The Derringdos

We wrapped our summer up with a visit to the Mar Vista cabins near Point Arena. As usual, we spent time at the beach, reading, playing games and visiting the goats, chickens and bunnies living near the cabins. There was also a nest of baby swallows living on our porch. Their mom fed them from morning until dusk. We watched them as they took their first few steps out of their nest only to scooch back in at night. On the day we headed back home, the little birds had vacated…off for new adventures in the fall. And here we go too!

Earlier this month we drove a couple hours north from Berkeley to stay at the Mar Vista Cottages at Anchor Bay. Mar Vista and Asilomar are our go-to bases for extended weekend beach breaks. The cabins here have cozy beds, nice bathrooms, a full kitchen and no TV or phone. Nettie and Peabody love visiting the goats, gathering eggs from the chickens, hiking around the frog pond and playing on the rope swing. Usually we spend our days at nearby beaches. We were kept indoors, though, on much of this trip due to heavy rain. But we couldn’t have been happier reading, knitting, cooking and playing games near our fireplace. We can’t wait to go back!

For spring break we stayed at Asilomar, our refuge on the Monterey Peninsula. Designed by Julia Morgan in 1913 as a YWCA conference site, the grounds and beach are now a 107 acre state park. The buildings are a mix of Arts and Crafts beauties and some more recent additions. The rooms are simple with no TV, telephone or wireless Internet connection. Some have fireplaces and ocean views. There is so much to do in the area. We went tidepooling, played ping pong, shot pool, watched Sea Otters, climbed an old locomotive, and went paddle boating. But playing games at the lodge and reading on the beach were the most relaxing parts of the week.