…but first a stop in La Jolla ♥️
Our cat sitter, Teri arrived around 2:30 pm on Friday June 21 … we showed her around, introduced her to Fred and shortly thereafter our driver, Robert fetched us for the drive to the Fairfield Inn at JFK airport.
Freddy helped me pack, in as much as he draped himself over my clothes, leaving lots of hair samples, no doubt to insure that we won’t forget him while we are gone.
We did our best not to over pack. It was a challenge as we expect to experience three seasons over the next four weeks. The drive to the hotel was uneventful, which is the most anyone can hope for on the Long Island expressway, Cross Island and Belt Parkways. As you may remember, we like to stay at the airport the night before we fly, especially if we have a morning flight. Our preferred hotel for the past 15 years or so has been the JFK Fairfield Inn, primarily because of the great Mediterranean restaurant in the hotel. Upon arriving we were very disappointed to learn that the restaurant had closed. Like really disappointed. Especially disappointed after eating less than optimal Chinese take out. The best thing I can say about the meal is that it was delivered quickly. Whatever.
We set the alarm for 5:15 am, hopped on the 6:00 am shuttle, arriving at terminal 4 at 6:20 am amid ridiculous airport traffic. Beyond ridiculous. Anyway, we were grateful to have CLEAR, as it allowed us to bypass the long security lines…even the TSA Pre-check lines were lengthy. We were through security and in the Delta Sky Lounge by 6:45 am 😊.
Unlike the Delta lounge at LaGuardia, the JFK lounge was quite quiet. Timmy had a bagel, I had two croissants and we both had a couple of cappuccinos. We took a few selfies (because that’s who we are) and before we knew it, it was time to board.
We were scheduled to take off at 8:35 am and miracle of miracles we were pulling away from the gate at 8:36. The time stamp on this pic says 8:43 😊 We we’re glad to leave the steamy NY heat behind us.
Our fight was uneventful, save for breakfast … I choose the chia pudding…which I’d never had before…it was freaking delicious. I mean yummy. Sort of like tapioca. How have I managed to get this far in life and never tasted chia pudding? Anyway, we landed 40 minutes early, fetched the luggage and although we were so early, our driver, Stan was waiting for us. It’s a quick 15 minute drive from the airport to the Lodge at Torrey Pines. The last time that we stayed in La Jolla, we’d visited the Torrey Pines State Reserve, hiked the trails and enjoyed a lovely lunch at the Lodge. When we decided to take this voyage out of San Diego, I booked us two nights here…and I’m so glad I did. This resort is lovely. And the weather is perfick. 73 degrees 😊 (Heat wave? What heat wave?)
Our spacious room is on the fourth floor of the lodge overlooking the 18th green. Decor is California craftsman.
We lit the fireplace last evening and I must say it was very romantic.
As we entered the room, I said “Hey Timmy, stop…let me take a pic while everything is still perfick”.
18th green from our balcony.
After dropping our bags, we headed for brunch at the Grill, one of two restaurants here at the Lodge. The Bellinis were yummy, as was lunch.
Timmy had the Smoked Pork Chilaquiles…beyond amazing. We fell in love with breakfast chilaquiles in Puerto Vallarta where we spent the first three winters of our retirement.
After exploring the property, we spent the afternoon on our balcony.
Setting sun over the Pacific.
After sunset we headed back to the Grill for dinner. We started things off with a Tequilla Sunrise and Espresso Martini.
Timmy had the Smoked Kale Salad with Candied Bacon and I loved my Wood roasted vegetables with quinoa. …and an enormous order of onion rings, which were just about perfick. As was the evening…gentle breeze and very mild.
This dessert was a delightful surprise…some sort of dense chocolate heaven…compliments of Joshua, our waiter. Because why not? We’re on vacation 🩵
The resort is truly beautiful, I’m grateful that we have this time here before we board Serenity. Thanks for following us 🩵
