So, Shelby had an appointment scheduled with an endocrinologist in LA in regards to Hashimotos auto immune disease. We thought, if we have to go down there, we might as well make the best of it! We turned it into a girls only getaway! Colby's mom flew out from Arizona to join us. She picked us up Thursday in her beautiful rental car (Chrysler 300 M....I want one!) and we headed out for our adventure! Little did we know just how adventurous our trip would really be!
On our way down south, we were in a car accident on the 405 freeway. A guy lost control of his sports car and spun out, going 70 mph, and crashed right into the drivers door of our car. It knocked us over into the lane next to us. Thankfully, there wasn't a car next to us in that lane, and we were able to coast off the fwy. to an island there between the fwy and the upcoming on ramp.
Once we were stopped, and could realize what was going on, it was so scary! But we were so incredibly blessed through it all. God was DEFINITLY taking care of us. It had the potential to be soooo bad! But in the end, none of us, or the guy who hit us, had to go to the hospital. Cars can be replaced...people can't. I am soooo grateful that everything worked out ok! We had to have the rental car towed away, and so we had to ride in the tow truck to get off the fwy.
The driver dropped us off at a Denny's restaurant just off the fwy. There, we had to get things in order, try to deal with insurance company on the phone and arrange for a new rental car to be delivered. It was taking way to long, so we decided to call a taxi.
I think the taxi ride may have been just as scary as the car accident! But we made it to our hotel, and all was well. Now we could relax and begin the fun!!!
We stayed the first night in Santa Monica at the Fairmont Resort. It was FABULOUS!!! Right across the street from the beach, just up from the pier. Talk about pampering! They think of every little detail at the Fairmont.
We had a great walk up the beach, fun on the pier, and then dinner at Bubba Gumps right on the pier. Walking back to our hotel, we went up the 3rd Street Promenade and watched some awesome street dancing, heard some great music, and lots of photo ops!
Breakfast at the hotel was wonderful. Connie and Shelby even tried to invite a four legged guest to our table! I wasn't so excited about that part. :) We hated to leave our decadent surroundings at the Fairmont, but we had to move on!
Next stop on our girls only getaway would be Pacific Palisades for Shelby's Dr. appointment. It went well, got a lot of good information, and they ran some tests wich will take time to get back. On the street in front of the office, we watched some papparazzi harrass someone who I think was Renee Zellwegger. (I have no idea if I spelled that right???) Then we were on the road again!
Stopped in Malibu for lunch at Dukes. Great food, good prices, not such good service though. But the view was worth it! We sat right on the water, watching the dolphins play. It was great! And then we headed out again to continue our way up the coast.
We stopped in Santa Barbera for a quick break to stretch our legs & grab a starbucks. Didn't stay long, but it was getting late in the day and we wanted to reach our hotel before 5 o'clock traffic! Onward!!!!
The drive was beautiful, and complete with a 5 minute laugh attack (Connie! Look at the Llamas!) but we were relieved to finally reach the good old, familiar, central coast! We checked into our room at the Cottage Inn, and quickly headed to SLO to meet Mendy & Danny at their apartment. It was great to visit with them and spend time with sweet little baby Judah.
They joined us for dinner, then we headed back to our room for some much needed sleep. The next morning, they came to our hotel and had breakfast with us. Then we spent some time on the tide pools before we had to head out.
On our way home, we stopped at Avila Valley Barn...so cool! They have great fresh produce in their farmers market, fun gifts and goodies, and a neat little petting zoo area. It was a great end to our fun weekend! Next, the drive home!
The boys greeted me out front when we pulled up, with huge smiles and hugs! I think they missed their mama...just a little bit! I know I missed them. And not 5 minutes home and it was back to reality, dropping Dylan off at a friends house, getting food for the boys, and cleaning up the house. Vacation Over!
It was great spending time with Shelby and Connie, just girls! And then getting to visit with Mendy's family was icing on the cake. I think we'll have to make this girls getaway a tradition! Just without the car accident part from now on!
