Today I should have cleaned the house, gone through cookbooks looking for new recipes, and done some laundry. Instead I decided that since this was my first Saturday owning the new VW Beetle Convertible, I was going to take her for a spin.
My first stop was Michael’s, because what kind of Beetle owner would I be if I didn’t fill that bud vase right away? I new I wanted a gerbera daisy, and I was hoping for a hot pink one, but they didn’t have much of a selection. I settled on this one, and I really like it:
It’s the must-have accessory that I needed to make the car feel like my own.
My next stop was Radio Shack, to buy an MP3 cord so I could listen to my iPod songs while driving. I have tons of songs loaded on my iPhone, just waiting for a long car ride.
I’d decided on driving to Half Moon Bay, which is one of my favorite spots. What better place for a convertible than the beach, right? Half Moon Bay is a lot easier to get to (even though it’s farther) than Santa Cruz, because on a hot Saturday, everyone in my city heads over the hill to go to Santa Cruz to escape the heat.
I thought I’d take a “short cut” that my parents’ friend had told them about – taking Hwy 84 through Woodside to avoid the traffic on 92. Well, the road was beautiful and lined with redwoods on both sides, but it was a scary, winding path that had my heart in my mouth a few times. Come to find out, it was no short cut at all because it took twice as long and brought me right to 92 where all of the traffic begins. Still, it was nice to drive along a beautiful road with “Swoon” from the Silversun Pickups blairing on the stereo. It was along this road that I though of the Beetle’s name – Bettie! Bettie the Beetle Convertible! Don’t you love it?!
The ride to Half Moon Bay was so beautiful that I just couldn’t resist snapping a few photos on the iPhone’s camera. I know it probably breaks tons of traffic laws, but there wasn’t much traffic, and we weren’t driving too fast, so I took the risk, and I’m so glad I did. The pictures are fantastic. A bit blurry in some cases, but so gorgeous.
Once I got to Half Moon Bay, I headed directly to Granada Beach, which is my favorite spot. It is the spot I used to go all the time to just get away from my life and clear my head. I used to write in my journal while sitting on a boulder along the ocean’s edge. So peaceful and tranquil. It also happens to be the spot where the love of my life propsed to me many years ago. (We split up over 12 years ago, but I still think of him and wonder “what if.”). The spot holds so many great memories that I love going there.
Afterward, I headed into downtown Half Moon Bay to get something to eat. There’s a little cafe that I like to go to because it’s very quaint and easy going. The food is good and the prices aren’t too high. I ordered a BLT, and it was delcious. I didn’t realize how famished I was (it was 2:30pm) until I started eating. I guess I was so taken by my beautiful surroundings that I wasn’t paying attention to my grumbling stomach.
I left shortly thereafter because I wanted to beat the traffic out. As I was driving I just kept thinking about how lucky I am to live this life. I have my health, my wonderful friends and family, and now I have this new, dream car. Sure, I would’ve loved to have a cute guy sitting in my passenger seat today, but that’s not where my life is right now, and that’s OK. I feel so blessed, and I don’t usually talk that way, but that’s really the only way I can describe it. I’ve worked so hard for so long and struggled quite a bit to get where I am, but now I feel like I’m leading a charmed life and I’m so grateful that I’m able to enjoy it.
To see pictures of Bettie’s first trip to Half Moon Bay, click here.
BTW, as I was eating lunch I decided that I’m going to make “Adventures with Bettie” a regular feature on this blog. I’m not sure how often I’ll post new road trips with Bettie, but I’d like to shoot for at least once a month. There are so many fabulous places within an hour or two from my house that I really do want to take advantage of it. Plus, getting out in the car and driving is so much fun and so calming to me.
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