A few weeks after we moved into our new home, I kind of hit a wall. Between selling one house and moving into another (in a new town), pandemic, distance learning, wildfires and record heat I hit my breaking point. I sat on the wood floor of my new bedroom and tried to gather my pieces and parts back. I felt completely overwhelmed and tired. I quickly realized that I needed a reset button. I needed a break, a getaway from being a mom or a driver or an unpack-er. I knew that I couldn’t be away from home for too long and really, I didn’t need that long. With travel restrictions, I also knew I wouldn’t be able to go too far. Then I remembered my favorite place in all of California: Carmel-by-the-Sea. Ever since we moved to California 16 years ago, Carmel-by-the-Sea (also simply known as Carmel) has consistently been my favorite place to go. It has tons of historic charm, beautiful storybook homes and flowers and shops, the beach and cool breezy temps. Literally perfect. Carmel has always been a place that I have “escaped” to by myself over the years for recharging getaways. It became apparent that Carmel would be the best place to go for my reset.

I thought about just going by myself but realized I would have more fun if I was with a friend, so Ruth came with me! We have fun together wherever we go so off we went on a little road trip. It was SO MUCH FUN. And so needed for both of us. Thank goodness for wonderful friends and beautiful places.

The Wayside Inn was fantastic. Most comfortable beds I have slept on in a very long time. Also, it was so nice to have a hotel experience for the first time in over seven months. Now, there many have been a slight ghost/haunting experience at 1 AM…but I will save that for another time.

Carmel is just SO pretty. I am content to just walk around the streets within the Golden Rectangle and take in the homes and their landscaping. So inspiring! All of the little galleries and shops (plus Anthropologie is there so that always helps), bakeries and restaurants – it’s all impossibly charming and individual and beautiful. We would stop at a bakery and grab something then just walk, stop at another place and get something and walk. Heavenly.

Walking along this beach was SO glorious and SO needed. There were actually a lot of people on the beach and most were wearing masks. There was a sign at the entrance to the beach showing fines for not wearing masks…so clearly it made sense to just wear the dang mask.

One of my favorite stores in the whole world is Johnny Was. They have a store in the Golden Triangle and were selling packs of silk masks. I purchased a pack and this particular silk mask has been the only one I have worn ever since. They are lined in cotton and are both beautiful and breathable. I told Ruth that since it looks like we will be living with masks for a long time we may as well have beautiful ones. She promptly went back into the store and bought a pack for herself.

There was this amazing Turkish imports shop off of Ocean Avenue where I fell in love with every SINGLE thing and felt like my heart was going to explode. My weaknesses in life are all things Moroccan and all things Turkish. Fun fact: Sam and I had an eight day trip to Istanbul on the books for this past July and then BAM – COVID destroyed all travel. I still feel sad when I think about the cancellation of that trip. Someday we will get over there but in the meantime this shop filled my head and heart with inspiration and joy. I picked up this ceramic wall hanging for our foyer.

After a negative experience at Anton and Michel (seriously so snooty), we left and instead found the best dinner at Patisserie Boissiere. WOW this place is a redo for sure. We sat outside on the sidewalk eating our Shepards Pie and Chicken Pot Pie French style and just had the best time. If you are ever in Carmel, go to Patisserie Boissiere; you will be so glad that you did. My mouth is watering just remembering how delicious and cozy this meal was.

The next day we drove 17 Mile Drive before heading back to the Bay Area. Unfortunately we were not able to drive by the Lone Cyprus but we meandered in and out and around the coast until we got our fill.

I can honestly say that when I got back to Auburn I was refreshed and recharged. Life still came at me the moment I got home (because I am a mom with four kids) but my cup had been refilled by a break, by the sea, by friendship and good food and inspiration and distractions and sleep. It was truly restorative. I’m already plotting a way to do the same trip again in January or February, right when I know I will need a little break. Thank you Carmel for always being just what my soul needs.