Recharging Our Batteries

My Mom finally came to visit me in California last week!  It was the first time she’s visited since I moved here a year ago and Emma and Baxter were thrilled to see their Grandma!  And they were even more thrilled when they found out we were going on a little vacation with Grandma to Carmel, California! Yayyyyy – ROAD TRIP!!!!

Dogs need a chance to re-charge their batteries too and I don’t think anyone would disagree that Emma DESERVES to be spoiled after everything she’s been through this year!

Carmel is such a magical place – adorable little cottages that look like dollhouses out of a fairytale…..beautiful beaches with happy dogs running everywhere…..and the people…..oh my gosh…..I’ve never encountered so many incredibly joyful and warm and friendly people in my life!  And it’s sooooo incredibly dog friendly!  It was one of those rare places where I felt more alive and energized and inspired just by being there!

We pranced around town and ate at wonderful little outdoor restaurants with twinkling lights and went to an amazing dog boutique and in the evenings we hung out in the hotel lounge which was full of dogs and people who were laughing and dancing and singing…..

But my absolute favorite part of the trip was taking Emma and Baxter to the beach.  Emma grew up at the beach…..she lived at the beach for seven years before we moved to central Cali last summer…..Emma is a beach girl at heart…..but she hasn’t been to the beach since we moved to Cali.  She was so beyond excited to be at the beach again and I couldn’t wipe the ridiculously huge smile off my face as she ran around like a puppy and rolled in the sand and played in the water.  Pure bliss!

And precious little Baxter was cautious and slightly confused by his first trip to the beach but bravely tackled this new adventure because he had his big sister at his side.  And then he collapsed because the beach is exhausting business for a sweet, little puppers!

And I’m already planning a few return visits to my new favorite place on earth……maybe a weekend in October to see how they decorate for Halloween…..and definitely a weekend in December because I HAVE to see how the decorate for Christmas…..and maybe we’ll need to go back for my birthday in JENuary……and I think you get the point.  I’d move there in a heartbeat if I could!  It’s paradise!

Hugs,
Jenny