Hi, hello. It’s been a minute. Grateful to have spent the past few months immersed in work and tending to some personal life shifts…thus the long stretch of quiet. But I’ve missed you! Delighted to prioritize this newsletter now that I have regained some bandwidth.
While away, I designed a massive South Pacific journey for a client and a tiny getaway to Mexico City for myself. Can’t wait to share a little about both destinations.
But today is all about the Southern California mountain town getaway. There are several within a two to three hour drive that are solid respites from Los Angeles or San Diego. My guess is you’re familiar with Big Bear and its lake, ski mountain, and quaint village. Lake Arrowhead is slightly closer to SoCal, with a body of water you can gaze longingly at, but not swim in, as well as a Pendleton outlet.
My favorite escape of them all is Idyllwild. The town is perched high in the San Jacinto mountains, from which I imagine rolling down the other side to belly flop in the pool at Sparrows Lodge, where the misters cool and the sage smoke wafts…but back to Idyllwild, which boasts an arts academy and is governed by a golden retriever named Max. The town’s a little kooky; it suits me.
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When I’m looking to get a good hike in by day (this is my favorite easy trail, and this one’s a little more strenuous) and crash in an A-Frame by night…when I’m nursing any creative projects or lovesickness…the answer is usually: decamp to Idyllwild.
So how did I end up at Crestline / Lake Gregory, you might ask…
For one, it is quite close, approximately a one and a half hour drive from central LA. And for all of Idyllwild’s charm, it lacks a swimmable body of water nearby.
Crestline’s focal point is Lake Gregory, where one can fish, rent canoes and boats, and for those of you traveling with kiddos, there is an epic inflatable waterpark on the lake, along with a splash pad and waterslides. The town is also very pet-friendly, with multiple dog parks for large and small pups.
Along with escaping the higher temps down at sea level, this trip has centered around my newest family member, Tilly. I’ve adopted a dog seemingly small enough to travel with and hardy enough to hike alongside. Send patience and training tricks my way, y’all!
It’s been sweet to experience the forest from his five-inch perspective. The grey squirrels are larger, but no louder, than he. The bugs are admittedly very buggy this time of year, as we’re next to a stream and backing on thick woods. He uses his little paws to brush the gnats from his face like a human. This never fails to melt my heart.
I’m eager to learn the ins and outs of global travel with a pet, which I will continue to share with you here. For this maiden trip, we’ve taken it easy. A visit to a lovely winery right up the road, Sycamore Ranch, has been a highlight. They offer a wine or cider tasting and were sweet with all of the four-legged visitors, providing water and pets. I’m loving their grenache made with grapes from Ballard Canyon…chilling that baby to enjoy by the fire pit.
This visit was timed so we could spend the summer solstice and full moon as wild little creatures. If I’m being candid, my self-care looks very different with a new bub to tend to. My heartbreak recipe is usually: a road trip, a concert, indulgent omakases for one, transformative full day hikes, massage, lots of yoga, some wine…or if I’m feeling fancy…hit up a nourishing hotel or retreat like Esalen or Miraval.
That ain’t happening with a new puppy. Writing this alone has taken hours, with various puppy related breaks. Did I mention I could use some additional patience?
The upside to this version of healing has been a mandatory expansion of my presence. All is ever-changing, all decisions are made by the minute.
The other highlight was finishing an essay by my girl Ellen Meloy then puttering up to a restaurant on the Rim of the World Scenic Byway (how evocative is that?) where I hoped for a sunset at best and a sugary margarita at worst. The view was hazed out by nearby fires; I sighed and dug into my fajitas. Servers admired Tilly and patrons cleared out once dusk settled. As the check dropped, a tinge of strawberry pink appeared over the mountain range. It was the start of a full-frame, slow motion moonrise.
My mind jumped back to last August, to a full moon rising over my left shoulder, lighting the Douro Valley’s inky rows below. An infinite moment to share with a human I loved which, in actuality, only lasted seconds.
This seems a suitable nod to that…a means of appreciation and release. This trip is different…no better, no worse. I’m honoring all roads I’ve traveled up to this point, I’m eager to see what future journeys await. With Tilly accompanying, of course.