Coronado Island

January 20, 2018 by Patricia Farmar

What an adorable quaint place! I have been to San Diego a number of times - but never driven across the bridge to Coronado Island - so that was on my list. It definitely did not disappoint me. Coronado Island - which is technically a peninsula or “tied island” is located across the San Diego Bay from downtown San Diego. You access it by a very long bridge which takes you right into the Main Street. Coronado Island was founded in the 1880’s and was intended to be a resort community. It has a population of just under 27,000. Coronado is Spanish for “crowned one” thus the nickname The Crown City.

Cheryl and I on Coronado Island with downtown San Diego in the background.

My friend Theresa has a home on Coronado and lived there for over 30 years so she was a wealth of information. She gave us a great suggestion for lunch so that was first on our list of things to do. The restaurant was in a pretty residential neighborhood and was small, understated, very friendly and delicious! In fact all the food on our entire trip was great - but Tartine was my favorite if I had to pick one.

Lots of beautiful desserts - the way to my heart!

The three of us shared everything so it was a great way to try a number of things. Potato and cheese soup with baguette, Croque Monsieur sandwich and a turkey panini. And for dessert - Coconut lemon bread pudding!!

My mouth is watering just thinking about it all again!!! Worth the drive - absolutely!!

We walked from one end of town to the other and it was only a little over a mile. Really cute shops, restaurants, bars and picture perfect little homes and Bed and Breakfasts.

The showpiece of the island is the Hotel Del Coronado. It was built in 1888 and has long been considered one of the world’s top resorts and is listed as a National Historic Landmark. They welcome visitors and the huge beach right in front of it is a public beach. No old hotel is complete without a ghost and the Hotel Del is no exception. Supposedly it is haunted by a woman named Kate Morgan who died there in 1892 of a gunshot wound to the head - but the rumors are that she died mysteriously and that the bullet in her head didn’t match the weapon. She haunts room #3372 so beware!!

We enjoyed delicious cocktails in one of the bars facing the ocean after sitting on the beach for a bit - now that’s a vacation!!

If you’re in the San Diego or Southern California area Coronado Island is worth a visit!

Corona Del Mar & Balboa Island

January 16, 2018 by Patricia Farmar

Another perfect day in paradise!! Do these people know how lucky they are to live here?? After our half marathon yesterday we felt the need to walk a bit so started out with our great tour guide and local Liz at the beautiful Inspiration Point in Corona Del Mar. On weekends and holidays there are docents roaming the beach to educate on the tide pools and sea life so we had a great chat with this knowledgeable gentleman.

Beautiful rock formation called arches - how fitting!

We scaled some rocks and continued our walk to Lookout Point. The houses overlooking the water are huge and beautiful, but my favorites were the few small ones that are still there. That’s all I would need!!

Next up - Balboa Island! Balboa Island is located very close to Newport Beach, and accessible by a bridge or a short ferry ride. It’s very quant and has super cute houses, shops and restaurants. Lots of great places for lunch and Liz recommended a Mexican place that sounded good. It didn’t disappoint!

The soup was delicious!! All kinds of fresh vegetables and a chicken quesadilla with avocado.

After lunch we browsed in a few shops and then walked around the entire island - which is only about 2 miles. Definitely a fun place to see.

The famous frozen bananas from the TV show Arrested Development.

More fun in the evening. We had tickets for the Irvine Improv at the Spectrum to see Mark Normand. He has appeared on Jimmy Kimmel and opened for Amy Schumer. So funny!!!

Joe Sib opened for Mark and he was very funny also. Keep an eye out for him - he might be moving up!!

We’re having such a great time here!! More fun ahead!!

Southern California!

January 14, 2018 by Patricia Farmar

Leaving Kansas City when it was 6 degrees not including wind chill was not a problem at all! The temperature is in the high 70’s here in Newport Beach and it is fantastic. They say it’s unseasonably warm here and we are loving it. It’s tradition for me to make my first stop In n’Out and why mess with tradition.

2:30 in the afternoon and the place was packed!

Burger, Fries and shared a chocolate shake - Yumm!!

The weather has been spectacular and I love getting up and seeing the ocean.

Our first order of business was to run the Southern California Half Marathon. It started in Irvine and was a great race. Pretty flat and very well organized. The recipient of the profits was a youth organization so they had a ton of young enthusiastic volunteers that cheered for us the entire time. It was so great to run in short sleeves and not feel like our lungs were freeezing.

Deidre, Cheryl, me and our new friend Robin. We met Robin on the course and she was so much fun. A local and she gave us great tips on what to do and see while we were here.

This was our view at the finish of the race - what’s not to like!!

Our post race celebration included a wonderful lunch at Ruby’s overlooking Crystal Cove and a walk along the beach.

Great burgers, fries and shakes!! I’m on a burger roll!

Our view!

That’s The Beachcomber right on the beach. Great food and definitely on our list to get to this week.

Does looking at the ocean ever get old??? Nope!!!

Beautiful rocks with lots of tide pools.

Day one was amazing! Now on to day two!!

Happy New Year!

January 01, 2018 by Patricia Farmar

It’s New Year’s Day - one of my favorite days of the year. And It’s also the first day of my retirement! I woke up today unemployed - by choice - but it did give me reason for pause. I have planned, prayed, run the numbers a hundred times - but it still is really a brave leap of faith that I’m doing the right thing - and at the right time.

This day is one of my favorites because the whole year is ahead of me. The possibilities are endless, and each of us has the power to make it whatever we want it to be. For me - no surprise - that means travel. Kicking it up a notch or two this year in what I am calling my “gap” year. Gifting myself a year to go to as many places on my list as possible. That will include the US east to west coast, north to south, and places beyond our beautiful borders. I will be blogging so check back for the latest chapter of “Where in the world is Patti?”

Last year I wrote about how I don’t make resolutions but try to have a theme for the year. My theme last year was READ. I set a goal to read 25 books, and I’m happy to report I achieved it! Finished number 25 this past Saturday. I thought that it would be a bit challenging with working full time - but was hoping that it would cause me to sit down some evenings without the TV on and read. And I found that that was exactly what I had to do to come close to hitting the goal. I picked quality books that were for the most part at least a couple of hundred pages, and books that were recommended from various sources such as friends and online lists. I’m not going to list all 25 but I do have a Top 3 that I will share.

#3 - “The Alice Network” by Kate Quinn

#2 - “Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine” by Gail Honeyman

#1 - “A Gentleman in Moscow” by Amor Towles

Kansas City has a wonderful library system like many cities, so I learned how to take advantage of that great resource. It works into my living without clutter theme although I still buy a book every now and then. I am going to try and continue that theme and even increase it now that I don’t have to read so much for work. Reading for fun - another thing that makes me happy!

My theme for this year......DRUMROLL PLEASE is..............

I’m open to all possibilities! I shared my theme with my friend Julie and her comment was - “Oh, eat drink and be merry! I like it!” Add the word travel and you got it. I’m going to worry less and enjoy more. There are reminders every day of how short life can be, and that it can change in an instant. No regrets, no judgements - just finding more of my joy.

Sending best wishes to each of you reading this and hoping your 2018 will be fantastic. Make a decision right now to make it happen!!