Kent and Becca invited us to join them for a short little stay at the beach. What a blessing it was to be able to spend some time with them....and as luck would have it, we were already in the area which made it all the better.
They rented a lovely home in Oceanside right at the sands edge. (Oceanside is a coastal city located on California's South Coast.)
Where the grass ended the sand began. While we were together we made a couple trips to Legoland.
Here is my photo log of our wonderful stay with them.
Family pictures at sunset....and of course we need a silly one (Thanks Ellie for the fun.)
After we did a little shopping....we took a lunch break , and went looking for a couple umbrellas and shoes.
Then back to Magnolia for some more fun.
by this time the rain and wind had really picked up. I received several tornado and flash flood alert warnings on my phone... okay I will just stay here for awhile.
We did what we could inside the warehouse at Magnolia.
By now we are starting to get wet....so ...good bye good hair. (smile)
#siloBration
We decided to just embrace the rain! Go Ruth!
After photo booths, popcorn and cupcakes...we left to go explore....Waco!
(Protect those cupcakes at all cost!)
Umbrella....forget that it will keep you dry...rain falls sideways in Texas. We walked one block to our car from Magnolia and were soaked!
We were worried that the party would be cancelled because of the weather....but we dressed up and headed to the party anyway....and guess what.....no rain. (at least for a couple of hours)
Such a fun evening....Chip made his entrance by climbing down the silos....fun.
All the pictures in this post were taken with our phones.
After the party... we stopped to get a bowl of soup...perfect ending to the day.
At home....treats on our pillows....thanks Jill and Nancy
The shopping was fun, the silos were awesome, the weather was wet, the food was delicious, people were nice, the party happy, Chip and Joanna were cute....but the best part of all....
were these awesome ladies!!!
"Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: 'What! You too? I thought I was the only one."―C.S. Lewis
I have this epic post to write....and I have no idea how to fit it all in....so... I'm going to just start sharing and hope it works!
Jill (on the far left) dreamed a dream and made a plan....a trip to Waco Texas for the Grand opening party at the Silo's- Magnolia Market grand opening! (with Chip and Joanna from fixer upper)
Happy Day....double happy day!!!
This is how the story goes!
Thursday- 8:30 am
Jill and Nancy put together some awesome surprises for the trip-
cute little purse with all the essentials needed to make our flight better- ear plugs, lifesavers, tissue, lotion, gum and a Texas map... so adorable!
a lunch bag full of "munchies" for the flight!
We flew into Dallas airport...picked up our rental car and headed to Waco! (2 hours away)
Arrived in Waco at around 7 pm
Because of the time difference by the time we got to Waco it was dark....but not too late to do a little exploring and to have dinner. (George's Restaurant- our waitress there was amazing... we have decided that people are way nice in Texas....must be all the rain =)
After dinner we started to head back to the hotel....when...what....We saw the Silo's...because they were only 6 blocks from our Hotel!
We did what we do best....have fun....and turned the "find" into a stalker party and photo shoot. (smile)
See for yourself-
"We see you in there, we can help...just give us a broom"
Fun night-
Friday morning-
Woke to rain....lots of rain...tornado warnings and flash floods! Really...the 4 wettest days on record for Texas. Of course it would rain....we come from Ca. where it never rains!
Rant over....
we made the best of it...rain and all!
Friday morning...leaving the hotel....so excited! but....missing Sandi =(
We got there just before this line formed....happy Day!
The beginning of tons of fun...good hair day didn't last very long. (smile)
Shopping-
When we first arrived not so crowded....but that didn't last very long....still tons of fun.
I bought this mail box... perfect fit in my suitcase. (I love when people create outside the mail "box".)
I believe that light will find its way to our new home. (smile)
The shop was a blast to shop in....just wish it was closer.
Earlier this week Bree and I spent a day together (our men were out of town for a few days...so why not party)
I like to call this trip- Sunshine & Saltwater
We spent the day in and around Monterey .
Neither one of us had ever rode one of these ....so, we thought why not. $20 for two hours...fun.
(and it is harder than it looks)
Oh how I wish I had the talent to paint.
Bree and Lincoln (who will be making his appearance in Nov.) and the rock guy-
Stone "Art" on the beach. His sign says, "if I had a dollar for every picture, I wouldn't be homeless" His name is Monterey Roseman. He has his own FB page, twitter and Instagram where people follow him.
(yes, we gave him a dollar=)
You can't go to the beach without getting saltwater taffy and a mood ring.
Statice Purple attraction- love the flowers on the coast.
Tree standing Alone- 17 mile drive- the drive is about awesome homes with stunning architecture and beautiful ocean views.
Bree had never been on this route...so why not go!
and why not act like you are a guest at this vintage hotel/the Lodge and give yourself a tour....it is all about how you carry yourself. (and it doesn't hurt to have a cute pregnant lady with you)
To get to the Isla Mujeres we decided to take a boat tour . The boat ride takes just 20 minutes from the end of the hotel zone in Cancun to the main dock on the island.
We thought we were going to have rain ...but it turned out beautiful. Part of this tour was to do a little snorkeling...when they stopped to do that...the sea was a little ruff....I think it will be some time before I snorkel again; plus, note to self...never get lost at sea you wouldn't last long.
It was a beautiful ride to the island.
First things you see
Lots of colorful shopping-
Don't have a store...no problem, just us the closest tree.
Once on the island they only gave us about 90 minutes to explore....so we rented a golf cart and heading to the furthest point on the island.
Isla Mujeres has beautiful beaches....but the town is pretty old world. =)
(Note- if you go there...bring plenty of pesos....restrooms are not free)
Zip line to the beach
Years ago we took our children here and rode scooters all over the island...sorry Denver.
(I crashed twice, he was my riding buddy.)
Once back on the boat they took us to a different part of the island where we had lunch and took a nap.
Then it was back on the boat and head for home.
Just a little travel note. Dan and I have never been big fans of " group tour" outings....and after this trip....it just reaffirmed why we don't like "tours".
Top 3 reasons why we don't like group tours-
Cattle- we always feel like cattle...move here, stand in line here, make sure to be back, find your buddy.
Alcohol- we don't drink, and on these tours....everyone drinks and by the end of the tour...yep, we are the only adults left on the boat. Plus we pay the same price ...we get water and orange crush...but not a discount on the price of the ticket.
No creativity- and no we are not 5.
I would recommend...and if we go again we will be doing this- pick up a ferry that goes to Isla Mujeres....for around $19 (way, way cheaper then what we paid) rent a golf cart and just explore.
One evening we purchased tickets to go see "Joya" Cirque Du Soleil. It was about 45 min. from our resort. Our resort lined up a very nice coach bus to take us there.
Inspired by the migratory journey of the monarch butterfly, JOYÀ is a tale of a teenage girl, Joyà, and her alchemist grandfather, unraveling the mysteries of a fantastical jungle... 70-minute show includes troops of mythical half-human, half-animal creatures; music and theatrics inspired by Mexico’s rich history and heritage; and unbelievable contortions and acrobatics.
The place truly is very magical at night- the show was good. Better than the last cirque De Soleil show we saw in Vegas.
A small intimate setting with amazing performances. We had center seats and they were perfect....but really there isn't a bad seat in the theater. (they also offer a dinner before the show....we came just for the show.)
If you go to Cancun...I highly recommend you see this show...the magical surroundings where reason enough for me to go again. ....plus after days of beach wear...it's nice to get all dressed up.
Fun, creative show.
We had a wonderful, relaxing stay in Cancun...thanks my love for spending time with me.
One last beach picture- Cancun you were fun....Happy Day
Not all the food we found in Cancun is what you would consider typical. Here are a few of our favorites.
Cup of Fruit- Mostly mango, pineapple, coconut and watermelon. You can find these everywhere....mostly sold by street vendors.
The chocolate cake at our resort...to die for! Probably the best chocolate cake I have ever had.
Puffed Potatoes- Very interesting....taste like potatoes chips that have been puffed up. We were told that it takes the chef a couple of days to prepare this appetizer. It wasn't my favorite dish...but top awards for presentation. (we ate this at an Argentinian Steak house called Cambalache- wonderful service and great stakes.)
This was the typical way they would bring chips to us....and always with a plate or bowl of limes. Most restaurants would also serve a avocado and lime dip.
Tacos at La Distillery Restaurant- we enjoyed the food....lots of energy.
This was one of our favorite places...honest, simple good Mexican food. We ate here a couple of times, nothing fancy but good.
A nice place hidden among the green foliage of a botanical garden.
The ambiance was amazing, literally amazing. It was like a sophisticated Swiss Family Robinson-type structure with beautiful lighting....it felt like a paradise....The cliche is that it's part of a huge mall but once inside you're by the lagoon. Very quite romantic dinner.
It was a nice to have quite dinning....we found that most of our meals out were so loud that it was hard to carry on a conversation. So, this place was awesome just for that. The food was good...not the best I've had, but good.... The sticky mango rice was fabulous!
Breakfast was almost always in our villa.......a smoothie beach side was our favorite thing for lunch.
One day we decided to take the bus way into town- pass all the tourist areas- just to check things out. Danny speaks fluent Spanish so we felt pretty good about doing this. As we were leaving the tourist areas....the locals on the bus looked at us like are you lost?.... The bus driver kept asking... off here?
But once Danny would talk to them...they were all surprised ...okay, great and then comment- you speak wonderful Spanish, are you from Argentina?
Once Danny spoke Spanish, the locals would warm up to us and show great kindness. I think It is always a sign of respect no matter what country you are in- to try and speak the native tongue of that country.
(Argentina is where Danny learned to speak Spanish. He lived there for 2 years serving a mission for our Church.)
Just a note- everyone we talked to in the Hotel Zone spoke both Spanish and very good English. Once we left that area....English was not spoken as much...but most everyone we talked to knew some.
Here is a little look at Cancun pass the tourist area-
We were on the hunt for simple/authentic Mexican food.
We didn't find what we were looking for- just a word of caution. If you go there and don't speak Spanish don't go way downtown.
.... you become very popular (Most people there are so poor and are just fighting to make a living.)
I think we looked like a good target.
We should of known better...because just the day before when we went to Church ....a few of the members were worried that we had even ventured out to find the Chapel.
The Church is strong in Cancun- 4 stakes (with about 12 wards per stake) There is also a mission in Cancun.
The ward we visited on Sunday was brand new...this was their second week. They filled the Chapel and part of the cultural hall. (we had at least 30 families welcome us with hugs)
They were awesome! They were strong in their testimonies and such great leaders.
(fun note- there were also a few young couples from BYU on their honeymoon that attended Church...so wonderful to see that they would seek out Church. =)
downtown... is bright colors and loud!
This is what a typical residential street looks like. Everyone has a walled or gated courtyard.
Scooters are the way to get around.
Everywhere you walked: The smell of Mexican spices...lots of horns going off , music and talking!
The Westin Lagunamar was our home for this stay in Cancun Mexico- Quite often when we travel we stay at Westins because we have a vacation ownership through them, and this particular resort is our "Home" resort.
(meaning we purchased our membership for Lagunamar. This is our first visit, we have sent our kids there...but the first time for us to visit this particular resort.
The nice thing about the Westin vacation ownership....you can stay at anyone of their resorts, regardless of where you bought, but with your home resort there are a few more perks.)
Like ocean front rooms- view from our room.
We stayed in a one bedroom suite, with living room, kitchen and laundry.
The beach right outside our room-
The water is warm and you can walk waist deep for around 200 yards.
The resort is centrally located...so, we really didn't need to rent a car. (although, we did one day, to do a little site seeing outside the resort zone.)
The resort is across the street from La Isla Shopping Mall with plenty of interesting places to eat....and the buses stop right in front and will take you anywhere on the resort zone for about .80 cents. (they are really dependable and stop every few minutes...we never had to wait for a bus. They are the same buses that all the locals use.)
We have visited Cancun before....but it had been a really long time since our last visit...like 15 years. Things have changed a lot! For the Better! but we were still visiting a 3rd world country....and with that comes some interesting adventures. (but that's why we travel...if we wanted it to be just like home....we would stay home)
My hair was a total mess the whole time...curly hair and humidity...well, they don't mix.
My breakfast view-
It was a beautiful place to stay...the staff were always kind and friendly and they kept the place spotless. (I think they had a "leaf pickup crew" the minute one fell someone swept it up. Super clean place.)
Well, enough about that....
I have a few more post coming about - the food and fun.
Happy Day.
PS. sorry if this sounds like a travel blog...just recording for my journal.
We are back from our trip to Cancun Mexico- over the next few posts I will be documenting our trip...I thought about posting in order ...but decided to go totally random. (smile)
This time while in Mexico we wanted to do a few things we have never done before.....this is one of those things!
( we were staying at the Westin Lagunamar ocean resort and villa which happens to be about an hour from Playa Del Carmen)
We rented a car from Westin and headed out for the day...for a little exploring / "cave swimming" at Rio Secreto.
Rio Secreto entrance is right off the main freeway ( we had no problems traveling in Mexico...it did help a little that Danny speaks fluent Spanish- but most everyone we talked to also spoke English)
At the entrance they show a little 5 minute video about the place along with the rules- from there we got in a van for a 5-6 mile ride to the site ( a very bumpy and dusty dirt road...but it just added to the adventure.)
Once at the cave site- they gave us helmets and wet suits- we then walked about 1/2 mile to the cave entrance
the water in the cave is cold...but once you are in the water within one minute I was very comfortable, thanks to the wet suits.
The water is very calm....and without the lights that were on our helmets it would be pitch black! I thought I would be uncomfortable about being underground in a small place....but never once did I feel any panic. (well, maybe once when the tour guide had us turn off our helmet lights....creepy quiet and dark)
(Danny and I kept saying to each other...they would never let us do this in the States)
We were in the caves about 90 minutes.
(walking and swimming in the river....and a little diving/kissing. =)
They don't let you take your camera in with you...the cave pictures are from our guide.
( If you want at the end of the tour you can buy a CD with the picture from your tour on it...kind of pricey)
After the cave tour...they took us back to the center where we changed into dry clothes and had lunch...don't expect much....kind of a so/so lunch....but the cave tour was so magical, floating in crystal clear fresh water was beyond awesome! and talk about beautiful!
I want to do this again!
After lunch we headed back to Playa Del Carmen...more on that later.
Happy Day-
(I documented a lot about our trip on my Instagram feed....our resort gave us a coupon to use at picaboo for a complimentary custom photo book...I plan to use all the picture from Instagram.)
As part of Sandi's birthday celebration we decided to go on a Biking adventure. We loaded up our bikes and headed for the coast.
Our first stop was Carmel by the sea....for a little shopping. (first comes shopping then biking =)
The weather was beautiful! We spent a couple hours just walking around taking in the sites.
Following shopping...We started our bike ride at Lovers Point on the Pacific Coast bike trial. We then spent a few hours biking...at a very happy pace =)
I'm not sure how far we biked...but it was a blast. (the only mishap- I ran into a bush....taking pictures while riding a bike looking backwards is never a good idea. =)
We also ventured into new territory; ended up in Carmel Valley looking for vintage doors from France....which we found... along with a whole lot of other amazing things! Jan de Luz
My Blog began in 2005- I write about "whatever" I am doing- about my husband (Danny) and our 5 grown children and grandchildren. I write about the things I love...from creating a new room to playing with my grand-kids...I share my blessings and my testimony about my Mormon Faith.{The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints} I love finding ways to be happy and enjoy the blessings I've been given....come what may.....Happy Day
