I took my first-ever Amtrak trip this week.

I’ve traveled on trains all over the world, including a memorable nighttime ride on a steam engine somewhere in India – where the engineer allowed me to shovel coal into the firebox!

My husband, Scott, and I were heading to California’s Central Coast – to the town of Avila Beach – to celebrate our 10th anniversary. (We were married on 08-08-08!)

As the “professional” travel planner, I’m typically the one to plan our trips. As such, they usually include business of some sort. I was happy to let Scott take over this time. Until yesterday, when he showed me the map on his phone, with a pin in it, I didn’t even know where we were staying.

So this would be a real vacation for a change! I wasn’t sure I would know how!

Tuesday, 08-07-18

We caught the northbound Pacific Surfliner in Camarillo, settling into our comfy business-class seats on the ocean-view side on the upper level. The tracks paralleled the busy 101 Freeway through the first several stops: Oxnard, Ventura, Carpinteria and Santa Barbara.

As we passed the Ventura County Fairgrounds, I remarked, “We should go to the County Fair next year! We can ride the Tilt-A-Whirl!”

“Are you crazy?” Scott replied. “Have you seen who assembles those carnival rides? They’re death traps! Besides, they don’t allow anyone into the fair without a tattoo.”

After 10 years, I’m still learning things about him. “Killjoy,” I thought to myself. “I can’t believe it – you’re a chicken!” I said to him out loud.

Complimentary coffee, muffins, and USA Today newspapers were available, as well as free wifi and electrical outlets. Later, they served a snack box with a generous selection of treats. The round-trip tickets cost $110 each, though we discovered a 15% senior discount a little too late. (When booking, if you’re 62+, select “Adult” as your passenger type, then enter V282 into the promotion code field to get the discount.)

North of Santa Barbara, for probably 100 miles, the train hugs the coastline past secluded beaches on the west side of Vandenberg Air Force Base. This is where they launch the SpaceX rockets, and we could see some of the launch pads. Meanwhile, the highway turns inland at Gaviota Pass, so this coastal beauty can be seen only from the train!

Photos taken through the train’s dingy windows don’t do justice to the beautiful scenery we passed . . .

A little more than three hours later, we arrived at Grover Beach and took an Uber to Avila La Fonda Hotel. The first impression was promising – although lobbies can be deceiving. But they gave us a welcome gift of two stemless wine glasses, explained that all the snacks in our in-room welcome basket were free of charge, and showed us the lounge where they serve fresh-baked cookies all day long, plus homemade pie in the evening . . . I was impressed! Our spacious room had a hot tub (which we wouldn’t use), a fireplace (which we might use if it wasn’t summer), and a small balcony. The generous welcome basket included a bag of Peanut M&Ms and microwave popcorn (two of my favorite things). Yup, there was even a microwave and a Keurig coffeemaker. The bath amenities were lemongrass (my favorite) and the shower had double showerheads!

The hotel more than passed inspection. Good job, Scott!

We walked a block to Front Street, a charming waterfront promenade with shops and restaurants, which was surprisingly un-busy for a hot summer day in August. We walked out onto the pier and looked out at body-boarders and kids frolicking in the surf – oblivious to the presence of a sand shark swimming around the pier pilings underneath us!

After a nap, we enjoyed a lovely dinner at the Blue Moon French Bistro.

Wed, 08-08-18

Our 10th-anniversary celebration would be a memorable one! I’ve lived in southern California since 1981 and did not know about the magnificent sand dunes along the central coast. They’re almost four square miles – the largest in California – and the only ones on which you can drive! For $5, you can drive your vehicle onto the sand – but not onto the dunes.

Scott had booked a tandem dune buggy from SunBuggies at Oceano Dunes, and we enjoyed racing up and down rolling, rippling mountains of sand with virtually nobody around. I took my turn at the wheel and ultimately drove us into a deep bowl of sand.

Whoops!

Fortunately, my ever-patient husband kept his cool and we managed to climb/crawl/drive out of there, but not without some herculean effort on his part. He is my hero! (I should also mention that he was the one who told me to go that way … just sayin’.)

Thurs, 08-09-18

It was a lazy day with no plans. Slept late. Took a walk to the end of the beach and built rock towers by balancing stones on top of each other. After an afternoon nap, we borrowed provided umbrellas, chairs, and towels from the hotel for a few lazy hours on the beach. It felt great to do a whole lotta nothing for an entire day! Plus, I wrote this blog . . . and appreciated my wonderful life!

Fri, 08-10-18

Heading home this morning, rested, relaxed and a little bit sunburned. And happy to know that I do know how to enjoy a normal vacation, after all!

p.s.  Minor correction: We did enjoy the hot tub . . . 🙂

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Comments? What wondrous places have you discovered close to home?