Come Away With Me!

Continuing with my theme from my last post on escapism,  I wanted to take you on a journey. Recently I was able to attend a writer’s retreat in Monterey, California with a few members of my writing group. To say I needed the camaraderie and like-mindedness of other Janeites is an understatement. I think we all get to a point where we feel like we might break, and I was there.

However, I don’t want to dwell on what got me to that point. Instead, I want to share a few wonderful experiences which were able to center me. I took a few pics, and I hope you will be able to feel some peace as well.

First: The Mt. Pinos Lighthouse Tour

My dear friend and fellow writer has a connection to the lighthouse and was able to give us an ‘after hours’ tour. If there is one thing that brings me peace above all other things, it is nature and the solitude found therein. There were 4 of us walking around that dusky evening, with deer  meandering through the paths and one of the most breathtaking sunsets on display. My healing began right there as the oranges and blues lit up the sky behind the cypress trees.

Second: Carmel-by-the-Sea and Tor House

What a delightful little journey we had into Carmel-by -the-Sea. It was a busy day, as all Saturdays are there, but with a few minutes to spare, we were able to indulge in a quaint little shop filled with books and bits and bobbles. Jane Austen at Home is just as delightful as you could imagine, and I debated on purchasing an early edition of Khalil Gibran’s “The Prophet.” However, sensibility (or the voice in my head that sounded like my husband) won out. I have a similar edition given to me by my father, so although I left empty-handed, I was not empty-hearted.

And then we traveled to Tor House. I am ashamed to say that as an English major with a concentration in literature (albeit British) I have never heard of Robinson Jeffers. My dear friend scheduled a tour for us in Carmel to tour his home, one which he helped build himself with reclaimed boulders/stones from the beach below his property. It was darling. His wife had a fascination with Celtic towers, so as all good husbands would, he built one for her. My favorite part of the tour was not just the Narwal tusk, or the collection of books EVERYWHERE  in the house, but climbing to the top of the tower and looking out across the ocean. How peaceful and freeing it must have been to live there before the tourists (me) and others moved in or decided to infringe on that slice of heaven.

The Tower at Tor House

The View from my Room

Third: The Cave of Treasures

At the end of one of our evenings, we had just devoured a delicious ravioli soup, crusty shepherd’s bread and Texas sheet cake, when our host invited us to take a walk down to her ‘Cave of Treasures.’ She mentioned that before we were allowed in, we had to wash our hands with Dawn soap. We laughed about the request, but good naturedly did what we were asked, then walked into a room filled with…literal treasure. On a round table were numerous books written by, written about and analyzing ‘Our Dear Jane.’ I couldn’t move and truly wasn’t sure if I was still breathing. I held a copy of Pride and Prejudice from 1858, Emma from around the same time and numerous other books which had me in awe. But, the book which brought me to tears was a 1st edition 1818 copy of Northanger Abbey and Persuasion.

We opened the pages, and read the letter from Captain Wentworth to Anne Elliot. We marveled at the texture of the paper over 100 years old. We traced the edges of the book plate of a previous owner wondering if she loved Jane as much as we do. And then we just cried. Cried for the joy of something so perfect, something with such a connection to this author whom we love and admire. Cried because she herself did not see this ‘darling child’ or children come to life and bless those who read it. Cried because we needed to release our own internal struggles. And then…we absorbed the moment.

What a glorious little jaunt to the land of daydreams, because there is no way that this getaway was real. I had much too much to do to keep my family moving forward: laundry, meals, homework. But, I needed to be replenished, and I was grateful for the opportunity to do so. I hope your cup has been refilled; that my little adventure has allowed you to live vicariously and you will revisit this post when you too need to get away!

What is your favorite place to go for peace and serenity? Tell me about your own oasis.