Mystical Monterey & Cozy Carmel, California

I went to Monterey at a time when I believed the world revolved around one thing, Love. I learned a lot while I was there. For me, it was a journey of the soul. But this part of the California coastline has much to offer for soul searchers, lovers, & families alike. Of course my journey had to begin, here, at Lover's Point, a quaint little park located in nearby Pacific Grove. The beautiful paths that wind around the coast here make this a viable place for love.

Day 1. There are many unique shopping experiences here. I especially loved the Butterfly Shop. These little creatures always bring a "renewing" energy to life. In October each year, the Monarchs migrate through Pacific Grove and you can view them at The Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary. After spending the day in town, it was time to meander to the infamous Cannery Row where I would find my home away from home for the next 4 days, The Spindrift Inn. I have to say the guest service here is top notch. I was greeted with a glass of wine and a lovely cheese spread available to all guests. The room was decorated in hues of pink, very warm & romantic.
Nothing beats waking up to the sound of waves crashing on the shore beneath your window. And with breakfast delivered to your room daily, you can relax and enjoy the view. You might not always be alone though. The seagulls here are not shy and show up at any given moment. I named this guy Scooter. He came every morning and every evening to greet me. One morning I was woken by a seal barking and splashing around in the water. It's a playground of love around here! Just down the beach there are restaurants and shops to enjoy as well as the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium where you can book a romance tour and drink wine with the jellyfish!

Day 2. If you want to venture out a bit, a hike at the Point Lobos State Reserve is the perfect place to evoke your love of nature. One of the most exquisite places I've seen, the reserve is home to China Cove (pictured left) where sea otters play and the waters turn from ocean blue to transcendent turquoise. Absolutely stunning! Point Lobos also offers endless rocky shores, scenic trails, & colorful wildflowers throughout the park.

Day 3. Of course, when you are ready to shop, and who doesn't LOVE shopping, Carmel is the place to be. The streets are filled with cottage shops offering unique gifts, food, clothing, hats, tea, chocolates, wine, & even designer purses. It's a bit like Rodeo drive gone country. The town is so quaint and adorable, you won't mind breaking out your credit cards. Oh come on, you know it's worth it! I Spent my money at The Cottage of Sweets, a town favorite since 1959!

When you're feet are tired of walking the streets, it's time to hit that oh so luxurious road known as the The 17 mile drive. Now, I admit, on my crusade of love, I'm wondering just what does this expensive piece of asphalt have to offer? Oh yeah, you pay to ride this road. Well this is the perfect time to throw out an OMG! This drive is beyond scenic. It's extravagant, glorious, & downright gorgeous! Winding through the forest on narrow roads into the glamorous greens of the golf gods, I found love here at none other than Pebble Beach. I'm sure it helped that I spent the day thinking mostly about my mom...

She loves golf, I love her. It was that simple. Well, ok, the Resort had a lot to love. From stunning views to amazing shops, an exquisite spa & even a fun and friendly marketplace, this is one pit-stop I won't soon forget! Continuing on my drive, I was soon reminded of my emotional journey. Ahhh, the lone cypress tree. The irony here is how many travelers stop to photograph this majestic beauty. I don't think this tree is ever really alone! I stood and stared at the cypress for quite some time. It stood tall and proud as if being alone (at least as far as other trees go) was okay. With that, I continued my drive and my journey. Take note that the 17 miles really does take a couple of hours if you make all the wonderful stops along the way. For me, it may have been the best 17 miles I've ever driven. You can enter and exit in either Carmel or Monterey. Make sure your camera is charged & ready to go. There's no shortage of photo opportunities on this road.

Day 4. Ready for a little countryside, I headed to Mission Ranch. One of the first dairy farms in California, the Ranch sits on 22 acres of vast land overlooking the Pacific Ocean & Carmel River Beach. It is wonderfully kept and has a fantastic restaurant where the creamery used to operate. Walking the grounds here is like being miles away from the hustle and bustle of nearby cities. Many a weddings take place here so love is abundant.

What I loved here were the grazing sheep. I found it a bit unusual to see sheep so close to an ocean but it did make for a great snapshot. It would be very easy to spend time here just relaxing but you don't have to. The Ranch is home to a beautiful tennis and fitness club. There are plenty of beautiful areas for an afternoon or evening walk as well. And while it looks as if you're out in the boondocks, the city of Carmel is only a mile away.

I couldn't leave Carmel without seeing the one spot where I truly know love resides, Carmel Mission Basilica. My love for missions probably started in the 5th grade where in California, you write a report on one & build a replica. Their peaceful beauty & architectural history are unmatched by any other structure. I left here knowing love knows no boundaries.

"Absence, not long enough to root out quite
 all love, increases love at second sight"  Thomas May

"Nothing grows again more easily than love" Seneca

Fall in Love with New York City

It's kind of difficult to mention New York City without thinking of Love. Whether it's your love of the city itself, the people, the places, the possibilities, OR actually falling in love, this city has an abundance of love to share. I travel here as often as I can, but it wasn't until I visited this past Valentine's Day that I decided to finally write about it. After all, it is the most written about city so what more could be said about it? Plenty. There is something extremely enticing and intoxicating about walking the streets of Manhattan or strolling through Central Park. It didn't matter that it was cold and windy, in fact, I hardly noticed. Of course, I was dressed the part, but the warmth came from something other than my down parka.

It all started here, in the south end of Central Park. I was joined by many critters on my morning walks here. Squirrels are scattering about, birds are chirping from above, & the branches of trees whistle in the wind. This park is nature at its best. I was so taken in by it all, that I realized I was nearly at the opposite end before I stopped to take notice of how far I'd gone. Along the way, I had chatted with a musician playing the saxophone, said hello to a few runners, & met a couple from England admiring one of the many fountains.

People. I have nothing but positive things to say about the people who reside in this city. There is an obvious love for each other, a real camaraderie among NYers. And yes, you should absolutely do as the locals do and take the subway everywhere! What a brilliant form of transportation & if you get lucky, you'll get an amazing free concert by folks like these.

History. Crossing the Brooklyn Bridge into lower Manhattan is like walking through time. One of the oldest suspension bridges in the U.S., the Brooklyn Bridge has withstood the test of time. Construction of the bridge started in 1870 & was completed in 1883. Today, more than 4,000 pedestrians & 3,100 cyclists cross the bridge daily. Since it's just over a mile long, it's a walk almost anyone can do. Probably the most scenic walk I've had in the city with views of the Manhattan skyline that not even a camera lens can capture. What may have been the biggest surprise to me, however, was the beauty I found on the other side, in Brooklyn.

New. I had never been to Brooklyn before. I loved the coziness of it. It has a real homey feel but I think what I loved most of all was this extraordinary find ~ Jane's Carousel. There's nothing quite like riding around on a white horse with views of the city whisking by you. Not to worry, there is a clear plastic shield that protects you from the wind & cold without missing a thing.

Tradition. There are the typical highlights of this city, & yes they are worth taking in. What would a visit to NYC be like without Times Square & Broadway? I chose Cinderella in keeping with the theme of my weekend. Fran Drescher was amazing! Oh, and this was the first time I actually got to be seen ON a billboard in Times Square thanks to AT&T and the Olympic Games!


Spirit. This city has so much Americana in it. I LOVE how proud I feel when I'm here. From the Statue of Liberty to the new Freedom Tower, New York is filled with national spirit & pride. I can really feel the sense of "United we Stand" almost everywhere I go here.

Unity. The world comes together here at Rockefeller Center. Every flag pole is represented by a United Nations member Country. On U.S. holidays, such as Memorial Day, every pole hoists the U.S. Flag. What's not to love about people coming together. Of course, there's the famous ice skating rink & Christmas tree spectacular each holiday season. No matter what time of year (and I've visited during them all), Rockefeller Plaza bursts with pride & joy.

All of these great things showed me a true meaning of love. But it was Valentine's Day and despite the storm (a.k.a. Pax), a myriad of flight changes & train detours, I did manage to share some LOVE in the most romantic way. We've all seen it in movies, probably made most famous in "Sleepless in Seattle," the light of love that is present for one day only.... it shines bright on the Empire State building but is most visible from my favorite spot, Top of the Rock.

This year, it glowed a beautiful pink. The views from up here are undeniably phenomenal. It is purely breathtaking and a MUST see. By day or by night, with a loved one, a friend, your family, (I've taken them all here) this place rocks! But for the romantic at heart, Valentine's Day at the Top of the Rock is host to live music, a champagne bar, professional photo ops, red roses galore, & the beauty of LOVE.

“One belongs to New York instantly, one belongs to it as much in five minutes as in five years.” 
― Tom Wolfe