F and I went away on our first trip alone since Otis was 6 months old and it was AMAZING. I had been feeling really anxious about it, especially since Bee’s never spent the night without us. And then there was that incident before Christmas where she woke up from her nap to find only my Dad, and was initially happy but then started weeping uncontrollably as she stared at herself in the mirror. That doesn’t inspire confidence in a parent and in fact strikes terror in the hearts of babysitting grandparents.
We went to Big Sur, and it was breathtakingly beautiful and oh-so peaceful.
See this? It’s the view from Highway One. The drive is hair-raising and car sick-making, but can you believe how stunning it is?
It turns out this pavement-lover loves a good nature walk.
Don’t I look sporty here?
That’s not enough proof that I actually went on a hike?
How about here?
Don’t I look so natural and comfortable in the wild environment?
I’m converted. In fact, we already took the kids on a hike this past weekend, and plan to do more.
Of course, all was fine at home, with many phone calls and a few tears. It was my tender-hearted Otis who was most sad. But it has made me feel like evenings and nights away from our children are things we can and should do. I was talking with a woman who has teenagers right after my trip, and she gave me the advice to start going away for progressively longer trips from now on. Hmmm, looks like Wu Yi Lao Lao will be on the hook after she returns from Taiwan….
Inspirational. On more than one front.
Ooo, where did you stay/what else did you guys do in Big Sur? I’m thinking of planning a one-year wedding anniversary mini-vacation there and would love suggestions, especially since it seems like you guys had a great time!
I am glad everyone enjoyed their weekends! Making the trips away adventures for everyone (or having the kids spoiled by the grandparents) is the way to go!
Did you go to Julia Pfeiffer State Park to see the waterfall falling onto the beach – that was one of my most amazing memories of driving down Highway 1.
well done on the hiking – there are so many straightforward hikes for families that everyone can enjoy. And you have much better weather than we do here in Scotland! More likely to be blown off the cliff than fall of it!
Wouldn’t it be great if you set camp there, too? I think the place is good for that. But I’m not really sure if that’s possible or safe.