Return from California

After missing a month of updates, what can I say? December was a total blur. Long days of olive oil, followed by very fast "holidays" on December 23-24-25 and the express trip to California. The worst thing about traveling on Christmas is trying to find something to eat! We finally found a Panda Express just as it was closing. Hint: think ahead and make a reservation.

Southern California was cooler than we remembered. A wool sweater would have been a good addition to the suitcase! Our Priceline hotel deal was Spectacular, the San Diego Zoo was a great as we remembered; Cafe del Mar was memorably pleasant, the beach at Del Mar was breezy, the seals at La Jolla were entrancing! Old Town Mexican Cafe is still the best (Colorado Burritos and Fish Tacos)...we also took in Horton Plaza, two Hard Rock Cafes, and the Hotel del Coronado. Frankly, the exchange at Miramar has improved nicely.

Further north, we enjoyed Mission San Juan Capistrano -- with olive trees. Whoohoo-- Fish Tacos at Rubios! Three days at Disney is a bit much, avoid the Embassy Suites at North Anaheim. ESPN Zone at Downtown Disney is OK, but the favorite feature was the TVs in the bathrooms. It sounds likey they're better in the Mens Room.

Journeys took us back to San Pedro for a drive through our old neighborhood at White's Point, then north through Rancho Palos Verdes along the coast past Trump National, for a respite with an outside fireplace patio at Starbucks.