Symphony of the Seas – Oct 2022
09 Wednesday Nov 2022
Posted in Uncategorized
Author Archives: danadahling
Discovery Princess – July 2022
30 Saturday Jul 2022
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Kauai – April 2022
20 Wednesday Apr 2022
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Cancun 2021
23 Thursday Dec 2021
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Allure of the Seas – October 2021
09 Tuesday Nov 2021
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After a long time seeing our friends due to the Covid pandemic, we set out from Port Canaveral on the Allure of the Seas. This was our second time on the Allure, and it was nice to know it was only about one third full of passengers, all who were over 12 were fully vaccinated and those who were not had their own sections for shows, etc. Masks were heavily enforced and we all had covid tests within 2 days of boarding.
Huntington Beach – July, 2021
25 Sunday Jul 2021
Posted in Uncategorized
This trip was delayed by a year due to the Covid pandemic. I did not feel safe visiting my home town because there were so many protests around the stay at home order and wearing masks. I waited until I was fully vaccinated to bring my mom’s ashes down to her final resting place next to my stepfather overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Newport Beach.
My brother really wanted to splurge for that once in a lifetime stay directly on the beach in our hometown – Huntington Beach. Two resorts went up long after I moved away – the Hilton and the Hyatt. We chose the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach for the walkway over PCH – and that the kids pool was separated from the main pool.
We booked a year in advance – and wanted a suite with connecting rooms. We booked the Huntington Suite which has a king bed and has a connecting room on either side – one with a King and Queen bed and the other with a King. This layout was great, giving us each our space but still together. I had called the hotel directly several times assuring an ocean view but we were provided ground floor instead. This had some benefits – especially for my brother who is a smoker. We were located by the adult only jacuzzi area – a far walk from the lobby and restaurants. I wished they provided stand up scooters for their guests to get around the property but realize that’s a liability too.
We had marvelous weather in July and the place was absolutely packed – one woman in the pool proudly broadcasting that she wasn’t going to let government push a vaccine on her. I was happy to have some protection as I floated past her group with my Mai Tai.
We dined at Pete’s Sunset Grill the first evening – a very casual spot. My brother loved the ceramic tiki mugs – which they sell on site. I was happy they had a little Starbucks counter where I was able to get my Chai. We had breakfast twice at the Watertable restaurant – they have a full buffet but my sister and I agreed the Blueberry pancakes were awesome. We also tried the Tower 15 Pizzeria – it was better than frozen pizza. It was nice that that had several fire pits around the property for guests to enjoy. My brother and I enjoyed smore’s in one of the alcoves in the hotel.
Carmel – February 2021
25 Thursday Feb 2021
Posted in Travel
Tags
17-Mile-Drive, Carmel, Hogs Breath Inn, Hyatt Regency Carmel Highlands, Pine Inn Carmel, Pt. Lobos State Reserve, Village Corner
My mother and stepfather honeymooned at the Hyatt Highlands in Carmel by the Sea in 1976. I found a brochure she had saved and was inspired to spend a few days relaxing and taking in the view during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Restaurants are open for take out and delivery, although there is only low quality pizza for delivery at the Hyatt Regency Highlands – it is removed from the town of Carmel, just south of Pt. Lobos State Reserve, just on the edge of Big Sur.
We started in Monterey – Pacific Grove, a nice drive down on a perfect sunny day in February. It was T-Shirt weather and no fog! It was a Wednesday afternoon as we arrived for lunch at the start of Cannery Row.
Just south of Cannery Row is an ideal lookout called “Lovers Point” – my jaw was dropping as we drove along looking at ideal B&B’s with gorgeous close up views of the most spectacular rock formations just across the street.
Not far after Lover’s point, we were able to pull over where there is a coastal trail with plenty of park benches and street parking, It was called Perkins’s Park
We selected this route in the afternoon, hoping that any morning haze would have burned off, and if we took 3 hours after lunch to drive the 17 mile drive, it would be check in time at our hotel.
Link to Information on 17 Mile Drive through Pebble Beach
The Hyatt Regency – Carmel Highlands is about 4 miles south of Carmel-By-The-Sea village. The Townhouse style one bedroom spa suite had beautiful views overlooking the swimming pool, but straight out to see the waves crashing. We had a small balcony with two chairs and a little table. There was a row of townhouses, so you are pretty close to others during sunset if you are out there. The king bedroom with huge spa tub is downstairs with a cove view from the bed. It’s equipped with a kitchen, a very comfortable pull out couch, a counter height bistro table and a condo sized kitchen with full sized refrigerator and dishwasher. The upstairs bathroom also had a shower, making this an ideal place to share with even a non romantic room mate and have separation.https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/california/hyatt-carmel-highlands-overlooking-big-sur-coast-and-highlands-inn-a-hyatt-residence-club/higph
Pt. Lobos State Reserve is just north of the Highlands Inn – it was a beautiful sunny Thursday – we found most of the lots were full and plenty of people had parked along Hwy 1 to avoid the entrance fee.
Link to Information about Pt. Lobos State Reserve
Carmel Beach is a long and flat with beautiful white sand. It’s got plenty of parking at 10:30-11am on a Friday, but then starts to get crowded. Pretty much everyone has a dog, and most of them are beautiful golden retrievers https://ci.carmel.ca.us/beach-parks
Carmel-By-The Sea is a quant artist’s village that feels very European. There are little shops in courtyards and alcoves, art studios, high end stores, restaurants and tasting rooms line a picturesque downtown area. There are no high rise hotels on the beach and I learned there is a law that you cannot wear heals over 2 inches high. Clint Eastwood was the former mayor of the town and had previously owned Hogs Breath Inn restaurant – which he sold to a friend. During Covid-19, many restaurants and tasting rooms have taken over parking places for outdoor service. Luckily, off season is the best weather on the northern California coast and it was beautiful to dine al fresco. For more information on the Village: https://www.carmelcalifornia.com/explore-the-village.htm
Hogs Breath Inn was a must do for dinner – I had made reservations ahead of time which required a credit card to hold – but when I arrived at 6 pm, I got a table right next to the fire. https://www.hogsbreathinn.net/
The goal of Friday was to enjoy Carmel Valley tasting rooms and be able to walk to dinner. We had checked out of the Hyatt earlier in the day and moved in town to the Pine Inn. It was close to everything, and also close to the beach! The Pine Inn had a perfect room for me and my sister to share. There were 2 double beds up on high pedestals, a sitting area with a full size couch and two club chairs and an additional table where you could enjoy breakfast if you had gotten it to-go. There was a huge jetted tub in the oversized marble bathroom. Spa robes were provided too. Everything was extremely comfortable and convenient. https://www.pineinn.com/
We had breakfast at the Village Corner – it deserved the hype from Trip Advisor and Yelp. They open at 8:30 – people start arriving around 8:15 to snag a table. They had plenty of space, the food was delicious and the service prompt and friendly. They say they serve brunch all day. They have a great courtyard with a fire pit and all the designer doggies were there. https://villagecornercarmel.com/
Benbow Inn, Garberville – November 2020
17 Tuesday Nov 2020
Posted in Garberville, CA, Uncategorized
We visited during the Pandemic in the beginning of November 2020 when the trees were golden. I’ve wanted to stay at the historic Benbow Inn for at least 30 years. We booked a King Fireplace Terrace Room. It was chilly but wonderfully toasty inside. They were offering both inside and outside fine dining, which was delicious. In the mornings they served breakfast burritos. The staff were friendly and accommodating. The bed was comfortable. The rooms with direct outside access are pet friendly, but I didn’t bring my pet. He would have loved it.
Elk Cove Inn & Spa – July 2020
31 Friday Jul 2020
Posted in Uncategorized
An old Victorian mansion on a beautiful cove just south of Mendocino. Elk Cove Inn is situated just far enough away from the hustle and bustle of Mendocino. The drive through the Anderson Valley and the Redwoods is spectacular.
Copied from my Trip Advisor Review:
My sister and I had an Alaskan Cruise planned for this time and both needed the break from work, and time to grieve the loss of our mom. We booked separate king sized rooms upstairs in the mansion and settled into relax. The furnishings were very cozy, the bed extremely comfortable and the welcome basket with home made cookies was a lovely touch. I had stayed years ago under different management and enjoyed the jr. suite. Staying in the old Victorian mansion had its own charm. I had a fantastic view of the beach and could hear the waves crashing.
Melissa welcomes us and even helped us with our luggage – my sister had a broken arm. She gave us a tour and made us feel right at home. Due to the Pandemic, they were serving dinners nightly while normally it’s just a B&B.
Chef Victor prepared appetizer samples that showed off his mad skills. My salmon was perfect and my sisters lamb shank also very good. Melissa brought us blankets as the fog rolled in.
Breakfast was also served outside – home made biscuits with a lovely cheddar hollandaise sauce. We explored Ft. Bragg, Noyo Harbor and MacKerricher State Park’s beach – which we had all to ourselves because the tourists were all interested in Glass Beach
Mendocino was pretty much closed down, with tourists standing in lines outside for to-go food. We quickly realized that grabbing dinner out wasn’t as easy so Melissa squeezes us in for a late meal – duck confit salad, with lettuce picked fresh from the greenhouse on property. The blends of flavors again showed off Chef Victor’s talents.
During our stay a young couple was married under the gazebo – Connie, the incredible massage therapist/wedding planner was efficiently arranging for the nuptials. There was a BBQ on Wednesday night but Chef Victor was making a special meal for the newlyweds.
The stairs down to the beach were steep but manageable and I had the place all to myself. It was a perfect place for reflection and heart healing.
The inn keepers were extremely friendly and hospitable, checking on us often and refilling our wine glasses.
During these uncertain times, I so appreciated the extra care that was taken to keep us safe. Social distancing, masks and sanitary practices went a long way toward my comfort and ability to relax and rejuvenate.
Yosemite 2020
29 Monday Jun 2020
Posted in Yosemite
We stayed in the Yosemite Lodge at the Falls – this time we had a room with 2 double beds. It was during the Covid Pandemic and everyone wore masks in the lodge, but not so much out on the trails. There were 2 excellent food trucks set up at Camp Curry parking lot. The power went out while we were there – as a lightening storm took out a tree and blocked the main road. The most relaxing was having a drink on the Awahwnee lawn.
