Vacation

In past years, I've gone to Ohio for vacation to see kids and old friends.  Last year, we all went to Florida for a week (in July) to visit with Charlene's Brothers and Sister.  No matter where I/we go, there's always a lot of driving, place to new place for a day or so and then more driving.  Near the end of last year's vacation, Nic, Trav and I agreed that on the next vacation, we were going to stay put most of the time.  That's what we did this July.  Well, we stayed put in Embassy Suites at Mandalay Bay in Oxnard.  Sounds kinda dumb but it's not your ordinary Embassy Suites.  This one is huge, exotic, on the ocean hotel kind of place.  Walk softly and carry lots of money place.  Remember, click on the photo to see the large size, use your Browser's "Back" button to return here and continue.

It all started when I picked up Sister Pat at the airport.

She flew in from Seattle on Friday and we jumped into Red and headed North on the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH).  Beautiful drive along the ocean with the Channel Islands visable the entire way.  That is most unusual in the summer months due to the marine layer (fog bank that lives here).  Had a quick stop at Starbucks in Malibu and then finished the trip to our house.  Nice evening for all of us, big day tomorrow.




 In the morning, after I watered/fertilized the plants and yard, Pat decided she would make some of her famous Midwest Green Beans.  First she picked 'em.       

 










Then she 'cleaned' them.

Now, the difference here is that she 'cooks' them with lots of bacon grease in a giant skilled.  After that, she adds some water to 'steam cook' them.  Let me tell you, they were extremely yummy.  That's the way we're going to cook them from now on.









Cuz'n Kent drove down from Pismo Beach to spend the Vacation with us.  Today being Saturday, we were all just hangin' out until Sunday Check-in time at the 'Suites'.  We invited the puppy-dog Omar to mid-afternoon lunch and conversation.

I grilled my 'infamous' Chicken-Ka-Bobs to go with the green beans.  I cooked a ton of skewered chicken.  Along with chicken marinaded in Wishbone Italian Salad Dressing, I added Lemon Wedges, several kinds of Bell Peppers, Mushrooms and Onions.  Very de-lish.

Charlene picked fresh tomatoes and basil from our garden and whipped up some cheese-basil-tomato
hors d'oeuvres.  Totally excellent!

At mealtime, we started a fire in the fire bowl as it had become windy cool.

A really good day, great meal. 

                    The next day, we checked into the Embassy Suites at Mandalay Bay.

Our rooms are at the top right, 3rd floor, facing the ocean.  I just can't say enough about the 'Million Dollar' view from our Balcony Patios.  We had two suites, next to each other.  Pat and Kent in one, Nic, Trav, Charlene and I in the other.  Nice rooms/suites.  Big living room, sliding glass door to the patio, big bedroom with 2 queen size beds and another sliding glass door to the patio.  Two bathrooms to a suite and a fridge, microwave at the suite entrance.  Of course, the hit of the stay was that I brought my Keurig Coffee maker and a ton of various blends of K-Cup coffees.  There's a big window in the bedrooms that we left open at night to let the sound of the waves lull us to sleep.

Along with the suites, we get a free cooked-to-order breakfast in the morning, free 'Manager's Get-Together' with unlimited drinks in the late afternoon.  Yea, Baby!  Gimme Bacon, hot, crisp and plenty of it.  The first day, we just enjoyed discovering the place, swimming in the heated pool, relaxing in the giant hot tub pool, enjoying the ocean views, exploring all the waterfall grottoes with their expensive landscaping. 

The view from our balconies was just unbelievable.  It's like the best view ever - a million dollar view as I referred to it. Sunrise was behind us, sun all afternoon and stunning sunsets.  Here's a pic of Cuz'n Kent enjoying it.

The really strange thing is that the Marine Layer-that giant fog bank that lives over most of the coastal Pacific-had moved way offshore.  That is a rarity!  We could see most of the Channel Islands 20 miles out to sea.  So beautiful.  Here's a pic of Santa Cruz Island.  It's almost half a mile tall but it's 20 miles out.  Very cool, indeed.

The first afternoon I had just one drink, a Long Island Iced Tea.  Yea, that was my last drink for the day.  Lotsa fun, though.....

Our first night, Kent and Pat bought us dinner at the hotel.  Everyone had Seafood except the fish-challanged one (Me).  They were eating Canadian Ling Cod, Steamed Mussels and the like.  Me?  I stayed with the Sirloin Steak and wonderful fresh picked/cooked vegetables.  A really wonderful meal for all of us.  The restaurant itself was beautiful.

I'm an early riser (an annoying habit I've had for decades) and went down to breakfast alone while others slept.  One cook will prepare an omelet any style, any ingredients on the spot.  Nah, I went for the 'ton' of scrambled eggs and about 15 pieces of crisp bacon, gobs of toast and juice. Mmmmmm!  Animal Fat.....
 Here's my plate waiting for toast:

  And yes, I went back for more bacon and toast.  I'm like that commercial with the dog running through the house yelling, "Bacon, Bacon Bacooooonnnn!"









For snacks, we had Doritos (every flavor), Ruffles, salty big green olives, several bean dips.  Oh, and maybe a Rum Cocktail or Trav's non-alcohol Cocktail

  

For dinner Monday, I had wanted to cook everyone Rubin Sandwiches.  So, I had brought the camping stove, several skillets, Jewish Rye bread, excellent Corned Beef, Swiss cheese and all the fixin's.  Oddly enough, everyone LOVED them.  Of course, served with Dill Pickles and Ruffles.  Everyone said they were the best they've ever had.  Butter up the cook - he'll keep cooking.  Actually, they were very good.

By day two, Charlene and Nic were working out in the Exercise Room.

Kent, Pat and Charlene brought books to enjoy and enjoy they did.  If they weren't eating or snoring, they were reading.

Nic and Trav had a good time, too.  Playing in or with the facilities......

Everyone had figured out their 'Thing' to do throughout the days.  We all just had a hell-of-a-good-time.  For dinner Tuesday night, Charlene picked up half a dozen Chipoltle Store Burritos, those 2 pounders.  Yep, they're good for several meals.  Here's some pics for Tuesday/Wednesday:

By Day 2, I was wearing Swim trunks with few pockets so I graduated to a "Man-Bag" to carry my stuff in (wallet, camera, cell phone, etc).  Don't laugh, it works great.  Sunburned legs.

Dawn on Wednesday.  The pool awaits, as does breakfast.  Everyone had omelets except Kent and I.  We did the scrambled eggs, rye toast and BACON! 








We all did our own thing until Nic showed up..........  Sadly, our three days in Paradise came to an end.  Another year, perhaps.  Sure was great and great fun.