Ahhhhhhhhh!

We just returned from what might have been the best mini vacation EVER.  Bird and I wanted to get away and Yaya just so happened to have a week off for winter break.  We quickly hatched a plan to go beach hopping on Hwy 101 along the California coast.  The only set objective if you will was to take photos of the coast while enjoying some family time together in the sun.  Never in a million years could we have planned such a perfect trip.  So many happy accidents fell into place making this a family vacation that will be very hard to beat.

We began our trip in Marina, California where we stayed within walking distance from the beach. When we arrived Tuesday afternoon, our car's thermostat said it was only 51 degrees.  The sky was dark grey and thick fog hung heavily just off shore. None of that mattered to us.  We couldn't put our bags away and get bundled up fast enough.  None of us could wait to start exploring our new surroundings.  We quickly found the beach was practically empty.  In fact, in some spots our footprints were the only ones on the beach.  At times, the monochromatic appearance of the waves, beach and foggy sky made it difficult to determine exactly where the ocean and the sky became one.  I loved watching how the sky would grow really dark only to see the sun suddenly poke through softly illuminating portions of the empty beach and surf. 

We had so much fun playing and just being together in the sand.  No matter how many layers we put on Yaya she found a way to take them off or alter them to her liking.  She is wearing pants in the middle photo but somehow she managed to pull them tightly enough around her thighs to make them into shorts.

(The outer photos were actually taken the next morning at sunrise.)

After a few hours on the beach we decided it was time to get cleaned up and go to dinner.  Bird found a brochure for Lugano Swiss Bistro in the hotel lobby and off we went to find it.  As we approached Carmel the sun began peeking through the clouds.  At the very last minute we decided to take a detour towards 17 Mile drive to watch the sunset.  Boy oh Boy was that ever a sunset to remember!  The shots below were taken on the coast near The Lone Cypress though it is not actually pictured.

We finished the first day at Lugano Swiss Bistro by sharing a savory cheese fondue complete with sliced apples, broccoli, cauliflower and bread for dipping.  We also shared the Schnitzel plate complete with schnitzel, salad, spaetzel and sweet cabbage salad too.  Yaya loved being able to play with her food while snuggling between us.  Bird and I loved sitting outside together around a cozy fire while sharing a glass of wine and food together. 

We couldn't have ended our first night of vacation any better!