Desert, Palm Trees, and Palm Springs

California...desert, palm trees, sunshine, and days of adventure.  I have never experienced Cali, other than passing through LAX which was an experience all in itself, but I am so glad I was able to get away for a few days with my BF.

We flew into John Wayne National Airport, grabbed our bags and took off to get the car...a convertible of course. We had open highways to cruise!  Top down, shades on, wind blowing through our hair, music, and venturing our way down the 111 to Palm Springs.  It was the perfect beginning to our vaca. We stayed at the Riviera Palm Springs and this resort is nothing but amazing.  We had a great view of the pool, brightly colored orange lounge chairs, palm trees, mountains, and plenty of room to soak up the sun.  

We explored downtown driving along Palm Canyon and Indian Canyon Drive. Think a lot of local shops and eateries but ended that evening having cocktails at Melvyn's, a local joint just off the beaten path.  We strolled along the streets and did some shopping before heading back to the resort. The weather here is warm, but no humidity so it's very enjoyable from sunrise to sunset.  

The next day we headed back downtown to grab brunch at Lulu's California Bistro before spending the rest of the day poolside.  The food was amazing and they had some of the best coffee I have ever had. I went with the infamous Strawberry Crepes, with a side of bacon of course, and he had the California Norwegian Benedict.  We spent the rest of the day relaxing at the pool, reading our books, and enjoying the warm sun and water.  That evening we went to Village Fest, a traditional downtown event of arts, crafts, a farmers market, and for us, people watching.  

Friday morning we grabbed a few snacks at the local 7-11; you know the essentials, water, mini-tacos, mozzarella sticks...and of course I got a Coke Slurpee..not to be confused with the original "Icee" and we headed to Joshua Tree National Park.  It was a relaxing drive while enjoying the desert scenery.  I will share more of Joshua Tree and our experience there in the next blog post :) 

Friday evening we spent our last night getting all dressed up. First things first, cocktails at the resort lounge. A Cosmopolitan for me and a Negroni for him. We then headed to Trio, a restaurant filled with vibrant splashes of colors, for a light dinner of Calamari and Wild Mushroom Linguine followed by a cocktail at Eight4Nine, which boasted a chic and swanky atmosphere.  

Saturday morning, we hit the road early, stopped for a quick bite at In-N-Out burger...I can check that off the list, and caught an early flight home to get prepared for the rest of our weekend that we would spend at the lake.  California delivered all that I expected and I would definitely return again. I love the architecture, the desert and mountains, the sunshine, the breeze, no humidity, great places to dine, great cocktails, and mostly experiencing it with the one person who loves the adventure as much as me!  

Until next time Cali...

Shona

Palm Tree's and the Ocean Breeze

Recently I had the chance to visit my Mom and her hubby Phil while they were in Florida for a quick vaca and it was just what I needed to unwind!  Between school, two jobs, and lack of sleep from studying, I needed to get away to the one place that calms me, the sand and sea.  I can't give away all the details quite yet...but something exciting is soon to happen, and I will tell you it's going to be great!! So stayed tuned for that!

Friday night, I arrived fairly late but we ended the night with light appetizers, cheap wine and sitting in the sun-room enjoying the Florida weather. Saturday after breakfast and coffee, we took a day trip to the Atlantic and ate at one of my favorite beach-side spots, Toni and Joe's.  They have an amazing patio and allow dogs...even better since we had their's with us, it was his first trip to the sand and sea. We ventured around all day, cruised the A1A, stepped our feet into the ocean, collected a few seashells and lastly found a beach just for dogs....Dodger wasn't too sure what to think about that, but he can now mark that off of his doggie bucket-list.

While driving back to the vaca home, we ran into the wildfires there, road closed...no getting through and that meant we had to adventure back about 2 hours to go around it.  A terrible thing to witness on television, let alone in person.  Florida is a state full of water so there are no "back roads"...we had one way out.  Fortunately from the report I read on CNN, no one was injured, but many homes and habitat was destroyed.  So venturing another 2 hours isn't really a problem when you look at it that way!

Sunday morning meant the usual walk with Dodger and meeting new people, breakfast, snapping a few photos and preparing for my journey home.  My Mom made Easter lunch comprised of chicken and noodles, green beans, mashed potato's and for dessert, strawberry shortcake...two words: food coma! Shortly after they dropped me off at the airport and I was headed back to reality!

Florida, you were just what I needed. 

Shona

Passports, Sand, and Salt Water

The title pretty much sums it up...grab your passport, we are headed to paradise.  When we were planning a trip to the Caribbean, we looked at many different resorts before deciding on The Riu Palace Bavaro in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.  The reviews were great, 5 stars, and the place just looked like a great way to escape every day life.  6 days, 5 nights and unlimited food, beverages, and beach time...I couldn't think of a better way to spend a week away and in good company.

An early flight out of KC meant getting to Punta Cana early afternoon and with only one hour time change, we didn't lose much time traveling.  After exiting the airplane on the tarmac, we grabbed ours bags, found our transportation and we were on our way to relaxation.  We arrived and were promptly greeted with two "adult" beverages, checked in, had our keys and headed to our room.  I expected a view, but this view far exceeded what I had imagined.  Overlooking the pool and just beyond that, rows of palm trees, sandy beaches, and the ocean blue.  I could handle this for sure.

After exploring the resort and figuring out where everything was located, we hit the beach and I knew for the next 5 days, this is where I would be spending my day.  We set up camp, literally everyday almost in the exact same location...two chairs, a table, the blue-tooth speaker, sunscreen, shades, and endless beer and tequila shots.  Don't worry, we snagged the coconut water from the locals too...you know, to stay hydrated.

Let me tell you real quick about the food, it.was.delicious.  I am not a buffet type of person, but the breakfast buffet was the B.O.M.B.  Fresh fruit, eggs cooked about 157 different ways, bacon, fresh juices, pastries..you name it, they had it.  Of course it's the most important meal of the day, so we always made sure to fuel our bods before hitting the beach.  I will say the weirdest thing I saw though, hot dogs...everywhere.  Whole, diced, chopped, julienned, wrapped in bacon...it was strange. And no, I didn't have one.  We had dinner reservations every night, which allowed us to get dressed up a bit and then hit the nightly entertainment.  The "Sport Bar"...yes, that's what it was called, was open 24/7 and we frequented there for daily coffee and beverages...and nachos.  Lots of nachos.

Photos are the most important part of this blog...so for now, enough typing for me and enough reading for you. Enjoy...and let me know when you book your next vacation to DR. You are welcome!

  

   

  

It was definitely an unforgettable adventure...

#dradventure16

Shona