Over the last month I've flown to a few meetings for work. When I was full-time BK (before kids) I went to some great locations like San Francisco a few times, Chicago (fav!), & Montreal (fav!). I certainly didn't think I wanted to travel since being back part-time. However, this last month proved me wrong. Meeting #1: San Diego. Coronado Island to be exact. Hotel Del on Coronado to be even more exact.
Pinch me!
I flew down early landing at 9:30am. This meant I had exactly 9 1/2 hours before I needed to be anywhere. Ready? Explore!
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| So, I walked into this famous hotel, |
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| Checked-in in this lobby, |
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| And, got a key for THIS room.... Oh, what's behind those curtains you ask? |
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| BOOM. I had this view. Bananas, I tell you. I was going bananas. |
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| This tiny morsel of a window had a direct west facing view of all beach. |
Corner room on top floor, anyone? This is why one should always check-in early & smile at the staff. I was in paradise. (Paradise alone, wishing my family was with me but, it was still paradise for about 30 hours.)
At this time I had about 8 hours to do a bike tour of the island, read, lunch, swim, walk on the beach & eat ice cream,
MooTime ice cream.
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| Rented a bike for 3 hours & toured this tiny yet scenic island. |
If you have never been to this island off the coast of San Diego, it's a must see. It's basically half navy base and half ga-jillion dollar homes with some fancy-schmancy hotels along the beaches. We usually make it out there on every San Diego trip but, have never stayed longer than an hour or two...
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| (Lifted this map from internet.) |
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| This is the Coronado Bridge, (the 2nd most popular bridge to jump, following the Golden Gate & leading in front of our Aurora Bridge...) Other than that sad fact, it really is beautiful. |
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| After riding, I hit the pool & read. But, when you're in such a beautiful place like this, I felt guilty being at the pool & not sitting at the "real pool" 50 yards away. |
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| So, I hit the beach. |
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| My room is pretty much in the center of this photo, top corner. |
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| Sunset. |
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| Sunrise. |
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| I will go back someday... |
Meeting #2 was Phoenix. It was the exact opposite. Great hotel but, no view, totally boring downtown location. NOTHING to do. I mean, nothing. There were about 2 stores open in each "shopping mall". I don't know how many times one can walk into Urban Outfitters or Charming Charlies but, I'm sure I set the record. It was a good meeting but, overall lame location.
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| Fortunately there was a DDD restaurant here. This place & it's bacon was my saving grace. |
Without a minute to spare - I flew home, ate dinner with the fam & was around to give my son his birthday gifts before tucking my big 3 year old into bed.
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| Happy Birthday sweet Axey Benj. Mama loves you! |
