California – The Cove

I have written three California travel blogs: Embarking, Apple Town and In-Laws, and Twists and Turns. They are actually segments of my continuing winding road in retirement with disabilities. Take your sigh of relief now because we are leaving California and returning to the cold flatlands of North Dakota  . . . in two more blogs 😊! Seriously though, take a minute and just be still, realize there is a God, and read on. 

We Made It!

I continue my California road trip at the intersection of a twisting forest road and the famous coastal Highway 1 of what’s called the Coastal Franciscan Redwood Forest ecosystem. We sat at that intersection white-knuckled from the winding mountainous forest road; literally only a few blocks from what I will call here “the cove.” We made it! This had been my goal throughout my recovery from deep brain surgery; to get to this spot, to be still, know God’s presence, and rest. I was here. When my husband asked me what was one enjoyable or comforting thought that came to mind when thinking back on our B&B stay at the cove, these verses from Psalm 46 came to mind:

            God is our refuge and strength,

            always ready to help in times of trouble.

            So we will not fear when earthquakes come

        and the mountains crumble into the sea.

      Let the oceans roar and foam   . . .

            Be still, and know that I am God! 

Roaring Ocean and Stillness

That was my existence for three days at this coastal locale; the troubles and quakes from the past year and a half dissolved into yet another God refuge. Our mission and purpose here was to be still, know he was among us, and absorb his peace; and the isolation of the cove corroborated. There wasn’t much for civilized busyness here like I was experiencing at home; no PT, OT, ST, or even ER if that might be needed. There was no cell service. His creation was my therapy and His presence was my help here. I took comfort in these few days with the basics, a constant dull roar from the Pacific crashing into the cove below, September sunshine, and an ever-present fresh ocean breeze on my face. This was enough for me.

The B&B Complex

The B&B complex consisted of a small main hotel with a few rooms located on a second floor that ascended from a tiny foyer that had a guestbook on a desk and a coffee station. A creaky narrow wooden staircase ascended from the foyer to the guest rooms and rooftop deck with a stunning ocean view. Also exiting the tight foyer was a door that opened to a high wooden check-in desk, behind which was a small dining area, and off that was the kitchen. I assumed this was once a sprawling seacoast home. Nestled around the main hotel were five or six cottages, all of which had spacious window views and outdoor patios of various sizes facing the blue-teal Pacific and rocky cove. Our cottage was booked two years ago and had a premium location. It was called the Wave Watcher. The grounds also contained an herb garden, a goat pen, free-range chickens, thick beautiful shrubs, flowers, and trees cuddling within and around this rocky precipice. Just 30 feet out our front door patio area was a narrow moist wooden staircase chiseled into the rock and tree roots and descending to a sandy path that wove through coastal scrub and sage eventually melding into a dark gray sandy beach strewn with driftwood and seaweed and flat surf polished stones. Occasionally we’d see other tenants or a few locals on the cove beach, as stated, this place was isolated and very private: no Bay Watch babes on this coastline. It was a perfect focusing place to be still and know he got us here.

Pacific Beauty and  . . . . Shopping

On the second day at the cove, Chris gave me decision power for what to do that day as a type of reward for taking the challenge and making the trip to CA. He seemed surprised when I immediately took this open-door opportunity to exclaim with vigor a need to go shopping. He had to own up to his promise so up the coast 10 miles we went to a small hilly beach community called Mendocino. This lazy sundrenched town was built into the steep cliffs of the coastline with shops, restaurants, and one gas station, which we were forced to use having miscalculated our twists and turns the day before (we paid $9.69/gallon). The hilly terrain made the sidewalks difficult to navigate with my wheelchair, but we managed to find a tourist-oriented California artwork gift shop to buy gifts for people back home. We relaxed at an Irish pub for dinner on the main street of the town and then took the winding coastal road back to the Cove. The day's relaxation gave way to being still after yet another stunning ocean sunset and immense knowledge of God’s power and goodness. Every evening ended with an electric fireplace cozy warmth and a couple windows cracked open enough to be lulled asleep by the ocean waves.

Downtime

Research on the human brain shows that humans need regular periods of downtime for success and health. Besides shopping in Mendocino, having steak at our B&B restaurant, shepherd's pie at an Irish pub in Mendocino, and fresh seafood at a wharf restaurant in Fort Bragg further north up the coast, we didn’t do much at our California get-away. Our evening activities consisted of watching unbelievable ocean sunsets ordering our breakfast for the morning and enjoying the reprieve. Our agenda, besides eating involved staring at rocky precipices, foaming waves, flowers, redwoods, and thick evergreen shrubs. We were experiencing some serious and needed downtime. Be still and know that I am God. The local people we met throughout our stay in the cove area seemed like staged actors feeding our downtime; they were solid, earthy, not in a hurry, and fantastically helpful. Time seemed slower and there was no hustle; any fears of accessibility melted away quickly, and we felt at home. We have visited other places via travel where the hype did not live up to the site’s extolled virtues, but the cove was not that. When we left on the fourth day it was one of those moments where we were just plain satisfied with everything and ready to head south back across the Golden Gate to an airport hotel. More on our journey home next blog.