Thursday, March 18, 2010

Whisked Away

I had known that Todd planned a trip to Santa Barbara for my 40th birthday for this weekend, but that was the extent of it. I had to know the dates so that I could request them off at work. But I had no idea where we were staying, or what activities we were doing.

So today around noonish, after a lazy morning of working out and showering and packing, we hit the road for the four hour drive north to Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara is known as the "American Riviera" and is one of our favorite weekend getaways from San Diego. We had been there three times, but the last time was in April 2006, so had been quite a while since we'd been there.

We picked up some Chick-Fil-A chicken sandwiches in Orange County (The OC, ha ha). We were excited to eat some Chick-Fil-A because there isn't really any around where we live. While I was about halfway done with my sandwich, Todd sort of ruined it for me by telling me where he was taking me for dinner. He said he was taking me to a seafood buffet where there were lobsters and crabs, and we could walk there from our hotel. ::stare:: Lobsters and crabs! I looked down at my chicken sandwich and suddenly felt like shunning it, even though I had looked forward to it. :p Of course, we encountered some traffic around 2pm in the LA area. There's traffic in LA at all times of the day.

The usually yellow and dried up mountains along the drive were all lush and green due to the unusual heavy rains we've had this year so far. The wildflowers were in bloom.
Photobucket

As we headed into Santa Barbara County, we could see the coastline.
Photobucket

We got to use our Garmin Nuvi navigator that Todd's parents gave us for Christmas. It was fun to just follow the directions and turns without having to look everything up beforehand. As we exited the freeway and made a few turns, I was getting excited to find out where we were staying.

Right before the very last turn into the parking lot, this was the sign that I saw.
Photobucket
Um.. he must be making a wrong turn... it can't be. It simply can't be. I looked at Todd incredulously as he made the turn into the parking lot of the Four Seasons Biltmore Santa Barbara. Were we lost? Then he said, "I know you said a few years ago that for once in your lifetime you would like to see what it's like to stay at a Four Seasons. I think turning 40 is a good reason. Besides, we've admired and loved this hotel on our previous trips..." I was speechless. But... but... we can't afford it. Being the finance person of our household, that's the first thing I always think of. Todd said he got a special deal where you stay two nights and the third is free. But still... I have scared feelings of inadequacy whenever we do something extravagant. I felt so out of our league. Finally Todd said, "This is special. You deserve it." I don't think I deserve it, but I'm not going to spoil all the trouble and thoughtfulness he put into planning the trip!

We drove up to the entrance/driveway of the hotel. Everything looked so lush and beautiful!
Photobucket

Photobucket

After we checked in, we walked through the gardens on our way to our room. Suddenly I was overwhelmed and started crying. I haven't done anything to deserve this. My husband really is a prince, and today I'm Cinderella. Todd noticed I was crying and hugged me tighter as we walked arm-in-arm together.

When we got to our room, we ooh'ed and ahh'ed at the room. The down duvet and the extra big pillows, the high vaulted ceiling...
Photobucket

Photobucket

And the beautiful leather arm chair.
Photobucket

Of course, Todd was excited about the big flat screen TV and March Madness basketball, LOL!
Photobucket

The bathroom was super-awesome! There was cool tile floors, big mirror, big sink, separate shower and big tub, and L'Occitane soap, shampoo, conditioner, and lotion.
Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Before dinner, we walked around the grounds and enjoyed the lush landscape as the sun set.
Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Turns out on Thursday nights at the Bella Vista restaurant at the Four Season is Seafood Buffet night. So THAT'S where we were walking to for dinner. Convenient! For once in my life, I felt embarrassed to take photos at the buffet. Everything was so exquisitely displayed and beautiful, and the food amazing, but I was too embarrassed to take photos until the food was on my table.
Photobucket

The restaurant had a view of the ocean front and a retractable roof! They closed the roof while we were there, and the sound startled me a little. I looked up and saw the roof closing, and joked to Todd that I felt like we were in a stadium. :p
Photobucket

Photobucket

Todd didn't have the seafood buffet and instead ordered the halibut, because he doesn't eat lots of seafood, especially shellfish, so he didn't think it would be worth it for him.
Photobucket

I snuck a couple of tiny cupcakes to him, but he also ordered a caramel chocolate banana brownie with ice cream.
Photobucket

After dinner we went back to our room and watched some NCAA basketball on the big TV. Todd also surprised me with some of my favorite Easter candy, mini Cadbury eggs. So I felt like a princess as I sunk into the big fluffy bed and ate some chocolate. Cinderella indeed.

7 comments:

  1. What a wonderful gift from Todd! The place looks absolutely stunning, I can understand that you feel like a princes. =) I've seen the outside of a couple of Four Seasons hotels, and they really look posh!

    Your seafood platter looks absolutely delicious! I love lobster. And not to mention Todd's dessert, wow!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh Christine, that is so awesome!! what a very sweet gift from Todd and you need to just soak every minute up and enjoy it!! The place looks amazing and I love all of your favorite places in Santa Barbara--that pizza looks amazing.

    Enjoy your little getaway!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Woooooooowza! That is awesome! Good for you guys!! Fantastic pix, glad you enjoyed it and felt like a princess - you deserve it!

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a wonderful surprise. Todd did good! I love the tshirt he was wearing. That hotel is amazing. It looks like one of those places you want to go to and not leave. LOL

    ReplyDelete
  5. what a wonderful surprise! You are so blessed with Todd! Enjoy your days in St.Barbara and have much fun.

    The seafood looks sooo delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh, what a beautiful place and, of course, you deserve it. You are a wonderful person, I think so. Oh and Cadbury Eggs are my favorite, too!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wow!!! That is one awesome weekend! I loved the re-cap and all of the fun pictures.
    I'm so glad that the two of you had some quiet time together. You are a special lady!!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by! I love to hear from you!

[feedly mini]