I’ve had a lot of catching up to do this week, but finally, a week since my last post, here’s my first ever trip to California! Brace yourself for lots of pictures!
We were very thankful Brian only had a half day at work. Even at 1:30 p.m. traffic was already heavy in Phoenix. Soon we were on the open road, heading toward the ocean.
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| This is Arizona… |
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| This is California. Notice the difference? |
We didn’t talk much during the six hours there. It was hot in the car, even with the AC, since the sun beat on us through the windows. We also neglected to bring any water…just mountain dew and cream soda. As refreshing as soda may be, when you’re sizzling under glass and on hot leather for six hours, it just doesn’t cut it. On the bright side, we didn’t have to stop to use the restroom ever. When we did stop for dinner at Palm Springs, we got two huge cups of water and rehydrated.
We arrived at my sister-in-law’s at 8 p.m, and after the tour of the beautiful house she shares with three other girls, we and her housemate Natalie all went to Yogurt Land. I love frozen yogurt places, I’d never been to one until we moved to Phoenix! It was delicious and as healthy as you make it. As we were eating, the ocean came up in the conversation, and I realized that we were really just a few minutes away. My excitement could hardly be contained, after we devoured our yogurt we headed to the pier on Seal Beach. Oh, the salty spray! The threnody of the waves! The cries of the seagulls! I have missed the ocean, and I didn’t realize it until I was there again.
Saturday we had breakfast at Mimi’s Cafe. The pictures speak for themselves! Mmmmmhmmmm.
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| Crab, asiago cheese, avocado, and bacon omelet with potatoes. |
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| Blueberry French toast, eggs and sausage |
Then we headed to the beach, where we stayed all afternoon. Like, 5 hours or more. It was awesome, but we were without sunscreen, and with baby oil. FYI, that’s a bad idea. I got the worst sunburn in my entire life. Andrea and I burned on our backs and the backs of our legs, and Brian got it really bad on his stomach and face. Sitting, wearing a bra or jeans, and sleeping all became very difficult. With lots of solarcaine spray and aloe vera gel we survived.
We did swim in the ocean too, even though it was freezing. We just had to wait until we were numb on our legs up to our knees, then our waists, then our necks, and then we had to wait for a lull in the waves and swim past where they were breaking. 
We had a hard time choosing a restaurant, they all looked good and were expensive, but we decided on the Jazz Kitchen, which was really good. The decor was fancy and funky, tying in Jazz and musical instruments and notes with the Louisiana swamp in Princess and the Frog style while still being upscale. We went to the “California” letters and Brian and I were going to get our picture taken by the big “C” but I forgot my camera. So, I have no pictures of Downtown Disney, which means I’ll just have to go back sometime! I used my birthday present from Andrea, a Disney gift card, on a pair of really cute aqua sandals at the Disney store. We got to see some of the Disney fireworks too, which were really cool. I can’t wait to go back someday when we can get passes!
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| Tom Hanks |
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| Marilyn Monroe and Sophia Loren |
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| Matt Damon. I have no idea why these pics are sideways. |
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| The Chinese Theater |
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| This is the first movie Brian and I watched together. |
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| From the souvenir store: life sized cardboard cut outs. Edward does end up with Bella, but Jacob gets Marilyn! 🙂 |
You know…I'm not sure I appreciate the "Arizona" "California" pics…you are not showing Arizona in its best light there… I think if you took the best pictures of Arizona and compared them with the best pictures of California, Arizona would win hands down… just sayin… ;-P
Those sailboat pictures are gorgeous though.
And I'm sorry…where is that awesome California tan??? ;-P