English breakfast, then strapped our packs back
on. The path took us up hidden stairs in the town
of Muir Beach and then on a lazy climb up the
next ridge through golden California scrub.
Hawks circled and lizards darted. Behind us the
Golden Gate Bridge looked tiny, distant. We
picnicked in the sun, marveling at how far our
feet had brought us. After lunch we plunged into
a mossy forest. Light played on old boughs above
a tiny burbling stream.
Connecting to the Dipsea Trail, we descended
via a steep series of switchbacks and scrambles to
the town of Stinson Beach. There were no
breakdowns, exactly, but by the time we arrived
my legs were shaking. I’d dreamed of ending the
day’s hike with barbecued oysters, but as we
arrived, I realized I had made my own critical
mistake: the Airbnb I’d booked was another mile
and a half across this hilly town, and once we
dropped our packs we’d have to walk a mile and a
half back to dinner. I grew furious at myself for
not planning better. “Hey, don’t beat yourself up,”
said Taylor, gamely shouldering a few groceries
up the final hill. “We’re okay.” Obviously, he’s the
more forgiving partner.
When we arrived, our host heard our story and
offered to drive us downtown and pick us up later.
“How about you just stay in bed tomorrow?” she
said. “You know, have some anniversary on your
anniversary.” We saw her wisdom. I felt that I
might never want to take another step.
Our grand plan had been to walk about
13 more hilly miles toward Olema, a tiny town
that borders Point Reyes National Seashore.
Someday, perhaps, we’ll finish this hike. But we’d
already walked approximately 30 miles; we had to
reenter life with kids soon, and we fully deserved
to stay in bed. We lay around all morning and later
sat on the beach, reading aloud from a battered
copy of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. I homed in
on the lines Lysander says about all love stories,
about their brevity.
And ere a man hath power to say “Behold!”
The jaws of darkness do devour it up.
So quick bright things come to confusion.
Our hike had been craggy, wild, foggy, bright.
Like the decade we’ve been married, it had flown
by, too fast. “There’s hardly enough time to savor
it,” I said. Taylor knew what I meant. He pulled me
in a little closer. Clinging to this brief summery
idyll, we were simply grateful.
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Cambodia
“This is the perfect place to
slow things down and con-
nect with each other in stun-
ning surroundings. Wander
hand in hand through
deserted temples as sunlight
streams through the towering
trees, then enjoy breakfast
among the ruins.” — Andy
Booth, AboutAsia Travel
(a.booth@aboutasiatravel.
com; 914-595-6949)
The Kimberley
“Get away from the bright
lights of the city and immerse
yourself in the Kimberley, one
of Australia’s most remote
regions. The best way to see
it is by helicopter. You can fly
over geologic formations,
soar through gorges, and
touch down for a romantic
swim in a secret spring.”
— Suzy Mercien-Ferol, Touring
Treasures (suzy.mercien@
touringtreasures.com;
215-586-3568)
Cartagena
“Colombia’s most romantic
city is also home to its most
luxurious hotels. You can stay
at a restored colonial man-
sion, like Casa San Agustín,
then stroll the cobblestoned
streets and gaze up at the
colorful verandas abounding
with greenery.” — Marc Beale,
Amakuna (marc@amakuna.
com; 646-736-7582)
Marrakesh
“There are endless tiny riads
to stay in here. Riad
Farnatchi, a little 10-suite
place in the oldest part of the
city, has a great spa, and a
Turkish bath there is a must.
Aside from great restaurants
and shopping, I’d plan a
romantic dinner in the Agafay
Desert, an hour outside of
town. In warm weather we
would incorporate camel
treks and add Gnawa
music.” — Michael Diamond,
Cobblestone Private Travel
(michael@cobblestone
private travel.com;
646-434-1394)
The Best Places to
Celebrate a 10-Year
Anniversary
Looking to reconnect—and recommit? Our A-List travel
advisors share four destinations that will help you kindle
the flame anew.
Mitchell Falls, in
Western Australia’s
Kimberly region.
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The Romance of Travel
