I can hardly believe that I arrived on the west coast – over 3500 miles from Virginia and I did it!  Santa Barbara is more beautiful than I imagined.  I’ve been to many areas of California, and this is my first time in Santa Barbara.  The art, the restaurants, the night life, the beach, the ocean, the pier, the beauty of this Meditteranean-like coastal area is incredible and I would love to stay here longer.  I know I’ll return because there is a draw here – a feeling that you belong and there’s so much to discover.  The Santa Barbara Mission was a highlight, as were most of the other missions I visited on this journey.  The architecture is what I am drawn to as a photographer and I’m so happy that I had the opportunity to visit this one as it was probably the largest one I’ve ever visited – a must see stop when you’re in the area.

My favorite restaurant was Olio de Limone for Italian (of course) and another night spot that I enjoyed was Buenos Aires for some Tango dancing and such a romantic setting (even as a single visitor – it spoke romance).

Have you ever been to Ojai, CA?  What an idyllic setting in the mountains about 40 minutes east of Santa Barbara.   The Oaks at Ojai is wonderful.  It’s a ‘no frills’ spa escape and so much more.   It’s in town, so you can walk around to different art galleries and shops.  The renovated rooms are amazing and I can’t wait to return to one of them.  The staff is helpful and friendly and it’s so comfortable.  Artwork lines the main hallway and I purchased a piece that just called out to me - and it was affordable – original art and affordable, priceless.  Best of all, you can focus on yourself, enjoy healthy meals, fitness classes, spa services and not break the bank.   If you’ve never been to a destination spa and want to give yourself some time to focus on you and relax and you want to keep the cost down, this is the place.  I would also consider one of the upgraded rooms, even if it’s a little more because it is well worth it – they are lovely.  Oaks at Ojai – thanks for the memories. 

I have been looking forward to this stop for a few days now.  Don’t get me wrong, the reason for this trip was the drive – I love the freedom of driving and discovering what is ahead and around the bend, over the mountain or beyond the horizon and yet I needed to stay in one place for a couple of days and I was so happy to reach Red Mountain Spa.  It was a little warmer than my last visit and I had such great weather – good for hiking and walking and swimming and just relaxing.  (www.redmountainspa.com)

I also had a reading with Todd Hershey during my stay – he’s a clairvoyant and although it turned out to be an emotionally charged reading, it did give me some information that I found to be helpful and other information that allowed me to reflect on other areas of my life. 

Thank you Red Mountain Spa for being my respite in the west and a comfort to me today.

I have to say that one of the areas that I was most excited about visiting on this journey was New Mexico.  Ever since I went to college at New Mexico State University I knew it would be a place to return to over and over and even though it’s been a while since I’ve been back, I knew it would feel like home – that feeling of belonging.  And, as I had anticipated, it was.  I was so excited to see the Welcome to New Mexico sign.  It was a great drive as well – even the sky seemed more blue.

Santa Fe is a wonderful place to spend a long weekend.  I have to say that I did get lost a little as I explored this city that I’ve been to before, however it was different this time being on my own so I didn’t mind getting a little lost – I figured it was so I would find something that I wouldn’t necessarily see if I stayed on a certain path.  I ended up noticing things that I didn’t see before, different areas just outside the main plaza area where most shops, galleries and restaurants are located. 

The best part was staying at La Posada.  It is a few blocks from the plaza area, so definitely walking distance, yet it’s an oasis as it’s different than most of the other hotels and resorts.  The grounds are alive with flora and the beauty of the recently renovated rooms is welcoming as you meander on the paths.  The spa is relaxing and the services are different – I loved my chocolate-chile wrap – and yes, I craved something chocolate afterwards.  There is so much history to this location as well – it was a great experience.  Thank you Santa Fe for welcoming me ‘home’ and I will see you again soon.

There’s still time to plan your end of summer adventure at Rancho la Puerta and receive a bonus of over $300 in spa and cooking school activities.

Through Sept. 22 you can enjoy several spa treatments and a hands-on cooking class due to the opening of La Cocina Que Canta – the new cooking school.  A celebration for everyone and an opportunity to kick-start a healthier lifestyle by enjoying the wonder of all that Rancho la Puerta offers and an opportunity to learn how to cook healthier and implement what you learned at home.  (http://www.rancholapuerta.com/……tions.html)

The weeks of September 8 and 15 are still available with very limited availability the week of Sept. 22.  

I look forward to assisting you with planning your adventure.  Enjoy the rest of the summer.  

Have you ever wanted to just get in your car and drive?  Discover what lies ahead and leave the past behind?  Many of us go to destination spas for the fitness and nutrition components, the opportunity to kick-start a healthier approach to living.  Some of us add another layer and attempt to go within and peel away the layers to find our authentic self. 

Sometimes tragedy brings blessings once the healing begins and sometimes we hold on to a dream and finally figure out a way to pursue it.  I’m about to embark on something I’ve always dreamt about, a cross country adventure from east to west and back again.  An opportunity to discover more about our great country and revisit some of my favorite destination spas such as Miraval, Canyon Ranch, Red Mountain Spa, Green Valley Spa, Lake Austin Spa with visits to Calavie, Grove Park Inn and others along the way.  Visits to Taos and Santa Fe and points beyond are exciting as is the idea of what I may discover about myself.   This will be an adventure of body, mind and spirit and of stretching a little bit further and on learning how to live in each moment and be fully present with where I am and not where I’ve been or where I’m going. 

I’m excited about this journey and the opportunity to bring you updates and reviews on new spa discoveries. 

So with a full tank in my Jeep, a cooler of water and Kenny Chesney singing the Road and the Radio, I will be on my way soon.  Stay tuned for updates and news from the road.  And maybe, just maybe, I’ll find a way to get on the radio myself.

Happy travels!