John Steinbeck's sister's cottage--Writing Retreat?

This cabin once belonged to John Steinbeck's sister, Esther. It's located on the Asilomar Conference grounds in Pacific Grove, California.

Today it's called The Guest Inn.

John Steinbeck would retreat to his sister's cabin often to write. It's believed he wrote part of the narrative for Sea of Cortez here.

Care to stay in this quaint cabin? Apparently you can for $305.22 a night (sleeps up to 6 people). We spotted a family staying there. I felt kind of weird taking pictures, but they kindly let me. No, I didn't take any pictures of inside the cabin. I was tempted to ask though.

Asilomar grounds is surrounded by the woods and right across the street is the stunning Asilomar State Beach.

The kids love exploring the tidepools.

Guest Book (Vacation Rental)

I have a confession. Whenever I spot a guest book, I just can't help myself. I read it.

Do you? Or, am I the only weird one?

Sometimes the former occupants leave invaluable tips which trump any travel guide. I have discovered helpful info, such as where to find the best restaurants. Where the best hiking trails are located. And the best places to spot sea otters and whales. The most interesting thing I gleamed from a guest book recently was that at twilight you can occasionally spot bats.

Okay. I admit I also read because I'm nosy.

Like the recent guest book I perused while in Cambria. I got a chuckle over reading about the Harley bike rider who chronicled his adventure of biking through the central coast along with his fellow 20 biker buddies. I grieved for the family who came to the beach house to heal and reconnect: a few years ago their mother and wife, was taken too young. They claimed the trip helped lift their spirits. And I labored over the barely legible scrawl of elder man who wrote numerous lengthy entries chronicling some of his adventures along the central coast--he's been coming to Cambria annually since 1967.

Now, there have been some things I wished I hadn't read. Like the time I was scanning a guest book while vacationing in Mendocino (with husband peering over my shoulder) and some guy wrote:

We just worked at conceiving our first-born in YOUR hot tub!

Definitely WON'T be hitting the hot tub, joked my husband.


Photo courtesy of Tek in the box via Flickr

It's Tough Not Speaking the Same Language as Your In Laws

The first time I met my future MIL, she poured coffee in my cereal.

Such misunderstandings are not uncommon when you don't speak the same language. My post, reflecting on speaking Franglish with my French in-laws, is up on the Silicon Valley Moms Blog:
When You Don't Speak the Same Language as Your In-Laws

Photo courtesy of Al Lanni via Flickr Creative Commons.

Renting A Vacation Home in Cambria, California. Great for Families

With the in-laws visiting, we decided to rent a vacation home in Cambria, California. In the past, we`ve always booked hotels for this area.

So glad we did. For $275 a night we got a huge, beautiful home overlooking the ocean. It even had a hot tub!

For bigger families or groups, I think renting a vacation home is the way to go. Semi-decent hotels in Cambria usually come close to $200 a night anyhow (one room; we'd need 2). Throw in a kitchen where you can cook meals and you are definitely saving some money. Not to mention it makes it easier with the kids. Our daughter likes pasta and grilled cheese, so I could make those for her in a pinch. For us, renting a home for 5 days was a no-brainer.

The best part about this house (other than the ocean view) was that just down the block are a bunch of trails that overlook the Pacific. I loved hiking every day and spotting deer.

I was also glad the in-laws got pampered. They deserved it.

We used Cambria Vacation Rentals. (We booked the house on Marlbough).