Last day at post ranch

Our last day at Post Ranch, we woke up to see a sea of clouds/ fog covering the ocean view, but it was still breathtaking. While Damon and I were lounging on our balcony munching on our breakfast, a flock of 20+ wild turkies came meandering by on the hillside. It was crazy!  Then, on our drive out, we saw two deer right by the entrance to the Inn, as if Post Ranch was bidding us Adieu...

The drive back down was gorgeous, but cold and foggy- we lucked out weather wise and as if the weather held out just for us!

It was an absolutely incredible weekend- we feel so incredibly lucky, not just for the amazing time and weekend, but for having each other as husband and wife. (ok, I know I'm gushing, but it's exactly how we feel!)

The mini-moon 11-17-08

Our full day at Post Ranch Inn was amazing- if you ever have the opportunity to stay there, DO. It is worth every penny.  While showering, (the shower/HUGE bathtub looks right out on the balcony), I saw a California Condor fly right past our cabin. It was so incredibly humongous- I've only ever seen them that up close at the San Diego Wild Animal Park, and not in full flight- it had a radio transmitter on and everything!

Our room was incredible.  The fireplace was two sided- one side faced the bathtub/shower, and the other the bed. The mini-bar was all complimentary, so we feasted on goat cheese, crackers, fruit and white wine while watching another beautiful sunset (not as beautiful as ours the day before- and I'm not just saying that!).  I woke up early that day and watched the sunrise from the infinity basking pool next to our cabin. We hiked around the property and took one of Post Ranch's complimentary convertible Lexuses out to have brunch with Damon's parents down at Deetjens and then down to Julia Phieffer Burns Park to see McWay falls.

We were driving around Highway 1 in a convertible Lexus that they lent us to drive around in!!!! AMAZING!

Drew this drawing late at night after a very romantic evening with the fireplace blazing and lots of wine- our first day as a married couple was absolutely WONDERFUL!

THE BIG DAY!!!!!! 11-16-08

Sunday, November 16, 2008, was truly a magical day.  I couldn't have asked for a more perfect wedding- everything was just absolutely magical.  No more butterflies, no more nervousness, just a calm sense of purpose and serenity. I began getting ready at Deetjens early after breakfast, and everything just clicked into place.  I did my own makeup exactly to my makeup artist Betsy's instructions. My hair came out perfectly. My dress looked like a dream. We arrived at Post Ranch exactly at 4pm, got some pre-wedding photos with our photographer Rachael Short , and began the ceremony at 4:15.

I had told myself I wouldn't cry, but the minute our officiant, Soaring , mentioned the spirit of our ancestors around us and being there, I thought of my grandparents being there with us, and the tears began.  The ceremony was gorgeous. Soaring had the most perfect words for us, my dad read a wedding prayer that my great-grandfather had written, and everybody was in tears. The view was SPECTACULAR. The sun was slowly dipping down, giving off the most beautiful colors over the ocean, and right at the end, a deer walked by on the hillside right down from our cabin.

After an amazing dinner with all our family, Damon and I were out on the balcony looking at the bright starry sky and a crystal clear shooting star goes right over head- so bright and long and perfect. It was truly a perfect end to a perfect day!!!

The 13th room 11/15/08

The night before the wedding, me, Damon and my family stayed at Deetjens Big Sur Inn .  Damon and I were in the cabin/room called "the 13th room," which was so charming and quirky- full of so many oddities! There was an elf door, jars of hidden notes, a journal full of past visitor's entries (fascinating in it's own regard), and a bunch of crazy old antiques, most notably, the Elephant Grandma. (don't ask!)

It was the best place to get ready for the big day- serene, a great sense of history, sleeping/waking up nestled in the redwood canyon next to a gurgling creek, and just wonderful.  Also, they have amazing eggs benedict in the restaurant for breakfast!