Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Whim Weekend

I like to have plans when I travel with other people because I HATE the whole "What do you want to do?" "I don't know. What do you want to do?" business that generally happens.
So there was high potential for me being cranky when Katie and Heather and I departed on Friday afternoon for the central coast. We had a hotel reservation for two nights in Santa Maria and a reservation at Hearst Castle on Saturday. And that was it. No other plans. I was a little worried.
But there was no need because what I forgot to factor in was that we were driving along the coast. And when this is your view for most of your trip,
you can't help but have the Blue Bird of Happiness tucked deep in your heart.
At the beginning of the trip we decided that since we had no plans we would do everything on a whim. It was the Whim Weekend! If any of us saw something that we liked we would pull off and enjoy.
So on a whim:
1.) We stopped in Carpinteria and picked up some hamburgers and ate them on the life guard tower while we watched the sunset (it really was that golden);
2.) We saw a pretty little bay that looked inviting and got off the freeway and ended up instead at a pretty little farm that sold fruits and homemade pies;

3.) We eventually made it to the bay which turned out to be a dog beach that was hosting a Great Dane festival. Have you seen dozens of Great Danes frolicking in the ocean? Your heart will break;
4.) We went to see the rock at Morro Bay and ended up at an art show where we purchased lovely hand-crafted jewelry and soap. (Fact: I am a sucker for hand-made soap because it's nicer on my allergies. Also, and this is the highest praise I can give, this soap was sitting in a bag at my feet in the car for hours and smelled the whole place up and not once did I feel like sneezing, wheezing, gagging or throwing it out the window. And it makes my skin feel nice.);
5.) We rescheduled our reservation time for Hearst Castle to make room for more whims. But we eventually made it and we learned all about the Life of Elegant Leisure.
Although we also learned that that life is only for the rich. For the paying tourist it is a whole bunch of "Hurry up! Stay with the group! No loitering!" Which went against my natural instincts, and, might I add, the whole vibe of the place. It's begging you to loiter, but your tour guide is shoving you on the bus;
6.) We headed down to Cambria and ended up having dinner at a fancy restaurant and then antique shopping, where I bought yet another brooch. Friends, I need another brooch like I need another toe. But how am I suppose to resist? It was a whim! We also wandered into a hat shop and I found this beauty:


The Official Hat for the Woman of Elegant Leisure!!!!! I would have had to take out a loan for it but just knowing that it exists fills me with joy.
7.) We played Uno at the poker table in the lobby of our hotel. It was a very old hotel and full of charm and tchotchkes and we thought it would be fun. It was.
Katie dealing:
Heather modeling her saucy new hat:
Me smiling with my eyes while losing:
Oy, that was a lot of cards.
To sum up: whims=fun

11 comments:

Andrea said...

I'm so JEALOUS! My Grandma lives in Santa Maria, I love it there. I haven't been to Hearst Castle in a long time. Did you see any zebras roaming around on the bus ride up to the Castle?

Ms. Liz said...

Oh I'm so glad you know of the joy that is the Central Coast too. Its only been a few months since our camping trip but it was amazing. I'm kind of jealous you got to go again.

There is an amazing farmers market in Cambria with a very over eager salad dressing salesman. I highly recommend all 3.

Anonymous said...

this just sounds perfectly fun!

Amanda said...

I say we all pitch in so that Rachel can have that hat. Rachel, you have so many followers now, I think they should show their love, by donating to the Woman of Elegant Leisure Hat fund.
Also, you didn't need to add the note that you were smiling with your eyes. I could totally tell. You've been a great student of Tyra's. She would be so proud.

Ginger said...

The HAT - Love it! I'm in for $5

Mr. Hall said...

Seriously, I will donate for the hat! That thing is monsterously awesome! And I'm glad you got to take a trip full of whims and that you were able to pull it off with other people. . . I usually travel alone so that I can follow whatever whim overtakes me. . . KUDOS TO YOU LADIES!!!

Kelly said...

Loved this account of your vacation. That hat is to die for! Too bad you couldn't have worn it to hurst castle.

I have taken that tour myself and I remember feeling oddly sad. It was an amazing place though.

Mama Skates said...

i'm very structured like that too...a whim weekend sounds super fun tho! might have 2 try that!

Rach said...

Oh, you must have that hat. It is fabulous. It looks like it would be perfect to wear to the races. I'll donate to the fund. I also hate the "what do you want to do" experiences, so I am super glad that it turned out to just be fun fun fun. Next time you need to take a whim trip, perhaps your whims could lead you to my house. The zinnias are blooming and they look fantastic.

teresa p said...

I like a mix of whims and plans in my vacations. I love the Central Coast. We usually try to get up there at least once a year. Love the hat, btw. Totally made for you.

Anonymous said...

Good work smiling with your eyes. Now, let's see you in broken-doll pose while being like "Ungh!" instead of like "Uh!".