The Importance of Getting Away Without the Kids

Agent Daddy and I have been married for nineteen years. And like anything that is worth doing or having it takes work. We do not always agree, and I do not always wake up thinking "wow what a hot dude I am married to". Believe it or not sometimes we even fight. Years ago I had a mentor in business that  told me "Find someone who does really well whatever it is you want to do, and copy them." I found this to be great advice for many things not just business. So I am always asking couples who have
been married longer than Agent Daddy and I, how they keep the romance.

Almost 100% of them told me to make time to get away without the kids. Even if it is just overnight. Agent

Daddy and I had been trying to accomplish this for a year. Yes it is just as hard over here at the Army as it is in your house to get away. But we managed it. One of the ways we managed it was by enlisting the help of the grandparents. Don't be afraid ask other people to lend a hand with the kids. Maybe one person can't watch them the whole 24-36 hours you will be gone. Take what you can get and patch it together. Agent Daddy and I also didn't go far. Less travel time means more relaxation time.

We went an hour away to Pechanga Resort and Casino. Now I had only been to the Casino up to this point and a few of the restaurants. We often took the one hour drive for a fun evening with friends or to see a show. But what we hadn't done was explore the "other Pechanga" the Resort part.

Pechanga has an amazing golf course called Journey. We were both struck by the peace and quite of the

course and restaurant "Journeys End". When you walk through the clubhouse doors the first thing you see is the view is two story floor to ceiling windows that showcase the breathtaking view.

Journey golf course snuggles up against the base of the mountains which keeps the temperature 10-15 degrees cooler than the rest of Temecula. The people at Journey have used several innovative methods to  make the golf course more sustainable. The first was to shirnk the amount of greens on the course. This allows them to use 50% less water than a normal course and allows the golfer to experience the local flora and fauna around the course. They also saved over 100 oak trees which are sacred to the Pechanga people. Another innovation the golf course  uses are two delightful dogs,Tessa and Honey. Their job is to keep waterfowl away from the ponds and golf course. I imagine that this is probably the best life in the world for a dog. Their job is to chase ducks in the morning. Ride around in golf carts during the day. And be petted and loved by all who meet them. They are the sweetest most well mannered dogs too. At $4,000 per dog for training you can be they got their money's worth. But because of the dogs there are no loud booms in the morning to scare away birds. Nothing to ruin the tranquility. An frankly tranquility was what we were searching for in our little break.

 Pechanga means where the water drips. The Pechanga people have incorporated water into many of the
themes that run throughout the golf course and club house. There is also an Indian village preserved for all who want to see how the Pechanga Indians lived. There is a monthly trip available to visit the 'Great Oak". A two thousand year old oak tree. We were not at Pechanga at the right time for that but next time I hope to get a chance to touch a tree that was living when Christ walked the earth.

Agent Daddy and I spent a wonderful morning visiting the heritage sites and getting a lesson from the golf pro out at Journey. Not a Golfer? Well let me tell you about the full service Spa.

Pechanga has an amazing full service Spa nestled away from the loud clanking of slots. Manicures and Pedicures as well as hair styling are available. They also do massage, hot stones, facials. If you want it they have it.

Not a Spa kinda of couple? What about relaxing by the pool and just taking time to read or lounge with no one to call your name demanding you fix, settle or negotiate peace between the siblings. Just you and the person you fell in love with.

 And last but certainly not least. Go to Pechanga to experience the food. Journeys End at the golf course has an unbelievable chef. I have become a little bit of a food snob in  the last few years and Journeys End did not disappoint. I would recommend the chicken prosciutto sandwich. It was to die for. And we topped that off with creme brulee.

In the past I have eaten at the Great Oak Steak House, Kelsey's and Pechanga Cafe. And of course we have
eaten at the Buffet. All of which had their own flavor and all of which were superb. This time we decided to eat a Paisano's.  I was born in Italy so I am a huge fan of Italian food. Paisano's stole their chef from the Wynn Las Vegas. I don't know what they pay him but he is worth every penny. The food was abundant and the seafood was fresh and it all was a delight to look at and eat. We started with calamari and bruchetta. The calamari was so large Agent Daddy remarked that it could have been dinner. We then moved on to dinner. The chef changes the menu every season so each trip to the restaurant is a new experience. I ordered the Il fillette. It was a filet mignon stuffed with Gorgonzola cheese and laid on a bed of chicory. I was a little dubious about the chicory but I decided to trust the chef and I am so glad I did. The flavors mixed in my mouth to form a jubilee of taste, making every taste bud sing. The smoky meat with the tart cheese and the bitter chicory was delicious. Agent Daddy had some kind of clam and mussel soup. It disappeared so fast I wasn't quite sure I saw it. Agent Daddy however said it was divine. For dessert we had a chocolate mousse and an apricot foam. Both were delicious but we were so full by then we couldn't finish.

After our experience with the "other Pechanga" I think we will go back again for our alone time. It is close, and yet a world away.