Day 13

I write this post thoroughly wiped out and thoroughly satisfied.

Having yet another day off in San Diego, I decided today was a day of up and at em exploration. I did some research last night and found my perfect itinerary.

I set out at 10 AM, with two adventure companions, for the bus stop near the hotel. We bought our all day bus pass and tried to blend in with the locals. We failed quickly because they were all either sleeping or quietly listening to their iPods, while we were a giggle with excitement. It took us two buses and about an hour and 45 minutes to get downtown, but we made it! We snuck into a Starbucks to ask for directions (and get a treat of course) then headed down toward the water. The sun was shining, beating down on my bare shoulders...I was in heaven.

We walked along the water until we got to the Seaport Village. Lots of little shops and eateries...but I did not want to linger long...I had better things to see :)

My main plan was to hop a ferry to Coronado Island...and hop we did! By this time the sun had vanished and the clouds brought the chill. Not so ideal for the sundress I was sporting, but hey, it was better than any Feb. weather back east! We sat on top of the ferry, to get the full effect and chugged over to the island. Our short ride came complete with a sea lion sighting! There were a cute little huddle of them lazing on the bottom of a buoy. Once on the island we hopped on another bus and headed to my mecca of the day. The famous Hotel Del Coronado (simply referred to as "The Del" by the locals). "Some Like it Hot", the best movie EVER, was filmed there and when I walked in the front doors can I just say "Zow-ie!" It was brilliant. We walked around the outside first, to the beach, so I could take some pictures from the angle I remembered from the movie. We finally made our way to the front and into the gorgeous lobby. All dark wood, and sparkly chandeliers...thick oriental rugs and heavy furniture...I felt like I had stepped back in time. It. Was. Swanky. I got to pose in the old see through metal elevator with the elevator operator (I didn't know they still had those!) for a nice photo op. (Everyone in San Diego is super nice by the way...) After taking MANY pictures and trying to channel Marilyn, Tony and Jack...we made our way to my second favorite landmark of the day. On a very quiet, unassuming street, in a quaint little yellow house there once was a man named L. FRANK BAUM! Yes...I got to see the house where the Wizard of Oz was written people! Someone actually lives there, but I ran up to the front steps and got a quick snapshot before running back to the sidewalk... Their front door mat said "Ding-Dong" with two striped stockinged feet poking out so I figured we were in the right place :)

I was star struck by buildings today. My companions were dolls for humoring my very specific schedule. I forgot to mention our wonderful Mexican lunch in between wanderings. We stumbled into a darling little place and I chowed on some fish tacos, a CA specialty apparently. I had worked up such an appetite at the Del that I et em all. We also got some ice cream at Moo Time, a highly recommended old timey ice cream parlor, after visiting Frank's house. By this time some of the other gang had come to the island so we met them at the beach to watch the sunset. Well, because of the clouds there wasn't much of a sunset, but you could see some pink and purple glimmers through the gloom. Our show's TD came to visit from D.C. and met us back at the Del (YAY I got to go back!) It was all lit up in the dark, so of course I had to take more pictures. The rest of the group grabbed a drink in the fancy bar, but I lurked around in dark corners trying to find things I recognized from the movie. The TD was able to fit everyone in his rental car, so we didn't have to make the hour and 45 minute bus ride back to the hotel. While sitting in the car I looked over my purchases of the day. Some little hair barrettes that had hand painted "caroline" in baby pink with little skull and cross bones on each side...bought at the Seaport Village for $3...a MUST have. And a Del Coronado magnet with a still of Marilyn during the filming of Some Like it Hot.

I am pleased as punch with my purchases, my company, and my day. I am also tuckered out and would like the billion of teenagers at the pool to hush so I can go to sleep soon.

Tomorrow night is our next show...what is it called again? Oh right...its that thing I get paid to do. I am excited for it actually...it is bound to be a great one with all this fun filled time we have had :)

XO.