travel diary: sea otter inn, cambria

You may remember a few weeks ago Matt and I got to take a trip up the coast, just the two of us. We love to plan out time together without the kids, especially when there is a busier season we are about to head into…and I’m so glad we planned that time just before the holiday rush we are in now.

I’ve mentioned it a few times over on my Instagram, but this January will be huge for me. I will be speaking…as in, on a stage, in front of people (gasp!) for my first time ever…and I am just as excited as I am nervous. I told Matt when we were first married that the ‘getting-up-in-front-of-people’ thing is his deal, not mine, and that I’d marry him as long as he never made me get up on a stage!

Isn’t it crazy how those things we say we’d never do are somehow exactly what we end up doing! (I should be more careful to not voice that stuff anymore!) Matt thinks it’s hilarious, because it’s not him making me do it! But I don’t think it’s near as funny….more like terrifying!

The time away was so needed to begin to really talk through my fears and how to begin to overcome them. I took advantage of the quiet time without having to take care of the kids to write out what I plan to say. I read it over and over again in the hotel room and now I need to practice saying it without reading off the paper! (Poor Matt had to listen to the whole thing so many times!)

My plan now is to invite some friends over and practice in front of smaller groups of people that know and love me to try to get the nerves out. And maybe try a toast masters class! How I made it through college as a Communication major and still hate the idea of being in front of people is beyond me. Matt’s been such a great coach though…and although I’ll never be as smooth as he is on stage I am so thankful for his help while I try to prepare.

I’ll also be bringing Kate with me too. I’ve heard people say that you have to find a face or two in the crowd and speak to those people you know are tracking with you…and since her face is the sweetest I know, I plan to have her front and center to help me get through it. I wish there was a magic potion that would make someone go from a ball of nerves to relaxed and amazing overnight! 🙂

 

We loved getting to walk by the water and explore the little shops in town. There’s a restaurant there called Linn’s that has the BEST Ololliberry jelly.  Fun name right?! It’s a blend raspberries and blueberries and they serve it on warm bread when you are seated. (Definitely not one of those restaurants you count calories at!!!)

Other than taking the time to plan out my talk, we had the best time visiting the little town of Cambria. We stayed at the Sea Otter Inn, which is literally just across the street from the beach, and loved getting breakfast each morning in a picnic basket placed right outside our door! How fun is that?!

Our room had an ocean view and the two little chairs out front even had our room number and a ‘reserved’ sign on them just for us. We kept talking about how quaint and home-like our stay was there. It felt more like a visit with family, rather than being at a hotel.

Thank you to the Sea Otter Inn for sponsoring this post and for making us feel so special !