California Bound!

Wow it's really nice to be on the road again. Ever since Super Dave changed employers our travels have greatly decreased. This trip to San Diego was for Dave to attend a conference hosted by ISM; the Institute for Supply Management. We arrived to San Diego on Friday, April 23. He had a 2 day meeting on Friday and Saturday then the official conference began on Sunday. We're here through Wednesday, April 28.

Arriving into San Diego!


We rented a car and I dropped him off at the San Diego Convention Center. I then drove over to the Loews Coronado Bay Resort where we redeemed a gift certificate for a two night stay. After check in I stopped at a local grocery store; Vons to grab lunch as well as some snacks for the room. I saw the most stunning hydrangea plant in blue and bought it for my aunt whom I was planning to visit with on Saturday. After lunch I made my way into town to SHOP! Yes, I hate to admit it but I didn't do my homework and I was cold! I totally packed all the wrong clothes; didn't check the forecast and now had to find some warmer clothes. I spent the remainder of the afternoon at a local TJMaxx.

I picked up Dave from his meeting then we made our way to Sycuan Casino; pronounced "Sigh Kwan" for a little early evening gambling and dinner! We spent the evening enjoying the time at the tables that our money provided us but sadly left empty-handed. We did however have a nice dinner together for a reasonable price.

The casino entrance at Sycuan.


On Saturday I drove from San Diego to Murietta; about an hour and a half drive to see my Aunt & Uncle. My cousin Teena from upstate NY was in town with her husband Tom and they and her daughter Emily; who lives in Palm Springs joined them. My aunt's son Jan and his wife Barbara also joined us; as well as their daughter Aimee and her son Brody. We had a house full of family for a lovely brunch together.

Me with my Aunt & Uncle, cousins Teena and Emily.


Saturday night I drove back to San Diego to pick Dave up and we spent the evening at our hotel watching the SPURS beat the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA playoffs. It was a brief stay at the resort and on the island of Coronado.

Sunday we checked out of the Loews and made our way back to the Hilton San Diego Bayfront. It's one of the newest additions of hotels to the inventory in San Diego and is steps away from the Convention Center and PETCO Park. Dave began his conference and I made my way over to the San Diego Zoo to spend the afternoon with Teena, Tom, Emily & her boyfriend Dustin.

Zoo pics:


After a day at the zoo I came back to the city to pick Dave up and we had dinner with my cousins at PF Chang's. My cousin Emily must eaten gluten free and PF Chang's has updated their menu and have added even more GF items so it was a nice opportunity for her to eat out.

On Monday I had lunch with my facebook friend Julia. She and I met through my cousin Aimee. She and I friended one another on FB to play a mutual game and then as we started getting to know one another and chatting; we discovered we both wore the EXACT same dress to Aimee & Craig's wedding a few years ago. She and I had lunch at this cute little cafe called Toscano Cafe & Wine Bar in the Gas Lamp District. After lunch we walked through the Gas Lamp Quarter; an area of great architectural charm. Its streets are lined with original nineteenth-century buildings and others moved in from other parts of the San Diego, all restored to their original exuberance. As we walked I spoke to Julia that a few years back when I was in San Diego I remember coming with a group to a bar named The Bitter End. As we made our way past this corner location I stopped inside and asked the bar tender if this place used to be The Bitter End as I recognized the stair case inside. He said "yes" and now the bar is The Tipsy Crow. We stayed for a drink; Julia having a beer and I a cider.

That evening Dave and I were invited guests of a vendor he had known previously through his employment with H-E-B to dinner at The Oceanaire Seafood Room restaurant. We had a lovely dinner and nice time spent with them.

Tuesday night Dave and I decided to be adventurous and take a Hornblower dinner cruise of the San Diego harbor. It was a slightly overcast evening but still lovely nonetheless. Here we are with our standard pre-board photo op:


It was a 3 and a half hour cruise (cue theme from Gilligan's Island) with a dinner of steak and chicken and a bottle of champagne. I nearly froze to death up top so we made a quick round of photos then back downstairs to enjoy the ambiance.

A quick picture:


Be sure to check back in mid June for our travel posts of the big 10 year wedding anniversary trip to Scotland and Ireland in May! Pin It Now!