So, spring break has come again- a few weeks away. Since I'm an English instructor, I usually get the benefits of spring break (one of the many benefits to being an instructor). The conundrum is, okay it's not that big of a problem, that my husband and I are not able or willing to spend more than a maximum of five hundred dollars  to get out of town. I figure this will limit us to either our local Bay Area or to California in general. I also think that we'll have to go for maybe a weekend to cut down on accommodation costs.
        My absolute necessities are sun, relaxation, nature, little hassle, a shower, and a clean bathroom.  (Did I mention that I'm leaving the paper pile at home?) My husband only wants one thing: a river. So we're hoping to find a sunny place with a river where we can do day hikes but also somewhere where we can cozy up at night in a clean bed and breakfast, cabin, or vacation home with nice ambiance.
      I started off fantasizing about the two of us catching a plane to Malibu, Ca. to lie on the warm beach, toes in the sand. Then I read reviews on tripadvisor about the Malibu Motel.  Although it is right next to the beach, a review mentioned it was way too noisy and packed with spring break college kids- the last thing I want to deal with. Also, my husband wasn't into it. I think he's afraid my mother will come to the beach or something - she lives in Laguna, a short distance away. Also, he reminded me that a beach isn't a river, which is his only requirement. (They weren't joking when they said marriage was a compromise.)
    So, my new ideas are maybe to hang out by the Russian River, more towards Napa, in a little vacation rental.  I don't know what the town is like there or if we can do any wine tasting etc...? I'm also not sure where to stay, although I've done a little online research. So if anybody knows where to relax for the weekend by a river in California with a comforting place to sleep nearby (this time around I'm not feeling like camping) for a total of 500 dollars , let me know. I'm just happy that I do get a vacation.  We adjuncts work a lot and grade tons, but there is a lot of freedom and a healthy amount of vacation days.  Getting "paid" with time in my opinion is not a bad deal.