When you know the Central Coast Sierra Nevada rep, you get things. Like free tickets to Nicki Bluhm in Big Sur! I discovered Nicki Bluhm last fall when I saw her at Don Quixote’s in Felton. She stole my heart. And seeing her at the Library made it all that sweeter. What a venue! Those trees, that voice. It was the best getaway for a week night. The drive there wasn’t that bad either.
Sunday we took my parents for a drive on the coast to Big Sur and then on the way back we stopped in Monterey for clam chowder at the warf. Even though the clouds wanted to stay, we had a beautiful day. The air was crisp, and fresh – the ocean so aqua. I think the Central Coast stole their hearts this day ;)
I mean, look how happy my mom looks here. She was so giggly this day; it was wonderful to hear her laugh and see her smile and smell the ocean.
On a Thursday Rob sent me an email that said he had a surprise for me on Saturday. I normally HATE being surprised and have to know EVERYTHING that’s going on. Even as a child I’d snoop into my Christmas gifts or raid my mom’s purse for receipts before my birthday. But since my weekends are pretty wide open now, I let Rob take me for a surprise ride and didn’t put up a fight. I didn’t find out what we were doing until I sat in the car. And to my delight, I pulled out a piece of paper from the glove department to discover that we were going horse-back riding on the beach in Big Sur! I think I smiled the entire drive there.
The drive was absolutely beautiful. It felt like we were on the coastline of some exotic island:
We stopped for a quick picnic in one of the parks in Big Sur.
Then we went to the stables! We signed up for the “Afternoon Delight” tour, which took us riding through the redwoods, colorful meadows, hills, the Big Sur river, {poison oak} and last but not least – the beach!
Thumbs up {again}!
My stallion ;)
I’m glad my horse liked to gallop a lot – I couldn’t stop laughing!
