See You Next Year, Central Coast!

I have spent the past three days a bit conflicted over my recent decision to have next year's fall vacation be a trip up Hwy 395. I have loved the 395 since I first experienced Bridgeport 20+ years ago, and I have loved every trip back there. The last time that I did that drive was three years ago when I took that route to attend the final Reno Air Races. Just like the year before, I'd taken pictures and videos along the way and sent them to my pretty girl whom I have wanted to take her there since it first crossed my mind sometime in 2015.

Just two weeks ago, we both decided that fall of 2026 would be the time to do the trip and I was very happy with that decision. Well, initially. I definitely want to take her there, but these last few days have made me reconsider it for a number of reasons. They are mostly good reasons, but honestly the primary reason seems kind of silly, but here it is: my pretty girl was so radiant and vibrant this last trip and my ego, spirit and hear were so full when I was out with her in the places that we went that I want to do it experience it all over again and in a similar environment. That sounds selfish, I know, but there's more to it. Not only do I have an overwhelming desire to experience that again, but I need her to have the experience and need other people needed to be blessed by the sight and presence of my girl again! She really is that wonderful and together, we were just amazing.

So, with that in mind, today I thought I'd pitch her my alternative plan to kind of feel her out and see what she might think about a repeat trip to LA and the Central Coast. I wasn't very smooth, but I got it out but when I got to the part about why I wanted the repeat trip, I stumbled. She was clearly sensing my misgivings so she started to interject and tell a story about how good she looked in her new dress and that she'd really like to..."Wait, wait, wait, don't continue," I interrupted! "I think we're thinking the same thing," I yelled excitedly. Yes, I KNEW that we'd come to the same conclusion: we weren't ready to give up the culture and experiences that this last trip gave us and we want to do it again! Yep, that's how she felt too! We were both so happy and the feeling was electric as we talked about our shared reasoning. We'd had this same thing happen last year when we were initially planning on visiting Las Vegas! We'd both determined (at the same time, no less) that there was not enough culture there for in Vegas and that another city would be more deserving of our likes, tastes and prejudice. What I like most about this new revelation is that, just like with the Vegas reconsidering, we came to this conclusion simultaneously! It is remarkable how in sync we are with each other. We'll get up the 395 one day but for now, we've got bigger things to see and do, like take another swim in the Tropicana Pool.

#vacation #centralcoast #2026 #love #losangeles