After our first couple of weeks in Airbnbs, Joe booked us (well, mainly me) a surprise stay at the most beautiful ranch in Temecula, CA. He happened to check its availability same-day and was able to snag a two-day stay due to a last minute cancellation.
Pro Tip: If you have the stomach for it, same-day reservations can be a real gem-finder. Airbnb hosts will drop their prices by a good percentage for last minute stays. If you are flexible on dates and location, I highly recommend this edge-of-your-seat method.
Anyway, we pulled into this long dirt road thinking we were just getting lunch and then heading to our house when Joe said "follow the signs that say 'Villa'". We arrived in front of the most beautiful ranch that is literally plucked straight out of a Joanna Gaines magazine. We walked through the custom double doors and I think the kids had to pick my jaw up off the floor. The entire back of the house is floor-to-ceiling sliders with an immaculate view of the mountains and when you open the doors, you hear horses neighing in the distance.
It was perfection.
On our first night, we took a walk around the 70-acre ranch that felt like it belonged solely to us. We watched the sun set over the mountains as we strolled between pastures of horses. The fresh air, mountains, horses and being with the people I love most is the closest feeling to heaven on earth for me. Pure bliss.
Our second day, we took full advantage of the house and its amenities. The kids had a blast in the yard playing football and curating a performance for Joe and I to watch by the fire. We simply took the time to slow down and enjoy the view. We didn't leave with the exception of attending the ranch's live music Saturday night. I was truly soaking it in...
Although it was a short stay, it was exactly what we needed to regroup. The two days we spent tucked away on a ranch gave us the opportunity to be present and really appreciate the beauty we're surrounded by.
I highly recommend booking a stay somewhere that forces you to slow down and actually let those thoughts catch up to you.
With love,
The Thompsons