Point Reyes/ Heart's Desire

Today was my first Mother's Day in our new town. For the past almost nine years (since I became a mom) I've spent the day celebrating in our old town, with dear friends and my sweet little family. For the last few years, I've been truly pampered by my amazing hubby and by kiddos who are now old enough now to help. My girls especially, absolutely love planning, decorating, and spoiling us all on special occasions. We would spend most of the day relaxing around the pool, swimming, having cannonball contests and warming up in the hot tub after a great day together.

I have also really been missing my old friends a lot lately. May is the month we'd celebrate our birthdays together (four of us have birthdays within days of each other) and I had been feeling sad about missing out on that. Anyway, when my hubby came home from work Friday and asked if I wanted to go for a drive on Saturday, I leaped at the chance to get out of the house and try to start some new traditions.

We quickly packed up a makeshift lunch and snacks and hit the road!

Nature

Fresh and Local

 

Women Drivers

My husband is an excellent driver. He seems to drive our Winnie effortlessly, even through winding switchback roads, sheer cliffs to one side, or through tiny streets by the beach plagued with jay-walkers, bike riders and drivers unfamiliar with the area. It's so much fun to sit in the passenger seat with my camera out the window, wind blowing through my hair spotting dolphins or great camp sites, or cute beach cottages. I have every confidence in my husband's driving, and it's fun to sit carefree and footloose in my perch in the passenger seat.

Half Moon Bay State Beach-Review

 
Campground Quick Facts
Half Moon Bay State Beach
Dump Station:Yes
Hook-ups: Some sites now have electric (check map when reserving)
Drinking/Fill Water: Yes
Beach Sites: Yes, some right on the beach, others with great views
Scenery: Gorgeous
Privacy: Not very much-typical beach camping in California
Camp Store: There was a Visitor Center but it was closed during our visit
Restrooms: Yes- flush toilets, very clean!
Showers: Yes (coin)

Reserve-ability: Very difficult to get reservations. Reserve on reserveamerica as soon as possible (6 months in advance is the earliest possible).

RV Crazy Tips: Some of the beach sites looked amazing! I would try to reserve one of those if possible. It's very foggy in the mornings, but often clears up in the afternoon. Wear layers.

El Capitan State Beach-Review

Campground Quick Facts
El Capitan State Beach- 20 miles up the 101 from Santa Barbara, CA
Dump Station: No
Hook-ups: No
Drinking/Fill Water: Yes
Beach Sites: Not on sand, but with beach views
Scenery: Gorgeous
Privacy: Not very much (except for select few)
Camp Store: Only open in the summer
Restrooms: Yes
Showers: Yes (coin)

Scallops for two

With three small kids, and no family nearby, it's not very often that my husband and I get to go out on a date. So we frequently have dates at home. This means first spending time together with our children while they eat dinner and play. We usually have wine and cheese and crackers with them while they eat. Then, after we put them to sleep (our kids all go to bed by 8 at the latest, so it's very easy) we enjoy our late dinner together.

One of our favorite treats is scallops. Here's a simple and quick recipe (that I adapted from Alton Brown's recipe) that makes a delicious (and seemingly gourmet) dinner for "date-night."