Monday, February 9, 2015

Traveling ... Buddy-Style

Can it already be more than 30 years since I first met my buddy, Heidi? Yes, yes it can. Heidi was a toddler when she first met my husband. Their respective mothers shared a shaded front porch and a few cigarettes between conversations about diapers, bottles, and the wisdom of child-rearing. Fast forward to New Year's Eve 1982 and Jeff's party where our friendship began. Bridesmaid duties, weddings, babies, dogs, divorce, relocations, hot cocoa, travel, and grandchildren... we've been buddies through it all.


 
Hot Cocoa & Jameson in Dublin
 
 
 
Tripping Shore-side in Oahu
 
 
 
St. Patrick's Day in Walt Disney World
 
 
Anticipating a very big birthday for my buddy, I suggested (and coaxed, and pleaded, and begged) for a little cruise as our next adventure. YES!! And here's how it all went down...
 
There is no airport friendlier and easier to navigate than Long Beach Airport. There aren't a great deal of choices for eats, but the people here, including the TSA agents are truly the nicest people around.
 
 
 
 
No trip is complete for me without a cemetery along the way, and wouldn't you know there was one halfway between the airport and our breakfast destination?!?!
 
 
 
 
 
Bridges freak me out. It all started around the age of 7 when we were stuck on an open bridge on a rainy night near the port of San Pedro. Yikes... here's that bridge!
 
 
 
Safely Across!

 
 
Now, there's no better way to start a trip out of Long Beach than a visit to Roscoe's House of Chicken & Waffles. We met up with my niece Kristen and enjoyed the delectable goods prepared for us. If you are in the area, check them out at www.roscoeschickenandwaffles.com. A lot of folks don't understand the pairing, but it is scrumptious!  
 
 
 
 
We boarded the Crown Princess on a Monday afternoon for a 4-day whirlwind trip to Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico. The ship was absolutely beautiful and we had a blast exploring her from aft to stern and all the way up to Deck 19. Good food, good service, good entertainment, a lovely balcony, and all the fun that goes with a Princess Cruise (www.princess.com.)
 
 
 
 
Our first port of call was Catalina Island and the little city of Avalon. This tiny enclave is home to some of the cutest homes, shops, eateries, hotels, and adventures galore. Check out what Avalon has to offer at www.visitcatalinaisland.com.
 
 

 
You can rent bicycles or golf carts (very few cars are permitted on the island), kayak, parasail, tour the island by land or sea, or zipline through the canyons. We went for three adventures, count 'em three adventures! First came our tour of the island up to the very tippy-top where the little airport lands guests and local planes alike. They are serving up a few little cafĂ© items as well, and the very best cookies you've ever tasted. No joke!
 
 
 
 
Next we hopped into a semi-submersible (kind of like the Disneyland submarines) and floated around this quiet bay filled with marine life. Well... fish anyway.
 
 



Most surprising of all - Heidi wanted to Zipline. A last minute reservation was available through ECO-Zip Line Tours and www.visitcatalinaisland.com. For a mere $85 we were outfitted, instructed, shuttled, and zipped from platform to platform to platform. This screamingly amazing adventure kept us giggling from start to finish. Our guides, Jewels and Kris, were informative, entertaining, and safety-minded all the way. This was truly one of the most enjoyable escapades ever!




After a leisurely day at sea, we stopped in Ensenada, Mexico. This day became our "shopping for trinkets we really didn't need" day. Though we did enjoy a beer at Hussong's Cantina (est. 1882) in downtown Ensenada.




Quite a few "firsts" for my buddy this week. First cruise, first trip to Catalina, first trip to Ensenada, first time trying escargot, first time trying Baked Alaska, and first time nearing her 60th Birthday!!
 
Happy Birthday Buddy... and many many more.
 
Cheers,
Deb



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