Sunday, August 2, 2009

Las Vegas, NV to Newport Beach, CA

Ahhh a nice relaxing weekend at the beach - catching up with some family and some friends.

We left early Friday July 31, for the 4 hour drive from Las Vegas to San Clemente, where we are to meet the Naags' for lunch. It's been over 2 years since we last saw them in Coronado. We meet at the Beachfire Grill in the middle of San Clemente. Both are looking good and seem really happy. A bit sad Baden couldn't be there, but it sounds like it was good for them to get away without their son for an afternoon. Amy's brother joined us during lunch. Drew is staying with us at Newport for the weekend. After lunch the Naags' took us down to San Clemente Pier where we had drinks at Fisherman's Restaurant looking out over the ocean.

The drive up to Newport on the Pacific Coast Highway should have been a quick one but Friday afternoon traffic was slow and laborious. We checked in to the Hyatt, where we've stayed a few times before, and had a newly renovated room tucked in a corner in the Lido building. By the time we arrive Drew is not well and relaxes while Amy and I take in the pool. He is still too unwell to come to dinner with us, and we head off to Harborside Grill on the peninsula side of Newport. This is a favorite spot from last time we were here, and again the dinner was great, and the view - perfection - watch boats cruising between us and Balboa Island. Picked up some supplies for Drew on the way home.

Got up on Saturday and walked to Balboa Island for breakfast at Wilma's Patio. After breakfast we walked around the island a little bit, but Drew is getting sicker, so we head back to the hotel. Amy's a little worried so we stay close and camp out by the pool for the day. We were out there for about 7 hours (which has to be some sort of record for me). What a relaxing day, with just Amy, my iPod and an Esquire magazine to keep me entertained. Drew is still not well enough to come out for dinner again, but we head to Oysters in Corona Del Mar (at the recommendation of the Doorman) for dinner. This place was awesome. Food was soooo good! And the jazz trio just made for a perfect ambiance. I had a perfectly cooked rib-eye and Amy's halibut was just perfect. And the chocolate lava cake we split for desert was to die for. Originally I had booked a water-view restaurant, but I'm glad we changed our mind to eat here instead.

Drew is marginally better Sunday morning, but a trip to the urgent care is on the cards to make sure all is good. Doctor says the problem is viral and Drew is happy to continue resting and not worry about the prescription. We leave him at the hotel and head over to the beach. Parking is a nightmare but, Amy spots a secret space and we are set for an hour. The surf is kinda rough. 4-5 foot waves breaking right on the beach, and a rip just beyond the waves in an area too deep to stand. But it's just nice to be on the beach. Everyone is relaxed and having a great time - us included. I don't handle the sun as well as yesterday and we head back with the dreaded thought of packing and driving back to Vegas. Drew is well enough to come to lunch with us, and we head back to Corona Del Mar to Gulfsteam. Just lunch food, but everyone enjoyed their meals (shame we didn't wait for a table outside though). After lunch we packed the car and made the uneventful drive back to Vegas, making it back in good time. We left Drew behind as he flew out of Orange County on Monday morning.

As per usual, we didn't want to leave, but it was nice to get away from the Vegas heat and relax for the weekend.

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