With our days being hectic and our minds craving some relaxation, we decided to take a no-agenda getaway during Thanksgiving.
The trip began with a cozy day spent at my close friend Lilu’s home for a sleepover. The kids had a blast ice skating, while we savored some delicious Italian food at Delarosa in San Ramon. The evening ended on a delightful note with entertainment courtesy of the kids and watching the beautiful movie Kishkinta Kaandam on Amazon Prime.
Thanksgiving Day itself started leisurely. We all woke up late. While Sree, Anoop, and Lilu went for a refreshing morning walk, I took my time to get ready, dressing up in a saree. Inspired by Lilu’s idea to capture some fall-themed pictures before all the leaves had fallen, we found some picturesque spots near her home. The vibrant fall colors were breathtaking, and I even recorded a small dance snippet amidst the beauty.
After breakfast at Lilu’s, we packed our bags, said our goodbyes, and headed toward Red Bluff. True to our plan of keeping it relaxed, there was no strict itinerary. By evening, we arrived at our modest cottage accommodation, where we spent the night unwinding, playing games, and enjoying a comforting dinner of roti and curry packed from Lilu’s. We slept soundly, recharging for the next day.
Friday morning began with a peaceful walk around the farm-like cottage area, tea in hand. Later, we cooked breakfast, got ready, and checked out. With no fixed plans, we decided to drive to Burney Falls. In hindsight, skipping Burney Falls and heading straight to Redding would have been wiser. We lost a couple of hours on the road, found most lunch spots closed, and ended up skipping the falls altogether before heading back to Redding.
Lunch at Fusion Lounge in Redding turned out to be a delightful surprise. Their fusion menu was fantastic—the edamame, ramen, Thai curry, and everything else we ordered were spot-on. Later, we picked up biryani, roti, and curry from a Punjabi Dhaba before heading to our next destination: a cozy cabin.
The cabin was undoubtedly the highlight of the trip. For the next two days, we fully embraced the art of relaxation—playing rounds of Catan, enjoying homemade meals, sipping tea, reading, and simply soaking in the serene surroundings. The cabin’s charm and tranquility made it the perfect retreat.
On Sunday, we reluctantly said goodbye to the cabin and drove to Petaluma to visit friends. After a warm lunch at their place, we made our way back to the Bay Area, feeling refreshed and content from our no-agenda getaway.
