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.


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


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.

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!




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...




And the beautiful leather arm chair.


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


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.












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
















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.


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




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.


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


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.