I cannot believe it has taken me almost two weeks since we returned to write about our wonderful trip/vacation/family visit to the other SC home... Southern California! Time really does fly by when you least expect it to and when you're having fun. This trip had multiple purposes: it was a visit to see my family, a trip to help my dad with some business stuff, and a vacation to relax. Although I've seen my sister, and my mom, separately through the past 2 years, I hadn't been home to California in well over 3 years, and hadn't seen my dad in that amount of time, nor my grandmother. This truly was a family visit. We flew out on a Wednesday afternoon, arriving into Los Angeles, only to drive another hour and a half to Redlands, where we arrived at about midnight east coast time. The adrenaline of getting to see my family was enough to not let exhaustion overwhelm me. Of course, our first stop on the way to Redlands was a proper "home- cooked" meal from In-N-Out Burger. If you've never been to the West Coast, well, I'm sorry... because you won't find these on the East Coast, nothing like it either! Don't try to argue with me on that, there really isn't anything like In-N-Out Burger. Period. Even Kevin has taken to my tradition of getting one as soon as I can when getting off the plane! We spent the next two and a half days with my sister and my dad! My sister and I were able to help my dad with some business/restaurant stuff, as well as Kevin worked on a website for my dad, and each night we had dinner together. I could probably write a separate post on just my visit with my dad and my sister... but I'll save all the emotional stuff for another time! Every time I go home these days, I tell myself to make good memories, and although there are always tough things to think about (that's just life), there is also a comfort when I see my family, and get to capture one more memory with them. This particular trip, the memory I got to make with my family was celebrating my birthday! How often, at my age (which will remain undisclosed for now) do you get to celebrate your birthday with the same people who were there to celebrate it as a child? And because Kevin and I share the same birthday (weird, I know, husband and wife have the same birthday) it's a different celebration each year than when I celebrated MY birthday on that day! So in California, on our last night together my dad surprised us with a birthday cake!
Saying goodbye is never easy for me, but we said our goodbyes and went back to the LA area for the rest of our time in California, which was the vacation part...after we saw my mom, grandma, uncle, and Kevin's sister. If there's one thing I learned after moving across the country... when you go back home, it is impossible to see everyone you want to, and it is exhausting to continue driving around and traveling to make your appearances. Thus, why we decided to rent a little place at the beach, and let them come to us! It worked out perfectly! By the look on his face, I'd say Kev wasn't disappointed with our little abode for the week....
And yes, this did become the spot for happy hour each day, that water bottle was quickly replaced by a cold brewski! If you look closely enough, you can see Kev beat me to it!
I had no problem putting my feet up, sitting back, and watching the Pacific waves either!
We fell asleep and woke up to the sound of the waves (I love that sound). The first sight we saw each morning was the slew of surfers out our front door. (Which the front door was like a giant window more than a door!) I happened to have my camera ready one morning and was able to get this guy while he was still up! Then we'd leisurely take a run on "the strand" which is the pathway for walkers, runners, bikers, and all who care to just soak up the beautiful sunshine along the beach. This is where I used to run when I lived there, and I do miss it. Words cannot describe the feeling of running there! (Another reason you'll just have to visit yourself) After burning several calories ( a few hundred or so) we'd get breakfast at one of my many favorite local breakfast diners/cafes. We even tried a new place this time that hadn't been there back in the day. Folks, I cannot describe for you how much I LOVE breakfast, and how I truly miss having somewhere to go on a weekend morning for a good cup of coffee with constant refills and a huge plate of some kind of eggy dish, potatoes, and the like. When I moved to South Carolina, I thought these places would be abundant... not so much... and NO, the Waffle House does NOT count!!!! Alright, back to the vacation... the bulk of our days were spent visiting with my friends, more family, and just relaxing. Because Kevin and I did not grow up in the same place, not even close, we grew up on opposite coasts; it really is a treat to get to take him to the places there that I love and share it with him. And in my real life fashion, bumming around...
 |
| Nothin' fancy, just us! |
The place we rented came stocked with all the beach gear you desired and more, so one day we took advantage of the beach cruisers and did a bike ride from Manhattan to Venice Beach. That's about 15 miles round trip, but what a great way to waste away the day! Kevin really enjoyed this because the first time I took him to CA he was in awe at driving along the ocean (it was on the wrong side according to him), and to ride a bike for a stretch along the beach was something he'd never experienced.
I can't say I have just one favorite part of this trip, but I'm pretty sure Kev's was FINALLY getting to see the sun go down over the Pacific!
