starrs

Now it's the next-to-the-last day of vacation. It's been a wonderful trip. Phase 3 of seeing old/new friends in California.

Today is the day they folks at home THOUGHT would be Grandma Starrs' funeral. While I was gone, she stopped eating and drinking. I didn't know of course. They decided to let me enjoy my first real vacation in such a long, long time. But, all of a sudden, she decided to accept food and liquids. She drank 4 large glasses of water in a row. Thirsty girl! She may indeed make it to her 107th birthday

Today was a lazy day in sunny southern California. OF and I were supposed to get up and get going. We just lazed around and talked. So much stuff to talk about. Finally got out the door and headed to the beach. Crystal Cove in fact. Time for lunch at the Beachcomber.

While we waited for a table we wandered over to see the "Beaches" house. Neat to see. Kept waiting for Bette and Barbara to show up. (see pics on the link)

Lunch at the Beachcomber was good. Would love to come back and stay in one of the cottag

starrs

Would love to come back and stay in one of the cottages sometime.

http://www.crystalcovebeachcottages.org/

Here's the lunch place -
http://www.thebeachcombercafe.com/

A drive down the PCH in a convertible...what could be better? Time to do a little bit of shopping. Nice shops. Especially enjoyed Art of the Soul. Browsed the Brian Andreas prints and sculptures to see if there was anything I HAD to have.

Can't find a link to the store, but here's one to Brian Andreas
www.storypeople.com

Another wonderful shop = Tuvalu
http://www.tuvaluhome.com/lbp/

Found a glass doorknob to take back to use in the farmhouse.

A great lazy day and afternoon. Time to head back home, try out the "mystery bottle" wine from JanKris and analyze the world in long conversation.

TTess

Whoa! Just found this...ttt!

starrs

Thanks for topping, TTess.

I forgot to type "Laguna Beach". Geez.

That night we were planning to go out to eat, but were enjoying talking so much we just pulled out munchies and wine and snacked our way through dinner. One of my favorite ways to spend an evening.

The next morning, headed back to Laguna Beach and enjoyed wonderful breakfast sandwiches at the Orange Inn. GREAT local place with friendly staff, good food and the feeling that you're in a time warp - taking you back to the casual surfing days of Laguna. (see pic on link)

Back "home" to pack and load up to head back to LA for....WICKED!!!

There has to be a bigger fan - somewhere, but I'm not sure where. I am a bit of a Wicked freak, I guess. The soundtrack was my companion down the coast and I was beyond thrilled to see the LA production.

I have a hard time not hating Patrick because he got to see Kristen and Idina on stage together in NYC. Not only that, he saw them improvise during a technical snafu. Lucky dog. I've watched enough videos to have tiny Kristen on stage next to Idina imprinted on my mind. I've seen two touring shows and it was an adjustment to see Galinda and Elphaba about the same size (yes, I am fully aware I am weird). But, to see a big/tall Megan/Hilty next to a little Caissie/Elphaba...well, I was not sure at all. Megan does a great campy Galinda. But, Caissie blew me away as Elphaba. Absolutely blew me away. And, it was a treat to see Jo Anne Worley on stage. I loved the Pantages theatre too.

I floated out of the theatre and on to a late lunch with my FF at Charcoal -
http://www.charcoalhollywood.com/

I corrupted usually healthy eating FF by ordering the spinach and artichoke dip. A lemon drop for me and I can't remember what for him Wedge salad here with chicken added for protein and crab cakes sandwich there. We shared the upside down apple pie. Wonderful meal.

The food was good, but the best part was laughing. My Didier wanted a play-by-play of my trip, starting at the beginning and continuing through our travels (described in third person, of course!). Immensely interested in Phase 3 and we just laughed and laughed and amazed at how much we enjoyed being together, enjoyed traveling together and missed being with each other. We decided our next rendezvous will be in Las Vegas.

We lingered over the meal and the conversation until it was past time for me to head to the airport. A quick drive through West Hollywood and then on to LAX.

Ms. Tote Bags had not sorted things out beforehand, so upon arrival at the rental car return I told them I needed extra time. I was instructed to pull the car to an adjacent lot and I sorted through Fodors orange tote and Cape Cod canvas tote and Trader Joe's shopping bag and dish towel gift bag and assorted bottles of wine and olive oil (using easytraveler's prize of bubble wine bottle wrap) and somehow got it all to fit in the rolling suitcase and duffle bag (checked items) and backpack (with laptop and purse) and Trader Joe's bag with mags, jackets, and wine glasses. 2 to check and 2 to carry. Still got there in plenty of time to check in and wait at the gate.

I'm a lucky sleeper. I can sleep anywhere. I stash my stuff and pull out quilted jacket and fleece tunic and have my pillows for the ride home. I sleep 80% of the time and so the red-eye flight was a good deal - more time on vacation and a slow work day waiting for me upon arrival.

thereyet

I was wondering if you were using your fashionable ORANGE tote!

thereyet

crefloors

Terrific report starrs. Glad you had such a good time. You sure did a lot in the time you had.

It's lovely to shlep around some days. I visited my friend in Las Vegas (Hendersen) a few months ago and on Saturday we didn't even get out of your jammies until 4:00 in the afternoon. It was one of the best days I've had in the last few months.

starrs

topping for Lizzie
Some Carmel photos are here
http://www.worldisround.com/articles/344814/

TTess

Hi Starrs - LOVED your photos! You have quite an eye - loved your framing. That wasn't my former house, by the way, ours was this past summer. If we still had it, I would've taken you on a tour. Would it help to tell you about it and then you can picture it in your head?

Cheers from sunny Carmel! It rained last night and was beautiful all day.

starrs

Thanks TTess. I'm rediscovering how much I enjoy taking pictures. After about a decade of using disposables I'm enjoying the new digital. So far, it's mostly used as "point and shoot" but I'm slowly venturing out a bit and playing with the other options. I envy your opportunity to live in Carmel. What a lovely place - a bit Shangrai-LaISH.

I found it so interesing that homes did not have numbered address, but only names and that for sale ads list location info "4th house NW of Fodors on Travel Lane". LOVED the Bates' cartoons in the PO. Loved the flowers. And, of course, loved the Comstock cottages. The walking tour helped make the town come alive for me. Sure, give me some details and I'll see if I can "see" your former house!

starrs

topping for treetops for Carmel info

starrs

topping for cutie for Cambria and Carmel

starrs

Dayenu/ Faina posted today to let us know that Shanghainese left us last night. We've lost two lovely Fodorites now from that GTG. One of the best things about this community = meeting other wonderful travelers. Great memories of both Shanghainese and LoveItaly.