Ah, yes, leaving LA, headed for San Diego...We slogged our way south on the freeway(s) and found ourselves near Downtown Disney near lunchtime so we decided to stop since we knew the area and knew the restaurants to be decent. We ate at Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria. Very good food and we sat outside for maximum people watching opportunities. Fun!
In San Diego we stayed at the Embassy Suites which was conveniently located on the corner of the SD Harbor and Downtown. Great views and we could walk just about everywhere--which we did!
Friday...
We got into the car today and drove to Coronado for lunch on the beach at the Hotel Del Coronado. Love this place! One day we'll stay here in one of the rooms with an ocean front view, fire pit, hot tub...
The evening sent us to Petco Park for the first of three games of the A's vs. the Padres. We were already in the area so we decided to get to the game very early. We watched batting practice from the park in center field and then from the bleacher seats when they let us into the stadium at 5:00p. Adam and Daniel each got batting practice balls which made them very happy! The A's won the game so we all ended up happy. Only downside: the stadium giveaway that night was a baseball cap commemorating Negro League baseball. The people behind us stole three of our hats! While I can't in any way compare our experiences this series to the god-awful Dodger fans we encountered last series...dudes, you stole our kids' hats!!!
Saturday...
Living the life of big-city people. Got up, walked to lunch (remember, we're not breakfast people), then walked to a movie. We (finally) saw Star Trek. Even though it was on a small-format screen, we all loved it! I want to see it again! After that we ambled over to the ballpark and watched the A's win the second game of the series. Not only that, we happened upon A's players Orlando Cabrera and Jason Giambi arriving to the ballpark for the game. Later, the kids got more batting practice balls and autographs from Adam Kennedy and Andrew Bailey. Love "living" in the big city! For those who haven't been, Petco Park is awesome and the redeveloped Gaslamp District is even more so!
Sunday...
Put Matthew on a plane back home today so he could get home for his first day on his summer job (camp counselor and song leader). I escorted Matt to the gate, waited until the plane left the gate, and then left to catch the rest of the A's-Padres game to join the rest of the family. But, soon after I left the airport, I received text messages from Matt that his plane was delayed because they didn't have a part necessary to start the engine. Oops! It ended up that he had to exit the plane and wait in the gate area for another plane. What a godsend cell phones are! It meant that I was never worried because I was in constant contact with him and also because I trust his instincts. He left an hour or so late and arrived with no complications. Once all was settled with Matthew, I arrived to join the rest of the family at the game in the 8th inning just in time to see the A's lose. Oh well, at least we took the series... As for the other boys, though there was no batting practice on Sunday (so not batting batting practice balls to be caught), Adam and Daniel got signatures from pitchers Brad Ziegler and Brett Anderson before the game.
Monday...
Back on the road again and headed once again to Mandalay Bay. We hit Orange County around lunchtime but decided to hit our car snacks and push on for a late lunch in Oxnard rather than stop en route. We arrived at our hotel at 2:38. Lunch stopped serving at 2:30. Bummer! But, luckily, we found a take out place by the pool so all was well plus we have a great room overlooking the ocean...
Home tomorrow...the boys are happy. Adam's baseball team made the TOC (Tournament of Champions) which he has missed most of because we've been gone (bad parents!). His only hope of playing in the tournament was if his team won the first three games...which they did! So he gets to play on Wednesday (and perhaps beyond if they continue to win) and he is so happy! Also, Daniel made all-stars for his league which begins soon so he will get to play post-season as well! Yay, more baseball!
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