Easter Brunch at La Valencia Hotel

Sherry and I decided we needed a spring time get away this year.  As we were trying to figure out where to go, the perfect solution presented itself.  Sherry was attending a conference in San Diego in the days leading up to Easter so we decided to spend 4 days in La Jolla.  Our plan was simple.  It was to be 4-days of relaxing, eating, drinking and (for me) writing.

Fortunately, we realized this was Easter weekend very early in our plans.  This meant we were able to look the perfect spot for our Easter Sunday Brunch.  After some extensive web searching we choose the brunch offered at La Valencia Hotel where in addition to excellent food we were promised lovely views of the Pacific Ocean.  A few clicks later and our reservations are set.

We left the house we rented on a gorgeous Easter morning and took the short 10-minute walk to La Valencia.  As we arrived you could see all of the buffet stations set up in the open court yard. We checked in a little early but our table was ready and we were shown to our seats.

We were lucky enough to sit outside where we could fully enjoy the brochure-worthy view.  We were awaken from our trance when our server mentioned that the brunch price included bottomless mimosas. After that it was “game on” as we headed to the buffet stations.

I won’t try and recount all of the foods they offered but it was a beautiful selection of breakfast and lunch items.  Nor will I trouble you with everything I tasted. I will tell you that it was all truly fabulous.  Of course, we saved plenty of room for dessert, which offered selections that were both creative and delicious.

After spending about 2-hours eating and drinking, it was time to head out for more adventures.  We walked down to La Jolla Cove and watched the sea lions play and frolic in a crystal clear ocean.  Then, we shopped our way back to the house were we spent the afternoon reading and relaxing.  It was a wonderful way to spend Easter. 

It was one of those days you wish you could relive again and again.

Well, it just so happens that the conference Sherry attended is already booked for the week before Easter next year. So, somewhere between the mimosas and bunny tails (one of the desserts) we decided to come back.  I’ll be happy to let you know how is was the second time around.  Until then . . .

Au revoir!!!

A Flashback of Love

This Saturday, I headed out for my usual morning ride. As a meandered my way down to the ride start in Petaluma, I rode past the Church of the Oaks in Cotati.  It just looked so perfect that I had to stop and take a picture.  That also gave me a moment to reminisce about how this lifelong story began.

You see, Sherry and I were married in the Church of the Oaks. Well, at least that’s were our California wedding ceremony occurred.  The first ceremony was in Stateline, Nevada.  Allow me to elaborate.

Sherry and I were already engaged, and living together, when we decided to elope to Nevada one night in August.  The plan was to use the increase in my housing allowance (I was in the Coast Guard at the time) to pay for the “real” wedding, which was scheduled for the following June. So, we piled into our Suzuki Samurai and headed for Nevada.

That first ceremony is actually a story onto itself. Let me just say we were married at Love’s Wedding Chapel by a guy who could be best described as more animatron than human.  I don’t think he could talk and move his head at the same time. The whole thing was so surreal that I clearly remember everything about that day.

Fast-forward to a short 9-months later and you have our second ceremony at the Church of the Oaks.  There were only 3 people who knew this was the second wedding because they attended the first ceremony in Stateline.  That’s because we didn’t tell anyone about eloping.  Not even the minister (or Sherry’s mother for that matter).  We actually have 2 marriage licenses. One from Nevada and one from California.

Of course, we did tell everyone eventually and they all thought it was a lovely and charming story.

What a wonderful way to start our lives together. It also makes for a great story, which is still unfolding to this day. After 27 years together it’s pretty awesome that our love of live, and each other, will continue to add chapters to our story for many years to come.  

Au revoir!