san diego: the fun stuff

my recent work trip to san diego was as successful as a work trip can be, but let's just talk about the fun stuff, shall we?

after my friday morning mani/pedi, i packed my 100 pound suitcase (if it's not getting weighed, i just don't know where to stop) and loaded the bike on the back of the car to make the hour and a half drive south.  the first miracle of the trip was that it was actually and hour and a half, free of the usual slow-downs that plague this particular stretch of freeway.

i arrived at the hotel (one of my favorites) a little too early to check-in, so headed downstairs for lunch.  almost immediately after i had finished my meal i got the call that my room was ready and checked in to my beautiful corner king, with views of coronado.  then it was time to don the swimsuit and head to the pool.

a couple hours later, my co-workers julie and sam were finished with the conference service project and joined me poolside before heading to dinner and calling it an early night.

saturday found me up early and cruising the promenade to the hyatt down the strip for booth setup, which went quickly and well. and then it was time for more sun!  julie and sam had headed to coronado for some beach time, and since i haven't been at the beach all summer, i decided it was high time!

we landed at silver strand state beach where the water is filled with flecks of 'gold'.  a little research informed us that it was actually mica that had migrated from the mountains of mexico, and it made for a really uniqye experience.  what also made this beach trip stand apart is that i got in the water.

i know that doesn't seem like a big deal, but for a girl who grew up going to the atlantic ocean, the pacific is downright freezing.  in the almost six years i've lived in california, i've only ever been in the pacific one time. and learned my lesson!  but, the day was really hot, and the water just enough further south to make it bearable, and refreshing even.

we enjoyed the water and were eventually joined by my friend and former co-worker, vicki, who came down to see us all while the girls were in from various parts of the country.  we played with jade, who i haven't seen since shortly after she was born, and were impressed by just how fearless she is.  the water didn't bother her at all, even when she ended up with a mouthful of it.  and i was grateful to see that vicki has not turned in to an overly paranoid mom who wants to shelter their children from every tiny little irritation (i have little tolerance for those moms i'm afraid).

about an hour after vicki arrived, we decided to head back to the hotel for pool time and dinner, but shortly after i had pulled out of the parking lot, i got a call from vicki saying that her car wouldn't start.  i turned around and after an attempted jump, then a wait for a tow truck, we finally said our farewells when i dropped her off with friends, who would take the second leg of the 'get vicki back home' driving tour.

it was more of an adventure than any of us had bargained for, but mostly a disappointment because it cut our time short.  nonetheless, it was great to see her, if only briefly.

the rest of the trip was filled with work, good food, work, some more pool time, enjoying the work commute on my bicycle, discovering that my bicycle needs a tune-up and some re-aligning, and more good food.  all in all, a very successful long weekend!