I have so much to blog! Since my last entry we're actually back home but, before that, we went to the aquarium, explored Carmel, hiked, seen the best sunrise EVER and more. I need to catch up so I'll start with some exploring in Carmel. After seeing the Monterrey Bay Aquarium (which is a whole other post for later) we set out down the 17-mile drive through Pebble Beach. It's a beautiful drive with dramatic coastal views and cool forests too. We've stopped by the side of the road and did a little hiking...

A few days ago we set off on a road trip from Santa Barbara to Carmel and saw some amazing sights...like crazy, amazing, blow your mind vistas, colors and landscapes. The pictures don't do it justice though. You lose the enormity of it all.

If you have a chance, take this amazing drive. Here's a sampling of what you can see if you take the pacific coast highway route from San Simeon up to Carmel.

One of the first stops would be to see The Hearst Castle in San Simeon. We had done that once before so we opted out for this day but it is a pretty amazing tour. After that, you can pull off the highway to watch a colony of Elephant Seals.

A little bit beyond the seals, the trees and hills get bigger and the views become more and more incredible by the mile.


There were so many places that I wanted to stop and photograph but with 2 kids in the car it makes it a little tricky. The area has tons of campsites and places to stay (hotels, inns, etc. if you are not a camper). However you do it, put this drive on your bucket list. You'll be glad that you did.

Today is Monday and I know that some of you are expecting a Monday photography lesson. I really should be working more and staying on top of things but I can't. I am completely and totally on vacation. Sure, I check email and sometimes my phone messages but when it comes to actually working, I just can't bring myself to do it.

I'm not sure if this will make sense but I feel so happy at times that it makes me actually sad. When I think about going back to the grind my heart just aches a little. I don't want to wake up way too early and race to get everyone to school on time. I don't want to get back into the hot car. I don't want to send the kids off to school all day. I want it to stay very much like it is right now.

My heart is here right now...At least three of the days each week I have sand in between my toes. I might put some makeup on if I think about it, which I usually don't. I am living in flip flops. Everyday I am greeted by the Pacific Ocean and each day it gives you something a little different to see. I pull on a sweater when the sun goes down. I wake up every morning with at least one of my kids in my bed with me. The windows are open all day and the ocean breeze fills the house.

We've been drinking a lot of chocolate milkshakes and watching the sun go down while we play on the beach.

We have been exploring...and finding.

We have been snuggling...a LOT. We've been picking our own vegetables at local farms and spending a lot of time at the farmer's markets (which happen here 6 days a week). I ate corn on the cob the other day that was so good that I literally gasped.

 We picnic at the foot of the Santa Barbara Mission in the Rose Garden.

For those of you who don't know this little tid-bit about me, I am a Francophile. I love France! We spent part of the summer there last year and were all in heaven. I speak pretty good French too (when I am practicing and not being shy). So, I was excited when I saw a poster for a French Festival here in Santa Barbara. Come to find out it is one of the largest in the country!