We're back, and the trip was great. We headed down to a cabin in Santa Cruz that we found online hours before we left home. The pillows were remarkably heavy, yes, but we were surrounded by redwoods and it was warm enough for sandals. Worth it.
The California coastline is stunning. It seemed a waste that for much of it, not a soul was in sight. In some places herds of cattle grazed on fields that ended abruptly as cliffs dropping into the Pacific. The beasts were oblivious to anything but the grass beneath their nose. You'd think they'd look up from time to time and gaze out to sea.
As I stood with my camera on a side road, a rancher drove by, a grey-haired man with a cowboy hat and a dog beside him in the old pickup truck. He nodded at me and lifted his hand in a brief wave. In that moment, I desperately wished I were his neighbour, farming the land next to his.
The kids were good. Of course, staying at the Super 8 on the way down already surpassed anything their little minds could dream up, and the cabin just took it up another notch.
There was a moment when Pete was reading Aesop's fables to them as we waited in the border lineup, and I looked over at the SUV next to us where the mother was tapping on her laptop as her kids watched DVDs, that I felt pleased with our parenting. But I think we canceled out any accumulated points another day when I passed back a drumstick from a bucket of KFC to Ariana in her car seat. Although I think that may have been one of the best moments of Ariana's life so far.
Pete and I drank a lot of coffee, enjoyed car conversation and listened to so much Johnny Cash that Leif shouted, "She got a body, oh yeah!" in the grocery store.
And to top it off, turns out it hailed and snowed back home while we were away.
you guys picked a great week to visit our fair city.....where did you stay?
Posted by: marci | Monday, March 31, 2008 at 09:14 AM
Welcome back! I love all the memories that were made!
Posted by: Sheri | Monday, March 31, 2008 at 04:25 PM
Welcome home. I missed reading your blog this last week. Were you able to sleep alright knowing that your head was resting on dead bugs and their poo?
Posted by: Danielle | Monday, March 31, 2008 at 11:53 PM
Sounds awesome. Are you willing to disclose the cottage? My oldest (8) loves Johnny Cash. His favourite song: Boy Named Sue. Hmmm, speaking of parenting....
Posted by: Matthew | Tuesday, April 01, 2008 at 07:12 AM
Isn't that way a lot?...just when you think you are pretty good parents your head gets set straight and you realize you are normal parents really trying hard but not exceptional? I get that and I think it is a good thing. That way my head doesn't get stuck up in the clouds with too many good thoughts about myself. Not saying you are bad parents because that sure isn't good to say. Keep up the great job. Being a parent is the hardest thing I have ever been!
Love your blog, missed the interesting read and glad that you are back safe and sound.
Posted by: Jac | Tuesday, April 01, 2008 at 08:44 AM
*sigh* That looks like it was a heavenly trip:) LOL about Ariana and the drumstick!!!
Posted by: Amy Hoogstad | Tuesday, April 01, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Nice pictures,Martina. I really like Leif's hairdo. Priceless
Posted by: Mom S | Tuesday, April 01, 2008 at 11:48 AM
We stayed here: http://www.rivergroveresort.com/
I heaved those cushions into a pile in the corner and slept with my own light, one-month-old pillow.
Posted by: Martina | Wednesday, April 02, 2008 at 09:49 AM
LOL when Lauren was two she sereneded our minister with Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire" -- we all got a very good laugh (including our minister), and we haven't listened to it in Lauren's presence since. :o)
Posted by: Chris | Sunday, April 06, 2008 at 07:45 PM
Thank you for the wonderful summary of your trip. I chuckled several times and I oohed and ahhed over the visuals. You sure downplayed the trip last night!
Posted by: Lianne | Monday, April 07, 2008 at 08:34 PM