SAN DIEGO VACATION // PART TWO.

TUESDAY: We left our one hotel and had a while before we could check in at the Bahia Resort (Which, was the reason we went to San Diego. We found a GroupOn deal to stay there for $100/night and could not pass it up). We ended up grabbing lunch at Local Habit. I had the braised pork shoulder po'boy and it was phenomenal. 

After lunch, we went to the hotel to see if we could check in early and they were super accommodating  The view from our room was obscene. We had a Bayview room and it was gorgeous.  The Bahia has a private beach on Mission Bay so we went and laid out for a while and then we rented a peddleboat - which maybe wasn't the best decision.

For dinner, we went to Bernini's Bistro in La Jolla. And I pigged out. I had a pasta dish with salmon and red sauce - something I had never seen before. But, it was delicious and the fish was fresh. For dessert, I had some tiramisu cake. And I didn't have to share since Mike can't eat it. Sorry, man, but I'm not sorry.

WEDNESDAY: Beach Day! We had breakfast at the hotel and then we went down to Mission Beach. Mike flew a kite while I laid and read my book. The weather was gorgeous and it was so relaxing. We grabbed a few drinks at a nearby bar and then walked back to the hotel - because it was within walking distance. 

We went to the hotel pool and drank and just relaxed -- which is exactly what I've been needing lately.

Then, we started to get ready for our nice dinner at Local Prime. We knew they had a Gluten-Free menu, but they also offered a 5-course Tasting with wine pairings. Mike called and asked if there was anyway they would do it GF and they were more than happy to.

The food was amazing. It was 5 courses with "special surprises" - which included a bacon wrapped date stuffed with goat cheese. The wines paired perfectly with the foods. And the restaurant sat on the harbor with a beautiful view of the water. We were there for three hours and every dish that came out, we could not believe how delicious it was. 

Unfortunately, I kept wiggling around in my seat because I got a sunburn. On my butt. Only me. 

THURSDAY: I was miserable from my sunburn and neither of us wanted to leave. Mike kept asking if I wanted to stay another day to heal, but mostly so he could hang out on the beach and leave me alone in the hotel room. It was a great trip, but I was ready to go home.

I could not have asked for a better trip and I'm so glad I got to share it all with Mike. WARNING - MUSHY STUFF AHEAD. Honestly, everyday I am so thankful I have him in my life and I get to share these experiences with him.

And, now, I'm just excited to head to Vegas next month. 

In West Philadelphia, Born and Raised or In Other Words: My Trip to Philly

I took the Megabus into Philly on Monday from DC. It's a 3 hour ride- so not terrible. And for $4 - it was great. 

My first obstacle was the subway station. I had to find it. I had to figure out how to pay (And tokens? Really?) and then I had to figure out how to get to where i'm going. I won't lie - I am directionally impaired. 

I got to my hotel, checked in, and showered and I asked a few people where I should eat. Most people recommended National Mechanics, but it was packed for a Monday night and I ended up at Mac's Tavern, which is owned by the cast of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. And the food was phenomenal. I had the Sweet Dee turkey BLT and I never wanted to stop eating.

This was the view from my hotel room - I could see the cemetery where Ben Franklin is buried. My hotel was awesome - right next to everything I wanted to see.

The next morning was all about tourist attractions. And I was so lucky to have my hotel right next to everything. My room actually faced the cemetery where Ben Franklin is buried. So, I did the Independence Hall tour, saw congress Hall, and the Liberty Bell.

The room where the Constitutional Convention was held. That is George Washington's original Rising Sun chair.

Independence Hall.

The Liberty Bell.

I went to this place for lunch and had another amazing sandwich. It was called Khyber Pass Pub and my sandwich was amazing. And the Mac and cheese. I was in a food coma. 

I really wanted to see the second national bank, but it was closed on Tuesdays, so I went to the National Constitution Center. It was pretty cheesy and I wasn't super impressed. But, I paid the extra to see the Prohibition exhibit and that was well worth it.

The Second National Bank.

My boy - Alexander Hamilton.

The American Spirits exhibit. 

For dinner. I went to Continental, another place that was suggested to me. I had the Sourpuss martini - way too sweet for me. And then I had the cheesesteak eggroll and it was perfect. 

I walked to Paddy's - the one that It's Always Sunny is based on and had a few beers. And I was highly impressed you could smoke in there. 

My biggest complaint about Philly, aside from the subway, is that the street names are never visible. My biggest problem getting around was that I'd get to an intersection and there were no street names. 

Otherwise, it's a food heaven and a history nerd's dream. I can't wait to go back to see all the things I missed and eat more food. 

Vacation Recap - Washington D.C.

View of the National Mall from the Lincoln Memorial. The trees were gorgeous.

I got in on Friday night and somehow ended up on the wrong train, but I still got into DC. Only me. I met up with my friend that I was staying with and we got dinner. Then, we walked past the White House, to say good night to Barry.

White House at night.

The next day, I walked around the National Mall, seeing all the monuments. Except for Thomas Jefferson's, but does anyone need to see that? I had Mexican food, which I was super apprehensive about because Arizona has legitimate Mexican food. But, it wasn't terrible. And the sangria was delicious.

Lincoln.

The Capitol. It's HUGE.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.

The Supreme Court building, which is currently undergoing renovation. 

The FDR memorial - which was probably my favorite.

Then we went to the National Portrait Gallery. My favorite part was all the Presidents. And Hamilton's portrait. 

I met up with another friend and we grabbed some drinks before walking to see the monuments at night. I'm so disappointed that my phone died because it was beautiful. The World War II memorial was so gorgeous at night.

Lincoln at night was my favorite. And the view of the Washington Monument from the steps was gorgeous. 

That night, I also met the love of my life. He was drunk, wearing an American flag outfit and cowboy boots, and he had a huge hickey on his neck. Classy. He asked if I wanted to go to Maryland with him and I regret it. 

The next day, I went to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History - which was awesome. They had an exhibit of the inaugural gowns and I saw Kermit. 

Then I walked next door to the Smithsonian Natural History Museum to see dinosaurs - my favorite thing about museums. 

I had some drinks next to the IRS building and then met back up with my friend. I really wanted to see the Air and Space museum, but I was exhausted by that point. 

DC is beautiful. I lucked out with the weather. It was perfect walking around weather all weekend - not too cold, not too hot. 

And, I didn't get lost on their metro. 

All in all, I loved DC and I'm a little bummed I haven't ever been before. I can't wait to go back and see everything I missed.