Last year, I spent Christmas break dog sledding under the Northern Lights in Tromso, Norway. It was neat. You know what’s neater? A nice vacation in Clovis. Clovis, New Mexico, you ask? Nope.
Clovis, California.
It’s amazing here! It’s the last antiquing opportunity before you get to Yosemite... it’s the birthplace of House of Juju... you can get a Kuppa Joy honey latte, check out the clearance rack at Tuesday Morning, wonder what in the world rolled ice cream is, and sniff a candle or two at Revival 23, all in the matter of minutes.
Why anyone would vacation anywhere else, I really don’t know.
Day 1 in Old Town Clovis started with a pipe bursting in my attic, which is a REALLY efficient way to get yourself some new sheetrock. Sheetrock fell, house flooded, neighbors visited... it was really quite lovely, if you’re intrigued by tsunamis and other rogue waves.
Enter leaving the neighborhood and commencing vacation at a hotel in Old Town. Near to walking trails, 0.4 miles from the nearest Starbucks, and a giant jar of Jolly Ranchers in the lobby. What’s not to love!?
Upon arrival, I kept it classy by bringing in my clothes while still on hangers. It’s fine, guys. They don’t judge in Clovis. Turns out a complimentary dinner is included on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. As luck would have it, it was Wednesday. It could have gone down as the luckiest day in history. I tried to extrovert at complimentary dinner, but there wasn’t anyone there. This gem of a place won’t stay a secret much longer!
I spent the evening marveling at my new digs. I mean, wouldn’t you?
Day 2
Saw all the sights in Clovis today! Started with a lovely breakfast with all my fellow hotel guests (the three of us loved it)... enjoyed a walk on the trail... found the jug of cucumber infused water on the first floor... checked out the gym... basically just lived the dream.
Day 3
Once, twice, three days in Clovis meant it was time was for some serious sightseeing... real deal. The stuff people travel north of Shaw for, like a statue of a doctor who did something super important and ended up with his name on a plaque right on the Clovis Trail.
I started my day with the other two hotel guests, but there was no time to sit around and compare our travel itineraries. As luck would have it, I have an old college friend, Shandon, who happens to live in town. She was gracious enough to offer to show this tourist around town today. Starting with bike rentals (and by rental, I mean just using our regular bikes that we own), we headed north on the trail with a stop at the world famous Biscotti House... apparently, people come from miles around to enjoy the biscotti tasting room. We found the aforementioned doctor statue, the town's oldest bookstore, even some deserted rodeo grounds. Is there any end to the joys this town offers??
We stumbled across the cutest little children's clothing boutique today... the owner of Cavelle Kids was gracious enough to let us take her two children on a rolled ice cream adventure. Yesterday, I had to just wonder what that was... today, I lived it.
Even managed a visit with some family today! How fortunate to have both brothers and sisters-in-law right nearby on this trip.
Things have really picked up at the hotel today... apparently, Clovis is hosting a wrestling tournament, and since this is THE place to be, it makes sense the out-of-towners such as myself would choose this place. The Jolly Rancher jar is almost empty and everything.
This relaxing vacation... I have no words.
Until tomorrow... ;)
More, more!
ReplyDeleteBeen wondering about that statue since Nam. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteJealous.
ReplyDeleteWell crap. My super snappy, totes witty reply disappeared! And my 2nd martini has wiped it clean from my short term memory bank. All I remember is that I signed off with my StarbucksSuperHeroName, -Lou.
ReplyDelete