1. On our return trip from the Pacific Northwest, we skirted around San Francisco (yeah, been there, done that) to spend just a couple of hours with our Army Reserve Chaplain son who was at Moffet Field doing some training. How amazing is it that we would intersect there for just one afternoon?
2. That evening we stayed in Marina, California, which is a little town near Monterey. Monterey is famous; Marina is not. But I found that little town to be delightful. One reason we were there was to visit the former site of Ft. Ord where The Professor 'enjoyed' many hours of Army training back in the day. The Army fort is closed now and is the site of California State University, Monterey Bay. Visiting the campus was a walk down memory lane for him.
3. Then the next week. Chaplain Dan and his family drove out from their desert home to visit friends in Orange County. So of course we hopped in our car and joined them one day at the beach.
I should warn you--following are some extremely cute and sweet pictures, so if you need to be careful of cuteness overload, please proceed slowly.)
Our water baby headed straight for the beach!
She loves playing in the surf with her daddy.
Hey guys! I found a cave!
4. After a day of rest back at home (you need that if you navigate the LA freeways), we drove to LA and met them at the Los Angeles Farmers Market. The best part (besides being with them!)? The whole reason we chose to have lunch there: the Singapore Malaysia Indonesian restaurant Banana Leaf! The BEST 'es cendol' in LA! (Es cendol is a drink sort of like boba tea)
Perusing the menu
5. We had intended to visit the La Brea Tar Pits in West LA, but on a whim, we changed our minds and drove farther west through Beverly Hills and Bel Air to the Skirball Museum because during the summer it has free admittance for all military and their families. Skirball Museum is another one of those small gems that may not be well known but has marvelous exhibits. PAL's favorite was the Noah's Ark interactive exhibit. It deserves its own post--so much creativity!
See why I was not in communication much? I was having too much fun! Happy weekend to you all! And remember to stop and think and be thankful.
9 comments:
Well that looks like a wonderful excursion!
You have definitely been enjoying yourselves. Thanks for catching us up and no need to apologise for the cuteness lol, your blog your pics. And I post plenty of my own cute pics so would be wrong of me to complain ;)
These are some great road trips. It's fun to explore the more out-of-the-way places. I am needing a beach fix -- hard to find in Colorado. Love your photo of all that sand and surf.
You have been busy. Your water baby is growing so fast. Yikes. Glad you can catch these times to enjoy her cuteness! Happy Summer to you.
That’s the best kind of busy! You had a good trip home, were able to visit some meaningful places, and see Dan!
And, what a nice week after! I love seeing the kids!
Oh what a wonderful trip! And your grand girl is so precious!! I've heard of Monterey of course but not the other places. I've only been to San Francisco (1998 for a thanksgiving week of fun) and the John Muir National Forest to hike and see those big trees....sequoias?? I think i have that right? CA is like a foreign country to us upstate NYers. Hahah. Someday i do want to see San Diego. My husband was there on a business trip.
Enjoy the rest of the weekend!
Ps you have ADK chairs??? On the left coast?? Cool!!
What a busy - and super fun - week! Yay for all the activities and time with family.
What a wonderful couple of weeks. Such a gift to be inadvertantly the same place as your son and be able to spend some time together! I can handle all the sweetness overload you can throw at us. Such a cutie!
Great to catch up with you, your family, fun and travels, Willow!! What a great couple of weeks... and your granddaughter is sooo sweet!! :))) Happy Summer Days to you all ((HUGS))
Post a Comment