Scottsdale, AZ

Based on events from: Monday, July 15, 2013 

Today was a test of patience! The day started off beautifully with a delicious breakfast with my friend, Elaine, in Newport Beach.  It was a wonderful visit catching up one-on-one at a cute little coffee shop in the marina.  Then, Dad and I were on the road again! This time, we stopped in Laguna Beach before heading to Arizona.  Laguna Beach is DEFINITELY an area of California I want to explore more in the future! We had just enough time, though, to stroll down the boardwalk and admire the gorgeous cliff views, blue ocean & beach! Just before heading out, we enjoyed a beer and lunch overlooking the beach at Laguna Beach Inn.  And then, our patience was tested. 

My car's air conditioning stopped working just before we entered the desert.  Very.  Bad.  Timing.  My care free Californian attitude got the best of us.  Lesson learned...I am NOT invincible, and I should not test this idea, especially when entering the desert.  I thought, this is actually just like the "old days" when people journeyed cross-country without air.  Dad agreed too, although, I don't know if he was too amused with the idea in the 116 degree heat ;)  Windows down, the breath-taking views of mountains all around us, helped us forget the problem at hand.  The little things made us happy-ice, water, ice cream and AC at the gas stations and hotel.  It's amazing how much ice cold water can cool you down when it's boiling outside! Aaaah! It tastes so delicious, too! 

We pulled into our hotel in Scottsdale, AZ very, very sweaty and smelly but ALIVE and happy! We enjoyed dinner with the owner of Dad's company and his wife who live in Scottsdale.  We had an enjoyable visit & dinner at Mimi's Restaurant just across the parking lot from our hotel! Ending the day with a glass of red wine and Mr. Goodbar was the perfect end to a challenging day! After getting the AC fixed tomorrow, I'm looking forward to exploring Arizona for the first time! 

Newport Beach, CA

What a FABULOUS first day on the road it has been! Mine & Dad's day started in Santa Monica, CA where we enjoyed a beautiful mass at Saint Monica Church and breakfast with my forever friend & roommate, Rebecca, at Brick & Mortar restaurant off Main Street in Santa Monica.  I even got a special visit from one of my newest & dearest friends, Jamie, who was one of my favorite co-workers at UCLA.  Work was fun when she and Hollie worked the vampire shift with me ;) I have been so blessed to have met such amazing friends throughout my year journey in California, friends that will last a lifetime! 

After leaving two peek holes to see out of the back window of my Mercury Mariner, Papa G and I started our journey down to Newport Beach, CA.  Here, we enjoyed a late lunch with my dear, college friend Elaine & her beautiful mother at Sabatino's.  Our visit together was filled with beautiful memories about Xavier days, new memories made in California and hopes of where both of our futures are going to take us.  Our lunch together was a perfect start to the journey! 

Dad & I then enjoyed a gorgeous sunset on Huntington Beach! The sunset over the pier & Pacific Ocean will never get old, no matter how many times I have seen it.  For me, today symbolized the end of one journey as a traveling nurse in California but the beginning of another journey as a research nurse in Cleveland.  People think I am crazy for moving back to Cleveland after living in beautiful, sunny and lively California, even Drew Carey commented to me, "What did Santa Monica do to you that you wanna move back to Cleveland?" Hahaha. Good one, Drew.  I didn't have the heart to tell him, I love California, but I love my family and friends in Cleveland more! Apparently, Cleveland is the new LA, or so I have been told ;)