california – VEG VIBES

Summer staycation

Published on August 16, 2024August 19, 2024 by ashley@vegvibesLeave a comment

Summer is coming to an end and we have a lot of big stuff happening in our fam! Notably Cam starting TK. His last day at preschool was in early August and, at the school Director’s advice, we took some time away before his first day of public school to decompress and help with the transition. (Listen, if an educational professional is recommending a family vacation – who am I to disagree?!)

We opted for a 2-part staycation; the first half at Clear Lake with friends and the second half in Sonoma with just us. Having taken all of Friday off to commute to the Lake – about a 4 hour drive – we decided to spilt up our time in the car and make a pitstop at the Oakland zoo. This is the first zoo Cam has been to and… will probably be the only one for some time. We found the experience lackluster with only a few animal sightings. The train ride we kicked things off with was fun but an additional cost to the entrance tickets so kind of annoying there.

Two highlights were a gondola ride to the top of a mountain where we had lunch with sweeping views of the Bay Area and a conservation habitarium that allowed visitors to “explore California’s diverse habitats by stepping into the work and world of conservation researchers.” Cam was pretty stoked on both of these; loving “riding the ride” (gondola) and playing with all of the hands-on things in the habitarium, particularly chilling out in a pretend kayak.

We also saw a few bears up there, which was cool but a bit depressing too… you know that sad feeling you get when you see an animal in captivity?

Having exhausted things we wanted to do, we left a little earlier than planned, figuring it was better to beat traffic to the lake anyway!

About 3 hours, one stop for gas, and a drivethru cash wash (because why not?), we arrived at our friend’s lake house. I just checked and there is a post from 2017 from our visit here – before we were even married or had kids!

This time we had a whole crew; our friend Lauren’s parents, who graciously hosted us, Lauren herself and her husband, and another bestie, Leslie, and her beau (plus 4 dogs). We had dinner on the deck and chatted into the evening on our first night there, realizing we had planned the weekend a whole SIX MONTHS in advance. The prep time needed to align calendars… whew.

Lake days typically start and end on the deck overlooking the lake and, really, how could they not? It is so pleasant out there with lounge chairs and a fire pit overlooking the water. I love hearing the sound of the waves lapping. Particularly with a cup of coffee. Which is exactly how Saturday started before we went out on the boat.

We’re fortunate that our lake visits include boat rides captained by Lauren’s dad. Cam loves this portion of the weekend (well, we all do but kids just make things extra special) and it was fun to see him adventure out more this year compared to last summer. He got in the water to swim around vs. just sitting on the back of the boat with me. Of course he was also totally in his element with 6 adults paying attention to him and asking if they should dive or canyon ball into the lake, with him counting them down each time.

We spent most of the afternoon swimming and jumping off of the boat together (others tried various water-sports like wake surfing and waterskiing too). A quintessential summer afternoon before enjoying another dinner and evening back on the deck.

After coffee and taking in the view one last time the next morning, Mike, Cam, and I drove on to the second part of our journey. We were staying about 2 hours from there at the Silverado Resort & Spa, a gorgeous property that offers decent priced rooms and villas but doesn’t lack any of the luxury, in my opinion.

Since check in wasn’t until 4pm, we hit up the Sonoma TrainTown Railway to occupy some of the afternoon. Cam loves anything with wheels so we knew this place would be a hit. The entrance is a bit uninspiring. As you walk through small doors that are basically in the parking lot, you are dropped right on the train track. We were confused if you could just get on the train or if you had to wait in line but after talking to someone who worked there, we popped right on the train and were off within 5 minutes. Which was a welcome relief to the heat.

The train looped around the park and took a break in a small “town” with a fire station, school house, etc. that you could get out and explore. We ended where we started and once you walked in the park a little more, you were greeted with a fountain, ferris wheel, and other rides that Cam had a blast riding! (I myself forgot that ferris wheels aren’t my favorite until we got to the top and stalled there, swaying in the wind… Yikes. It took effort to remain still, as not to rock our cart more, and try to concentrate on cool things for Cam to see vs. panicking hah).

After we got ice cream at a local shop, OH darling…, and then went to check-in at the resort. We got a villa suite for our 2 nights at the Silverado and I was so impressed with the layout and decor. Everything was updated and felt luxurious, plus we had 2 small patios to open the doors and let the fresh air breeze through. I would definitely stay here for an extended visit.

That night we ordered pizzas and ate them poolside, which just feels like a fully vacation-mode thing to do.

The one slight drawback to the villa we stayed in was it didn’t have a bathtub. Cam is not a fan of showers soooo… sink bath it was! He just barely fit and kept saying “this is silly, isn’t it?” (After we got back we went to see an open house – which is a fairly consistent thing to do on the weekends to keep up with what’s selling around us – and the house didn’t have a bath either… Mike and I were saying that it wouldn’t work longterm to be in a house without a bath and Cam pipes in, “well we could just take a sink bath?” So funny.)

The next morning we had an entirely free day. After a lazy morning of coffee, pastries, and Bluey in bed, we booked an hour gondola ride on the Napa river. A pretty niche thing to do but I wanted to try something new!

We arrived early but our gondolier was ready to take us out (I imagine they aren’t flooded with business on a Monday afternoon). He told us our boat was imported directly from Italy and lived on the Venetian waterways for ~20 years. I loved this fact and felt like it was more worth our money, given the authenticity.

As we swayed down the river, he sang us songs – including Part of Your World from the Little Mermaid, my favorite – and told us bitesized stories and pieces of Napa’s history. Cam was less than enthusiastic about being on the boat about 1/2 way through (person-power is slow compared to the speedboat we experienced in Clear Lake haha) but managed through the whole ride with the help of a few lollipops I had stashed as bribery.

Overall the gondola was a new experience so fun in that regard but, similar to the zoo, we aren’t racing to book another trip there. (Unless, we decided, it was with a big group and was the kick off to an evening or something – like wine and cheese aboard before a fancy dinner on the river… that is something I can get behind:)

It was time to hit up the pool again, where we spent the rest of the afternoon before taking a stroll on the golf course. Then dinner at the resort restaurant, The Grill. Sadly we don’t have rave reviews about this place – finding the service slow (with almost no one there which always feels more frustrating) and the food lacking. We wouldn’t go back, especially with so many local gems close by, but for the connivence of being steps away from our villa, it was okay. (Cam also completely lost it towards the end of the meal so extra worth it for Mike to be able to take him back and start another sink bath!)

On our final day we ventured to the spa to try Boost cafe for breakfast. The service was slow here too but that was okay. We were the only ones there and it was nice to enjoy the spa deck, dotted with olive and lemon trees, while we waited.

Of course we took one last dive in the pool before packing up. We have a joke that on our last day of vacation I am “fun mom” because I’ll jump in and get my hair wet, knowing I can go back to the room and wash it before check out. 🙂 And I will say, this last hour at the pool was the most fun! Again, we were the only ones there and Cam is just really fun to be with in the pool right now, engaging in games and being able to “swim” solo with his vest on.

Our little staycation was so relaxing and throughly enjoyed. Now school has officially started and we’re trying to get into the groove… I’m sure we’ll relax into our routine soon enough but it has felt hectic since returning! I am so glad we were able to take some time to recharge before diving into a new school.

A Day in Disney

Published on June 8, 2024June 8, 2024 by ashley@vegvibes1 Comment

Somewhat last minute, Mike and I decided to plan a one day family trip to Disneyland. We purposely bought tickets for a Tuesday, before summer officially started for many kids, hoping it might be just a fraction less busy.

We flew down to Anaheim after picking Cam up from school on Monday and took a Lyft to the Disneyland Hotel, opting to stay there for early entry the next morning. What we DIDN’T know – but luckily everything ended up being fine – was early entry swaps parks on different days. Since we didn’t get park hopper tickets or have any plans of going to California Adventure, we could have paid a bunch of money to stay in a hotel for a perk we couldn’t utilize. Luckily Tuesday (the day we visited) is, in fact, an early Disneyland entry day (not California Adventure). Pro tip: check the early entry schedule before booking!

We set multiple alarms for early in the morning (not wanting to repeat our honeymoon when we slept through the first morning). Both Mike and I didn’t sleep well this night in anticipation of Disney the next day! Finally though, it was morning. We woke up at 6am with plans to be out of the hotel by 7am for early entry at 7:30, noting the ~5 minute walk to downtown Disney / security.

We definitely had to work to wake Cam up – he wasn’t as eager as his parents – haha. I had gone all into the Disney theme and he was sleeping in Spiderman jammies (with a spare Toy Story set in our suitcase) so we just decided to put his Yoda sweater on over his jams, pack his clothes in the stroller, and leave for the park. I didn’t plan it but I think it’s actually an expert parent hack; let your kids sleep in something they can just wear the next day!

We brought breakfast with us to avoid having to sort that out during our precious 30 minutes of early entry. As we waited in line (which was huge but moved quickly), we sipped hotel-coffee (not great but did the job), and ate store bought croissants and strawberries. Finally we were in the park via downtown Disney and on the monorail on our way into Tomorrowland. As we walked to Fantasyland we saw a sea of people waiting for “rope drop” near Main Street. It was honestly kind of off putting – like, surely someone is going to get trampled, right? How are we not hearing about this more on the news?

When we finally made it into the park and got in line for Peter Pan it was already 7:50am, which means we only had 10 minutes before the throngs of people just waiting to get in the park joined us… My takeaways here? 7am is not early enough to leave your hotel room. Also, we didn’t hear of anyone getting trampled so all must be fine with this set up. As crazy as it looks to see such a massive group of people just waiting behind one little rope.

Ok ok back to the rides! The theme of this trip turned out to be Things We Haven’t Done Before – i.e. mostly rides for Cam that we probably just skipped over in the past. I grew up going to Disneyland almost every summer and can’t remember ever riding Peter Pan but heard the line got crazy. Strategically this was our first move with our 10 minute early-advantage. And oh, how it almost went so terribly… when we were only one row behind boarding the flying ships, the ride broke down. Nooooo. This actually has never happened to be either (sticking with the theme). Thankfully it was running again in ~5 minutes and we were zipping through Neverland shortly after.

Next we went for Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride and… I wish we hadn’t. The ride was jerky and dark and not that much fun (at least the line was short to get on, although now I think I know why…). Cam got off and declared, “I’m ready to go home.” Uh-oh.

I tapped my inner Dr. Becky and promptly told him, “Ugh, I know. That ride was so dark and loud. Mommy didn’t really like it either. Should we make a deal to only go on light and bright rides for the rest of the day?”

Instant smile from him and relief for me. “Yes! Let’s go on the elephants next!” To Dumbo it was! (Which, the next morning when we were recapping the rides we went on, Cam referred to as “the pigs” until he saw the confused look on mine and Mike’s face and remembered then they were actually elephants, saying “wait, wait, I mean the elephants!” Cute.)

Mike took Cam on Autopia next, which was his absolute favorite ride when we went last year, while I walked around looking for an alternative to the life-sized lightsaber (“laser”) Cam saw the night before and had become obsessed with. The pricey, very big lightsaber was top of his list but I wasn’t sure how we would actually get it home. I found a small lightsaber keychain that I thought might do the trick…… *Flash forward to the next day, packing up our things, stuffing a full sized lightsaber into our stroller bag. Cam won!

We went on the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage next, the first time for all of us. This ride was pretty long, which was nice – who doesn’t love sitting and resting for a while at Disney? – but there were a few parts that were scary for kids. This poor little one behind us cried the entire ride and I thought Cam might join her when there was an “explosion,” “fire,” (I think they were trying to emulate the volcano scene in the movie when Nemo is in the fish tank?), and then complete darkness. Yikes.

We made it out of the submarine and mobile ordered lunch at Bengal BBQ, my favorite Disney eatery. While we were eating, we found an outlet near our table so charged our phone a bit. This to say, I had no idea if there would be accessible outlets anywhere in the park when I packed the charger that morning, but, hot tip, there are!

The Jungle Cruise was next, followed by pineapple DOLE whip and the Tiki Room.

Mike bought a GeniePass to try Rise of the Resistance (rave reviews from him after!) while Cam and I walked around Galaxy’s Edge with his LASER (and lots of little eyes longingly staring at the giant lightsaber – how many other parents got suckered into buying one of those things!?).

Last year when we visited Disney, we had success with stroller naps in the middle of the day. We were a bit unsure if we would again this year since Cam is older but, nonetheless, decided to bring our better stroller that reclines to try for it. Amazingly he slept for almost 2 hours while Mike and I snacked on beignets and sipped iced coffees. What a win! This meant we could stay at the park much later and Cam wouldn’t get cranky and melt into messy tantrums.

As we were walking back into the park (Starbucks is only in downtown Disney!), we caught the end of a parade going through Main Street. Notably catching glimpses of Moana and Maui! We decided to ride the Disneyland Railroad next, something else we didn’t do last time, to let Cam wake up a bit. Then in was back to Fantasyland to ride the Casey Jr. Circus Train. This was the longest line we waited in all day (~40 minutes) and felt like the peak heat of the afternoon. Sadly I remembered this ride being more fun last year – which Mike and I theorized was because we rode it at night. I think Cam enjoyed it though.

We had dinner at the Red Rose Taverne after. For Cam, I had brought some staples I knew he would eat (corn, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, carrots) and paired that with sides. He had an extremely balanced meal of corn and tater tots, while we spilt a burger and flatbread (also very balanced and healthy).

After dinner, it was off to the Storybook Canal Boats for a slow and mundane ride that I’ve never done before and would only do again if the line was short. We did however get to see the parade again while standing in line, so that was fun.

We went with a classic after: the teacups. And then ended the day with Astro Orbiter (our first ride last time we were there) at Cam’s request. Cam loved this one so it was nice to go out with a bang. All in all, we rode 11 rides and walked 22,000 steps.

We grabbed a box of popcorn and walked our way out on the famous Main Street. What a magical day!

Breakfast in bed the next morning! Can’t skip the Mickey pancakes 🙂

An afternoon at the resort pool before flying home in the evening

checking in + 5 year anniversary trip

Published on May 22, 2024May 22, 2024 by ashley@vegvibesLeave a comment

Oh, hi there. It’s been over 3 months since I’ve posted anything here. Since I mostly maintain posting to remember more details about the day to day, I’ll do a quick check in before diving in for our annual Tahoe anniversary post!

Since Hawaii back in January, we’ve celebrated Cam’s 4th birthday! Instead of throwing a classic party, we opted to go to Safari West with family and close friends who have a little one too. We stayed in an airbnb too, so it felt like a nice weekend getaway.

Mike and I spent ~24 hours in Vegas to surprise a friend celebrating his birthday. Highlights included staying at the Bellagio, seeing a zombie burlesque, and drinks at a dueling piano bar. This was the first time we’ve spent a night away from Cam that involved a flight so that felt like a milestone.

Another trip was a weekend up to Reno to visit my grandparents and celebrate my grandma’s birthday! We spent the day visiting a farm that had tractor rides, bounce houses, food trucks, and tulips to pick.

Now it’s May and we are just back from Tahoe, spending the weekend celebrating 5 years of marriage in our longtime spot (and recently rebranded), Everline Resort & Spa. Per usu, right after we arrived we had a takeout dinner from Sandy’s Pub on the big, open grass area. There are a ton of lawn games there, which means entertainment for both Cam and Mike. 🙂

We love visiting this resort in May because it isn’t as busy as peak snow sport season or the hot days of summer. The only downside is the weather is a bit unpredictable. Last year was colder than we’ve experienced, with enough snow to still go sledding. This year was pleasantly warm! After dinner we went to the pool to soak in the mountain view and test out the water temp. Luckily it wasn’t too chilly and we spent the evening dipping our toes in and prepping for the weekend ahead of lots of pool time!

The next day was our actual anniversary. That day 5 years ago we were surrounded by our family and friends, having the best time celebrating under the stars. Flash to present day, we decided to try something new in Tahoe and drove to Meek’s Bay. When we first arrived, the parking attendant ($12/day to park there) told us the property was rundown with unreliable bathrooms (not a great sell) but we were free to go next door and utilize that beach instead.

He didn’t have to tell us twice. We didn’t even bother checking out that beach, opting to drive straight next door where there was a snack shack and clean, working bathrooms. The views were incredible and I love the photos we have here. But we all know pictures don’t paint the whole… well, picture. The sand was really rocky and hard for Cam to walk on. There were a lot of bugs. And the water was freezing, although that part is expected. Nonetheless, we spent a few hours huddled on our beach blanket (that I snagged in Spain – I love getting very functional things on vacations like beach blankets, hand soap, etc. so I have little reminders of our travels often). Cam of course loved throwing rocks and sticks in the lake while Mike and I enjoyed cheese, crackers, and kombucha on the beach.

That night, my grandparents – who live ~45 minutes away – offered to come to the resort to watch Cam while we went to dinner. So, after some afternoon pool play, Cam had quesadillas and played dinosaurs with his great grandparents. Mike and I got some 1:1 time and celebrated with salad, steaks, and a s’mores desserts. A great time for everyone!

Mike hit the slopes early the next morning so Cam and I spent a lazy morning getting ready and exploring the resort before taking the shuttle to meet daddy for lunch. Cam loves riding shuttle buses (adorably reminding us to “put our buckle seats on” each time) and this particular one had lollipops onboard for kids. Lucky ride! We ate at Tremigo, just like last year, expect this year the food wasn’t as good. Waah, I hate it when your expectation for something doesn’t match reality.

A new treat was the ice cream truck located across the way, which was great for Cam. They offered $3 mini scoops – I haven’t seen this anywhere else but loved it. Perfect size, good price. Mike did some sale shopping after while Cam and I chilled out and listened to a bit of live music in the middle of the village. Doesn’t live music make every experience just that much better? And then we were back to the resort for more pool time, of course. This is also when I was able to crack open a new book. The best.

After a long day and lots of sun, we were all tired. Cam went to sleep hard and fast after his bath BUT 30 minutes before his usual bedtime. Which we found out later might have been a mistake…

Mike and I ordered Reubens and Caesar salads to-go and watched House Hunters, trying desperately to make it at least until 9pm before falling asleep. Then, around 8/8:30pm, Cam woke up and we knew his bedtime had been too early. Because we were on vacation (or, more likely, because we were tired ourselves) we let him watch a show on the iPad when he requested one. He still couldn’t fall asleep after so we caved again and decided to have an official sleepover, moving our House Hunters to the bedroom we were all sharing to fall asleep together after one last episode. Maybe some people will think this is terrible parenting but looking back, I actually love this memory. I hope Cam does too.

On our final morning, we took one last lollipop shuttle ride over to the village for coffee and fresh pastries with a beautiful mountain view. Then it was back to pack and hit the road home with another great anniversary trip in the ~~books~~ blog! See you next time!

Yosemite 2023

Published on September 18, 2023November 1, 2023 by ashley@vegvibesLeave a comment

We spent 3 days near Yosemite National Park over Labor Day, despite how cliche it may be to visit a national park on a holiday weekend. Mike and I have been on a few camping trips to the park before we became parents and, although we didn’t bust out the beer pong under the mountains, the park is as scenic as I remember.

We opted to stay just outside Yosemite’s south entrance at the Tenaya Lodge in Fish Camp. Some of our best friends from Canada were visiting, who also have a little one, so we figured having lodge amenities would make life easier. It took about 4 hour to get there, with a stop for chicken nuggets and hamburgers included. Not too bad! After checking in, we found our way to the cabin we had rented, which included 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, a small living room, and a smaller kitchen.

After some light unpacking, we went to dinner at Jackalopes Grill, the main restaurant at the lodge, located right off the grand, dark, and cozy lobby. Everything felt so woodsy and after the heat we’ve been experiencing at home, I was loving some cooler weather.

Since both kids napped in the car, we decided the indoor swimming pool would be great after dinner to tire them out. And, aside from the complete chaos of an indoor pool (they are SO loud!), it was a great idea; for the 10 minutes we lasted in there. We all much preferred the outdoor pool vibes and were looking forward to our next few days.

Being at the south entrance of the park meant we were about a 50 mintue drive from all the things you basically want to see in Yosemite (Half Dome, El Cap, the falls). We knew we didn’t want to do the drive twice with kids but also wanted to spend as much time in the park as possible. Happily, we discovered the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias right inside the park entrance we closest to.

After a quick drive, we were through the park gates and in the area where a free shuttle would take us to the giant sequoia groove. Now this was a double delight for Cam, who LOVES a shuttle bus.

We tried to explore off the paved path/”easy loop” but could only get so far with strollers. Although we were able to sneak listening in on a park ranger walking tour info at one point before turning around. I think a history buff is starting to emerge from my depths… Did you know Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias were signed into protection by President Abraham Lincoln? There was something else about the park being the first dedicated protected land for everyone to use, not just the rich (but I forget the exact details; ok maybe I’m not that much of a history buff after all).

After lunch and a SHUTTLE BUS RIDE to our car, we went back to the lodge. Cam doesn’t nap anymore when he’s not in school (so he goes to sleep at a reasonable hour!) so, while it was nap/chill time for the other family we were traveling with, we decided to grab a snack and a drink to toast a very special celebration: Mike’s birthday! Last year we were lucky enough to be with the whole Canadian crew for Mike’s birthday; living it up in a cottage. (We miss you Melissa, Dav, & Oaks!)

The next morning we were out the door in record time for navigating a tiny cabin and 2 small kids. We drove through towering trees, some sadly still showing signs of burning from wildfires. (Maybe the fire the year we were going to hike Half Dome? I couldn’t be sure.)

Finally, we arrived at the heart of the park and unpacked the car by loading up the strollers. Our first adventure was to Lower Yosemite Falls. And, because of the wet winter California had, both the upper and lower falls were on full display.

To walk to the falls and back took about an hour. We were all ready for lunch after and found the perfect spot by a river. We even saw a deer walk across it (and stop to pee halfway through). It was certainly lunch with a view!

The water was direct snow melt. So it was freezing. We managed to get in ankle-high though and spent the rest of the afternoon skipping rocks and drinking in the postcard scenery all around us.

In the past when Mike. and I have gone to Yosemite, we’ve camped in the valley. This time we were able to catch a whole new view driving out; probably one of the most famous views of Yosemite that captures El Cap and Half Dome in one shot.

It was our last evening at the lodge and the weather was a sunny 70 still. Of course, we hit up the pool for one last splash before going back to Jackalopes for dinner. I think Cam ate mac n cheese every day during this trip; the ultimate dream for him.

Both kids were wiped after such an adventurous day so it was an early bedtime and a headstart on packing for us.

We departed early the next morning, after some last deep breaths of fresh mountain air (and large, hot coffees). It’s always so lovely spending time at Yosemite.

Want more? Read about our other trips to Yosemite here and here.

Best Weekend

Published on November 22, 2022 by ashley@vegvibesLeave a comment

Last month we had the best mini getaway. It was mid October so felt Fall festive, with crisper weather and Halloween just around the corner. Our first stop was a surprise for Cam to meet Thomas the Train in Santa Cruz. Cam is obsessed with Thomas right now so when tickets went on sale for a special Thomas & Percy Halloween takeover, we knew we wanted to take him.

We told Cam we were going to see the trains but didn’t tell him THOMAS would be there. Bundled up, with thermoses filled of coffee and tea, we drove over the windy hill to Roaring Camp, where they went all out with the Thomas Takeover! Right upon entering you see a blow up Thomas and other train friend characters. The highlight for us, of course, was seeing Cam’s face when he first caught a glimpse of Thomas and all things Sodor. I will never forget it. He stopped in his tracks with this little coy smile spread across his cute face. (When I was telling my dad about it later, his Cam-voiceover was, “okay, my parents are cool.” I’ll take that and run with it.)

Cam got to “meet” Sir Topham Hatt. He played with trains on tracks (that we had to rent by giving our IDs – they weren’t messing around). There was a pumpkin patch for every kid to take one pumpkin; a souvenir Thomas bucket that the kids lunch came in; a firetruck to get in and explore, and the actual main event, the train souped-up as Thomas and Percy!! Well worth it.

Cam wasn’t too sure about Sir Topham Hatt irl

Our original plan basically ended here. We were going to ride the train and then drive home after during nap. BUT, instead, we continued down South for a gifted trip to us in Monterey! Our neighbors won free tickers to a race at Laguna Seca and one night stay at a hotel nearby from the radio!! They already had plans that weekend so asked if we wanted to go instead. Cam loves cars and racing right now – plus, free night stay in Monterey? yes every time – so we were excited and thankful they thought of us.

We arrived at the racetrack, not fully sure what to expect. But scored free upgraded parking and a VIP golf cart ride down to the event, so we were off to a good start.

Not only did we get free admission tickets and a complimentary hotel stay, we also were upgraded to the “wine experience” (maybe we should be calling into the radio more often, with these prizes, y’all…). Again, we weren’t exactly sure what to expect and, since we were with Cam, weren’t sure we would even be able to enjoy it together. Lucky for us, the wine experience area was directly next to the kids area (parents must have been involved with this placement…) and with our wristbands, we had in and out privileges.

This meant I could go in for a glass of wine and a snack, come out with my loot and stay with Cam while Mike did the same! We were able to toast together and watch Cam play with the race car ramp they had set up in the kids zone. Wins, wins.

We also had the opportunity to see a F1 car do a few laps around the track, which was so cool to see and experience. We are still into Formula One over here and spend many weekend mornings lazily watching races. It’s fun because Cam is also into and will say cute things like “I want to watch race car” or “that blue one is my favorite.” All of this to say, Cam LOVED seeing the race cars on a real track.

After a lot of excitement, it was time to go check in at the hotel, Casa Munras. The hotel seems unassuming from the outside but is actually a super cute spot with a pool (still heated to 75 degrees) and a tapas restaurant that you know we had to check out.

After sorting ourselves out in our room we decided to go full vacay mode and take a dip in the pool. The weather had warmed up a bit throughout the day and it was heated so why not? Cam enjoyed bobbing around in the water for about 20 minutes but then started shivering and it was time to get out. We had dinner reservations at Estéban Restaurant for 6pm but our day was running ahead of schedule, so instead arrived at 5:30pm. We were pleasantly surprised to find out there was still 30 minutes of happy hour!

After mojitos and an array of tapas (and some reminiscing on our summer trip to Spain!) it was time for bath and bed for Cam. Conveniently, our room was within baby monitor range of the pool (this was actually HUGE and something I want to start requesting when able in upcoming travel). Mike and I were able to enjoy around drink by the pool while watching Cam doze on the monitor. A great end to a great day.

Before we went to sleep, I was sure to figure out what nearby would be open for breakfast early the next morning. Not having a solid morning plan when you’re away from a kitchen with a toddler is a non-starter. Happily, across the street from our hotel was my ideal spot, a cozy organic cafe: The Wild Plum.

Sure enough, we were there bright and early (the benefit of not sleeping in anymore is missing the brunch crowds on the weekend)! I ordered a stack of pancakes with berries – so fluffy and yummy! Our waiter was also very kind and gave Cam a free refill on his oatmeal, after he demolished his first serving.

The park scene near us also DID NOT disappoint. We were walking distance from Dennis the Menace park, which is incredible. It is right on a lake that had inflatable swans you could rent – we might be repeating this vacation during the summer to try them out. There were multiple play areas, including a maze, a small sailboat, and a baseball field. It was the best park we’ve found since our trip to San Luis Obispo earlier this year. We spent the rest of the morning running around and exploring before going back to the hotel to pack up.

Before we drove home, we rounded out the weekend trying out a great brewery, Dust Bowl Brewing. There was a food truck option for lunch and Cam loved zipping around the picnic style tables we were sitting at. Mike and I were just content enough with our beers to not really care if other people were judging our loose parenting style at that moment… 😉

The food was simple but so incredibly good. The location and atmosphere couldn’t be beat, and either could the company. Our favorite time is family time (cheeseball) and it was great to spend such a fun time together. Thanks, Ally & Rob!!

Still drooling over these chicken tacos…

Want more? Read about other trips to Santa Cruz and Monterey here and here

Beach getaway

Published on October 22, 2019December 16, 2020 by ashley@vegvibes1 Comment

Where are my Big Little Lies fans at?!? Sadly I binged season 2 long ago but still felt a twinge of excitement spending this past weekend in the sleepy little beach town where it was filmed: Monterey, California. Meryl Streep walked those streets!

We arrived on Friday evening within minutes of our friends Jessica and Neil. Starving, we quickly said hello and made our way down the street to Googie Grill, a funky retro spot with way better food than it’s name leads you to believe. The girls went for the “Man’s meatloaf” with mashed potatoes and veggies, while the boys ordered fish. We all splurged for decadent housemate desserts; the apple crumble with ice cream and berries being my favorite.

Jessica and I went to high school and college together so we have some late-night party stories under our belts, but this weekend was not about reliving the past. After dinner and some light channel surfing back at our Airbnb, we were in bed by 11pm.

I was excited to try Acme Coffee the next morning, just a few minutes drive from where we were staying. It didn’t disappoint but I was confused because there wasn’t any bread there. (For those who don’t know, Acme bread is a Bay Area favorite and so, so good.) I guess they are different companies?

Instead of bread, we opted for pastries and donuts so no real complaints there… (and still all of the carbs!)

We spent the rest of the day navigating cute shops, cafes, and eateries between the wharf and Cannery Row. We lucked out with beautiful weather and great views of the ocean.

Jessica and I did some yoga back at the Airbnb before dinner and, after 10,000+ steps it was much needed.

For dinner, we decided to take multiple people’s recommendations and try Monterey Fish House. Maybe it was just too hyped up – or maybe Googie Grill is just the real deal hidden gem – but we were all underwhelmed with our meals and the restaurant in general. The place was cozy but a little too bustling for our taste. The food was good but didn’t leave a lasting impression. I would say it’s worth going once (if you go early and the wait isn’t hours long, which apparently happens!) but not a repeat place.

After it was game time! We broke out Sheriff of Nottingham, which is one of my all time favorite games, and had fun trying to smuggle contraband through the market (play the game and you’ll know!).

We went to sleep again at a reasonable time because 1. none of us are in college anymore and 2., Mike had a race the next morning that we were getting up early for.

Before the sun came out, we bundled up and trekked down to Lover’s Point (a filming location from BLL) where Mike was participating in an aqua-bike (just the swim and bike portion of a triathlon). It was cold, dark, and foggy. I typically go with Mike to his races and will hangout with him until the start and then go grab coffee somewhere are read a book. It was a luxury having Jessica and Neil there this time to go on a coffee run, while I waited with Mike on the beach. It’s amazing what a hot cup of coffee and a fresh blueberry muffin can do for you at 7am. 🙂

In the end the fog didn’t dissipate and the race coordinators canceled the swim portion. Bummer! Mike still did the bike part of the race while Jessica and Neil headed home. I found a sunny spot and read a book until Mike finished and then we were like BRUNCH! We found a local spot called Crema that was the perfect end to our beach get away.

SPAIN

Published on September 26, 2018August 6, 2019 by ashley@vegvibes4 Comments

Earlier this month, I flew out to Malaga, Spain (birthplace to Pablo Picasso) for a work trip. As to be expected, the tapas and wine were plentiful. The town squares were beautiful; complete with marble floors, palm trees, and fountains. There were castles and cathedrals to explore; new trendy stores housed in old historic buildings; sea breezes and siestas.

img_20180910_201835

We arrived on Sunday, after flying from San Francisco to Paris to Malaga. Our hotel was only a block from a canal that runs through the city, which made for easy navigating. After unpacking and showering, we met a few colleagues at El Mesón de Cervantes.

2018_0915_16084500

img_20180909_185533

img_20180911_141318

The restaurant was a short 10 minute walk from the hotel and rated well on trip advisor. We started with wine and olives. Something I loved about Malaga was that instead of a bread basket, you get a olive bowl to start your meal when dining out. We also ordered grilled octopus, Iberico ham, mushroom risotto, and salmon.

IMG_20180911_222517

img_20180909_192523

The company was good, the food delicious, and the wine flowing. Not a bad first night there!

…That was until I got back to my hotel.

We got back around 11pm, which was around 2pm in California. I Facetime’d my mom for a little bit before falling asleep. Sadly, I only stayed asleep for about 4 hours before waking up pretty distraught. I am prone to homesickness and being solo on this trip hit me hard.

Fortunately, I was able to chat with my mom and Mike again, since it was still early at home. Unfortunately, not being able to sleep on my first night was some cruel foreshadowing to how the rest of my week would be.

I finally fell asleep around 6:30am and, with a start time of 9:30am on Monday, felt pretty worn-down during those first meetings! Particularly because I didn’t sleep on the flights to Spain either.

Thankfully I was able to take a quick nap before dinner that night. Siestas were the real deal in Spain. Like the locals, we ate most dinners late and stayed out after for drinks a few nights. Naps in the middle of the day equaled survival.

2018_0915_16081900 — The restaurant we had dinner at on Monday

On Tuesday our meetings were in a new location, which meant figuring out how to get there early in the morning with little sleep (I seriously could not fall asleep there at a decent hour). We were lucky to have the canal to help navigate the city but unfortunately, there was construction near the co-working space we had booked. A lot of Google Maps action on this trip! Eventually we made it to the location and settled in for a day of meetings.

I tried to squeeze every minute I could out of the schedule to catch some shuteye. This often meant skipping breakfast before meetings in lieu of sleeping in. In between meetings, I had a chance to step outside and grab a coffee from a cafe recommended to me by the co-working space organizer. She raved about the churros and chocolate at this place and although I really wanted to try them, I was feeling rundown. Instead I opted for a banana from a small fruit stand nearby (also stocking up on oranges for vitamin C) because I knew that was what my body really needed.

I was able to head back to the hotel midday and, on the way, grabbed a nourishing hummus bowl for lunch. Eating healthy while running on little-to-no sleep was a top priority for me.

img_20180911_141829

I caught a few Zzz’s before heading out again to explore a castle in the town. As one of my colleagues described it, the castle offered layers and layers of history; a history lasagna, if you will. I was excited to check this bad boy out but sadly, after a steep walk up to the enormous brick building, we discovered the entry fee had to be paid in Euros, and not credit card.

Wah-wah-wah…

Back down the hill it was. (We did get a few pictures at the top though so, still a semi-successful trip.) And time for (more) tapas! My friend Keely and I chatted over beers, olives, ham and melon, Spanish cheese, and spicy potatoes. The food was so good but arguably a lot before heading to a team dinner. 🙂

img_20180911_190353 — The outside walls of the castle

IMG_20180911_184219 (1)

On Wednesday (half way through the trip) I succumbed to my lack of sleep and skipped the morning session of meetings. Because of my role, I was lucky to have the flexibility to do this; and gratefully so, because it was the little nudge I needed to make it through the next few days. Ah, what your body and brain can do after 6 hours of sleep…!

I met up with everyone for lunch at a foodcourt in a nearby mall and let me tell you, this food court was not your standard strip-mall nosh-mill. This place was fancy. Who doesn’t love a foodcourt with some swagger?

After lunch, a few of us grabbed espressos. We were handed legit stay-here-and-sip mini shots.

“…Um, excuse me? Can we please get these to go please?”

“No. No take away. Sit, sip, and enjoy.”

Wait, wha? Such a cultural difference. This cafe actually did not have to-go cups. You were meant to stay there and enjoy your coffee, not rush off to your next meeting. Similar to when I was in New Orleans, where things just move slower, I was like, this is annoying. I was also too timid to ask for almond milk anywhere in fear of my California stripes showing… Instead I drank everything black, which I don’t normally do. All this to say, it took some grit to pound my espresso and make it back in time for the next meeting.

Having the luxury of enjoying a coffee without taking it to-go is nice in theory but, in execution, I’m more of a let’s get this java on the road kind of girl.

img_20180912_141414

That evening we went to dinner at Recyclo Bike Cafe, where – like the name suggests – there are a bunch of bikes decorating the walls. I picked this place for 2 reasons; 1. it was a 5 minute walk from our hotel and 2. I wanted to take pictures for Mike, who loves bikes.

IMG_20180912_204227

I had been eating a lot more meat than I normally do so wanted to stick to something veg for dinner. I opted for the black beans, avocado, and feta tacos. They didn’t come on a standard corn tortillas, but more of a corn bun (pic below), which turned out to be very filling.

img_20180912_211739

After dinner we walked to the port to see the ocean. I was all for getting steps and hopefully tiring myself out. We saw some cool sights; both historic and modern. Our evening ended with a stroll on the beach and then back to the hotel (for another sleepless night… boo!).

IMG_20180912_225603 (1)

MVIMG_20180912_225531

IMG_20180912_225055

IMG_20180912_232103 (1)

MVIMG_20180913_000436

Thursday was our last day before leaving on a very early flight on Friday. Not sleeping finally caught up with me and I woke up with a cough and a running nose. Plus, I woke up late which is always freakin’ stressful, let alone when you’re not feeling well.

I got ready in a flash – brushed my teeth and hair, threw something on that resembled an outfit, filled in my eyebrows – and hustled to the meeting location; walked along side the canal, detoured for construction, finally there.

Cough, cough. Tissue for a running nose. Trying not to be disruptive…

Eventually it was time for lunch. I wondered around the allies nearby and came across a cute vegan cafe. I ordered a burger and asked if they had french fries or, “chips?” (mentally wondering, is it only “chips” in the U.K. or here too?). After a fews rounds, and with the help of a nice Italian tourist who translated a bit for me, the cafe owner explained she made herself a batch of sweet potato fries that I could have a few of. She turned one in her finger and told me “just olive oil, salt, and garlic.”

A small part of me thought, this would not fly in America with our restaurant/food laws… That voice was quieted quickly. When in ~~Rome~~ Spain! I was walking back to the office shortly after with the best vegan burger and homemade sweet potato fries (chips?) I’ve had in a long time.

img_20180913_133542

I tried to solider through afternoon meetings but ended up leaving early. I slept for a solid 4 hours back at the hotel and woke up feeling much better. Just in time for our last dinner in Spain.

We walked down to the port again. Olives and beer to start. Fish dish after fish dish followed, tapas style. I was feeling better but not 100% and ended up eating a lot of bread instead of trying to stomach the clams.

I went back to the hotel to pack after. And, instead of trying at another failed attempt of sleeping, decided to just stay up until 5am when it was time to leave for the airport.

img_20180910_195054-effects

We flew home via New York. It was a relatively easy flight, and I was pretty excited for a full night of sleep when I got home. Despite being tired and a little homesick, Spain was a trip of a lifetime for me. Maybe one day I’ll be back!

Romantic getaway [Squaw Valley]

Published on May 24, 2018May 26, 2018 by ashley@vegvibesLeave a comment

Squaw Valley is mine and Mike’s “spot.” It’s about a 4.5 hour drive from our house and the perfect getaway. We used to make it up there multiple times a year but now it seems we only get up there once. I’m not complaining though! Even one weekend a year to disconnect from the outside world and reconnect as a couple is great; especially in magical Squaw Valley.

We’ve been going up there for so long, we have our own little traditions in place. This past trip incorporated our favorite things to do (of course) but we also explored a lot of new things too. We even got extra fancy this time and took a day off from work to enjoy a nice, long 3 day weekend together.

We arrived late on Thursday night and basically unpacked and went straight to sleep. On Friday we woke up early for our first activity of the weekend; hiking! Side story: we got permits to hike Half Dome this August so we’re trying to do a lot more hiking in the next few months to prepare. With this in mind, I picked the hardest hike Squaw has, Shirley Cannon Trail. As a bonus, we were able to get some altitude training while up there, which isn’t a possibility at home.

Those Bombas socks were key on the trail

The weather predicted rain and thunder storms around 12pm so, after a quick bowl of oatmeal in our room, we started out on the trail at 8:15am. The original plan was to hike up and take the gondola down* but things didn’t work out that way (#foreshadowing). On past Squaw trips, we’ve taken the gondola to the top and spent the day hot tubbing, eating, and drinking champagne. What a different plan it was this time!

The Shirley Cannon Trail hike is no joke. It’s gorgeous but strenuous. You cross multiple streams, see a few waterfalls, and have to actually boulder quite a bit. No lies, the altitude started to get to me once or twice and I had to stop to rest. But overall I was impressed with my fitness and feel less anxious about Half Dome.

Unfortunately there was still a lot of snow at the top of the trail and, given it looked like it was going to rain and we were on slabs of granite, we turned around before making it to the top. WHICH MEANS we had to hike down too. Not the original plan. Plus, to top things off, one of my contacts fell out about halfway down. Not ideal. Nonetheless, we made it back down just after 12pm and promptly treated ourselves to a brewski and lunch.

We intended to take a quick 40 minute catnap when we got back to the hotel but slept for a hour and 20 minutes instead. I wasn’t mad about it though… I think our bodies needed the rest.

After snoozing, we hit up the hot tub and got caught in a little rain storm. But who cares when you’re already wet? Squaw has the best hot tub scene, with 3 different Jacuzzis and a giant pool. All that and a gorgeous view of the mountains. It’s not a bad way to spend an afternoon…

Before our dinner reservations, we had time for a glass of wine and a little Royal wedding watching. Correction: I watched updates on the wedding. Mike could not care less. Who else is obsessed with MM like I am though? 🙋 She’s so gorgeous and an American/Californian. I had to support. 😉

After my ~~pop culture~~ history-in-the-making fix, Mike treated me to a cozy dinner at Six Peaks. We spilt a bottle of red, an order of lobster mac n’ cheese, and indulged in fillets. It was such a nice night. There is just something about splitting a bottle of wine that is so romantic to me. AND we got to toast the official less-than-a-year countdown to our wedding!

On Saturday we had a big adventure planned. But first, COFFEE (and tea and breakfast sammies). Wild Cherries in Truckee and is my favorite local coffee spot. I am a picky coffee drinker and have never been disappointed with their java. They also have made-to-order sandwiches that are hot and fresh every time. I may need to start a campaign for them to open a location in the Bay Area…

AND THEN it was adventure time. We drove to Tahoe Treetop Adventure Park in Tahoe Vista for 2.5 hours of zip-lining and swinging around in the trees.

The
most
fun.

For $60 you get to explore 9 different obstacle courses up in the treetops. You are harnessed in while you try things like walking across rolling logs or rock climbing on a suspended wall. There are also zip lines sprinkled throughout each course. I was a little nervous at first because you have to jump off to start zip lining and don’t have anything to grab onto but your harness. After a few tries though, you don’t even think about it.

Mike and I completed all 9 courses (and one twice, by accident) so we were pretty proud of ourselves. I highly recommend trying this if you’re in the Tahoe location. The same company has 2 other parks and I’m sure we’ll be back for more.

After our treetop adventure we scarfed down quinoa (for me) and orzo (for Mike) vegetable salads that we had bought at New Moon, a health food store next to Wild Cherries. Then it was a quick drive back to Squaw for some relaxation in the form of a couples massage.

Now that we are engaged, on vacations like this, I think about how in few years we might have a little babe with us; and vacations will likely look a lot different! hah 🙂 But for now, it’s still just me and Mike and we can indulge in things like bottles of wine, hour long adventures, and massages.

We hit up Sandy’s Pub in the resort after for beers and sweet potato fries. I have good memories of Sandy’s including basically sneaking in a bottle of wine to drink with my future mother-in-law a few years ago; to actually sneaking into the hot tub outside the restaurant another time with my friend Sandra and eating at Sandy’s after. Not to mention all of the times Mike and I have been there. ❤

We spilt a pizza and a salad after and then, perhaps proving that we are ready for parenthood, went back to the hotel to chill for the rest of the night. Oddly enough we found an interesting documentary on the Weather Channel (of all channels) and proceeded to learn all about the Donner Party. Not a super romantic topic… ek 😐

On our final morning in Squaw, we continued a tradition we have that involves a mountain view, tea, and hot tubbing. Who doesn’t love hot tubbing right in the morning when their the skinniest they’ll be all day?! Jk.

Then we spilt a chocolate croissant (hot tub before you eat, I’m telling ya;), packed up, and said ✌️ to Squaw; our favorite home away from home.

A sweet life it is.

img_20180518_203129

*Mike was actually going to PROPOSE last year when we had the same plan but we didn’t end up hiking that trip. Instead he proposed a few months later in the sweetest, most perfect way. Spoiler: the day included hot tubbing, apple picking, wine tasting, and of course, a very special question. 🙂

Beach town weekend

Published on September 28, 2017September 21, 2020 by ashley@vegvibes1 Comment

In classic California fashion, we spent the weekend exploring beach towns here in the Bay Area. We visited both Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz, exploring a mix of touristy and local things.

Mike’s parents arrived from Toronto on Friday and before beach bumming it, we kicked things off at B Street and Vine in downtown San Mateo. This place is a local Bay Area gem with the best bruschetta around.

IMG_20170922_175407

On Saturday, after coffee and a light breakfast, we drove to Half Moon Bay. Our first stop was back to Dad’s Lunchonette for burgers, beers, and mac n’ cheese. Just like the last time Mike and I went to Dad’s, we took it to-go and ate on the beach across the street at Half Moon Bay State Beach. True to NorCal weather, it was a windy but the sun stayed shinning throughout the afternoon; making for a nice day!

IMG_20170923_124631

IMG_20170923_124745

After we ate, we played a few rounds of Kubb (Barb and Dan beating us 2/3 games). Next up? A nice beach stroll where we found a flock of baby seagulls, proving that everything is cute when it is a baby and small!

IMG_20170923_131655 — The boys setting things up

IMG_20170923_141722 — They were so tiny!

After our walk, we drove to Half Moon Bay Distillery for a FREE tour. HMB Distillery is a small craft distillery run by a husband and wife. Ulli gave our tour and she was great! Now thinking about it though, the tour was actually more of a talk. It started with a introduction video explaining how her and her husband started the distillery. Then she told us all about vodka and gin – how they were made and the key differences between them – following it up with tastes of each.

I was a big fan of their gin so we ended up going home with a bottle. I also just love to support local and small businesses. Plus, since the whole thing was free, I’m glad we bought something at the end. If you’re ever in Half Moon Bay, I recommend checking it out.

IMG_20170923_171640 — Those gorgeous Cali. beaches 👌

We ended the night back in the south bay at one of mine and Mike’s favorite restaurants, Orchard City Kitchen.

On Sunday we started the day at The Mystery Spot in Santa Cruz. This place is a little touristy but at $8 a ticket (and $5 to park), it’s a fun, reasonably priced thing to do. Plus, the drive there is beautiful under all of the California redwoods.

The Mystery Spot claims to be “a gravitational anomaly.” You’re able to do all of these weird things like stand a table and lean off of it without falling (pictures below). It is only a 45 minute tour – that’s pretty cheesy with a lot of punny jokes – but I think it was worth it.

IMG_20170924_133708

22089206_10211917051775002_280146898304698218_n

IMG_20170924_133418

22045862_10211917051134986_3392543810393429350_n

After The Mystery Spot we drove to downtown Santa Cruz. One of our favorite thing to do as a couple is go to the Tea House Spa, where you can enjoy a hour spa and a hour massage for only $180. Such a deal! We didn’t do this with Mike’s parents but there is a cool beer place nearby that we usually go to after the spa called Lúpulo Craft Beer House. We decided to stop there first for beers and a meat and cheese plate. It was a nice day out so we were able to sit on the patio and enjoy our brews and noshes.

After we walked to Mike’s favorite place in Santa Cruz to stock up on cookies at Pacific Cookie Company. Typically I rather go for something else indulgent (like a really good cheese or wine!) but even I have to admit, the cookies are delish here.

We ended the day at Pour Taproom on the main strip in downtown. Mike and I have been there before and think it’s a cool idea. There aren’t any bartenders here but, instead, you serve yourself with selections of different beer, mead, and wine to pick from. One huge wall is lined with all of the taps and you can do a “taste” (2 ounces), a “flight” (4 ounces), or a full glass. You’re given a bracelet to wear that tracks your pours to pay at the end.

I think we each tried about 4 different beers while playing a game of parcheesi, which is about the longest game ever. We actually ended up leaving before we finished. Then it was time to head back over the hill to go home.

Tired but happy from a good weekend, we curled up and watched Lady Gaga’s new special on Netflix, Five Foot Two, in our new spacious office!

White Christmas

Published on December 29, 2016April 10, 2021 by ashley@vegvibesLeave a comment

What a wonderful time of year!! Mike’s family is in town for the holidays and we spent the past week in Tahoe. On Monday we all drove up to South Lake Tahoe and opted to stay in Airbnbs since we’re a big group of 6 adults and 1 toddler. Having access to an entire house and all of the comforts of home can’t be beat on a family vacation.

Our first Airbnb was nice and spacious! After we unpacked, a few of us went to the store to stock up on supplies. What a money saver to have a kitchen to prepare meals in when traveling! After a day of traveling, we decided on an easy dinner of spinach and cheese ravioli with green beans.

We spent 3 days in South Lake before heading North Lake, despite what I always say: South Lake is for friends, North Lake is for family!

During our wild stay in South Lake, we ate at MacDuff’s (the same pub we went to in February when we went to Tahoe with friends). I love this place, particularly in the winter because it is so cozy. And what’s more comforting than a huge portion of corned beef and cabbage (my go-to order) in cold weather?

img_20161220_191258 — Baby Ella ready to leave MacDuff’s!

On one of the full days we were there, we walked down to the beach to get some steps in. While we were beach front, we stumbled upon a restaurant called Jimmy’s. Here we warmed up with spiked minty cocoa and hot toddies. It was snowing a little bit but not enough to stop us from sitting outside around the fire pit. Talk about a movie moment; snow, a fire pit, and boozy winter beverages. I’ll take it!

img_20161221_122501 — Drying socks fireside

On our last night in South Lake we went to see an improv show at Harvey’s. Felicia Michaels and Gene Pompa were performing. They were both funny but I remember the show being better a few years ago when Mike and I went with different comedians performing.

On our way up to North Lake, we stopped at Free Bird Cafe to fuel up on coffee. I just happened to come across this place when I Google mapped “coffee” and I’m so glad I did. It is a little hole in the wall type place with good coffee and healthy snacks. Definitely recommended!

About half way through our drive, we stopped at Emerald Bay and went on a snowy hike. I was happy to get some exercise in after many glasses of wine and indulgences. I didn’t snap many pictures this vacation but, if you haven’t been, Emerald Bay is worth a visit. It’s gorgeous!

That night we got a severe storm warning and I was like, hold the phone, we need to stock up on water and all of the things. now. Which might have been a little assuming to the group of Canadians I was traveling with, all who are much more familiar with snowy weather than my California bones. Armed with water (and wine) to weather the storm, we spent a lazy night in playing games.

The next day, despite the snowy weather, we headed to mine and Mike’s home away from home, The Resort at Squaw Creek (you can read about our other Squaw adventures here, here, and here) for lunch at Sandy’s Pub.

img_20161223_090738 — Fresh snow in North Lake

While we were there, Mike and his brother-in-law hit the slopes snowboarding and, from what I heard, the conditions were perfect. We all meet them for lunch in the Village at Rocker@Squaw. Nachos ang wings all around!

On Christmas we spent the morning opening stockings and eating breakfast. A few years ago we were in Australia on Christmas (read about it here), which had a similar vibe to this year’s Christmas festivities. The day was casual (it’s hard to lug presents for everyone when traveling to different countries) and cheerful!

After stockings, we packed up and headed to Reno for Christmas dinner with my grandparents, mom and stepdad. It was great having so much family altogether. 🙂

This weekend we are off to Sonoma for New Years. Stay tuned!

** Note this blog went through a rebrand and is now veg vibes; which aligns better with the direction I organically gravitated towards. It’s all about your vibe.**

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: