I had that strong gut feeling that we should just stay home and absorb the deposit we had already paid on the cabin but for once I didn't listen to my gut instincts and I will NEVER do that again!
We had long ago made reservations for two nights in a rustic cabin up in the Big Sur Mountains to try to maximize a rare 3 day weekend with neither parent at work and the kids out of school. I had envisioned long hikes amongst the trees and fun trips down to the beach etc...
And had El Nino not hit, that's probably exactly how it would have all gone done but unfortunately (or fortunately if you consider how badly we need the rain I suppose), we had some really bad timing on our little (mis)adventure....
The rain was intermittent on the drive down and we were able to take many small breaks to stretch everyone's legs and let Kooper run and play. We took our time heading down. I still harbored some hope that everything would be OK but that sinking feeling in my stomach wouldn't go away.
We got there just before dinner and settled into the tiny little cabin called MorningLite at RoseHaven Cabins up in the Big Sur mountains. This cabin would be absolutely perfect for a romantic get away or a mommy 's escape trip. Very zen and peaceful and tiny and cozy and nestled amongst the trees. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE this cabin.
However, we were a family of four with two high energy kids and a 12 week old puppy. DURING A STORM. Totally doable if we could have been in and out and enjoying our beautiful surroundings. And one additional little fact that we were not aware of. The toilet and bath are outside, uncovered, unsheltered from the storm/rain/wind. During the summer this would be super fun and quaint and even, dare I say, VERY ENJOYABLE. However, during a massive storm with gale force winds whipping the rain against your body, not so much.
I will always carry with me the image of me sitting on the toilet with my right hand holding an umbrella over me and my left hand holding Ellie huddled into my body (waiting for her turn) in the pitch black darkness and her screaming "I'm SCARED!" as the trees swooshed around us and wind blew the umbrella inside out and the rain pelted down on us. Yes, that is the one single image I will have from this whole trip. Good times, people, good times.
I only brought my point and shoot with me knowing the rain would mean no camera time but did grab a couple shots and some video.
The first picture here is right after we had unloaded everything and I was getting ready to make dinner. Kids are happy at this point and sitting on their favorite little enclave/nook area. My husband, who thoroughly did not enjoy this trip, and that's an understatement, is playing with Kooper on the floor. All is still relatively calm. Storm hasn't hit yet. Nerves are not yet frayed.
I then got dinner all ready and took Kooper out for a LONG walk on the roadway. He loved it and the rain and wind were still mild enough that I even enjoyed it.
Then I set the kids up watching a movie on the portable DVD player I had brought (phew!) and set about to finally try to relax.
Pretty cozy, huh?! Looks WONDERFUL, huh?! It was. I had a solid hour of peace and read my Newsweek magazine... and then the storm hit with a fury.
Kids COULD not go to sleep. The sounds of the storm and the movement of the cabin shaking was scaring them to death. Dog anxious. Husband frustrated. Me trying to meet everyone's needs. No fun.
Once everyone finally got to sleep I lay wide awake trying not to scratch my poison oak infested face. Oh yeah, did I forget to mention that I have poison oak ALL OVER my face and left wrist. Oh, it's bad. I'm on steroids because it's so nasty and it still feels horrible. I'm basically miserable and have been for several days and probably have another week of misery ahead.
Dose in and out. Need to pee but don't want to get soaking wet. Kids wake up and I do multiple trips out for kid potty duty while dad attends to Kooper potty duty. DRENCHED.
I make breakfast and then take this quick "panoramic" video as everyone is eating breakfast this morning. The video does not do justice to the powerful winds and rain blowing sideways and GUSTS that were shaking the whole cabin. Password is: stormyweather
Big Sur from pascale wowak on Vimeo.
Power then goes out.
Everyone pretty darn cranky at this point.
We decide to "abort mission" and forego our planned night #2 (we had prepaid upon arrival for the two nights so we now have a 1 night credit to use sometime in the future, most likely SANS kids and dog if we can find a way to do that).
Go out to get the car to load up. Discover tree had fallen on car during the night. Miraculously, no damage because it was supported by the dirt bank on the other side of the car and had about a foot clearance, PHEW! (Ours is the blue minivan)
We finally get everything and everyone loaded back in the car and begin our slow trek back home. A ride that would normally take about 2 hrs took us 3 hrs due to the storm.
I cannot tell you how GOOD it felt to be HOME SWEET HOME. We may have an old beat up mountain home but it felt like a mansion walking in the door. I quickly got everything unloaded, put away, took a nice long shower, fed everyone lunch, got the kids set up playing nicely together in front of a warm fire in the living room, took Kooper out to play in the backyard during a break in the weather, got everything done to prep for our own severe weather advisory for where we live and then went into my home office to write this.
The forecast says ten more days of rain. I know we need it so I won't complain. I'll try my best to get Kooper and the kids fresh air every little dry spell we get. Besides, with the poison oak I can't work out and since I look like a leper, I prefer not to be seen all that much right now, so I guess that just means ten days of rescheduled shoots and NESTING at home. Might as well make the most of it.
I hope we can try the Rosehaven Cabins again soon under more OPTIMAL conditions.... :)
[Addendum: I have to give major props to the owners, Doug and Donna, who were absolutely wonderful folks. I REALLY did love the cabin and very much look forward to staying there again when it's not in the midst of a major storm!]
Let's just say this trip was yet another entry in the long list of FAILED family escapades for the Wowak Family. We have a long history of pretty disastrous outings so this is just another notch on the belt so to speak!
Oh, and one last thing, poor Kooper had to have his ears taped down this weekend. If anyone saw AI they will get this next joke:
"Tape on the ears, tape on the ears, lookin' like a fool with that tape on your ears...!" hahahaha! Poor little guy. It actually doesn't seem to be bothering him at all, much to my surprise. And he handled the long car drives and miserable trip with MUCH grace. He is an amazing dog. LOVE YOU KOOPER.
