Carmel-by-the-Sea...

Next month Jason and I will have been married 10 blissful years and  I am here to tell you it doesn't feel a day over 9 years and 11 months.  I am also here to tell you that we figured we better celebrate such a momentous occasion with a trip to Carmel, CA.  Carmel is a picturesque seaside town with lots and lots of charm, good food, good wine, and good fun.  

Let the adventure begin...

We flew into San Jose late Tuesday night, rented a car Wednesday morning, drove into San Francisco, rented bikes, rode across the Golden Gate Bridge into Sausalito, ate authentic Mexican food in the sun, and decided that we definitely need to come back for more San Fran fun.

 

 

 

 

Biking across the bridge is a popular activity.  Most people take the ferry back to Fisherman's Wharf.  There are so many bikers that they just load the bikes in one big pile right down the middle of the boat where people sit.

After our city adventure we hit Highway 1...the Coast Highway...and headed down to Carmel.  The drive was absolutely beautiful and well worth the extra time.  There were tons of little pull offs to view the gorgeous ocean and this one was full of kite boarders.

Since we were going to be eating and drinking our fill we figured we better stay active.  Every morning Jason went for a seaside run (I joined one day...the other days I slept in and watched the luxury that is cable television).  We also went for a hard (I think it was pretty much straight uphill) hike that was worth every step.

 

 

 

 

And now onto the eating and drinking portion of the trip.  We had wine in the sun at La Petite Chambre...the cutest little studio that we rented.  We also at at the best Middle Eastern restaurant where we sang and clapped along with the staff.

We went to France via Cali...

We had appetizers and beer at Clint Eastwood's Mission Ranch Restaurant...

And we watched the sun set over the Pacific in the sand...

It was a totally in the moment, totally present with each other, totally romantic, totally laugh inducing vacation that we will remember for at least another 10 years.  Maybe I better start planning the 20th...or at least the 11th!

**And it must be said that none of this could have been made possible if it weren't for Nana and her ability to seamlessly slip into our lives and schedules and take care of the girls.  Thank you thank you thank you Nana!!!!**