dinner with my cousins and their baby
Made the final stretch to SC

Thursday -
Brando and I went on our romantic venture to Pismo Beach by way of Carmel & Pebble Beach
Stopped at the Farm in Aptos for our favorite lunch ever and orgasmic tasting coconut macaroons
Brando bought me a beautiful bracelet and necklace at the Farm to take the place on the trip of the special ones I usually bring but accidentally left at home
Hiked Point Lobos in Carmel
Had dinner with my aunt and uncle at Pebble Beach
Made the final stretch to Pismo

Friday -
Rode ATVs from BJs on the beach
Drove on the beach at Oceano
Had massages at Sycamore Mineral Springs
Soaked in the natural mineral springs hot tubs at same
Ate delicious sushi at Yanagi (yummy eel, tuna, and salmon rolls) with my childhood best friend and her new boyfriend

Saturday -
Watched the sunrise on the beach with delicious cinnamon rolls from Old West Cinnamon Rolls
Visited with another aunt and uncle
Stopped by Edna Valley Vineyard and wine tasted with a gorgeous view (stinkin' headache afterward but it was worth it)
Went to Montana De Oro
Drove by Avila Beach

Sunday -
Had cinnamon rolls with my childhood best friend
Headed home to SC a day early to avoid the storm hitting Pismo
Said goodbye to my sister who had come in for the weekend and was heading back home
Brando's Mom took the boys out to feed the seals, shop, and have lunch so Brando and I could finish off our weekend
Went shopping - California has such awesome clothing and prices
Dinner at Soif, one of Brando's and my old haunts - so romantic to go back
Gelatto at Riva's on the Wharf

Monday -
Had brunch at my favorite bakery and cafe ever, The Farm, in Aptos
Shopped at The Farm as they also have my favorite gift store ever
Found our own private scenic view of the coast on the way to Capitola, a first for both of us
Walked in Capitola Village
Walked Capitola Wharf
Lunch at Bocci's Cellar with Brando's Mom for her birthday
Dinner at the ever beautiful Shadowbrook with my family

Tuesday -
Took Justinbustin surfing in the morning
Met a new blogger friend while he was out in the water with her friends
Had lunch at the Farm again with Brando's Mom
Drove over the hill on the way to the airport
Ate at In N Out
Hung out in my parent's RV
And we were off, just like that - sadness

Trip & Mend

Tall Sassy Gal had a good question on my last post - is it just Brando and I, or are the kids coming with? The answer is since our anniversary date in November is so busy with Thanksgiving and birthdays, we celebrate our anniversary over Spring Break. We take the kids to the grandparents in our coastal hometown in Cali, spend a day to a few days with them, then take off on our own. This time we will take the kids to the snow for a few days before we come back to our hometown and take off. So, yes, it's just Brando and I.

Also, I found an aaaamazing chiropractor for my back. One that won't make me come in three times a week forever (because, let's face it, I won't, besides not having the money, never mind the time). I've had two appointments so far with another eight or so to go and am already feeling HUMUNGOUS times better. Unfortunately I was an idiot and vacuumed my house on Saturday after having the appointment Friday and feeling FANTASTIC through errands, halfway putting on a spare, and sitting an hour and a half in traffic. Apparently activities like vacuuming, sweeping, mopping, and raking (you know all the things that DESPERATELY need to happen after five weeks of me being in bed) are triggers because of all the twisting and holding weight out at arms length - hence my forty pound vacuum triggering me being back on my bed for three hours. Fortunately, I actually recovered and felt almost fantastic again Sunday! I went back for my second appointment today and feel like the triggers I set off with the vacuuming are gone, thank GOODness.

Speaking of the trip, the chiropractor vetoed some of my crazier activities I reported in my previous post (apparently, not to scare me he said, but he's seen two people have to have back surgery from going on a high speed power boat and getting hurt when the boat came down and hit the waves - I've been on a boat in choppy waters in a lake and was literally crying until I realized sitting in the back was much much better, so I can't imagine what being on the ocean would be like - he said sitting by the engine would be fine, but now I'm not sure I want to chance it). I have a few more activities to ask him about when I see him once more before we go on our trip. I can't help it, when I feel myself (like I am feeling closer and closer to these days - hallelujah!!) I want to do EVERYthing. I am finding out more and more these days that is who I am : ) .

So Many Choices So Little Time

This spring break we have been debating spending time in Napa, Pismo Beach, Yosemite, or Lake Tahoe. Lake Tahoe is for the kiddos with the snow, Napa would be for wine, Yosemite would be for hiking, and Pismo would be for wine, beach, hiking, AND wine. So obviously Pismo wins.

I have been wanting to do Napa forEVER, but I think there's a reason I haven't done it yet. I don't really want to. I'm not *that* into wine these days since wine gives me a killer headache the next day and counts me out for the day, even with one glass. Recently I found out I'm allergic to the tannins in wine. Tannins are added for flavor, and I discovered that Pinot Noir has super low tannins, especially the least expensive ones. Perfect! Of course, only being able to drink one option of wine doesn't make for a very exciting trip to Napa. Besides, I'm more of a mountain and beach girl, than a valley girl I am realizing. The idea of spending my vacation time drinking something that generally gives me a headache and being surrounded by mountains that I'm not on, as well as the nearest beach being more than three hours away has started to sound less appealing to me.

Yosemite presents a similar problem. Though there is FANTASTIC hiking - which I am not up to par for at the moment - the closest beach is even farther away, and hiking seems the only option. That and gorgeous views of waterfalls.

Lake Tahoe is a must-do, but not as a getaway for Brando and I. We'll hit the slopes with the kids there and possibly try some snow mobiling and zip lining this time.

If you can't tell by now, I'm an options girl. After weeks of research on Napa and finding only winery after winery, I was completely ECSTATIC just now when I started my research for Pismo Beach. The options I found within half an hour of research blow my mind and have me absolutely giddy. As always, I've found too much to do.

Hearst Castle

Sycamore Mineral Springs (for the hot springs jacuzzis)

Wine Tasting (specifically Edna Valley Winery overlooking Islay Hill, a dormant volcano)

Corralina Coves for tidepooling

Montana de Oro State Park for horse back riding

Elephant Seal Beach at San Simeon

Moonstone Beach Drive boardwalk along the beach

Paso Robles Wine Events

ATV Riding on the sand dunes and along the water

Hang Gliding

Kayaking (in a bird sanctuary with pelicans)

Sea Lions at Avila Beach Drive

Clamming

Morro Rock at low tide

Jet Skiing

High Speed Boat Ride coastal tour

Bike Cruisers (love doing this along the beach)

Hummer Sand Dune tours

I'll have to choose between the activities, I'm sure, as try as I might we couldn't quite possibly do them all and actually enjoy them all. As I went through that list I found even MORE to do that I added above and am now so over the top excited I actually squealed and Shawners asked if that was a cat. And the best part? My Aunt has a vacation home we can use there. Now to just figure out what days to be there, and what days to be at the snow.

Girls Weekend

Hello, Phoenix! It was so good to see you this weekend. Unfortunately, it flew by all too quick to enjoy every aspect of your perfect weather clad atmosphere. Your mountains are beautiful, and the sanctuary you provide my sisters, cousins, Grandma, Grandpa, and I is irreplaceable. From shopping, to having tea parties in
and laying out by the pool, to bonding conversations, to having our hair colored by my hairdresser sister, to eating out, to enjoying filet mignon grilled by my grandpa, being introduced to a new card game called 31 won by my sister who was turning 31 that day, to massages, to riding golf cartsincluding fitting six people on a two seater, to telling each other ten things we appreciate about each other with lots of tears, it was a weekend to remember.

Oh the Places You Will Go

Excuse me while I take another little jaunt, this time for our renewalmoon. Brando and I will be married ten years this year and we celebrated by renewing our vows on the beach he proposed to me at in a ceremony unlike our first. Our first had only ten people, this one we invited all, and as many as could be there in the two weeks short notice we gave them were there. My best friend from my childhood and my sister stood up next to me, and the boys, Brando's brother, and his childhood friend stood next to him. I designed my flowers, my sister-in-law sang You and Me by Lifehouse only changing the words "everything she does is beautiful, everything she does is right" to "everything you do is beautiful, everything you do is right", and we celebrated by having our favorite restaurants cater to my parents backyard on the harbor with a soundtrack made by my girlfriend, A, here in Texas. It was beautiful. Simple. Sweet. Perfect.

The week before we took a renewalmoon by visiting my cousin, whom I normally visit once a year. It was so much fun to take Brando this time and show him all my favorite haunts.

We started out with a California coast road trip via the Pacific Coast Highway along with appropriate road trip snacks of course,

past gorgeous California vineyards

down the historic El Camino Real,

a gas station stop and a quick picture in case I didn't get any more before the sun set, though fortunately I did.

Finally, the beautiful California coast gracing the road,

stopping at a vista point,

more coastal road side beauty,

then to see the sunset in Ventura.

We spent the next few days around Orange County and I can't wait to show you pictures of those adventures! It's so strange to have pictures of Brando and I instead of my cousin and I this time around, but I love it, and fortunately we still got a few super cute pictures of my cousin and I.

Off to Scarborough Faire we go

This weekend we joined a group of friends to go to Scarborough Renaissance Festival in Waxahachie. A couple of Brando's friends arranged for a group of us to stay at her dad's house, and be able to attend the faire all day on Saturday and Sunday for those who could go. Brando had to work Saturday and K's birthday party was on Saturday as well, so we drove up that evening and stayed the night. The faire itself was gorgeous with all the bright colors, costumes, and so much fun with everybody in character. Getting there was an adventure with deflating air mattresses - twin ones at that, Justinb puking, washing the comforters, rugs, bedskirts, white carpet at midnight. Definitely an adventure! Sunday morning we woke up, showered and shined, and headed off. We had a belly dancer, a captain, a Scot, and a wench amongst us. And then there was Brando and I... we didn't dress up : ) . If we go next year, though, we definitely will and then we'll add an archer and a fairy to the group. The shows were a ton of fun, and hilarious, from German rappers, Zilch the Tory Steller, to Don Juan & Miguel, to a really educational show with hawks, bald eagles, and owls called Birds of Prey. Shawners rode the catapult and looked like he was going to hurl the whole time, it was so cute. He wanted to go again! The kids loved the faire, and we did really well with not spending too much money up until the very ending *here's looking at you, Brando*. He was nice and bought me a gift. Unfortunately it was way beyond our means right now or anytime recently. Definitely won't be spending that much next time we go, or we won't be able to go ever again! We had a blast, learned a lot (about ALL aspects of life), and came back to Shawner's last week of first grade!

What We Did Do in Hawaii

White Plains Beach where Brando attempted to surf - I was a wimp because the water there was too cold, Bellows Beach with beautiful white powder sand and clear warm water set against the back drop of the incredible mountains that looked they were carved by a hundred different waterfalls and covered in a luscious green, Sunset Beach where we saw the sunset twice, Turtle Beach where we saw sea turtles lounging on the beach, drove by Waimea Beach every day

Ko Olina Resort lagoons and tide pools

Waimea Valley Audobon Center

Sailing on the Makani Catamaran by Waikiki, Diamond Head and watching whales

Hiking Diamond Head

Cocktails, coconut shrimp, beef brochette, and seafood egg rolls watching a show at Halekulani House Without a Key, a restaurant on the beach at a gorgeous resort

Cafe Hale'iwa four times, Brandon's favorite

Shark's Cove tide pools

Halana Blowhole and another gorgeous lookout

A bar on the beach next to our bay, with a lava flow watching the sunset

Kayak Surfing and Kayaking alongside a sea turtle for an hour and a half

Kayaking with Alyssa's little girls

Matsumato's shave ice twice

Dinner at Ola's at Turtle Bay Resort where the Hills was filmed a few weeks ago. Eeee! That was even a little better than our normal girls' nights watching it ; ) .

Drove the east coast which was gorgeous along the southeastern end and driving right next to the beach but depressing when we got to the northeastern drive where the homes were right on the water but so weather beaten and junk laden that they looked desolate

Brando swam under a waterfall at Waimea Audobon Center

Pearl Harbor, the USS Bowfin and Arizona Memorial

Aloha Bowl Swap Meet for souvenirs

Dole Plantation, where we had pineapple ice cream (yum!)

Dinner twice with Alyssa's family!

A stroll along our private beach and bay

Drove by Chinaman's Hat island while driving the windward side

Snorkeled Haunama Bay and Shark's Cove (AMAZING! Now we wish we had snorkeled there both times)

Walked the cute little beach town of Hale'iwa

Malasadas from Leonard's (thanks, Alyssa!)

Basically everything on my first list minus two, plus a few from the other list (we decided we'd rather relax and not stress about money than do the shark swim)! Yay!

So Many Choices, Too Little Time!!!

This is where I bring you guys and your expertise in : ) . Oh my word!! We are going to Oahu for spring break and WOW there are SO many things I want to do. I've had my itinerary planned out for three months now, but the more I research, make reservations, and plan out routes, the more and more I want to do. Here is what is on there so far:

Tons of beaches (Bellows, Sunset, Turtle, Waimea, Ko Olina)
Snorkeling (Sharks Cove, Haunama Bay)
Shark Swim (although I'm iffying on this one as it's $200 for the both of us. I don't know where but I had gotten the idea it was $130 for both of us)
Sunset Sailboat Ride (again I'm iffy on this in changing it into a morning or afternoon sail. There would be more time to see the coast, plus apparently you can see whales. You can see them on the sunset one too, only the sun sets halfway thru.)
Coffee and macademia nut farm
Pearl Harbor
Kayaking
Waimea Falls & Botanical Garden
Hawaiian flea market (has special name, can't remember it right now)

Any sane person would be perfectly happy with that list, right? Maybe I'm not sane. This is the list I've come up with of things I'd like to do as well. I may even be willing to trade some stuff out, I just can't figure what!!

Hike Diamond Head
Rent a bike for a half day in Kailua
Kayak Kailua to the islands
Halona Blowhole
Tantalus Drive (we may squeeze this one in one afternoon)
Punchbowl
Morning or afternoon whale watching sail (already mentioned that one)

What do you guys think? Anything on the second list sound like a must trade?