Prickly Pear Cactus

My husband and I are spending the entire weekend celebrating Valentine’s Day. My husband isn’t what I would call overly romantic, but this year a few things caught his eye, and before I knew it he had an entire weekend of activities planned. Far be it for me to not take advantage of his warm and fuzzy mood!

Saturday:

We will partake of breakfast at The Farmhouse Restaurant in Gilbert. I’ve been wanting to check this place out for ages, I hear they’ve got incredible Belgian waffles, and my husband is an aficionado of biscuits and gravy.

In Queen Creek, the Peach Blossom Celebration at Schnepff Farms is open the weekends of February 10th-13th, 17th-20th, and 24th-27th. Admission is free! I’ve seen cherry orchards and apple orchards, but I’ve never seen a peach orchard in full blossom. It seems like it’s been AGES since I’ve had a really great peach – the produce in the grocery stores always seem to be mealy and dry.

We’ll be wrapping up the day with dinner at The Melting Pot in Ahwatukee. Nothing spells romance like raw meat on sticks and boiling oil. I may skip dinner and go straight to dessert, though. You can’t go wrong with chunks of cake dipped in melted chocolate.

Sunday:

After indulging in breakfast in bed, we’re taking a drive up to the Boyce-Thompson Arboretum near Superior. This weekend features their annual flower exhibit. Admission is $7.50 for adults and $3 for ages 5-12.

We’ll partake of dinner at one of our favorite Italian restaurants, Lo Cascio’s in Tempe. They have, hands-down, the best chicken marsala I’ve ever had. And the tiramisu is heavenly.

I’m one lucky, lucky girl.

Photo Credit: “I Heart Prickly Pear Cacti” by Andrew Atzert on Flickr Creative Commons.

Lobby or gallery? Both.

Thinking about visiting Oregon for your romantic Valentine’s Day getaway? We’ve got the spot for you. The Hotel Lucia in downtown Portland features amenities and service that set it apart from the competition. It is classy without being stuffy, and the personalized attention makes guests feel totally pampered. And then there is the artwork.

The lobby, hallways and hotel rooms are adorned with the Pulitzer-prize winning photographs of David Hume Kennerly. It’s enough to make one consider knocking on the suite of a stranger just to continue the tour of Kennerly’s work. However, on behalf of the other guests we ask that you control yourself.

The Hotel Lucia is currently offering a Valentine’s Day special called “Turning Up the Heat” that starts with rose petals and ends with breakfast in bed. What you do in the meantime is none of our business.

When my wife and I were guests of the hotel it was in the summer. We wore shorts and spent our days walking through the city. We sweat a lot. We were afraid that we might not fit in at the Hotel Lucia. However, unlike other boutique hotels that seem above such things, the Lucia never batted an eye. They just opened the door, invited us in or wished us well, and they always called us by name. That’s a nice touch.

The city of Portland is very walkable and friendly. However, if you desire a faster mode of transportation the public offerings are safe, clean and efficient.

If you’re hungry and/or in need of a drink, the Typhoon! Restaurant and Bo Bistro are both run by Chef Bo Kline, who is something of a hotshot in the culinary world. One bite and you’ll know why.

Turning your Hotel Lucia stay into a Valentine’s Day treat is as easy as being there. The lavish offerings and attention to detail surround you.  The food and drink set the perfect mood.  A walk in the city, whether browsing paperbacks in the gigantic Powell’s Books, shopping in one of the many fine stores or standing in line for two hours at Voodoo Donuts, is exhilarating (well, once you get the actual donuts).

All that’s needed for romance is you. And your date.

Follow the Hotel Lucia on Twitter (and UpTake, too!).

To learn more about Portland and the Pacific Northwest, listen to The Life Cascadia on PDX.FM. I show up there now and again.

St. Joseph's Silver Beach

For a laidback romantic getaway, nothing beats the small town charm of St. Joseph’s, Michigan.  Just an hour or two away from the big city hustle of Chicago, St. Joe’s offers a soothing escape. I enjoyed a memorable anniversary celebration in the lakeside beauty of St. Joe’s for a long weekend without kids.  The people were so friendly, the scenery so appealing, that we seriously considered staying and sending for the kids later.  Whether you’re looking for a short rip off the beaten path or an extended vacation, St. Joe’s offers a great retreat.

Because Lake Michigan in the Chicago area harbors high toxicity rates, I was eager to bask on a beach where I didn’t have to worry about my toes burning from chemicals in the water.  Silver Beach recalls a 50s beach movie, complete with kids singing with guitars in the sand and rousing beach volleyball games.  I splashed in the water while my husbands gobbled hot dogs, ice cream and cheese fries. We biked along the scenic boulevards of downtown St. Joe’s stopping in antique shops, galleries and one-o-a kind shops like Pop Fashion by Jessica Sherman, where I snagged a black jacket painted with Betty and Wilma from the Flintstones.  For dinner, we headed to the  elegant Bistro on the Boulevard where we sampled crispy duck confit and seared seasme tuna.  Our weekend was topped off by the lovely South Cliff Inn, where we enjoyed sunsets on it’s bluff and long soaks in our suite’s jacuzzi.

Photo courtesy of Berrien County Parks

UpTake on Palm Trees in Hawaii

Happy February everyone!! How did that happen so quickly? I feel like just yesterday I was clinking a champagne glass and looking around a crowded room for the recipient of a New Years smooch…. if only…. actually I was at home, in my pj’s and curled up in bed with my chihuahuas by 11:30. Lame. NYE Smooches from pooches.

Alas, Welcome February and cupid and heart shaped boxes and all things romantic! Yup, you have 14 days to make plans for you and your sweetie. Perhaps, you might want to get away for a weekend, if so, check out UpTake.com for help in finding the best romantic inns and hotels around. This is not a shameless plug at all, UpTake is where it’s at for navigating you towards a lovenest for February 14th.

My idea of a lovenest?? No, not in a palm tree! But looking UP and TAKE-ing a mental snapshot of the blue sky and palm fronds blowing in the gentle Hawaiian breeze while swinging in a hammock, sipping a tropical drink from a coconut. Insert “lei” joke here.

This post is part of our blog photo series: Things are Looking Up! If you would like to share one of your “UpTakes”, please submit your photo by using the editor contact link in the sidebar.

Photo courtesy of: Blipsman

View From the Asheville Biltmore Estate

Whether you get into all the Valentine’s Day hoopla or not, it’s important that from at least time to time that you plan something romantic for your loved one. Even if you have kids, it’s important that we set time aside for a little escape from the mundane. Well if this post has just reminded you that Valentine’s Day is upon us once again, I’m offering you a “bail-out” plan: a trip to romantic Asheville, North Carolina. Bail-out because number one, your loved one wants more than just flowers each year, and number two, because compared to many romantic destinations, Asheville is a cheaper vacation.

What you won’t find in Asheville is expensive luxury resorts with PGA golf courses or large amusement parks, but you will find a quaint and charming mid-sized city that is tucked in a valley in the Smokey Mountains. As much fun as a luxury resort can be, they are meant to keep you on the hotel’s property. In Asheville, there are so many sights and sounds that you have to get out and experience them, and they are best experienced when shared with someone else.

As Niagara Falls is to Upstate New York, the Biltmore Estate is to Asheville. One of the largest mansions in the world, the Biltmore Estate is a perfect starting point, featuring a beautiful Victorian-style mansion with the beautiful Smokey Mountains as the backdrop. A walk through their gardens and a visit to their winery gives you a full day at Asheville’s best attraction.

If the weather is nice and you’re feeling a little adventurous, take a quick road trip up the Blue Ridge Parkway and stop at many of the scenic overlooks or even take a short hike. A little further up the parkway is Mt. Mitchell, which is the highest peak on the eastern part of North America. On a clear day, visitors can see miles and miles in all directions from the summit.

If you’re not feeling so adventurous, there are plenty of attractions in downtown Asheville that make it a pleasant romantic getaway. Asheville is known for its music scene, which includes jazz bars and several other larger music venues. Downtown features a wide-range of dining options, from various international cuisine to tapas to fine dining.

Although there are plenty of hotels in and around downtown Asheville, I strongly recommend skipping on a hotel and going for one of the many charming bed and breakfasts in Asheville. These southern, antebellum homes are one of the things that make Asheville such a romantic destination.

As it being winter, it’s your best chances for getting the best rates on lodging and admissions for attractions such as the Asheville Biltmore Estate. And who knows, maybe your romantic retreat will be capped off with a little snow fall.

Photo taken by Spencer.

The view from my villa

When I say romance, you think Paris, right? Well stop it; you’re limiting yourself. I, hopeless romantic that I am, would like to submit for your consideration the Isle of Capri.

First, it is the place Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis ran away from her troubles as first lady. Second, poet Pablo Neruda lived on Capri while writing “The Captain’s Verses,” a book of love poems. The island has been home to many a writer and artist. Is there anything more romantic than that?

Of course there isn’t. Don’t be silly.

And let’s not forget that it’s an island. One with a population of just over 7,000. One that doesn’t allow cars above a certain point. It’s isolated. It’s intimate. It’s perfect for walking. Now that’s got romance written all over it. And did I mention it’s in Italy?

Enough said.

Get it all started with the right place to stay. Capri offers elegant hotels, cozy B&Bs and my personal recommendation, the private villa. Private being the operative word here. Plus many of them have patios with spectacular views, perfect for a leisurely morning of cappuccino and cornetti (I’ll have the chocolate creme one, please).

After breakfast, take a romantic stroll through the town of Capri. Don’t stop to shop (no matter how tempting); you can do that later. Follow Via Camerelle to Via Tragara, which will take you to a terrace with a view of the magnificent Faraglioni rocks. From there you can continue on to the Pizzolungo, a route that skirts around the island and takes you past gorgeous greenery and vistas that will knock your socks off. Stop and run your hand over the wild rosemary and breathe in its scent.

Along the Pizzolungo

It’s beautiful here, and peaceful and quiet. You feel like you’re the only people in the world.

As you follow the Pizzolungo, you will come to someplace you simply must stop: Le Grottelle, a restaurant where you can have lunch on the terrace with the Amalfi Coast as your backdrop. The food? Amazing.

After lunch, continue on to the Natural Arch, a perfect place to take a picture.

You’ll be tired after your long walk. Go back to the villa to rest up for the evening. Or not. Romance, right?

Dinner options on Capri abound, but as we’re talking about romance, allow me to recommend two personal favorites:

Faraglioni, (after the rocks), has romantic covered tables that line one side of Via Camerelle. They’re cozy, fairly private and allow you to concentrate on the fabulous food and on each other.

The waters off Capri

da Paolino, where you can eat under a lemon grove in a place frequented by celebrities and captains of industry for over 40 years. The food is worth the cab ride down from the town of Capri.

After dinner, make your way back up to town and take a stroll through La Piazzetta, which is the social heart of Capri. The bars on the piazza have outdoor tables for excellent people-watching and socializing.

After a drink or a cappuccino, ask yourself, “What am I doing out here when I could be back at my villa with my honey?” Then go do something about it.

For me, Capri would be the ultimate honeymoon experience. Too bad I didn’t know about it when I got married. But you don’t have to be a newlywed to appreciate this wonderful place.

And if you don’t get the romantic idea while you’re there, you can always plan a trip across the water to Pompeii. I hear that before Vesuvius blew it was a pretty sexy place.

All photos by Finn

Related post:  Romance at St. Helena’s Wine Country Inn, Napa Valley

Look up for great photos opportunities in Vienna, Austria

When I had a chance to spend a week in Vienna, Austria my first thought was “but what will I do, I’m not a huge fan of classical music.” What I found was that this old European city offers more than just a great cup of coffee. Vienna has some of the best comfort food, best open parks and best photo opportunities anywhere.

During my time there, one of my favorite discoveries was that almost every restaurant offered Wiener schnitzel. Wiener schnitzel is not even close to what you find at the drive-thru hot dog shack with the similar name. (Der!) What you get instead is a piece of meat; usually veal but that is changing now and you can get pork instead. This cutlet is then breaded and deep-fried. Yum and yum! It goes perfectly with all the German and Austrian beer that is available everywhere.

There are also delicious pastries to be tried, with your Viennese coffee. If you love apple pie then you will love the plentiful apple strudel. However, I suggest you try the famous Sacher Torte. Not only is it amazing to look at but also the taste is not to be missed! It is a soft and fluffy chocolate cake with the tasty apricot jam under the icing. You can find this killer dessert at the Hotel Sacher Wien, which is close to the pedestrian shopping area Kärntner Straße. They also sell it in their Salzburg hotel, where we tried a slice again!

With the wide boulevards surrounding the city, it is easy to walk off the calories. There are however lots of beautiful parks – and park benches – perfect for taking a break when you need to. My favorite for sure was the Stadtpark. It is a huge city park with the most monuments and sculptures in Vienna. The most famous is the gilded bronze monument of Johann Strauß II, and it is most frequently photographed.

When you plan your next trip to Europe, I would definitely consider stopping in Vienna. Not only can you experience that sophisticated European lifestyle the city is famous for, but you can also enjoy the simple affordable joys like deep fried pork and chocolate cake!

Photo by Sharon Castellanos

And where better to get away in February than the Sunshine State of Florida?

Of course, Florida is a big state, teeming with romantic beaches, secluded Bed N’ Breakfasts and luxurious spas that would make a perfect setting for any romantic surprise.  In the interest of making your life easier (and putting my favorite ideas in writing for my own husband), I’ve narrowed down the possibilities to Five of my favorite romantic weekend vacations in Central Florida (also known as in and around Orlando).

5. Seven Sisters Inn in Ocala, Florida.

Paris Apartment at Seven Sisters Inn

I’ll admit, Ocala, Florida is not the first place I would send someone for a romantic weekend.  But this infamous bed and breakfast is a rare treat – especially if you’re into ghost stories.  Known as “Florida’s most haunted Bed and Breakfast” (which suggests there is competition for the title), the Seven Sisters Inn has been featured on national “ghost hunting” television shows.  Past guests are encouraged to share their supernatural experiences in public journals, so even if nothing happens during you’re visit you should find plenty of ways to freak yourself out.

Why run away to a haunted bed and breakfast for Valentine’s Day?  Think clinging together during scary movies – times ten.

4. A Beach Retreat at Flagler Beach, Florida.

Again, most people would ask themselves why Flagler Beach?  It’s not quite Daytona Beach.  It’s not quite St. Augustine.  It’s just about half way in between and appears to offer absolutely nothing to tourists.

And that, my friends, is the appeal.

Dusk at Snack Jack

For about $100 per night, rent a private villa on the beach at the Island Cottage By The Sea.  Spend your days enjoying nothing but each other and the sound of the ocean.  The beaches here, while public, are quiet and uncrowded.  For a casual yet romantic dinner, you can eat indoors or out at Snack Jack’s and enjoy fresh seafood overlooking the water at sunset.

Of course, if you do decide you need more visual stimulation during the day than the ocean and boutique shopping can provide, you’re just a short drive up the coast to the infamous lighthouses of St. Augustine.

3. Be Grown Ups at Universal Studios Orlando and City Walk

Many people don’t think about amusement parks when they are planning a romantic weekend.  After all, places like Universal Studios were made for kids, right?

Universal Studios Orlando

Universal Studios becomes a completely different experience when you go without children.  And when you stay in one of the on site hotels, you’ll receive free fast passes for all of the rides – which means no kids and no waiting in lines! My favorite on site resort is the Loews Royal Pacific Resort, but you have three to choose from.

When you’re done screaming and giggling like kids on the roller coasters, spend the night at City Walk.  You have dozens of restaurants and clubs to choose from – from a Latin dance club to a popular piano bar.  Again, staying on site means convenient transportation to and from the restaurants and clubs, as well as well lit paths for a late night walk back to your hotel.

2. Shop Until You Drop at The Florida Mall in Orlando

Mall at Millenia in Orlando

Maybe you don’t think shopping is romantic.  Maybe the idea of sleeping in a mall doesn’t send chills down your spine and a smile across your face.  Maybe it’s a good thing you’re not married to me.

If your Valentine loves to shop, you can spend the entire weekend doing what she (or he) loves.  The luxurious Mall at Millenia and the cult favorite IKEA practically share a parking lot.  There are two upscale outlet malls within 10 minutes of one another (Prime Outlets and Premium Outlets – because we wouldn’t want to confuse the tourists with similar sounding names).  And you can finish the day and spend the night at The Florida Mall, a sprawling complex that houses a Sephora and it’s own hotel!

If your Valentine doesn’t love to shop, the two of you can read this and have a good laugh together at the crazy lady who considers a really good mall a romantic date.

1. The Spa at The Ritz Carlton Orlando, Grand Lakes

Yes, it’s The Ritz.  No, this won’t be a cheap weekend.

But it will absolutely be worth every single penny you spend if you decide to splurge on a trip to The Ritz Carlton Spa.

You can get pampered individually, or enjoy special spa treatments together like a couple’s massage.  Of course their treatments are first class, but my absolute favorite part about this place is what happens between the treatments.

The co-ed lounge area is heave on earth.  You’ll ooze out of there at the end of the day, more relaxed than either of you have been since you were old enough to understand the difference between a workday and a weekend.

It doesn’t get much more romantic than a night at The Ritz Carlton with a deep tissue massage, a soak in a jacuzzi, and a long, hot sweat in the steam room.

Of course, if you’re married to me, you already know this.  Right? Right?

Photos courtesy of Seven Sisters Inn, Joe Shlabotnik, and Britt Reints

San Francisco is almost more beautiful at night during the holidays than any other time of year – and that is saying something.

During the holidays living in the City is such a gift: the bright lights on the Embarcadero Center row of buildings, outlined to look like giant present boxes; the beautiful window displays in high-end stores like Gump’s and multi-colored lights adorning neighborhood parks and homes. Walk through any of these areas of the city and you can’t help but smile and get a little more into the holiday spirit.

If you are visiting the City or planning to in the future and want to experience a uniquely San Francisco evening, I have the perfect recipe for you. The itinerary will need a little planning but should only require one phone call for the dinner reservation.  This evening is a local favorite for a romantic date but it can be adjusted for just a great night out with friends or family.

First thing you want to do is plan on wearing some warm layers of clothing, especially a scarf and gloves.  San Francisco at night, during this time of year, can be very cold. Wear some nice holiday clothes and comfortable shoes and you will be set for the evening.

Begin the evening with a drink at the beautiful Big Four Restaurant on Nob Hill. Located inside the Huntington Hotel, this secret spot doesn’t have the view that you can get from the Top of the Mark, but this is the place locals go. Filled with beautiful dark wood, the bar area is rich and a historic reminder of the robber barons that built San Francisco.

After a glass of wine or cold cocktail, walk slowly across California Street, watching out for the cable cars and taxi drivers heading across town. Criss-cross the street and stroll through Huntington Park, a wonderful small city park situated between Grace Cathedral and The Fairmont Hotel.  It is one of my favorite parks to visit at night during the holidays because the neighborhood association installs beautiful old-fashion lights in the trees.

Walk through the park towards your dinner reservations, at Venticello Ristorante on Taylor Street. This wonderful Italian restaurant has a warm intimate setting that reminds you of San Francisco society pages from the 1920s. I have had dinners where I have watched patrons walk in that could have been related to Grace Kelly or Kim Novak, in their style of dress and manner. The food is classic Italian with homemade pastas, risotto and roasted meats. The fireplace and wood oven add warmth to your dinner setting along with a backdrop of cable cars going up and down California Street.

After your dinner walk down Taylor Street to Jackson Street and catch the Powell-Hyde Cable Car, with its maroon colored sign, to head towards the waterfront and Hyde Street Pier.  The cable car ride will be very chilly but you can cuddle up inside the center of the car or wrap your scarf tighter and hang onto the outer poles like a local.

Your ride will take you up past Nob Hill and across Russian Hill until you head down Hyde Street to the end of the line. Hop off and turning your back to the bay, walk into The Buena Vista Cafe – home of the perfect Irish Coffee!

Irish Coffee

The recipe of this famous drink was created in 1952 when the restaurant owner and a well known travel writer worked to re-create a highly touted “Irish Coffee” served at Shannon Airport in Ireland.

The Irish Coffee served here at the Buena Vista is the perfect night cap any night of the year, but especially in winter.  How and when you decide to end your evening is up to you, but after all the lights, rich foods, fresh air and drinks – I recommend taking a cab home. Enjoy!

If you’re planning a trip, check out flights to San Francisco.

Photo credits to bill lim, tinou, shayne kaye and rick

Big Sur Highway 1

Part I of On the Road in Big Sur can be read here.

We greeted Saturday morning at the crack of 9:30, washed up and made the short walk up to the Lucia Lodge restaurant, closed to all at this hour except lodge guests. We toasted some bagels, grabbed coffee and fruit salad and a couple of hard boiled eggs and went out on the deck that overlooks the lodge grounds and the ocean. Mornings are always chilly in Big Sur, but with sweatshirts we were quite comfortable in shorts. The sun was already breaking through as we perused one of the free Big Sur Guide newspapers and contemplated how to spend the day.

Big Sur offers everything from hiking the 167,323 acres of the Ventana Wilderness to camping, hunting and fishing or just relaxing on one of many beaches. We decided on Pfeiffer Beach for its “breathtaking stretch of sand” and “large arch-shaped rock formations” and picked up a couple of sandwiches at the Big Sur Center Deli some 20 miles north on Hwy 1 (did I mention the Lucia Lodge is pretty isolated?) next to the Big Sur Post Office and planned to picnic. We got one pastrami, and one fresh roasted turkey sandwich. Both came with a pickle spear and were reasonably priced ($4-$6) given their girth. We could have easily split one sandwich and been more than satisfied.

The guide paper informed us that locating Pfeiffer Beach can be tricky if you’ve never been. You have to find unmarked Sycamore Canyon Road. Here’s the tip: it’s the only paved, un-gated road west of Hwy 1 between the Big Sur Post Office and Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Be warned that this is a very narrow, winding road, rather bumpy and pot-holed in some stretches. Do not attempt to negotiate this road with a trailer unless you want to risk getting yourself stuck and angering a lot of other drivers.

Pfeiffer Beach is as promised; long stretches of beach, breathtaking arch shaped rock formations and towering cliffs. What the paper didn’t happen to mention was that it can also be like visiting a sandy wind tunnel. The wind coming off the ocean whips around those arch shaped rock formations and right down that sandy stretch of beach. We found shelter on a large rock about 200 yards down the beach and endured the discomfort of our craggy seat long enough to eat lunch. Many people were braving the cold and enjoying the ocean but we decided against it, content to walk in the surf watch the kite fliers and spot seals. There was also a refreshing lack of seagulls though I can offer no reasons why. Anxious to continue our exploration we let the wind carry us back to our car.

“Exile on Main Street” pounding from the speakers, bright sun and blue skies flecked with white clouds and a brand new Mustang convertible, top down, roaring up Hwy 1. It doesn’t get much better. Hwy 1, and Big Sur in particular, offers some fantastic photo ops and the amateur shutterbug I call my wife was anxious to try and capture some of its beauty. We spent a good few hours driving up and down Hwy 1, stopping every few hundred yards so she could snap more photos. Though I’m not personally that interested in photography I was more than happy to oblige and give the Mustang a chance to sprint. Numerous turnouts allow for plenty of scenic views and some fantastic shots, however you may wish to confirm weather reports prior to planning a drive because the fog will often obstruct the coastal beauty. Fortunately the sun was on our side and my wife happily snapped off dozens of shots, some even with me in them.

Andrew Molera State Park has what the guide paper described as “a sandy beach…sheltered from the wind by a large bluff…”.  We were still in a beach mood and shelter from the wind sounded great so we pulled off to check it out. At the ranger kiosk the young man informed me of the $8.00 entry fee. I had expected this but having just paid $5.00 for a 45 minute visit at Pfeiffer Beach I wasn’t very willing to part with more of my dwindling cash supply. I pointed out the ticket we received at Pfeiffer still taped to our windshield, hoping the fact that we’d already paid one beach entry fee might gain us access to another. Apparently Pfeiffer is federally owned by the U.S. Forest Service while Andrew Molera is a state owned park. As such, each is entitled to charge an entry fee. Annoyed by this display of governmental gouging, we decided to begin the long trek back to Lucia and make dinner plans.

Nepenthe Patio

That morning a fellow continental breakfast-er had told us about a restaurant called Nepenthe, which is about (yes), twenty miles north on Hwy 1. We were informed that while the food was just “OK”, a better spot to sight whales and watch the sunset could not be found. We simply “must go”.  In fact, all of her friends in LA had told her that she simply “must go”. To ignore such resolute counsel would have been misguided, boarding on reckless, so go we did.

In the future I must remember to lead a more reckless, misguided life. OK I’m kidding. Our fellow lodger was correct in that the food was OK. I had the Ambrosiaburger (my eyes were instinctively drawn to it having been denied one the night before at Whale Watcher Café and the fact that at $13.00 it was the cheapest thing on the menu) complete with their famous “Ambrosia Sauce”, (mayo, green chili salsa and tomato sauce). My wife, already having decided to lead a more reckless life, opted for grilled scallops wrapped in prosciutto ($32.00) followed by the Four Layer Chocolate Fudge Cake ($7.50). While everything was delicious, as you’ve probably already gathered, what you’re really paying for is the view and by the time the bill arrived we were treated to a bright red sun melting into a thick blanket of clouds which slowly turned a dazzling hot pink, all the while spreading like whipped marshmallow across the darkening Pacific. Don’t forget your camera.

Back at Lucia Lodge we occupied one of the benches at the edge of the cliff near our cabin. Darkness had fallen and we were forced to rely on our other senses, enjoying the  cool winds coming off of the ocean and the sound of waves crashing at the base of the cliff below us. Later that evening, back in our cabin we enjoyed some wine and those good books and slept well. Sunday arrived far too quickly but the 11:00 AM check out time allowed us to linger over our coffee on the lodge deck. We watched the fog roll silently over the grounds, obscuring the foot path back to the cabin and our waiting Mustang, sitting patiently in anticipation of her final run up Hwy 1.

All Photos by Lisa Romano Except Nepenthe Courtesty of Nepenthe.