Rejuvenation

[I posted this in October, but our trip was in August.]

I am on an airplane as I type this flying from California to Salt Lake City. 

Megan and I have spent the last few days in San Diego. We both share the wonderful gift of anxiety, so this little getaway was a blessing for us both in so many ways. Mostly because we could see the hand of our Father in Heaven guiding us throughout this little vacation and showing us tender mercies along the way. We enjoyed being able to plan on the fly with only a general idea of an itinerary in mind. We knew the things we wanted to do, but didn't have a hard fast schedule. We just let it happen and it was perfect. 

We were able to visit several beaches and see the beauties of the ocean. The waves that kept coming and coming and coming - neverending peace. That was the whole reason I wanted to go. To be at the beach. While I was there I said a simple little prayer to thank my Heavenly Father for the opportunity to be at such a peaceful place. 

We visited the Hotel Del at Coronado Island and I was able to browse around in my favorite little shop, Babcock and Story. I didn't buy anything, but I walked around with a great big grin - it just felt awesome to be there. There's something that speaks to my soul when I'm there. Something healing. We spent the entire afternoon at the beach at Coronado Island. We saw tons of living creatures among the outcroppings and rocks in the tide pools, everything from sea anenomes to crabs (both hermit and the regular variety). We collected sea shells and sand to bring home with us. 

When we visited La Jolla we were able to sit about five feet away from sea lions and watch them bask in the sunlight. We were able to watch fish swim at our feet in The Cove. It was a pretty incredible place. I walked out into the ocean -- it was chilly at first, but then I just let the waves carry me up and down. 

The weather was absolutely perfect. Not too hot; not too cold. Just beautiful. We were able to do all the things we wanted to do. We ate dinner the first night at The Cheesecake Factory, and followed it up with a piece of cheesecake named "The Chocolate Tuxedo." Mmmmm. Chocolate! It was delicious and we savored every bite. On one of the mornings we felt like a grand breakfast, so we had one! We went to a place named Richard Walker's Pancake House. Their specialty is baked pancakes. They are the size of a plate, and baked like German pancakes, but they have about six different varieties from apple to pecan. We had the pecan one and split it. Oh. My. Goodness. It was delicious. All this delicious caramelized/syrupy sauce and sweet pecans. Such a fun experience. We also had a really tasty carnitas dinner at a Mexican restaurant in the Gaslamp district - that's where all the action is downtown. Restaurants and shops up and down every street. Crazy with people. And "pedi cabs" everywhere. A bicycle taxi contraption peddled by one "driver" and seats for up to four people. They drive around with their lights flashing and their music blaring offering rides to everyone - for a price. :) 

We stayed at an incredible hotel called the Grand Hyatt - Manchester Grand. Oh my. It was right in the heart of downtown San Diego. I booked it on Hotwire so I didn't know what hotel we would be in until after I paid for it. All they show you are the amenities, the general location, and the price. Then, once you pay, they reveal to you where you are staying. I saw the photos and just about fell over in my chair. It was gorgeous! The lobby itself looked like it came right out of the movies. It was HUGE. We were on the 12th floor in one of two super tall towers. We had a view right out to the bay so we could watch the sailboats and all the people buzzing around downtown San Diego. In the evenings we loved going back to our room, getting in our jammies, and just chilling (reading, sewing, watching The Paradise, etc.). We didn't turn our TV on one time. It was glorious! Our room was very modern, but still cozy and comfortable. In the mornings we would sit by our window and just people watch until we felt like getting ready and heading out for the day. 

I was so thankful for this opportunity! I really needed this little getaway. Just time to reconnect with myself and with the beauty of the ocean. Time to sit in the sunshine rather than the four walls of home or work. It was a beautiful, fun, rejuvenating time.