Short Travel Jaunts: Panama City, Panama : March 2015

Monday, March 23, 2015

Hearst Castle

On the road my first spot Hearst Castle.

Cambria Ca II

Cambria is a beautiful spot to spend the night in US 1. I had a great hotel but lousy WiFi, a terrace, fireplace and view...

Looking healthy and tanned...

I followed my mapquest toward the highway along the coast. Outside of Ventura, I took a road that lead to beach access and a road north. On this road for as far as the eye could see Mobile Homes lines the shoulder hugging the beach with the beautiful view. People with their flags out, beach chairs to relax in and some fishing the breaks. I drove this road until I hit a dead end due to construction. I had to find my way back to US 1.

Sunday, March 22, 2015

The drive begins.....

I dropped the girls off to school in what was an emotional moment for me, I was do sad after they left.and I planned to see them more. We gather in front of the house to take our last photo in front if what will be their old house.

Say Grammy

The Granddaughters: Day 1

I can't believe I overslept! I have a 6:30 flight on JetBlue Mint Class which means I need to get to the airport at 5 am no later! I did not fall asleep until 12:30 am and needed to take an Ambien. My alarm was set for 3:30 but I slept right through the noise and woke up at 4:15. My car was picking me up at 4:30 for the drive to JFK. I called the service and told them I would be 15 minutes late.

I showered, shaved and dressed and make it out at 4:45. I got to the airport in plenty of time. But with 3 1/2 hours sleep was exhausted.

The uneventful flight allowed me to rest a bit. I got out of the airport and got the shuttle to Dollar Car Rental where I had to reissue my express number. I use to use Dollar all the time visiting my family in Florida but not in a couple of years.

The map quest direction to Lilly and Fred's house were great. Actually, I arrived hours early but proceeded to find their Target and do some AMEX loads. I picked up a nice shopping of the girls favorite cereal. I got something to snack on at the bagel place which was not half bad, a coffee at Starbucks and a pedicure and manicure.

Time to drive to the house. I found the house easy but no one looked home. I decided to go to the school to attempt to pick the girls up. I asked the across the street neighbor and she gave me directions. I found the school, parked the car and asked a teacher who showed me where the girls get out.

I waited looking at the children's face to see if I could spot one of the girls. I had my Panama Hat on and knew if they saw it they would know it is me. Finally, Layla looked my way with the rest of the girls cluster around her as if she was seeing a mirage then came the stampede toward me. They clustered around me all 5 of them and hug and kissed me and asked "What are you doing here? "
I told them I took a wrong turn in Brooklyn and ended up here. We got in the car and spent a wonderful night at home.

Me and Kalli hamming it up.....

Thursday, March 19, 2015

The California Coast.....

My last drive that I have always wanted to take from La to San Francisco. A 550 mile journey up US 1 which is suppose to be one of the great drives in the world. A few years ago Bill and I did the Drive from San Francisco to Portland and it was a lot of fun. My first stop the Granddaughters.

LA from above..