Another post from 2 years ago saved in the draft list
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It is that time again. Time to write another post. It seems that I cannot bring myself to write regularly. I blame work.
Anyways, back on October 11th, 2013 I left the East Coast for the sunny West Coast for a softball tournament. Let me tell you now: that flight is not particularly fun. Especially when it is split up with a layover. Although, the layover was in my homeland, Minnesota. It was nice to be home, albeit for only 2 hours.
Upon my arrival to San Diego the plane emptied into the newly renovated terminal. That terminal was HUGE! Very nicely designed too. I was walking down the terminal trying to get to Gate 7 where my friends were arriving. Little did I know that Gate 44, where I arrived, was on the other side of the world from Gate 7. It reminded me of trying to catch a connection in Detroit. Now that airport is huge. I see now why cars were invented...
After getting my weekly exercise walking to meet my friends we grabbed a cab and headed to our hotel, The Lafayette. The hotel was built in a grand colonial style in 1946 by former car dealer and developer Larry Imig. He hoped to create a legacy vacation resort and hideaway for the celebrity elite. I have to say, he did a very good job. That hotel was incredible. The central courtyard that boasts a 9 foot deep pool is a great gathering space for all hotel guests. Guests can also enjoy the meeting and event spaces and a delicious restaurant complete with bar (a necessity). Non-service pets are not allowed in the hotel, but there is a pet hotel right next door. You can also get a preferred rate if you mention you are a Lafayette guest! How wonderful is that?! Quite wonderful. Now I just need to find a husband with a dog!
The softball tournament, the Autumn Classic, was great. The team that asked me to play with them was awesome. And all the competition was amazing. It was a great couple of days playing. So much softball though! Ugh, exhausted. Random side note: Be careful with IcyHot on your legs. I had a terribly painful reaction to it - woke up in the middle of the night to what felt like my legs on fire! I swear by BioFreeze now. So much better!
The nightlife in San Diego was fun as well. One of the nights we went out to Urban Mo's for some drinks and dancing. Our friend, Jim, was a happy camper as they were playing mostly Madonna all night. She is a diva. Jim I mean, not Madonna. Well...Madonna is too.
One of the other nights we drove out to one of the burbs on the coast and ate an amazing Italian restaurant. For the life of me, I cannot remember the name. And it is driving me nuts. In any case, it was incredible. Take my word for it! You will just have to go out, try every Italian restaurant in the San Diego area, pick the best one - that is the one I am talking about.
It was wonderful to have my first experience in California be in a city like San Diego. It definitely has made me want to go back. My aunt has a place in Palm Springs that I would love to visit. My parents went out there last winter...did not invite me though. Stingey bums!
steinkraus.
Monday, August 3, 2015
Friday, February 27, 2015
fleas and honey.
I found this post in my list of drafts from back in 2012. I think the first paragraph pretty much sums up my feelings still.
So, I have been feeling very guilty that I have not written anything on the blog since the Europe trip. And honestly, there has been a lot of traveling since then. So now, I start again.
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So, I have been feeling very guilty that I have not written anything on the blog since the Europe trip. And honestly, there has been a lot of traveling since then. So now, I start again.
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This past weekend, Bryon and I headed out to Ocean Grove in search of a flea market that a friend told us about. He said that it was one of the biggest in the area and there were a lot of great finds, if you got up earlier enough. We decided to head there around 8:00 to get there a little after 9:00 when it opened. Can't say that I've gotten up that early on a weekend in a really long time.
We arrive in Ocean Grove and spend the next 15 minutes trying to find a parking spot. The streets are literally packed, with cars on both sides. And every intersection endangers your life because of the unspoken battle between flea market enthusiasts trying to find the best parking spot. Ultimately we find a spot, right out in the open (of course) and head to the market.
A sea of tables with knick-knacks, souvenirs, mementos and oddities await your eager eyes. This place is packed, not only with everything imaginable, but everyone imaginable as well. And if you are a connoisseur of people-watching (like me) this place is heaven.
We walk the aisles, choosing which vendors to venture towards. There is a lot of stuff my grandmothers would love. Bryon finds a croquet set, but it is not in the best condition. On we go. We hear a large lady from down the row calling out to passers-by, tempting them in with her sultry voice and day-only sales. She is pretty good, she has a crowd around her.
We mosey our way through the rest of the market with rain turning on and off every now and then and decide to head out. We look a little bit around Asbury Park and notice some friends have checked in at one of the local bars. We head over there and join them for a drink and some pizza. Afterwards we all head down to the old Convention Center for one last drink at the bar that overlooks the ocean.
Sunday.
Bryon, me and two of our friends decided to head out to Bartram's Gardens for their Honey Festival. I have never been there, so I was eager to see a local garden. It is a great place. Wonderful gardens and plantings that make your lazy day enjoyable and relaxing.
Ran into a couple colleagues whilst touring the gardens. Did not realize it was such a destination! Then again, when you are in the profession of Landscape Architecture and it is a beautiful day out, the results are pretty self explanatory.
The Honey Festival was great as well. Tried different flavors from different sources. It is quite fascinating for such a difference to come from one species of flower to the next. Enjoyed some delicious ice cream as well.
And what a way to end the day - head back home, lie around on the couch with the windows thrown open and watch movies and drink beer. Great weekend.
steinkraus.
We arrive in Ocean Grove and spend the next 15 minutes trying to find a parking spot. The streets are literally packed, with cars on both sides. And every intersection endangers your life because of the unspoken battle between flea market enthusiasts trying to find the best parking spot. Ultimately we find a spot, right out in the open (of course) and head to the market.
A sea of tables with knick-knacks, souvenirs, mementos and oddities await your eager eyes. This place is packed, not only with everything imaginable, but everyone imaginable as well. And if you are a connoisseur of people-watching (like me) this place is heaven.
found these paperclip beauties for my friend Abby
We walk the aisles, choosing which vendors to venture towards. There is a lot of stuff my grandmothers would love. Bryon finds a croquet set, but it is not in the best condition. On we go. We hear a large lady from down the row calling out to passers-by, tempting them in with her sultry voice and day-only sales. She is pretty good, she has a crowd around her.
We mosey our way through the rest of the market with rain turning on and off every now and then and decide to head out. We look a little bit around Asbury Park and notice some friends have checked in at one of the local bars. We head over there and join them for a drink and some pizza. Afterwards we all head down to the old Convention Center for one last drink at the bar that overlooks the ocean.
Sunday.
Bryon, me and two of our friends decided to head out to Bartram's Gardens for their Honey Festival. I have never been there, so I was eager to see a local garden. It is a great place. Wonderful gardens and plantings that make your lazy day enjoyable and relaxing.
Ran into a couple colleagues whilst touring the gardens. Did not realize it was such a destination! Then again, when you are in the profession of Landscape Architecture and it is a beautiful day out, the results are pretty self explanatory.
The Honey Festival was great as well. Tried different flavors from different sources. It is quite fascinating for such a difference to come from one species of flower to the next. Enjoyed some delicious ice cream as well.
And what a way to end the day - head back home, lie around on the couch with the windows thrown open and watch movies and drink beer. Great weekend.
steinkraus.
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