California adventure

Nothing can compare to Kitty's Lake Como running report...but here is my report on California

I drove to Charlotte airport. I thought I gave myself plenty of time, but arrived too late for my flight. :blush: The nice man at the counter put me on another flight, so I flew through Colorado instead of Chicago. I arrived at the John Wayne Airport just 15 minutes later than my original flight!

Susi picked me up and we drove to Laguna Beach to have a drink in a small restaurant overlooking the beach. The weather was perfect...about 77 degrees and sunny.:wub:
Our friend, Lisa, never did make it in...she is a stewardess for NW and she was flying stand-by all day. All the flights were full...or so she said.

That night we went out to a great little restaurant near her home. We met up with some of her friends and ate, drank and listened to the music.

Next day was low key. Susi's sons were leaving for Egypt on Sunday, so they were having their birthday parties early. We took the kids plus friends to a place called Howie's Game Shack...good gosh this place was virtual game players dream! 250 computers set up to play any game you wanted to, about 50 big screen TVs to play Halo 2 on, and numerous instrument simulation games (guitar, drums, keyboard).
Susi & I did some shopping while the boys played. After the games we took them next door for dinner...an Hawaiian themed place.
That night Susi's boy friend drove in from Pheonix. He arrived around 9:00 and the three of us went to their favorite restaurant in Laguna Beach: Tabu Grill. The atmosphere was wonderful and the place was excellent. The food, was, to my surprise, just OK. Charles paid $60 for fillet mignon.:yikes: Afterward we went over to a beautiful resort on the beach, Montage. We sat in the bar/lounge area, had a drink and listened to the piano/singer.😀

Saturday we went to Laguna Beach with the boys. The beach is beautiful...but COLD! Susi & I had lunch at Montage resort...another good meal.
I cooked dinner this night...a going away dinner for the boys. I made grilled oriental BBQ chicken, coconut basmati rice and garlic-ginger vegetables. As an appetizer I made yellow fin tuna cakes with my own lime, wasabi, cilantro sauce.

Sunday I drove with Susi to LAX to see the boys off. This was an all day ordeal. We finally got out of the airport and drove to the coast and visited Newport Beach. The houses above the beach are amazing! 10 mil+ They are high up above the beach and get fabulous views! We drove by inspiration point..and famous place for getting engaged.:wub:
We headed to Laguna Beach again and went to Las Brisas on the beach. Great place! Wonderful Mexican food! Charles joind us and we had dinner. I had wonderful shrimp quesidillias!

Monday morning we set out early for Beverly Hills. We went to the Ivy for mojitos (actually called the Ivy gimlet) and boy were they strong! I had two and was ready to shop!:drink:
We walked around Rodeo Drive and Wilshire Blvd. This area is quite impressive and you can smell the money. the only celeb we saw was Eva Longoria. She parked in the same lot as us. She is a cute tiny, thing!

I bought some Cristobal perfume and some coach sandals.

We stopped in a small place on Rodeo Dr and had 2 lemon drops a piece. YUM!

We headed back to Susi's place, stopping in at a couple of grocery stores for dinner. Susi made a tasty BBQ'd salmon.

Next morning I got up at 4:45 to get ready to go to the airport. Susi dropped me off at 6:00 (for a 6:47 flight) BIG MISTAKE! I should have been there 2 hours early! As soon as I stepped in the line I was told I was too late for the flight...30 minute wait to get to the ticket counter and another 20-30 minutes in security line.
I got into another line along with many others that were in the same situation. I finally rebooked a flight for 11:00. Luckilly I was in no rush to get home! I flew over the Grand Canyon! How beautiful it is! I hope to visit there one day! I arrived in Chicago to discover that they had just had a violent thunderstorm which had halted air travel for at least and hour...so....all flights were getting new departure times. What a zoo...as I said...I am sure glad that I didn't HAVE to be anywhere! I FINALLY left Ohare around 9:00 their time. I got into Charlotte around 1:30. My drive home was 1 1/2 hours...so I got home around 3:00am! :yikes: All in all it was a great adventure!
Now I am set and ready for my next adventure...SoWal for July! I feel like Miss Kitty...a whole MONTH in SoWal!!! I leave tomorrow as soon as I can!


pictures of California to follow......