Big Sur

Big Sur is pure magic.

Morning coffee steam rising with the sun
Post Ranch Pumpkin
SL reading on the deck

We honeymooned at Post Ranch Inn and celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary here.  By a strange twist of fate, I have been consulting for the past five years for the company that manages this amazing luxury resort property.  My boss and his wife let us borrow their private home for a long overdue family getaway.  All of us needed to slow down our feverish everyday pace and check out of real life for a few days.

Making art on the deck

It's interesting to me how much place can affect our mood.  Our family rhythm is pretty entrenched at home with morning routines, chores and work.  We choose to live where we do because of the views, the community and the fact that nature is constantly accessible to us just outside our doors & windows.  However, we've been slaves to our calendars for months upon months and this weekend was the first time in over a year (or more) that we had NOTHING on the calendar for two whole days.  I felt giddy with the possibilities of there being nothing we had to do.

We needed a break from our daily to-do list and some unscheduled time with each other.  We really needed this and I planned it out so that it could happen.  As the mom and social secretary for our household, I needed to carve out a pocket of days where we could clear our calendars, as well as our heads.

Sunset over the Pacific Ocean
An unexpected power outage really forced us to slow down

The stress started to melt away as our car was winding down Highway One and entering Big Sur.  The views made me pause and think about how small we are in the grand scheme of things.  We checked in, so that we could check out.

Morning glow
My new favorite family photo

Each of us retreated to our own little corners to read, write, make art, nap, eat, drink and start it all over again.  We had discussions we have been putting off about holidays, family celebrations and Steve's big five-oh.  We listened to music, took photographs, watched movies and got a little work done.  There was no pressure, just an expansive stretch of hours that seemed to move a little slower for us while we were here.

Rainbow Squirt Gang (front & back)
G created these and played with them for HOURS while we were here

There is something restorative about being in this sacred place.  The simple A-frame home was a work of beautiful design and provided just the right amount of modern conveniences to help us unwind and cushion us from the outside world.

Morning view from the master bedroom loft

Appreciating the sunrise and sunset is a twice daily ritual I always enjoy, but made more special here by the quiet, unhurried pace and the company I was keeping.  Grady had us laughing a lot and I feel grateful that he still likes just hanging out with us, his parents.

This morning I feel rested and full, connected to my husband and son, nature, our life.  Our family needed a squeeze and I feel like we are leaving a little tighter, more on the same page and recharged.

Thanks for the hug, Big Sur.