For a while now Shelley's been wanting to take a trip up the coast on a train. She gets her wish this weekend (as a surprise!), in celebration of her birthday next week.

It's been fun planning and plotting this. In fact, this journal entry is being written on the 9th (but not released until late Friday night), now that all arrangements and reservations are set and confirmed.

Despite likely plans to sleep in, Shelley will be roused early Saturday morning and told to pack clothes for a couple days. I'll herd her and the dogs into the car, drop them off at the sitter on the way to the train station, and we'll catch the Coast Starlight for Monterey.

We won't arrive until early evening in Monterey, and will stay at the Travelodge there, since it's our best choice of those serviced by the shuttle from the train station. She gets to pick what we do all day Sunday (aquarium, whale watching, shopping, beach-walking, etc.), before we partake of our "Romantic Escape Package" at the The Beach Resort:

Package includes a Deluxe Ocean View room for two adults for one night with late check out the following day. A Gift Certificate with your choice of time for a Candle Light Dinner for Two at Cafe Beach Restaurant with panoramic Bay views. A bottle of Champagne, Joseph Schmidt Chocolate Truffles, and Confetti Bubble Bath all packaged together in our Beach Bucket! Come enjoy a romantic sunset on the Monterey Bay where the whales and dolphins play and the waves tumbling to shore form an idyllic setting.

We return on the train Monday. (Thanks to Jeanette, Shelley's boss, for secretly approving her AWOL!)