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Dating Dan- From Wicked to the Sea.

We had one last long weekend before Nut Season starts....so, Danny thought we should get away.

• He surprised me with tickets to see Wicked!  So much fun!!
• Just time to relax
• and To the sea...always a good idea.

The Question that we asked each other for this trip.... can we....

"Go/do  one thing different than what we have done before"

 so adventure hunting we went.

First stop- Villa Montalvo with its formal Italian garden ....the garden was representative of the classical Villa gardens of Italy and the Mediterranean.  It was like we went to Italy without a passport. 

They were getting ready for a wedding so we didn't get to see as much as we would of liked.  But it was fun to go/do something new.

To the Sea

To the sea....we love the sea. We drove up Hwy 101 to Big Sur....looking for a 80 foot waterfall. (the stream heading to the sea looked like melted marbles.)  Beautiful!

On the way.... we just had to stop to explore.

We finally made it to McWay fall-  (picture below from their website)

But.... so did everyone else in the state of California- no parking for miles...to even get to the park. Located at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park...big time bummer!  (Danny's knee was giving him fits so the miles to hike were not in the cards)

We made a plan right there to come back in February during the middle of the week! 

There was so much beauty on the drive there....we didn't feel too bad about not being able to get in the park.

So....we turned around and headed back.

 Stopped for lunch at the Coast Cafe that looks like a Tree house- with front rows seats to the "Sea"

Kind of a cool interesting place....we had a salad that was awesome!

We had a wonderful relaxing time together....and we actually saw/did three new things.

With this reminder

"The Questions that we ask- shape the path we take."

My challenge to you..."Go/do one thing different than what you have done before."

Happy Day- Dating Dan is always fun!

Don't forget to enter my blog giveaway ...link here.  It ends Friday!  

Florida Vacation-

I think we can now finally relax-  Three days into our trip and all is well.  It didn't start off that way...

Just a couple hiccups 

• The airline Loss my luggage...returned to us 36 hours later.
• Resort maintenance guy in a golf cart ran into us....crazy!   We are fine...rental car not so much....but all is well.
• Learned how to avoid major slow traffic- 5  miles = 1 hour

We are now   just chilling- we sleep in until 9 or 1o, sit by the pool or drive around town.

 We  braved ...downtown Disney and spent one day at Orlando Florida Universal Studios

(and we are done with that ....It's spring break here....who knew....guess we should of checked before we came.}

We never really planned to go to Disney or Universal...just thought we would peek in....done =)

 

 We did have fun at Universal studios...not as crowded. (sounding like an old person...yikes}

 One evening we went to  La Nouba by  Cirque du Soleil   We really enjoyed the show...amazing what you can do with your body...well, what they can do. =)

Sunday has been very peaceful-

 

We are just going to chill for the rest of the day.... (take a nap}

and see what the rest of the week brings.

Happy Day

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The Best of Our Kauai Trip Part two- 2013

#datingDan

Danny came home from work and said-

 "How do you feel about getting away for a day just to hold hands and cuddle?"    Heart melting!

He made plans for us to stay at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Sacramento...not too far away, but far enough to do nothing but talk, hold hands, and dream.

Visited Old Sacramento and when to a Home Show.

It was a cold foggy day...which, was perfect for holding hands.

He also took me to some of my favorite shops.{pottery-barn, Restoration Hardware, west elm....well, you know, the fun places.}

  We took long a lunch and dinner. {No rushing  to get somewhere else, divine.} We also slept in until 10:30am.... I think I was 17 the last time I did that.

We were also amused by all the young kid {like thousands of them} staying in our area for the Sac. Anime convention.  Very amusing.....pretty much all in costume.

 {I had to text Kent and ask him what Anime stood for...now I feel a little bit cooler, I attended an anime convention. =}

 

It's amazing what 24 hours can do.

Happy day

 

 

Date night- Dinner and a train ride.

Something a little different for date night- a fun little train ride and dinner.

Where  boys go after miss behaving in the tunnel- Ha, Ha =)

It's wonderful to have  friends who are willing to do things at the last minute....and that love to be a little silly sometimes.  

Happy day

 

 

 

 

From Monterey to Yosemite

 

Danny and I took a couple of days off to get away together.... Just quiet, simple "us" time.

 I thought I would share a little bit of our trip...mainly in pictures.

1. Take your picture with Bob {our kids will understand this one =)
2. Walking- The old fisherman's wharf .
3.  Us someday.
4. I love little hidden away places.

We found this very fascinating.  Restoring an old tower.....Oh....how I would love to own a property like  this.

1. We walked for hours.
2. We sit by an open fire.
3. dreamed big dreams.
4. Sat and just watched the waves come and go. 

We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in an ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop. - Mother Teresa

I could never stay long enough on the shore, the tang of the untainted, fresh and free sea air was like a cool, quieting thought. - Helen Keller

"We can’t direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails. For maximum happiness, peace, and contentment, may we choose a positive attitude."

Love this quote by President Thomas Monson.

 

 We had a beautiful refreshing weekend dating each other.  

We came home to a home full of sweet children and grandchildren.  

1. John and Libby came for dinner and the girls went swimming.
2. Audrey's Happy Birthday- That was early in the week....just throwing that  picture in....she was so cute!

Sam and Heidi spent the night....because Sunday morning we would be heading up to Yosemite. {we live much closer to the park so by staying the night they cut down their driving time on Sunday}  Sam's Ward was in charge of the Sunday services at the little Chapel in the park.

Wonderful sweet little meeting.   Sam conducted the meeting, Bree played the piano, The administration and passing of the Sacrament done by Sam & Denver, Heidi said a prayer, and I conducted the music.  Just sweet.

{Bree playing prelude music}

Sharing a few pictures from our day-

 

We got there a little early {we were anticipating that it might take us a long time to get through the gate at the park...but it took only 5 min....so we had a little time before the meeting started.}

We have gone to the park for several years as a family to help with the serves there.....and it's tradition to have a picnic after Church.

 

Said the Savior:

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

“But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

What a beautiful world we live in....and to go from coast to mountain high in less than 24 hours....is a blessing and ......

You dear Danny, children &  grandchildren....you are my treasures.

Happy Day

 

 

Miami off road trails-

 

Friday night we decided that we were going to take "Razor" out for a little off road fun on Saturday.....Danny and I thought it would be fun just the two of us to get away for a day to ourselves.

So, I packed a lunch-

Using some left over paper items from the Vintage Spring Sorbet-

Lunch

• Chicken salad sandwiches
• Red Velvet cake stacks in a mason jar
• Fruit

Loaded up the back of "Razor" and headed off the road.

Most of the trails looked like this....lots of bumps and turns and a few  obstacles...like these.

We just barely fit under it.

Most of the drive was just beautiful scenery.

We found a quiet little grove of trees and had a wonderful picnic.

 I think "Razor" quite enjoyed getting off road and dirty.

We saw streams and waterfalls, dogwood blooming, snow flowers, and lots of manzanita blooming. I didn't know they had a pretty pink blossom.

We so enjoyed our day....prefect little date not far from home.

Hite Cove

We have been wanting to  hike Hite cove for about 8 years now....and what do we do?....decide to hike it around 5pm....we kind of roll that way.

After Sandi and Steve unload their truck {stuff for the Spring Event}  we headed out for our hike.

We wanted to see what the wildflowers were up to....of course they were a little shy and closing up for the day....but still pretty.

Here's a little look at our hike.

Hazards:  The first mile and a half of the trail winds along the hillside about a hundred feet above the river.( about what we hiked, before we headed back...didn't want to walk the trail in the dark)  There are spots, however, where the drop off is sheer enough that a fall could kill you. =) 

Pretty easy hike....we did it with-

1. My recovering knee
2. Sandi's broken toe

We are tuff that way...we come from Pioneer stock. =)

Crossed over Creeks, Streams and Bubbling Brooks...  =)

Awesome Steve.  =)

We stopped here and had dinner- peanut butter sandwiches, Nutri Grain bars and water {remember we are still rolling last minute style.}

We want to go back and hike the whole trail....around 4 miles in.....and do it during the day light hours when the poppies are opened.  =)

Happy Day

Note to self-

You'll find lots of poison oak here,  few lots of mosquitoes....for our next hike remember to take mosquito repellent and anti bacterial wipes (porta potty your only option....if you are a girl that is}

Dan, Teresa and Sandi in this shot....can you find us?

 

 Linking this up with "lets go on a date" 

 

 

Mapping our Journey together-

Dan and I have come to a point in our life together where it's a little  hard to find the perfect gifts for each other.  I find that I want to give Dan things that have a little bit more meaning.   Hence....my Valentines gift to Danny-  I call it our "Mapping our Journey together scrapbook"  I saw an idea something like this over at How does she.  I tweaked their idea a little and came up with something that would work for Dan and I.

I Love this little book- it is made of leather and vintage papers.  So stunning....smells wonderful!

Each time Dan and I go on a little adventure I plan to add the details about the trip in here.

Our first little adventure- along with what we liked about the site. {I put a little heart over the area where we stayed.}

On the page before the pictures- I left a space for each of us to write a little  romantic note to each other....I already did mine.....Danny will add his below mine.

I love this little book with its vintage papers- can't wait to fill them up with our adventures and love notes to each other.

It's the little things given with a big heart that make a marriage wonderful.

Happy Day.

 

Leather book from- Medievaljourney.etsy.com

Tracey's Maiden Voyage-

Friday we finally took Tracey on her first camping trip.  Dan worked until noon and then we headed on our way.   Sam covered for Dan at work....  Happy Day

We decided for our first trip to stay pretty close to home {for two reasons- my knee and we are new at this camping trailer thing. =)

We have been slowly stocking Tracey with everything we thought we might need- so leaving on short notice wouldn't be hard { we are short notice kind of people} all we needed to do was to get food. 

Danny took care of everything...all I needed to do was hop in the truck....and I mean that literally =)

 

{wild crazy beach hair...sorry.}

 Us with smiles on our faces....we had a awesome smooth set up.   We had reserved site number 27 at Sunset State beach.....and were bummed when we got there and the ranger made a mistake and gave it to someone else.....she said she would go talk to them and have them move....but we didn't want  the other people to have to go through that.....she then said go pick out any site we wanted.....so, that's what we did.  

We were super happy she had given our site away....the one we picked was awesome!  {thank-you ranger lady for making a mistake.}

The best one in camp.   Number 19 is going in our "Tracey Romantic camp book"  {which is a whole other post....For Valentines day I bought a vintage leather book with  vintage papers in it....{ it looks like it came  from Indiana Jones movie} Every time we go camping I plan to make a scrapbook page about it and it will go in our Romantic camp book- more on that later.  =)

The set up- Awesome!  I decided that Tracey...being the cute lady that she is...needed to have a couple banners so... everyone that saw her would know how much she is loved. =}

Inside Tracey- {We call  her Tracey because we liked that name better than the one her birth mom gave her- Tracer.  =)

One Queen size bed- Private bath with walk in large shower.  The dinning area makes into another queen size bed...good for when we take the Grand-kids.

{my only complaint about Tracey....and it is not her fault....but really guys...brown, tan & blue with wallpaper are the only options you give people to pick from.... and truly are swirls, dolphins and tigers the only things you can think of to put on the outside?  ..I have tons of ideas for you...call me =)

I think that is why so many people love vintage trailers....at least they have character....if we find we like camping this way....our next baby will be an airstream...please don't tell Tracey}

Our Camp Site-

After everything was set up- we walked the short distance to the beach- sat there for a few hours- talking and waiting for the sun to go down.

 

Beautiful evening together.

Just before we left Danny called Steve and told him what we were doing and said...Hey, if you want come on down and spend the evening with us.....Steve decided to "Tent" it.  {Sandi was at work and didn't know what was going on....sorry Sandi.}   They showed up around 9pm.....and we had a wonderful evening together.

Stayed up until 2am talking and eating pink bunny rabbit smores.

Time for bed....Everything went well with  Tracey...but we couldn't figure out how to get the heater to work....so, it was a little cold.....I thought, man If I'm Cold Sandi and Steve must be freezing!  They said they did fine....I think they were just being nice.  First thing in the morning Danny got the heater to work- so Sandi and I stayed in Tracey while the guys made breakfast for us.

Also that morning, Sandi and I took a short walk up the hill to watch the ocean and the new morning light.

After the guys finished up breakfast - we headed out for a short, slow walk- thanks to my knee...but I'm doing great- I never thought I would recover this fast.  {Still tender but hey, I can walk.}

It was a beautiful morning { we had to be out of our camp site by noon} the weather was fabulous mid 70's ....

We spent the rest of the day checking out future camp sites and exploring.

I would have to say that Tracey's maiden Voyage was fabulous.

Happy Day

Even though we don't live here....we come to this area enough for me to call it home.

linking up with designmom today for her new series- Love the place you live.

Also linking this up with Shannon's  "Lets go on a date"

 

From the Redwoods to the Beach....Date

Spectacular day- in the middle of the awe-inspiring ancient coast redwoods close to 300 feet tall and 50 feet in circumference.  Our date started with a drive to Big Basin Redwoods- in the Santa Cruz Mountains.  This place has spectacular views - we started with a picnic and then on to a short walk in the Redwoods. {because of my wimpy knee.....but next time we are planning on the sky line coastal hike....after surgery and when my knee is better.}

Here's a little look at our picnic in the Redwoods-

We loved all the beautiful colors- and the weather was perfect; slightly chilly with the sun shining  but no wind.

So many hikes to pick from- from spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, lush waterfalls, and fascinating natural wonders.

We choose to take the easy hike- like I said, because of my knee- sorry guys.

-Sharing the beauty of our hike-

The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed.

--Albert Einstein

After our hike we decided to check out the camp sites-

Lots of beautiful camping places for RV's - camp tents and camp cabins.

“Curiosity is an important trait of a genius" - Albert Einstein

Just checking out the camp cabins- not bad, kind of cute- each with it's very own wood burning stove.

Time to head to our next destination- the Beach......stopped at a local Diary Freeze- so Steve could reminisce - His Father owned one when he was a child.....we shared milk shakes and watched all the bikers head up the tail- even talked to one guy who had biked 90 miles that day- Wow!

-The Beach-

Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not. --Ralph Waldo Emerson

We walked the boardwalk then the beach.

Watching the day come to an end- soft, calm and lovely.

"I thank you God for this most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes."--e.e. cummings

 

I agree- Happy Day.

linking this post up with Shannon's date  link up.