Hey there, I was thinking about what you mentioned regarding the weekend trip you are planning. Honestly I think the coastal route is way more scenic even if it adds about forty minutes to the drive. We did that drive last fall and stopped at a little diner about halfway that had the best blueberry pancakes I have ever had. The kids loved the stretch along the cliffs and we ended up pulling over three times just to take photos of the shoreline. If you leave early enough you can also catch the lighthouse tours which are surprisingly interesting. I would suggest packing snacks because there is not a lot between the small towns once you get past the bridge. Also check the weather because that area can get foggy in the afternoon and you do not want to be navigating those winding roads in low visibility. Let me know if you want the exact coordinates of that diner. I saved them somewhere. Anyway hope that helps a bit. Just my two cents on the route question.

Hey, thanks for the note about the book club selection. I finally finished reading it last night and honestly I have mixed feelings about the ending. The first half was really engaging and I liked how the author built the atmosphere around the old house. The characters felt real enough that I found myself worrying about them which is always a good sign. But the last few chapters seemed rushed like the writer was trying to wrap everything up too quickly. There were a couple of subplots that just kind of disappeared without resolution and that bugged me. Overall though it was still a solid read and I think it will spark a good discussion. I am curious to hear what everyone else thought about the motivation of the main character. I am leaning toward the idea that she made the right call even if it was a hard one. Let me know if you want to grab coffee before the meeting. I can swing by your place around ten if that works.