Getaway

One of our favorite things to do when we lived in Davis, was to pack up and head to Tahoe for a night or two. It was usually a spur of the moment decision, which would have me scrambling to pack an overnight bag and remember toothpaste in all of 30 minutes before he'd be over to pick me up for a getaway.

We had this favorite dive hotel on the California side of the CA/NV border. I think it was called La Baer Inn, and it was cheap and served it's purpose just fine. It was the perfect spot to crash after our late nights at the Casinos turned into early mornings. Added bonus? T-Bell was on the walk home. Some of my favorite times have been had in South Lake. Well, the ones I remember, at least.

With Nick in India the past 2 months, I wanted to plan a fun weekend for when he came home...somewhere not too far, and somewhere that I knew we would find things to do without effort. I ended up planning a weekend in Santa Barbara. Yes, it's my hometown, so it's not technically a getaway, but it fit the bill in terms of having all of my conditions met. Nick could even bring his board along in case there was surf.

We had a blast. Friday night we headed to Joe's place, which is this old bar on lower State St. It's touted as the stiffest drink in Santa Barbara, and let me tell you..it is! I have learned from past experience at Joe's, that I can not order mixed drinks there without getting razzed by the bartender who knows my family. So, sticking to BudLight, I let Nick experience a Joe's drink or two when we decided that staying there for drinks would make for an early night of being fully polluted. Two drinks in and we left for another bar, where we met up with my cousin and his friends for a bit. It was just perfect.


{Esaus}

Saturday we galavanted all over Santa Barbara. Breakfast at Esau's, followed by shopping on lower State, lunch at Super Rica Taqueria, a trip to campus point to check out the swell, more shopping ( I *heart* Channel Island Surf Shop!) and then back to the hotel to get ready for the main purpose of our trip north....A nice steak dinner to celebrate being back in a country that allows for the consumption of cow.

{Campus Point}

We don't typically eat at chain restraunts, but we had heard so many positives about Ruth's Chris that I decided to make a reservation and shhhhh! tell them we were celebrating our anniversary. Technically, it was 1 month ago, and technically, we don't really celebrate them because..well....staying married, it's what you're supposed to do. But I get that some people need the anniversary celebration and whole gift exchange thing to feel appreciated. I don't. But it sure was nice to be seated at a table covered in rose petals and candlelight! Dinner surpassed my expectations. It may have been the best meal I have ever eaten.

The best part of the trip? Having my sunshine home and having a getaway weekend like we used to do.