The first thing I should probably say about the Post Ranch Inn is that we could normally never afford to stay at this place.  Several years ago, I received a very generous gift certificate from my old boss, and we took the amount and divided it into two trips by staying for only a couple of nights each time and in the “cheap” rooms.  Seriously, this place is unreal (Condé Nast Johansens called it the Most Excellent Romantic Hideaway in the country this year), and vacationing here was an experience that truly makes me wish I had more money.

Both times we were at the Post Ranch Inn, Kim and I felt like a couple impostors crashing the rich people’s party.  “We don’t belong here,” we kept saying to ourselves, but that didn’t stop us from enjoying every moment of our time there.  Much like they say that youth is wasted on the young, I think that luxury is wasted on the wealthy.  So who better to truly appreciate this amazing resort than a couple of struggling kids chasing their dreams!

Pictured above – the Inn’s award-winning Sierra Mar restaurant.  This might be the best restaurant I’ve ever eaten at.  The menu changes daily, and for our first Thanksgiving meal there, we were treated to a blue cheese tart w/ carmelized onions & roasted beets, a chanterelle mushroom soup w/ truffle oil, butternut squash ravioli w/ mushrooms & pecans and, of course, pumpkin pie.  I’m salivating just thinking about it…