FashionistasOver40 Travels to the West Coast Pt. 2

Good day, everyone.  Hope everyone is have a wonderful day, full of Peace, Love and Blessings!!

Well on to my second part of my travels through the West Coast.

On our arrival to Carmel, we drove directly to the Hyatt Carmel Highlands, Overlooking Big Sur Coast.  The view going up there, was breath-taking, (reminded me of going to the National Rain Forest in Puerto Rico) and we also noticed that the temperature dropped quite a bit.  The surrounding area, was very peaceful, beautiful greenery everywhere, and nice fresh air!  The staff at the Hyatt were absolutely wonderful, courteous and were quick to point out all the things we could do while there.   We promptly checked into our room, which was great!  We had front view, of the mountains and the ocean.  Couldn’t get any better than this!!  We also had a fireplace in the room, which yes, we used every single day. If you are traveling to Carmel, I highly recommend the Hyatt, it’s a Timeshare Resort, but they also have a Hotel section.

 

View from our balcony

 

Beautiful Sunset

We drove into the Valley, as they called it and it was really beautiful.  Quaint town, with many well known brand named shops.  They also had several cozy spots to eat.  We walked around for a while, and checked out the shops.  Amazingly I did not purchase anything! Was I good or what!?  (I’m totally making up for it now)  We found a cute shop, and I couldn’t resist to take a few pictures!

Now you know why I had to pose under this sign!  🙂

Glasses: SEE Eyewear (see earlier post for link) | Necklace: eBay (i just saw someone pay $20.00 for this necklace, from someone on Instagram.  Ladies, I paid less than $5.00 for it on eBay) | Dress: Zara (from their sales) | Purse: Louis Vuitton, Speedy 45 | Watch: Michael Kors, Gold tone | Bracelets: eBay

Once done in town, we decided (my idea) to drive by the coast to take in the views of the beautiful Ocean Side.

Down by the Valley (Carmel)

Let’s just say, I was meditating (eyes closed)

Carmel by the Sea

This kind lady saw us struggling to take a picture, and she offered to take one for us.

Carmel

Carmel

House on a cliff

Drive to San Francisco was wonderful, we made it in time to catch our Tour to Napa Valley!  I think my favorite part of our trip.  However we did decide, that if we ever return, we’ll drive there on our own.  Tour was $100 per person and the tasting fee was separate!

Along the way, we did drive across the Golden Gate Bridge, which was pretty awesome.

Golden Gate Bridge

San Francisco

DownTown San Francisco

Glasses : SEE Eyewear | Shirt: Target | Jacket: Zara | Booties: Zara (Old)

The drive to Napa Valley was peaceful, NO dangerous cliffs (praise God) because at this point I was already stressing beforehand!

Napa Valley – The grapes were delicious

Napa Valley Grapes

V. Sattuti Winery

V. Sattui Winery

Winery

Napa Valley 2013

The tour began at 8:30 am and ended at 5:00 pm.  By that time, we were exhausted.  They dropped us off to take the Ferry back to San Francisco and on the way back, we did go by Alcatraz!!!!  Quick story, yes, we did have tickets to go to Alcatraz, however we ended up arriving late because we were confused about the pier and missed the ferry!  BUMMER!  But I did snap a picture on our way back to San Francisco!

Alcatraz

Spent the evening walking the city and had dinner.  Next day we started our drive back to Carmel for the evening, stopped by this really cool spot, Vivolo’s Chowder House in Pacific Grove, and had a late lunch.  Everything was delicious.

By morning, I was ready to head back to LA to fly out the next morning.  I missed my dogs terribly and I really wasn’t looking forward to driving through the canyons, cliffs, cliff drops, you name it.  So I suggested we take the highway back.  Now what I want to know, is why in heavens name, did my darling, loving, kind, husband, decided to take that LEFT turn, towards The Big Sur, when we left the hotel.

It started out nicely. The view was lovely, it was high, but I could handle it.  Of course the “LOCALS” drive on your tail, and try to hurry you on the road.  Which I totally think is idiotic, because honestly not everyone grew up on them hills!  As we drove up, of course me being on the passenger side, I could see the 700 ft or so drops, as the car took the sharp curves and went up the windy road, no rails or barriers.  It was simply horrifying!!!  By this time, I’m close to a panic attack, I want to get out and walk back down, and I want to grab my husband by the neck and just strangle him!  We drove for a long while, at 20 mph, (he knew better) and came upon one side of the road closed, so we had to wait for the signal to proceed.  As we continued, he decided to pull over, on this dirt side , where the drop was God knows how far down.

By this point I’m freaking out, but I did take a picture with my iPhone, eyes shut!  My husband on the other hand, grabbed the Nikon and got out (to my horror) went close to the edge (I just about lost it then) and started snapping away.  As I looked further up the road, trying to figure out, when in the world this road was going to begin going downwards, so we could see whatever the HELL we were supposed to see, but it just had no end.  The curves coming up were really windy and sharp!  That’s when I said, “I’m done”!

At this point husband gets back in the car and I just went at it.  LOL He actually tried to persuade me that it was almost over.   BAHA!!!!  No way !!!!  Let’s just say, my Puerto Rican temper took over and he turned around QUICK!!!  I just shut my eyes on the way back down, and Praised my mighty God, for bringing me down safely!!!

I’ve since realized that not everyone enjoys, heights, cliffs, canyons and crazy ledges with no barriers or rails.  Hey if you like it, then I totally recommend you take that road and enjoy the view.  Heck, if you do go, please do take pictures and share with me!  I would love to see them!  I’ve since google “The Big Sur” and oh my goodness, I do not regret one bit turning back when I did.  Had I read the reviews, I can assure you I would have NEVER GONE!

This, was the finale to our wonderful California trip.   Overall it was wonderful, lots of fun and it can be checked off our bucket list.  I think my darling husband now knows, that I indeed don’t do heights, hills, cliffs, or canyons.

Hope you enjoyed reading about my trip!!

Blessings!!

Fashionistaover40

My iPhone picture!

Bixby Creek Bridge -Picture my darling husband just HAD to take

Bixby Creek Bridge