I spent last weekend away at a magical cottage.
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My family and I took some much-needed escape time over MLK weekend and tried our luck on an unknown B&B. Nestled in the big trees of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Redwood Croft is far enough away from civilization to be conveniently detached from cell phone and internet service. The owner informed us that a “croft” was a medieval word for a house, like this wood-and-stone manor, with adjoining land for a garden. (Garden might not be exactly the right word for the wild and lovely ramble of native plants that wound around the house.) The grounds begged me to tramp around with my camera.
How do I know it was magical, you ask? Well, it was obvious, my dear Chronicles of Narnia fans. There was a lamp-post in the front yard. As if we’d come from the far country of Spare Oom.
Actually, I knew it as soon as we turned on to the street. It was called Ice Cream Grade.
Not to mention that there was a wishing well in the back. Pre-equipped with wishes.
Maybe not your typical storybook variety of magic, but certainly one that returned me to childhood: the giant trampoline under the redwoods. I hadn’t jumped on a trampoline in years. I quickly rediscovered just how euphoric flying can be.
Unfortunately, I don’t have a picture of some of my favorite memories, such as sitting down to the sumptuous breakfasts served on vintage dishes, with taper candles and white poinsettias on the table (there are a few photos on the B&B’s website). Or curling up to read by the warm woodstove in the evenings, a strand of Christmas lights twinkling just outside the window, a little old dog named Spinner snoring on a sheepskin on the couch.
But with views like this to photograph, I didn’t have many pictures left on my camera card anyway.
Magic is everywhere, usually in the small things, if you’re looking for it. Maybe it was just a little easier to see at Redwood Croft.
Did you have any adventures over the long weekend? Discover any small magic of your own?
Alina Sayre, Author 
What a lovely place! Me? I went to two IKEAs last weekend. Went looking for special IKEA-only lightbulbs, came home also with a new dresser. Not an enchanting time, by any means. 😀
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Oh my! Sounds crazy. Although sometimes, with its whimsical light fixtures, IKEA can be a bit magical itself. Minus the weekend crowds, I’m sure 🙂
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What an absolutely lovely place! My adventures over the long weekend were far from memorable in light of hubby’s bronchitis, (read; nursing a not so cooperative patient) but I’ve definitely enjoyed reading about yours, Alina. I don’t have a bucket list, but if I did, I’m pretty sure I’d put this place on it 😀
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Aw, so good of you, Barbara! Maybe less fun, but your weekend was definitely spent in a worthwhile manner 🙂
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Today…my magic was being transported by your words to this Narnia-esque place. Love the pictures you paint with your words. Thank you for that gift. ~esther
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Thanks for stopping by, Esther! I hope it was a nice mental vacation for you 🙂
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That looks like such a nice place to go! I can imagine making that a bimonthly writing retreat. 😀
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Yes please! How amazing would that be?
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That looks like a great place to discover! Glad you guys got to spend some time together at a magical place 😀 Getting out into nature and away from things… *really* disconnecting… is such an awesome thing. A part of my soul will always reside in the Outback, nestled in the warm, soft, red dirt. ❤
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Ah, the Outback! I know that feeling of leaving part of yourself somewhere else in the world. It becomes part of who you are…and for me, it has a habit of popping up randomly in my art 🙂
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