Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Mom - this post is for you....
It's truly hard to capture the feeling and emotion in a blog or a photo,
but I had to share this video with my mom.
Do We Have to Leave?
I have called the Villa Los Padres home for the last few days but now it's time to say goodbye and I'm really sad to go. I know Lucy Grace is sad too. Neither of us is ready to leave.
We started the day with a morning stretch class @ 7:30am and then took a long walk into "downtown Ojai." It is really nice to be up and about when the world is still such a quiet and peaceful place. Plus the heat is not yet bearing down on us so we could walk and enjoy the cool morning air.
I must say the Traveling Hillbilly truly did shut down but is not ready to reboot!!! Just one more day, please! Don't make us go! But we leave with a renewed sense of self and a commitment to wake up early and enjoy some "me" time before we go off and running into the day ahead. Not sure we'll get to see deer while sipping coffee on the patio, but one can dream.
We started the day with a morning stretch class @ 7:30am and then took a long walk into "downtown Ojai." It is really nice to be up and about when the world is still such a quiet and peaceful place. Plus the heat is not yet bearing down on us so we could walk and enjoy the cool morning air.
I must say the Traveling Hillbilly truly did shut down but is not ready to reboot!!! Just one more day, please! Don't make us go! But we leave with a renewed sense of self and a commitment to wake up early and enjoy some "me" time before we go off and running into the day ahead. Not sure we'll get to see deer while sipping coffee on the patio, but one can dream.
Monday, September 16, 2013
You Don't Realize How Fast You're Moving Until You Stop and Slow Down
In the yoga class, we focus on our chakras. It wasn't exactly the class I was expecting but was quite an experience for me. I never thought I'd be told to "do my kegels" in a class of mixed company. Plus it reminded me how truly inflexible I am and how bad my old creaky knees are getting. Our instructor told us to close our eyes and we might see colors. When we were working on our 4th Chakra (heart), she said we might see green colors. I saw black, wonder what that means?
It was an interesting experience to say the least, but one thing I did learn, is you don't realize how fast you're moving until you stop and slow down!
It was an interesting experience to say the least, but one thing I did learn, is you don't realize how fast you're moving until you stop and slow down!
Why Doesn't Every Day Start This Way?
Lucy Grace and I wake up and head out for our morning walk. We are barely out the door when we come across some deer grazing on the golf course. We stop to admire them for a bit before we continue on. We just turn the corner and run into a bunny rabbit! Surprisingly, Miss Lucy Grace pays it no mind. On our walk, we run into several other dogs and each time, they stop to greet one another, tails wagging and but sniffing abounds. I think Lucy Grace's (and mine too) was a big old beast named, Mulligan. I'm not sure what breed Mulligan really was, but he looked like a mix of chocolate lab and a great dane.
After our walk, I take a yoga class and wonder, why doesn't every day start this way?
After our walk, I take a yoga class and wonder, why doesn't every day start this way?
Sunday, September 15, 2013
The Traveling Hillbilly Recharges in Ojai
As you all can see from the lack of blog postings, the Traveling Hillbilly hasn't been traveling much lately, well at least not for fun. As we all know, all work and no travel makes for a grumpy hillbilly! So it was time to plan some "shut down and reboot" trips. The first one, a quick get away to Ojai, California, The Ojai Valley Inn & Spa to be exact. It's just a couple of hours from LA, it's absolutely beautiful and best of all, it's pet friendly so the hound could come along. The original plan was a quick Sun-Tue trip but after getting such a great rate at the resort, I decided last minute to add an extra night on and headed up on Saturday afternoon.
After two hours in the car, Miss Lucy Grace and I were ready to stretch our legs. From the moment we pulled up in front of the resort to check in, we were welcomed with friendly greetings! Everyone was just so pleasant and welcoming. I have not been to the resort in a long time and it quickly made me think, "Why have I waited so long to come back?"
We get to the room and there waiting in the corner, is a dog bed, 2 bowls (one with treats, one with a bottled water). Lucy Grace is instantly in love and I realize she's never going to want to leave!
After we get unpacked and settled in, we decide to sit on the patio outside our room and admire the view.
As I sit with my glass of wine and enjoy the cool breeze, I wonder (as I often do when I'm on vacation), "Why don't I do this more often?" Why do I let myself get so caught up in the day to day, that I don't stop and enjoy this amazingly beautiful planet?! We are lucky to live surrounded by such beauty and often don't appreciate it. We should. I pick up my book, begin reading and just enjoy a truly peaceful moment.
After two hours in the car, Miss Lucy Grace and I were ready to stretch our legs. From the moment we pulled up in front of the resort to check in, we were welcomed with friendly greetings! Everyone was just so pleasant and welcoming. I have not been to the resort in a long time and it quickly made me think, "Why have I waited so long to come back?"
We get to the room and there waiting in the corner, is a dog bed, 2 bowls (one with treats, one with a bottled water). Lucy Grace is instantly in love and I realize she's never going to want to leave!
After we get unpacked and settled in, we decide to sit on the patio outside our room and admire the view.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Healing in Palm Springs
One of my hounds, Sir Chadwick, passed away last week so it's been a sad time for the Traveling Hillbilly. My other hound and I are doing okay but we miss our buddy terribly. After a few days of mourning, I thought a change of scenery might do both me and my other hound some good. Palm Springs seemed like a great place for us to heal. So loaded up the car and we headed out. Palm Springs truly is a beautiful place and like Arizona, I feel at peace the moment I arrive. There's just something about the desert that brings peace to my soul. We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Spa & Resort in Indian Wells, a beautiful and pet friendly resort.
As I sit in Palm Springs with thoughts of Chadwick close to my heart, I realize the many things I miss about him. I miss his independent spirit. I miss his spunk and sometimes grumpy attitude. He was an old soul and had the personality of a crotchety old man, but he also had a very sweet and loving side. He had a playful side that enjoyed chasing and teasing my other hound. I miss his walrus like nature, his need to "waller and holler." He was a very vocal hound and let you know when he wanted to be petted and when he wanted to be left alone. He was a wise old man, with a big heart and even bigger ears. These thoughts of him make me realize he was also a great teacher. There are many things we could all learn from him. He was always true to who he was. He was not a people pleaser. He wasn't afraid to speak up and let his opinion be known. He was a strong and independent hound. Now Chadwick had no eyes, so he was completely blind but he never let his blindness stop him from living his life. He just accepted it was part of who he was but he wasn't defined by it. He was Sir Chadwick. He was not, "the blind dog." He was my Sir Chadwick, my Chaddy Paddy, my boo, my teacher and my friend. He was one hell of a hound and he will be missed. Sir Chadwick, know that we love you, we miss you and we will never forget you!
As I sit in Palm Springs with thoughts of Chadwick close to my heart, I realize the many things I miss about him. I miss his independent spirit. I miss his spunk and sometimes grumpy attitude. He was an old soul and had the personality of a crotchety old man, but he also had a very sweet and loving side. He had a playful side that enjoyed chasing and teasing my other hound. I miss his walrus like nature, his need to "waller and holler." He was a very vocal hound and let you know when he wanted to be petted and when he wanted to be left alone. He was a wise old man, with a big heart and even bigger ears. These thoughts of him make me realize he was also a great teacher. There are many things we could all learn from him. He was always true to who he was. He was not a people pleaser. He wasn't afraid to speak up and let his opinion be known. He was a strong and independent hound. Now Chadwick had no eyes, so he was completely blind but he never let his blindness stop him from living his life. He just accepted it was part of who he was but he wasn't defined by it. He was Sir Chadwick. He was not, "the blind dog." He was my Sir Chadwick, my Chaddy Paddy, my boo, my teacher and my friend. He was one hell of a hound and he will be missed. Sir Chadwick, know that we love you, we miss you and we will never forget you!
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Carmel for the Holidays?
As most of you know, the last couple of holidays have been truly amazing adventures, Amsterdam, London, Peru, Chile, all with good friends. I was hoping to make this year another great adventure with the same friends. Unfortunately a global adventure was not in the cards for a couple of my friends this year. They suggested something more local. I have to say I was a little disappointed at first. With all this time off, it seems a waste not to make a big trip!
We decided on meeting up in Carmel and staying at the Carmel Valley Ranch. I have to say as the trip got closer, my disappointment at not traveling the globe was quickly becoming excitement about having some quiet time to relax with good friends. I was truly looking forward to a few stress free days. Once I arrived at the Ranch, I was instantly relaxed and looking forward to our time together.
My friends arrived a couple of hours after me and after everyone was settled we met in the bar for a drink and toasted our "adventure" filled with calm and relaxation. All in all, we had a great few days together. We took a mixology class, spent some time at the spa, played some games and had some great meals. At the end of the trip, I realized it's not where we spend the holidays that's important, but the fact that we got to spend it together. There was even talk of next year's holiday plans and it looks like New Zealand is a strong contender. All I know is that whatever the plan turns out to be, I have truly enjoyed spending the holidays with this crew for the last three years and I hope the trend continues. This is a truly great group of people and I am blessed to have them in my life.
The Traveling Hillbilly's Thoughts on The Carmel Valley Ranch?
I truly loved the plan and would recommend it to anyone wanting a nice cozy place to spend the holidays. There are plenty of activities to keep you busy if you want to stay busy or great ways to just relax. The grounds are beautiful, it's very pet friendly and the staff is amazing. They go above and beyond to ensure you enjoy your stay.
We decided on meeting up in Carmel and staying at the Carmel Valley Ranch. I have to say as the trip got closer, my disappointment at not traveling the globe was quickly becoming excitement about having some quiet time to relax with good friends. I was truly looking forward to a few stress free days. Once I arrived at the Ranch, I was instantly relaxed and looking forward to our time together.
My friends arrived a couple of hours after me and after everyone was settled we met in the bar for a drink and toasted our "adventure" filled with calm and relaxation. All in all, we had a great few days together. We took a mixology class, spent some time at the spa, played some games and had some great meals. At the end of the trip, I realized it's not where we spend the holidays that's important, but the fact that we got to spend it together. There was even talk of next year's holiday plans and it looks like New Zealand is a strong contender. All I know is that whatever the plan turns out to be, I have truly enjoyed spending the holidays with this crew for the last three years and I hope the trend continues. This is a truly great group of people and I am blessed to have them in my life.
The Traveling Hillbilly's Thoughts on The Carmel Valley Ranch?
I truly loved the plan and would recommend it to anyone wanting a nice cozy place to spend the holidays. There are plenty of activities to keep you busy if you want to stay busy or great ways to just relax. The grounds are beautiful, it's very pet friendly and the staff is amazing. They go above and beyond to ensure you enjoy your stay.
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