Despite not having a peaceful night’s sleep due to having some mice unwanted visitors in my cabin at el Capitan Canyon, I was determined that my last day in Southern California would be unforgettable. As I walked to breakfast, I was greeted by yet another visitor, though this one was a pleasure to encounter.
I decided to cancel my morning massage and instead explore more of Highway 1 with my fabulous partner-in-crime Kitty Bradshaw in a Toyota Prius 4. I truly could not have picked a better car for our journey! Our first stop of the day was to Solvang, a Danish Village that is located in the heart of the Santa Barbara’s wine country near the Santa Ynez Mountains. We wandered around the tree-lined streets leaving a trail of pastry crumbs behind us.
Then we headed to Santa Barbara where we got some much needed retail therapy in the shoe department at Nordstrom.
Before returning to our glamping grounds, we visited a state park beach to watch the sunset. My heart began to ache a little that I was leaving the next day, because I was certainly going to miss Southern California’s beauty, however I was comforted by the fact that I would be returning to the West Coast a month later for another quick trip.
Waiting for us back at el Capitan Canyon was a delicious buffet dinner and a roaring campfire. It was the perfect way to say goodbye to my fellow TWIN colleagues, although I would be seeing some of their beautiful faces again in my hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina for a Toyota NASCAR event the following week.
Toyota certainly figured out the perfect jetlag cure, because the day after I returned home, I was delivered a brand-new Prius V for an extended ride and drive and it made me forget all about the timezone changes. I never thought I would be a fan of an orange-colored car, but I definitely did not want to return it after a week.
And just in case anyone doubts the Perullo love for Toyota, check out my driveway (the green car is my Mom’s and the red one is mine)!
Disclosure: I was selected for participation in the TWIN community through a program with Clever Girls Collective. I did not receive any compensation for writing this post, or payment in exchange for participating. The opinions expressed herein are mine, and do not reflect the views of Toyota.
Ahhh, I just love your photos!! Especially the one with the seagulls. Your trip just looks (and sounds) so amazing!
Milsters
(http://www.littlepiecesoflight.com)
Thank you so so so much! That’s my favorite shot too!!!
I would normally say you are insane for cancelling a massage, but this looks like it was worth it.
Hahaha I know, I know, BUT I really wanted to explore more!
Your pictures came out awesome!!!! I still wish you would have got the shoes. I wore them on my birthday 🙂
Thank you so much dear! I know, I think about those gorgeous shoes a lot, but I never would have worn them. I need to see pics of you in them though! Happy belated Birthday!!!
I really like the shape of the Prius they lent you!
Isn’t it sexy? LOVE it, but alas it was a tad bit too small for me.
Fun! How cool to be delivered a new car to test out for a week…wish they could send me one here, haha
I have to say, it was probably the coolest thing ever!
Your photography just gets better and better! And I love that the whole Perullo family is in on the earth-saving action 🙂
Awww thank you love!!! Haha our driveway looked like a rainbow for a while!
Amazing photos! I’ve never driven a Prius – maybe it’s time to try one. Love the red 🙂
Thank you! Oooh you should test drive one! I love my red car. 🙂
I had so much fun at El Capitan. So sorry you had a couple of unwanted guests. That’s definitely a big bummer! But driving with you along the coast? Now *that* was so much fun! 🙂
It’s okay, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger!!! Driving with you along Highway 1 was something I will NEVER forget.
What can I say, California is the best 🙂
Haha, sometimes I wonder why I ever left, buuuuut then I wouldn’t have had the chance to live in NYC for 4 years!!!
Some really great photos. I really like the close ups of the flowers and the grass with the bay in the background 🙂
Thank you so much, I’m delighted you enjoyed them!!!
I always love your photos so much, Andi!!
You’re making me blush, thank you sweetie!!!
Very beautiful pictures! I loved the one with the flying birds.
Thank you so much dear, that is my favorite as well!
These are wonderful, so good in the eyes photos and I love the shoe ^_^ … the car too! red or orange, it’s cool to me. But really I enjoyed your photos, especially the birds shot.. it’s perfect. 🙂
Wow, what lovely compliments! Thanks a million!!! XO
Wow !! it’s so amazing to see all your pictures, especially love the sunset picture. It look so beautiful when sun shine reflect on ocean.
You are too kind, thank you so very, very much!!! That part of the world is very easy to photograph.
Oh I really want to see more of the West Coast, it would be perfect to do it in a car and just drive down the coast.
It truly is a magical place — get your camera ready when you go!