Comfort Suites San Clemente

... thus far:<br><br>We'll be starting in Lake Elsinore where we'll be renting our car and starting travel no later than 10 am! Our first stop will be in northern Cali! A place called Sonoma Coast State Beach! It's right on the ocean and rumor has it that during the winter whales and elephant seals migrate and can be spotted here. There will probably be a stop in San Fran to see the sights as well but we'll play that by ear. (Keep in mind the places I'm saying are just to get us from ...

... countertops, nice beds. Master bath is killer. But we're hot. It's going to be tough to sleep tonight. We walked down the hill (and it's quite a hill) to check out the beach. After sauntering down the pier and watching the surfers and the lifeguards... well, Taylor (our 15-year-old daughter) is going to be sorry she didn't come when she sees the pictures! Plus, there's Navy guys all over. Nice :)

... but who's got time to waste on something like that? Island Grill 500 S Bayfront Newport Beach, CA 92662 (949) 673-1186 First review!?! You gotta be shittin' me! I've been coming here forever, but yesterday I was particularly impressed with their carnitas torta. For the price I was expecting it to be teeny, but it was huge and meaty. Not too greasy either. $5-$10 per person. Not worth a trip, but if you're nearby it's a good choice. 4 stars.

... especially in the last couple of weeks. I'd say that my heart is full of friendship and love from so many people- and now I'm leaving them all. I didn't expect to hesitate in going because of the amazing friendships I realize that I have here. But, all is well.. the donations are going to be shipped off tomorrow. And btw, people have been SO generous with the donations. We'll be bringing two huge boxes of beads, string ...

... the bar who asked me if I knew of a Fergburger in Queenstown. Did I ever. Five minutes later and I'd got a piece of paper stuffed in my pocket with a personal message to the manager of Ferg 'from the gang at the Bare Back Grill' I promised I'd pass it on. Apparently, San Diego's 'bare back' menu is modelled on Ferg's recipes and has proved to be a huge success. We sampled an animal of a burger ...

If you've ever seen the recent popular american tv show ''The OC'', this place looks exactly like the beach side in many of the scenes. Many popular surf shops nearby like Billabong and Hurley, a long peir streching out over the water with restaurants and stores on the end, expensive parkinglots close to the shore, tonnes of people tanning surfing and playing in the sand, and large sidewalks on the beach to walk, skateboard, jog, bike and inline skate on.

Well, we are about to start planning for my first independent trip overseas. I am more excited than I have probably ever been. There is a very good possibility that either Bill or I will wind up in jail, or kidnapped by drug bandits, or lost in Patagonia. Whichever one it is I will be sure to take pictures and write about it.

... all the hand prints of alotta stars are, am not sure why.... does anyone know?? wellwe took some pics, there were some cool hand prints and both myself and ruth were a tad giddy when we saw mr johnny depps, i have pics!!! after a neat lunch of burrito's and smoothies we jumped on another bus, man we were making the most of our day bus tix and we headed to another side of town to that famous music venue 'whisky a go go' and the legendary 'viper room ...

Hey, I was thinking about how much I should go into in terms of what I say, but then I realised that this is as much for me to read when I get back as for you guys to follow my travels. So I have decided to write openly in future about anything that happens no matter how embarrising, because its what happens. Note this is also a Warning about the following entry and photos..only look if you dare! I have Left Hawaii and arrived in LA. Im currently in Santa Monica ...

... water show (stunning), the Mirage where Al doubled his money at the Black Jack table in the middle of the afternoon and the Venetian for more shopping and a romantic meal by the 'canal' in the shopping centre under the fake painted sky that changed colour. We also saw lots of free shows around Caesars. After two nights we drove down to Williams for the night in order to go to the Grand Canyon the next day. It was my special day so it was extra ...