Lazy Sunday

Everyone has to have a lazy Sunday, they're good for the soul - or so I hear. We relaxed at the house this morning, Aunt Leslie picked up bagels and after breakfast we rode down the beach with Uncle David to check out the second day of the 6 Man Tournament. Less drunks, less people in general and much more serious competition on the sand. There were a bunch of energy drink/shot vendors at the beach so we got our free shots/bottles and stayed energized without a crash all day. An hour or so later, we hopped back on the bikes and pedaled home.

I took Lily for a nice walk in the early afternoon while Aunt Leslie prepared things in the kitchen for our dinner at the beach. A few friends came over around 5 and we all hauled our things to the sand. It was a beautiful evening to kick back and enjoy the sound of the waves with wonderful company. When we packed up, I came home and changed so I could walk up the street with my super cool cousin Brett, his very sweet girlfriend Anna, and his roommate Jason who is a riot. We hung out at a place called Sloopy's for a bit and then called it a night.

Tomorrow morning is my trapeze lesson and I can't wait! After tomorrow, I will have taken lessons in L.A., NYC, and Boston. It will be a blast and I will probably ache for at least the next three days. It's too bad I don't get to fly more often. I think we're going to head to Hollywood after my lesson, so there will be a lot more to see!

My time here has gone by far too quickly, I am already planning to come back!

Saturday @ Manhattan Beach

This morning started out with a nice long walk for Lily. We got home and had just enough time to change and for me to pay my credit card bill (sadly, one must still be responsible when on vacation) before it was time for our spa appointments. Aunt Leslie and I both had a facial and massage - the girl who did my massage had superhuman strength and really worked out some of my knots. Between yesterday's pedicure/manicure and today's treatments I feel extra ladylike and relaxed. Ahhhhh.

On our way home from the spa, we picked up lunch and brought it back to the house...but not before we stopped at CAKE - The Bakery. They sell sweets and cupcakes and they were competitors on one of the episodes of Cupcake Wars. We each picked out a mini lemon cupcake and carried them home in napkins because they weren't going to last long enough to require a box.

After lunch, it was time to take a stroll down the strand to the beach where the 6-Man International Volleyball Tournament was taking place. This year was the 50th anniversary of the tourney, so it was extra crazy! Teams from around the world come here to play (Manhattan Beach is the home of beach volleyball - in case you didn't know, I didn't) and some local groups pay to play just for the exposure. They provide quite a bit of entertainment for the crowds. We saw a team of guys dressed in kilts, a group of girls in black tutus and crazy makeup - their team was called "The Black Swans", guys playing for Barefoot wine covered in purple balloons like the Fruit of the Loom grapes, and plenty of half naked 20-year-olds (and younger). There were thousands of people; I'd say a very large portion of which were drunk and/or high - but they were having fun! We didn't stay long, but it was quite an experience and sight to see. Today, many of the crazy teams were eliminated and the serious teams will play tomorrow. I think it's even being televised on one of the ESPN channels, so check it out if you're home.

We spent the evening relaxing at the house and had fajitas (that most of us just made into a fajita burrito) for dinner.

We're having breakfast out tomorrow morning at a place just up the street, The Local Yolk - it's supposed to be really good! I'm not sure what else the day will bring, but I am looking forward to another day with family and enjoying the beautiful scenery. I'm having such a wonderful time here!

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Sweet rewards!

After a massage and facial (thank you so very much Aunt Leslie!) We stopped down the street to try a mini lemon cupcake from CAKE - The Bakeshop (from Cupcake Wars!).

It will be my treat after lunch before we walk down the beach to watch the 6-man volleyball tournament.

I still can't get over how beautiful it is here!

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Dog Biscuits - for dinner!

Aunt Leslie got creative in the kitchen when she was making biscuits - she made "dog" biscuits! Bacon and Cheddar Dog Biscuits in honor of sweet Lily.

Stuffed peppers with orzo, dog biscuits and salad for dinner!

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C is for Cookie (shaped like a strawberry)

Our cookie from Mayer's bakery - somehow it made it back to the house in one piece...

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A sweet treat!

Checking out Mayer's bakery after a good horseback riding lesson! Splitting a cookie with Aunt Leslie on the way home :)

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Lunching in Palos Verdes

After we dropped my bags at the house, Aunt Leslie drove me to Palos Verdes where we had lunch at the grill in the Terranea Resort (http://www.terranea.com). The view was to die for!

After lunch we headed up to the bard to see Sox the horse - we turned him out so he could run and stretch his legs. We are headed back to the barn this morning so I can ride Sox for a little while before lunch.

Last night Aunt Leslie made dinner at the house and we crashed early.

We walked Lily the dog around town this morning and now we're off to ride! More pictures later today!

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Newport News

Early to wake at 3:30 a.m. this morning and no traffic on the way to the airport. I was "randomly selected" to be screened when I went through security, but they only swabbed my bag (no pat down or body scan a la RDU). I won't be able to catch an earlier flight to Los Angeles as it seems to be the destination of the day. Looks like I'll be wandering around ATL for a few hours...

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Have toys, will travel.

Bailey is packed and ready to go on my trip - it's too bad she doesn't know she isn't coming along this time.

It's time for a vacation...

When I graduated with my master's degree last year, my company rewarded me with a 2-week sabbatical that I could use for rest and relaxation.  After saving it for a year and a half, I decided to use the time to head to the west coast.  Texas is as far west as I've traveled in my lifetime, so I'm breaking my own personal record with this adventure.

I will be starting out in Los Angeles, flying to Portland, taking the train to Seattle, hopping on a ferry to Victoria, B.C. and finally flying back to the east coast.  There will be friends and family along the way - in some aspects, it's going to be like that Lisa Kudrow show "Who Do You Think You Are?" on NBC.

As for daily plans, I don't really have any and I like it that way.  I'll be going to trapeze school, eating lots of good food, taking pictures, visiting the original Starbucks, and trying to stay out of trouble (I can't make any promises about this last one, as I have a tendency to talk to strangers).

I'm still not sure if I can make this trip without bringing along a checked bag, but I'll figure that out this weekend!