Last March I took a solo vacay. It felt like a reward to treat myself once I had finished all photo jobs & wedding processing. At the time it was just what I needed. Tho I spend a good amount of time by myself working at home, I needed more nature, more stillness. And for some reason I find it easier to think & process things when I’m away from home.

I tend to like cozy spaces that have fireplaces. My room at Timber Cove got upgraded (lucky me) and it was beautiful. I sat right next to the heat, with the sliding door open so I could hear the ocean. The light in the space was very pretty & asides from a lovely private balcony, there was also a view of the starry night through the skylight over the bed. I’d love one over my bed at home!

I had never gone on a solo trip, not intentionally & one I planned just for me. The other times were en-route to meet up with friends in Paris & London. Or for out of town weddings for a couple days by myself to places like Palm Springs, Joshua Tree, Mendocino etc. This little trip wasn’t long, it was 4 or 5 nights by myself, but it was a truly rejuvenating trip. I can’t wait to visit Timber Cove again.

How gorgeous is the main lodge! It reminds me just a tiny bit of Twin peaks. My husband & I have different travel styles. He likes to pack as much in as possible, and tho I like to see & do & eat all the things, I also really like to stay still. My idea of relaxing is having a picnic in an orchard at a Argriturismo in Italy. We got to experience that back in 2015 when we stayed at one, during our honeymoon.

I broke up the journey by first staying in Calistoga at the Motor Lodge. Also cuz I wanted to go to Indian Springs for a mud bath & soak in their mineral pool. I’m not a big fan of chlorine pools, or cold water (lol), but I love hot springs and mineral pools. I do believe they have restorative and healing properties. Calistoga is also nice because of the wineries nearby. I have two personal favorite tasting rooms right in the downtown area, Tank Garage Winery & Olabisi Wines.

From there I drove through Guerneville. The drive was very green, with rolling hills & as you go up the coast there were cows right off the freeway. That reminds me, I would not recommend doing this drive up the coast at night, it’s not well lit & with the cows so close to the road I’d be worried. It’s similar to the coastal drive in Big Sur except no railings.

Sometimes in our busy lives I find it difficult to read books and retain them. But I love to read while on vacation, my mind is less preoccupied. For this trip I brought along a childhood book called The Last Unicorn, and read it while sunbathing on hikes along the coast. In the book the unicorns have been captured by a wicked king, who forced them into the sea. It was a nice element that helped me visualize the story, being in a similar terrain over looking the sea.

There are a number of national parks nearby, Salt point, Still water cove, Fort Ross…

For this trip I wanted to stay somewhere with a restaurant and bar attached & where there was plenty to do without having to drive very far. Eating or drinking at a hotel bar makes it easier to be on your own. Plus I just wanted to simplify things & Coast Kitchen was great. I also went in the middle of the week, so it was really quiet & cool to have the space to myself. Of course I had to take some photos! I would love to travel every year. This year we’re talking about going to Mexico, Big Sur & Inverness and doing some camping. But back to Timber Cove, I’d love to photograph weddings there, it would be a great excuse to stay and enjoy this beautiful place.