California or Bust!
Day 1, it did not begin so easy… we had to get up and get moving very early so to get to Newark Airport, which is about an hour and fifteen minutes from our home. We needed to arrive to EWR by 5 a.m. That means outta Warwick by 4:30, 4:45 the latest! And it was POURING rain!
Once we were in the airport vicinity, rather than parking in short-term, we wanted to park Dan’s truck in the long-term lot which feels like it’s located two cities from the actual terminals. When you do this, you must wait for a shuttle to come around the lot, hop on it for about a 20 minute stop-and-go-drive before you actually get to the correct airline check-in terminal. All this, while it was POURING!!! Just torrential, blinding rain; while Dan drove from Warwick, down the mountain, through northern NJ and while at EWR as we collected our suitcases from the truck after parking. Still pouring as the shuttle was coming around, and still, just a drenching downpour right as we were getting out, but luckily the bus arrived almost just as we did made it there, so it seemed to be perfect timing! Wouldn’t have to wait in the rain!
In a rush, I made sure I had everything I needed… I did. But, because of the rain, I needed to grab a somewhat waterproof hoodie from my suitcase. I made sure the suitcase was zipped, that the truck door was shut, and I then ran to the shuttle pulling my suitcase, backpack on and hoodie over my head, in the drenching rain. Made it!!! But… as I sat… I felt something was missing. I searched through my backpack, my pockets, every zipped up secret pocket I could as the bus kept moving farther and farther from our parked truck… to find my phone. Yet, even as I searched, I knew I would not find it. Because I knew it was sitting on the consul of the truck. I was so upset. —-> Sidenote, I do not “need” my phone in all honesty as many people do. Dan had his phone to keep in contact with how the kids were doing, I had all the information I needed for our stay and the race. And I’m not one to chit-chat much over the phone nor do I have that FOMO need to search the internet/social media, especially while on vacation. (Although, it is very helpful for navigation fo sho!) What I do need is my camera! And, these are the days that my camera IS my phone. Gone are the days where I carry my NIKON. So, as I sat upset, Dan informed the shuttle driver and I heard him say an unfortunate “Ooohhh man” after Dan telling him I forgot my phone, that we had to go back. He stopped, opened the door and in the torrential downpours, we got out. Yep. Lugging our suitcases, carry-on backpacks, no umbrellas, no raincoats. WE WERE SOAKED! But look at the beginning of this blog, with no photos, it seems so…. blank.
Got my phone! And thereafter, we waited in the shuttle house bus-stop for the next one to come around, which was about a ten minutes. Got on that. Silence between both of us. Closing in on 5:30 a.m. now, our flight was not until 7 a.m. but every minute chips away so quickly. Made it to the terminal, soaked. Waited in-line for airport screening, soaked. Once we found our gate, Dan tried to find something dry to put on from the yet-to-be-opened stores in the airport terminal. No luck. I was able to take off that somewhat waterproof hoodie and jacket I had on, but my shirt and pants were still the same, soaked. We sat on the plane for a 5 hour and 45 minute flight, soaked! But slowly drying. And arrived at San Francisco airport two and a half movies later, or at about 10:45 a.m. local time, somewhat still soaked.
It was good timing arriving in the morning, as we had a lot of driving to do! We rented a convertible and drove towards the coast. Below is a map of the entire trip. It turned out to a lot of driving. At times, I felt a little motion sickness. It was still all so beautiful to see. I personally just like to be out the car while being in a new location, and I love to hike and explore and have some adventure! We began from SFO, drove towards Half Moon Bay to then drive along the coast, stopping along the way to get a few pics. The first day was sunny but as we drove south, more coastal clouds rolled in along with fog and chilly air.
In Half Moon Bay, I had found online ahead of time a place to eat. It had great reviews as a nice stop along Pacific Highway Route 1. But once we arrived, it was away from the coast and basically in a parking lot! NO. Nope, we did not stay, and instead kept driving south until Dan spotted a sign for a KOA. It was PERFECT!!! Costanoa Lodge & Resort, their restaurant Cascade Bar & Grille! Beautiful location and incredible food! And not to mention exactly how we strive to live our life!! Sustainable, organic, farm to table!!!
The view along the drive to the KOA and the restaurant. Turn off of Pacific Highway 1, drive into the coastal forest and there it is, a great camping, glamping retreat! Luxury cabins, spots for RV’s or even places to pitch a ten! Complete with spa, ocean view and the reason we were there, a fantastic restaurant!
By this time, I was starving! We ordered Brussels sprouts for an appetizer, seen below. And I had the Faro salad which was arugula, beets, grilled radicchio, hazelnuts, radish, pickled onions, seeds, sherry vinaigrette, and I added blackened fish of the day, pacific wild caught salmon. Dan had a blackened fish sandwich, it looked amazing! It all was perfect!!
I snapped this photo before we left, but I didn’t get as many as I should have.
Nutritiously Well-Fed, we got back into the car to continue on our California Coast tour! We made a stop at Santa Cruz as Dan had been there when he was 19. We were reminiscing as that was after our first year together in college, and it was the first summer we were apart. He sent me postcards and bought me a tiny sea shell bracelet from a surf shop on the boardwalk. I still have that bracelet today! We had to see Santa Cruz and walk the boardwalk, taking a stop into the same surf shop! Weary-eyed travelers below pic.
Got myself a hat, some rad socks for Sneaks, a cool Santa Cruz t-shirt for Kali and also a very useful sweatshirt for myself. I needed it today and will for the next few days!
From Santa Cruz, onwards to our hotel, the Monterey Plaza! Incredible place to stay! Right in Cannery Row, perfect location to walk to the Old Fisherman’s Wharf for lunch and dinner! I also needed to walk to the bus location the morning of my race, at around 3:30 a.m. So this hotel was perfect! Pics below! Tomorrow, we drive south to Big Sur!
