seetheworld

Hey, uhhhh, right make, wrong color, wrong gal, lol!

seetheworld

lvk, thanks for the MB tip! Taking the breach cruiser is a good idea but where will I put all of the packages?

I get the feeling that we are very fortunate weather wise during this trip. It's been a lovely day. Is this June gloom a heavy fog that doesn't lift?

Fairhope

I have been on many trips with my wife--to Memphis, Miami Bch, Asheville, Napa, Myrtle Bch., Knoxville, Biloxi, Boston, Savannah, Reno and more I am sure.
My favorite was the Fountain Bleu in Miami Bch and we made an extended trip up the valley at Napa and to Lake Tahoe from Reno
The best part is the continental breakfast she brings up to me and the Presidents Reception.
In Reno I asked for a more scenic view and we were upgraded to a suite.
The way this organized, my wife has already been to the Southeast locations the year before so she knows what to expect.

jd

seetheworld: Did you end up at the Portofino, and if so, how do you like it. If you haven't left yet for dinner, try Mama D's in Manhattan beach-its great. Also there is a PF Changs.

MBnancy

Seetheworld...You have to listen to us! LOL No one would tell you to go to that Galeria...you were supposed to take a taxi to the MB Pier...Joe's Crab Shak is the pits, but at least you had a nice meal at Breakwater.
We reserved the upstairs room with fireplace for the wedding brunch and it was very nice.
Yes, go to Kincaid's. We were just there a couple weeks ago for a sunset dinner.
In "downtown" MB, not the strip of chain restaurants on Rosecrans, I suggest:
Mangiamo's,Fonzs, or Towne.
8-)

lvk

Also in MB, there's a new restaurant called "The Avenue", which gets good buzz. Closer to the Portofino, Bluewater Grille has wonderful seafood. In Hermosa, The Bottle Inn is a nice little Italian restaurant 1/2 block from the beach (22nd St.).

seetheworld

I'm trying to listen! This tagging along business is hard work, lol! I have been up every morning between 4:30-5:00 a.m. (I don't think I have adjusted to the time difference) and that is definitely affecting my good judgement

We ended up at McCormick and Schmicks on Rosecrans and it was a very good meal. My DH has just asked where we are going tomorrow night for dinner, ugh! I don't know how in the world he can do this day after day -- all I want right now is a bowl of cereal!

We drove by MB pier prior to dinner -- we will go there tomorrow.

Dare I say, there is talk of a tag along trip to Toronto in August
But at least I know Toronto.

reneeinva

This is a great post! It is a trip report in real time! What are you going to do today?

seetheworld

Hi reneeinva! First, I want to say that you should tag along with your DH to New Mexico!

Well, today IS Wednesday, my last full day My DH promises that he will be back around mid-day so that we can explore together.

I did bring some work with me, but it can wait for the long trip home. So after I finish my coffee, I think I will hop back on the beach cruiser and see where it takes me! The scenery here cannot be beat

Tag along drawbacks:
Really there is only one major drawback.
I've been getting early starts to the day and I have found that by the time my husband gets back from the office, I have run out of steam while he is ready to go. Definitely a drawback on tagging along.

Thanks for sharing your stories!
Meesthare, what a nightmare, lol!

jd: yup -- the Portofino is in a great location. We love the water view

MBnancy: The wedding brunch must have been lovely! The restaurant is really top notch. The Portofino is a popular place for brides -- we saw many of them over the weekend.

By the way, thanks to those of you who have helped me (even if I didn't always listen) on this trip. You're the best

...now, let's see what kind of trouble I can get myself into today...

bamakelly

Weeellllll?????

Spill it!

seetheworld

Wednesday turned out to be a more relaxing day.

I headed out on the beach cruiser only to find out that SOMEONE broke the bike's seat So I set off on foot to Hermosa Beach for a walk.

Afterwards I sat by the pool to do a little reading but some guy there felt the need to entertain me with his life's story. I think that is a drawback sometimes when you are by yourself. Sometimes it's welcomed, other times, it's not. I practically had the book up into my face, but that didn't stop him, lol.

My DH did show up at the hotel around 1:30 p.m. and we headed for lunch at the Bluewater Grill. We had California rolls and an avacado and crab salad while sitting on the harbor. It was very nice. Then we drove to Manhattan Beach, parked the car, and went for a long walk.

The architecture is very intersting along the strand with of course, the most incredible view of the Pacific. We watched people take volleyball lessons, surfers, and various exercise classes along the strand. Lots of activity.

We had dinner at Kincaids with a table on the window. It's a great place for dinner. My husband had scallops but I settled for panko crusted chicken as I had about enough fish for one week! Everything was delicious.

Well, today we head back to New York.
I had an enjoyable tagging along experience and was glad to share it with you guys!

Now I will have to change gears as I head up to Boston on Saturday for the weekend (my son's graduation). The duck tour is already booked, lol!

Thanks again folks for your help!

Will this traveler ever tag along again? We'll have to just wait and see, lol!

Seetheworld

MBnancy

Wednesday sounds like it was a better day. Did you walk out on the pier, or just stick to the Strand? Strange combinations of old homes and modern new ones.

Did you know the TV show, The OC is filmed in MB,and not in Orange County? Peter Gallagher leases a home on the strand, and the studios are on Rosecrans, near where you had dinner the other night. The beach scenes are all filmed here.

Glad you had some good meals before you left, and had nice weather.

Where are you staying in Boston for the graduation? We visit FIL in MA every year, and stay a night or two in Boston to get over jet lag. Our problem is the opposite of east coast travelers. When FIL is walking around at 7 am getting breakfast, it is 4 am to us, and that is too early for me. I need a day or two to get used to the early hours!
8-)

makai1

Lovely thread, seetheworld... one of the best I've enjoyed here in many many months.

Loved the real time posting, and spontaneity of it all. Thanks so much! ><

cigalechanta

seetheworld, if you have time on Sunday, it's the South=end=open=market in the South End on Harrison Ave. Saturday is opening day after the weekend it's every Sunday, farmer's market, crafts, fleamarket etc all in one.

seetheworld

Hi MBnancy! We walked both the pier and the strand. From the pier we saw this one house that was "shrink-wrapped" in white plastic. We thought it was kind of odd.

My husband, sounding all know-it-all, is telling me that people must shrink-wrap their houses when they go away to preserve them, etc., etc. I give him "the look" - you know, the "you're out of your mind look" (he did get a couple of those on this trip, btw).

As we are walking closer to check it out, he's telling me there must be a "company" that comes and does this shrink-wrapping -- he's going on and on. I'm thinking why in the world would anybody want to "advertise" that they are not home, lol!

Well, as it turns out, the "house" is under construction. But it did look like it was "shrink-wrapped". I want to know, is there a "company" that comes out and "shrink-wraps" houses?

My youngest son watches the OC -- I'll pass on that information to him

We had some delicious meals and a fabulous time! Thanks for your help

This trip to Boston we are staying at the Lenox Hotel.

seetheworld

makai1: I'm glad you enjoyed the thread! I had fun journaling my time in Southern California as well as reading the trips of others.

cigalechanta: Thank you for the information on the market! I don't think I will have time on Sunday but I will try and check it out tomorrow after my duck tour!!!

karens

seetheworld - I enjoyed your posts! And how did you like the Duck Tour? We've done the one here in Phila. and it's a hoot! I want to take my boys up to see the one in Boston.

bamakelly - I, too, am waiting for a tag-along ski trip! My husband's company does a 100% Club trip every Feb., and we keep suggesting it. But for those who don't ski (which is the majority), this suggestions is met with little enthusiasm.

I enjoyed my tag-along trip last week. Eight of us from my husband's company rented cars and explored Maui for 2 half days. We did a "boys" car and a "girls" car, which was fun. It was a great way to experience new sights - we ate at Mamas Fish House together, went to a beach together and drove some of the Road to Hana and hiked to Twin Falls.

iceeu2

Yes, I have tagged along many times, but my very best tag-a-longs have been Key West and Denmark.

Both times, I played during the day and did excursions on my own, talked to the locals. When the DH returned from his day, I already had dinner reservations and/or activities planned.

In Key West, I bought those great grouper sandwiches from one of the street vendors and treated all of hubbie's work cronies to lunch. They were not only surprised, but delighted!

seetheworld

Karens, we loved the Duck Tour! We rode in the lavendar boat with Sgt. Groovey -- he was great! Had a terrific sense of humor and was extremely knowledgeable about Boston. He even let a few of the young and old kids (me) take the boat for a spin on the Charles River I highly recommend the Duck Tour (they also discount for students).

It sounds like you had a fabulous time in Maui! Now that's a trip I would tag along on without a doubt, lol!

Iceeu2: Next time, you should treat your DH's work cronies to some "chicken feet"...yummmmmmm!

bamakelly

karens: I don't ski either. ...But I can shop! ...And I think I'd look like a pretty cute snowbunny. ....AND hot chocolate and a good book curled up by the fireplace sounds like a good idea to me! Ha!