We spent everyday of the first week at the beach and ate out occasionally. We found a local pizza place that we enjoyed, a local Chinese place (a staple for sure), and for me a local brewery and wine bar. It was not as if I would sneak out on the kids for an evening cocktail; however, when I needed to unwind from thoughts of Brady, I retreated to either my local brewery or wine bar. The Gas Light District in San Diego also had plenty to offer, and we would frequent it often throughout the summer.
In the second week, Isabella decided that she wanted to visit the San Diego Zoo. This was amenable to Liam and I, so we went on Tuesday. It seemed like a good day to meander slowly and catch the best of what the zoo had to offer, as most people besides mother's without jobs would be at work. No summer vacations/breaks for the weary. I can remember distinctly how hard it was to get Brady to even take a week off from his job. He enjoyed it, and it provided for a wonderful living for me and the kids.
The zoo lived up to expectations. As they always said in the movies, "Lions and Tigers and Bears, oh my"! We even had a decent meal there and it took us from opening until 6:00 PM that evening to catch all the attractions, brief seminars and the animals, of course.
We decided to go out to eat to the Cheesecake Factory that evening; one of my household's favourites. We have a system that may seem uncanny, but now that I have let out the secret, I feel sure that others will be doing it. At the Cheesecake Factory, you eat your desired dessert first. This way, if you have leftovers from your meal, there is plenty of ways to reheat the item(s) to your satisfaction. Cheesecake in the fridge overnite; however, just does not have that same, fresh taste, the next day.
Retreating to the patio once again, we would spend just about every nite there in the evenings at what I called "Casa Amor", or "House of Love". It would become my Italian Villa of Love for the summer, and perhaps many more to come.
Thursday, September 4, 2014
I was able to score a beach rental for the summer at a costly, but not unfair price. I had paid for three months, and because of the length of my stay, the owner cut me a break. I had shared with him a little about my story and why I needed a beach rental, and he felt sympathy for me; cutting the price by thirty-three percent since I would pay in advance for the entire summer.
We arrive at the home on the corner of I Avenue and 7th Street early the next morning to meet the owner. Silvio was raised near the Tuscan Region of Italy and had immigrated to the United States at eighteen. Not unlike many, he came with ten dollar in his pocket, started a business and became an American homegrown millionaire. If you have ever read the book, "The Millionaire Next Door", this was Silvio. He owned a butcher shop, he explained; and had expanded to seven locations in thirty years in the business. His wife, Maria, had been an interior designer after raising their three children and did well herself. Along the way, they had bought several homes at deep discounts with cash in the several downturns in the real estate market near Coronado Beach, and hence; did well in their investments and there business.
After touring the home with Maria and having had her give a brief history of the home and its amenities, it was time to move our things in for the summer. Liam was the first to be unpacked and fully ready with a bathing suit on. He stood in the kitchen drinking a water, impatiently waiting on the "ladies" to unpack. After about another fifteen minutes, Isabella and I donned our suits and gathered a few items to eat and the necessary items like sunscreen and we ban walking toward Coronado Beach.
Typically rated one of the top beaches in America, it is not as heavily commercialized as one might think. The price of the real estate for the summer, and hence the affluence of the people who frequent keep the "riff-raff" out. Over time, the beach population has gained in numbers of course, as the rating has increased, but the normal crowd still flocks in each year expecting things to be mainly unchanged.
We stayed the afternoon at the beach until 5:00 PM the first day; not wanting ti wear ourselves out, and then retreated to our Italian Villa for some dinner. Liam had stated it was his nite to cook. A short trip to the store was in order, and then it would be London Broil, asparagus, cous cous, and red-skinned potatoes cut into steak fries for dinner. A long winter's nap, or summer's nap I guess, and some discussion beforehand on the patio before bed was in order.
We arrive at the home on the corner of I Avenue and 7th Street early the next morning to meet the owner. Silvio was raised near the Tuscan Region of Italy and had immigrated to the United States at eighteen. Not unlike many, he came with ten dollar in his pocket, started a business and became an American homegrown millionaire. If you have ever read the book, "The Millionaire Next Door", this was Silvio. He owned a butcher shop, he explained; and had expanded to seven locations in thirty years in the business. His wife, Maria, had been an interior designer after raising their three children and did well herself. Along the way, they had bought several homes at deep discounts with cash in the several downturns in the real estate market near Coronado Beach, and hence; did well in their investments and there business.
After touring the home with Maria and having had her give a brief history of the home and its amenities, it was time to move our things in for the summer. Liam was the first to be unpacked and fully ready with a bathing suit on. He stood in the kitchen drinking a water, impatiently waiting on the "ladies" to unpack. After about another fifteen minutes, Isabella and I donned our suits and gathered a few items to eat and the necessary items like sunscreen and we ban walking toward Coronado Beach.
Typically rated one of the top beaches in America, it is not as heavily commercialized as one might think. The price of the real estate for the summer, and hence the affluence of the people who frequent keep the "riff-raff" out. Over time, the beach population has gained in numbers of course, as the rating has increased, but the normal crowd still flocks in each year expecting things to be mainly unchanged.
We stayed the afternoon at the beach until 5:00 PM the first day; not wanting ti wear ourselves out, and then retreated to our Italian Villa for some dinner. Liam had stated it was his nite to cook. A short trip to the store was in order, and then it would be London Broil, asparagus, cous cous, and red-skinned potatoes cut into steak fries for dinner. A long winter's nap, or summer's nap I guess, and some discussion beforehand on the patio before bed was in order.
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Once finished with our flight, and Grand Canyon National Park, we found a place to lodge for the evening and tomorrow we would make the trip into California. It would be an easy run across I-40 for most of the way and then South for a few hours upon reaching California.
The drive had been as fun and as calm as I could never have imagined. It seemed as if Isabella and Liam were enjoying every step of the way, every leg of travel, every hotel and outing that I had planned. Somehow, I just knew in my heart that the next twelve weeks were going to be days, weeks, and certainly; a summer to remember.
Coronado Beach is close to San Diego, California, so there would be plenty to do in the evenings in addition to the beach. It has a lot to offer like the zoo, and other attractions. While the beauty of the California beaches would be our main focus for the summer, we would have a plan for the next twelve weeks; each week, for something fun and educational to do. So far, I had even done an excellent job in providing the children with a history lesson here and there. The Oklahoma City bombing, the Arch in St. Louis, the history of baseball, the Indian Tribe responsible for the Skywalk...all of this was adding to the value of the plans I put in motion.
We arrived at Coronado Beach about dinner time. We had stopped for a small bite of lunch earlier in the day around 1:00 PM, but it was now nearing 6:00 PM, and we were all famished. We did it! We had trekked nearly three-thousand miles in a matter of days en route to our beach destination for the summer.
I was hungry for Mexican that evening, so I pulled the "trump card" or the "longest straw"; so to speak, and we pulled into the parking lot of Miguel's Cocina. My favorite are the Enchilladas, as is Isabella's, and Liam usually just gets something with flaming steak that comes to the table at about five-hundred degrees. We were careful to eat every morsel that evening, and wasted no time.
After dinner, we would stay one nite in a hotel before checking in to our beach house for the summer. The Hotel Coronado is possibly one of the most historic hotels on the West coast, and it is definitely a prized location in California.
We all retreated to our rooms, and would sleep soundly until we were ready to get up. Somehow, I just knew that Liam and Isabella would awake not long after sunrise, brimming with excitement for the place that I had picked to be our home for the summer.
The drive had been as fun and as calm as I could never have imagined. It seemed as if Isabella and Liam were enjoying every step of the way, every leg of travel, every hotel and outing that I had planned. Somehow, I just knew in my heart that the next twelve weeks were going to be days, weeks, and certainly; a summer to remember.
Coronado Beach is close to San Diego, California, so there would be plenty to do in the evenings in addition to the beach. It has a lot to offer like the zoo, and other attractions. While the beauty of the California beaches would be our main focus for the summer, we would have a plan for the next twelve weeks; each week, for something fun and educational to do. So far, I had even done an excellent job in providing the children with a history lesson here and there. The Oklahoma City bombing, the Arch in St. Louis, the history of baseball, the Indian Tribe responsible for the Skywalk...all of this was adding to the value of the plans I put in motion.
We arrived at Coronado Beach about dinner time. We had stopped for a small bite of lunch earlier in the day around 1:00 PM, but it was now nearing 6:00 PM, and we were all famished. We did it! We had trekked nearly three-thousand miles in a matter of days en route to our beach destination for the summer.
I was hungry for Mexican that evening, so I pulled the "trump card" or the "longest straw"; so to speak, and we pulled into the parking lot of Miguel's Cocina. My favorite are the Enchilladas, as is Isabella's, and Liam usually just gets something with flaming steak that comes to the table at about five-hundred degrees. We were careful to eat every morsel that evening, and wasted no time.
After dinner, we would stay one nite in a hotel before checking in to our beach house for the summer. The Hotel Coronado is possibly one of the most historic hotels on the West coast, and it is definitely a prized location in California.
We all retreated to our rooms, and would sleep soundly until we were ready to get up. Somehow, I just knew that Liam and Isabella would awake not long after sunrise, brimming with excitement for the place that I had picked to be our home for the summer.
Monday, September 1, 2014
One more stop and then finally a ten hour drive into California. Grand Canyon National Park is where we would land. I had planned to take the children to both the park and the Skywalk over the Grand Canyon, as it was just a few years prior to our trip that it was built. Logistics would determine which we would venture to first, and the surprise for this detour was one of great measure. I would charter a plane and fly us thru the Grand Canyon.
We decided to go to the Skywalk first. The images alone from this point are unimaginable; they have to be seen with your own eyes to believe them. As we gazed over the expanse of the Grand Canyon and its floor, I wondered how I would ever regain the hole that was in my soul over the loss of Brady. It was like the pit, basin and vastness of the Canyon were equivalent to the depth and breadth in the pit of my own stomach and heart. As I cried, Isabella held me and said nary a word. She simply understood.
After wiping away the tears, Liam came to console me as well and gave me a hug that I knew all too well...it seemed as though he had the same embrace that his father did. Once I regained my personal composure I motioned for them to head back to the Suburban. We drove about thirty minutes down toward the bottom of the Canyon in order to arrive at the hanger. We chartered a plane that afternoon, and saw the Grand Canyon as many would like too, but so few have. At that very moment as we were in flight, I cried again but felt an uneasy, but steady calm feeling as somehow I knew Brady was with me on that plane. While ethereal, and unrealistic really; it seemed clear to me that I felt his presence in a very clear fashion that day. He was indeed; with me!
Upon landing, we drove to Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. We spent the day hiking and found a nice spot for a picnic lunch in the early afternoon. It was the kind of day that is so relaxing...the breeze in your face and hair slightly, but the warm sun on your back. I had made sandwiches on bagels, had a small serving of antipasto, some five bean salad in a lit vinaigrette, and some grapes. To go along with our grapes, I opened a bottle of Chambourcin; a grape that grows well in France and ironically the State of Maryland, and the kids had bottled water. I had needed a drink that day to calm my nerves, as the events leading up to this calm lunch in the National Park were more than even my antidepressants and my Abilify could handle.
We decided to go to the Skywalk first. The images alone from this point are unimaginable; they have to be seen with your own eyes to believe them. As we gazed over the expanse of the Grand Canyon and its floor, I wondered how I would ever regain the hole that was in my soul over the loss of Brady. It was like the pit, basin and vastness of the Canyon were equivalent to the depth and breadth in the pit of my own stomach and heart. As I cried, Isabella held me and said nary a word. She simply understood.
After wiping away the tears, Liam came to console me as well and gave me a hug that I knew all too well...it seemed as though he had the same embrace that his father did. Once I regained my personal composure I motioned for them to head back to the Suburban. We drove about thirty minutes down toward the bottom of the Canyon in order to arrive at the hanger. We chartered a plane that afternoon, and saw the Grand Canyon as many would like too, but so few have. At that very moment as we were in flight, I cried again but felt an uneasy, but steady calm feeling as somehow I knew Brady was with me on that plane. While ethereal, and unrealistic really; it seemed clear to me that I felt his presence in a very clear fashion that day. He was indeed; with me!
Upon landing, we drove to Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. We spent the day hiking and found a nice spot for a picnic lunch in the early afternoon. It was the kind of day that is so relaxing...the breeze in your face and hair slightly, but the warm sun on your back. I had made sandwiches on bagels, had a small serving of antipasto, some five bean salad in a lit vinaigrette, and some grapes. To go along with our grapes, I opened a bottle of Chambourcin; a grape that grows well in France and ironically the State of Maryland, and the kids had bottled water. I had needed a drink that day to calm my nerves, as the events leading up to this calm lunch in the National Park were more than even my antidepressants and my Abilify could handle.
As I drove, I looked in the rear-view mirror while sipping on a iced-caramel frappacino and wondered how long the children would sleep. I saw the large sign for Albuquerque and that meant that we were now less than ninety minutes away.
Enter Albuquerque, New Mexico. As I drove into town in the black Suburban, I saw heads turn as if I were the FBI rolling up for a sting operation. I suppose I get that more often than I realize, but today it was most noticeable. "Did they somehow know I was from out of town", I wandered? At any rate, as I pulled into a local restaurant and placed the Suburban in park, the children awoke.
We were all famished at this point and an early lunch at about 4:00 PM seemed appropriate. We had driven nearly nine hours that day.
Turtle Mountain Brewing Company would be the spot for lunch and then I had a surprise that started promptly at 7:05 PM. Any guesses? Calzones seemed like an appetizing choice and we all ended up ordering one. They are a bit more filling than pizza and I tend to enjoy the mountains of marinara enclosed. Isabella and Liam both had a hard time deciding, so we each ordered two and decided to take one along in a box for a snack at a later date.
Shortly after dinner, I took the kids downtown close to our evening excursion. Did anyone get the right answer? Isotopes Baseball! That's right; good ole baseball. Liam was a three-letter sportsman, so I knew without a doubt that he would enjoy the game. Bella; being the good sport that she is, would either enjoy the game as much as the rest of us, or at least act like she did. That is the way she was raised by Brady. We were; however, lucky enough to attend on an evening when they gave away hats to the first 5,000 fans and additionally had fireworks after the game. These things in combination; if nothing else, would make it memorable for Bella.
The Isotopes beat the pants off of the Las Vegas 51's that evening and from there it was just a short drive to the hotel. We stayed that evening at the Casas de Suenos hotel, an Inn of sorts with only twenty-one rooms. Quaint and quiet, it was like a Spanish lullaby wrapped in the accommodations of a hotel/inn as we laid down to sleep that evening.
Enter Albuquerque, New Mexico. As I drove into town in the black Suburban, I saw heads turn as if I were the FBI rolling up for a sting operation. I suppose I get that more often than I realize, but today it was most noticeable. "Did they somehow know I was from out of town", I wandered? At any rate, as I pulled into a local restaurant and placed the Suburban in park, the children awoke.
We were all famished at this point and an early lunch at about 4:00 PM seemed appropriate. We had driven nearly nine hours that day.
Turtle Mountain Brewing Company would be the spot for lunch and then I had a surprise that started promptly at 7:05 PM. Any guesses? Calzones seemed like an appetizing choice and we all ended up ordering one. They are a bit more filling than pizza and I tend to enjoy the mountains of marinara enclosed. Isabella and Liam both had a hard time deciding, so we each ordered two and decided to take one along in a box for a snack at a later date.
Shortly after dinner, I took the kids downtown close to our evening excursion. Did anyone get the right answer? Isotopes Baseball! That's right; good ole baseball. Liam was a three-letter sportsman, so I knew without a doubt that he would enjoy the game. Bella; being the good sport that she is, would either enjoy the game as much as the rest of us, or at least act like she did. That is the way she was raised by Brady. We were; however, lucky enough to attend on an evening when they gave away hats to the first 5,000 fans and additionally had fireworks after the game. These things in combination; if nothing else, would make it memorable for Bella.
The Isotopes beat the pants off of the Las Vegas 51's that evening and from there it was just a short drive to the hotel. We stayed that evening at the Casas de Suenos hotel, an Inn of sorts with only twenty-one rooms. Quaint and quiet, it was like a Spanish lullaby wrapped in the accommodations of a hotel/inn as we laid down to sleep that evening.
Sunday, August 31, 2014
After eating some wood-fired pizza; which was absolutely yummy, we got back on the open road. I had ordered a fresh, but satisfying Mediterranean pizza complete with meats, mushrooms and Kalamata olives. As usual, I told them to hold the onions. My children think I am crazy because I enjoy the flavoring that onions bring to a dish, but not the onions themselves.
While driving, we spotted license plates from different states. On our trip, we would identify all fifty; which is not at all uncommon, as we would drive nearly three-thousand miles to our destination. They had fun with it, and when we got to hard ones, I offered each of them a chance at a two-dollar bill if they could spell the state also. Think Massachusetts, not Utah. Maine and even Maryland were excluded, as they are just too easy for two teenagers with I.Q.'s above 160. They were definitely blessed with Brady's beautiful mind, and Liam additionally got the math portion.
It would still be nearly fifteen hours until the base of the Grand Canyon, so my plan was to layover in Albuquerque, New Mexico. They were comfortable traveling that far, and we had gotten a later start from Bricktown anyway. The history lesson pertaining to the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995 went over well, as I could see the sadness in my kid's eyes at the memorial.
At any rate, we stopped about every two hours to get a lite snack and lose some liquid that had been retained in our bladders. Liam was fond of candy and Isabella preferred healthier alternatives; which I was proud of. She in no way needed to lose weight, as she was a solid size six, and I hoped that she would be able to maintain her beautiful figure at least until children came along. Despite having a sweet tooth, Liam was careful with his dental hygiene practices, and had never had a cavity. Lucky chimp!
As we traveled across I-40W, both the children seemed to be dreaming; literally at times, of the summer that awaited them in "Sunny" California.
While driving, we spotted license plates from different states. On our trip, we would identify all fifty; which is not at all uncommon, as we would drive nearly three-thousand miles to our destination. They had fun with it, and when we got to hard ones, I offered each of them a chance at a two-dollar bill if they could spell the state also. Think Massachusetts, not Utah. Maine and even Maryland were excluded, as they are just too easy for two teenagers with I.Q.'s above 160. They were definitely blessed with Brady's beautiful mind, and Liam additionally got the math portion.
It would still be nearly fifteen hours until the base of the Grand Canyon, so my plan was to layover in Albuquerque, New Mexico. They were comfortable traveling that far, and we had gotten a later start from Bricktown anyway. The history lesson pertaining to the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995 went over well, as I could see the sadness in my kid's eyes at the memorial.
At any rate, we stopped about every two hours to get a lite snack and lose some liquid that had been retained in our bladders. Liam was fond of candy and Isabella preferred healthier alternatives; which I was proud of. She in no way needed to lose weight, as she was a solid size six, and I hoped that she would be able to maintain her beautiful figure at least until children came along. Despite having a sweet tooth, Liam was careful with his dental hygiene practices, and had never had a cavity. Lucky chimp!
As we traveled across I-40W, both the children seemed to be dreaming; literally at times, of the summer that awaited them in "Sunny" California.
I had purposefully planned for our second stop to be in Colorado. Brady had wanted to take me out West to see things like the Grand Canyon and Lake Mead and the smaller towns that the West was truly built on. This was absolutely something that I desired and deeply wanted to share with the children.
It would take us a total of three days and we would stop in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Albuquerque, New Mexico and finally arrive in Grand Canyon National Park.
Oklahoma City was a stop I had planned as sort of a history lesson. My children were young enough that they did not know much about the Oklahoma City bombing.
Today there is a memorial which commemorates not only the sadness of the event, but also is a dedication to those who "met their Lord" that day. I sometimes wonder if memorials are such a good idea. "Have we idolized the bomber and not the people who have lost their lives?", I thought. I shared that sentiment with the kids, and they pondered on that notion as well. Since cost was not going to be an issue this summer, we stayed at the Skirvin Hilton in Downtown Oklahoma City that evening.
We slept in that morning and checked out at 11:00 AM on the button. Despite it being too early for lunch, Isabella and Liam wanted pizza of all things. I had scanned the phone book the nite before and I had remembered one in Bricktown. Wedge Pizzeria was certainly an establishment that had been "on the map" in the Oklahoma City scene for quite some time. They offered many styles that came out of flaming wood-fired ovens. I immediately knew upon arrival that the kids would be pleased; and therefore, it was another "win" for Mom on our excursion toward our final destination for the summer.
It would take us a total of three days and we would stop in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Albuquerque, New Mexico and finally arrive in Grand Canyon National Park.
Oklahoma City was a stop I had planned as sort of a history lesson. My children were young enough that they did not know much about the Oklahoma City bombing.
Today there is a memorial which commemorates not only the sadness of the event, but also is a dedication to those who "met their Lord" that day. I sometimes wonder if memorials are such a good idea. "Have we idolized the bomber and not the people who have lost their lives?", I thought. I shared that sentiment with the kids, and they pondered on that notion as well. Since cost was not going to be an issue this summer, we stayed at the Skirvin Hilton in Downtown Oklahoma City that evening.
We slept in that morning and checked out at 11:00 AM on the button. Despite it being too early for lunch, Isabella and Liam wanted pizza of all things. I had scanned the phone book the nite before and I had remembered one in Bricktown. Wedge Pizzeria was certainly an establishment that had been "on the map" in the Oklahoma City scene for quite some time. They offered many styles that came out of flaming wood-fired ovens. I immediately knew upon arrival that the kids would be pleased; and therefore, it was another "win" for Mom on our excursion toward our final destination for the summer.
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