Can't beat the B&B

8 years ago my husband & I discovered the joys of staying at a bed & breakfast.
From the moment we woke to soft classical music and the scent of fresh baked bread raising up from the local bakery below, we were hooked!

Well rested and relaxed, we made our way down to the dining room where breakfast was being served. B&B's have the best breakfasts. Some are just continental...but others are VERY exceptional, serving the classics from that part of the world. We've had everything from steak & eggs to...well, things I can't pronounce!
I have enjoyed it all.

We decided from our first stay (5th year wedding anniversary) that we would make it a yearly tradition. It's been wonderful!
However, last year we broke our tradition and went to Jamaica for 10 days instead. My brother was getting married on the beach of Montego Bay. That was a vacation we definitely want to repeat!

Back to B&Bs.
We have mostly stayed with a reasonable driving distance to where we live. (7 hour max.)

Michael's parents watch the girls for the few days we are gone. They LOVE having the girls and the girls LOVE visiting their grandparents. It's a win-win situation, but I always end up missing them or wishing they could be where we are to see all the neat sights!
Michael & I both love antiquing. We prefer small towns where we can just park our car at the Inn and let it sit all weekend, walking everywhere we want to go.

Some years we have gone horseback riding (Yosemite and along the Mendocino Coast). We like to do new things. Last year was snorkeling. This year we might try surfing.
We always splurge on one fancy, expensive dinner.
Along with a visit to Hearst Castle, we plan on taking in a movie ( Star Wars: revenge of the sith) and a few stops at the MANY local wineries. Did you see the movie "Sideways"? We'll be in that area. Solvang.

Bottom line...if you're married and have kids...getting away to have some fun once a year is a very good thing! For everyone.

We leave tomorrow!