California...Take Two

I've been back for over a month but didn't want to go without documenting my second (7 day) trip out to California at the beginning of March. This go round was for the actual work meeting that I had been planning for the two months prior. After all of the time that goes into preparing for these meetings, I am always excited when the event is upon us. It's a nervous excitement...anxious to see the fruits of my labor but concerned that all the pieces might not come together as I imagined. Thankfully, everything went smoothly for the most part and our group really enjoyed all aspects of the time in San Diego.

 A last minute decision to change my flight out there gave me two extra days in La Jolla on the front-end before having to head to the resort to prepare for everyone's arrivals. San Diego/La Jolla offers so many fun sights to see and beautiful places to explore that I barely even scratched the surface in January. I thought going out early would allow me to see a few places I missed on the first trip or that I could just enjoy some down time on the beach if the weather cooperated. Well...it didn't. It poured rain the entire day that I arrived and the temps were really cool. (The family I stayed with said that it hadn't rained this much since they moved there 8 months prior.) Oh well. I suppose I couldn't expect it to be perfect there again (like the 80 degree temps in January). So...the zoo and beach didn't happen. Guess I'll just have to go back. :)

I did venture to Balboa Park with a friend on the second day (despite the chilly air) just so all of my extra time in Cali wasn't spent inside. The architecture was impressive and the flowers made the cool walk worthwhile... 

View from street level of the house I stayed at in La Jolla...

The weather did improve slightly with each passing day so by the time the meeting was set to begin, our guests from the east coast were thrilled with a forecast of sunshine and highs in the 70s.  The mornings and evenings were still cool, but midday was ideal - warm, sunny, and free of humidity!

On the main day of arrivals, a small group of our advisors got up extra early to play golf about 30 minutes away from the resort at Torrey Pines, a spectacular course in La Jolla overlooking the Pacific (it is actually close to the area pictured above where you see the cliffs on the right).  The 7 guys allowed me to tag along to experience the course and take photos of the action.  It actually ended up feeling like I was their cruise director. :)  Because we were on the course by 7:00am, there was a nip in the air.  I sure was glad to have overpacked and thrown in an extra fleece and puffy vest!

If you look closely, you'll see two pairs of jets above. We were all completely mesmerized when the jets flew overhead throughout the day. Miramar wasn't too far away so there was plenty of air traffic.

 

As I relaxed by the pool at Rancho Bernardo (yes, I did get some down time while all of the guys were playing golf (again) one afternoon), I gazed at some exotic flowers.  I had heard about birds of paradise but never seen in person.  I loved them!

 Orfila Vineyards & Winery...the location of our offsite dinner.  We timed it perfectly and were able to see the sun setting just as we arrived.  The light reflecting off of the mountains was beautiful and a perfect backdrop for photos as well as a wine tasting and hors d'oeuvres...

Dinner at the winery was in "The Barrel Room"...surrounded by barrels and candles. 

 And I finally got my beach day on my last day in California.  It was a mostly free day and I contemplated touring around, but the 80 degree temps drew me to the beach, of course.  What a great way to wind down from the meeting and enjoy my final hours on the west coast before catching the red eye.

 

Easter

In Christ alone, who took on flesh

Fullness of God in helpless Babe

This gift of love and righteousness

Scorned by the ones He came to save

Til on that cross as Jesus died

The wrath of God was satisfied

For every sin on Him was laid

Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain

Then bursting forth in glorious day

Up from the grave He rose again

 My Easter gifts were wonderful but did not come in the form of goodies in an Easter basket this year.  First and foremost, we celebrated our Risen Savior...the amazing gift of eternal life because of His sacrifice on the cross and then conquering death through His resurrection.  The tomb is empty!

My Mom and Dad hosted lunch for a small group of family (from both sides) including both of my grandmothers.  I felt extremely blessed to share my Easter with both of them.

And, of course, we had a delicious meal and some sweet treats.  We are fortunate to always have more than enough food and some talented cooks.  Our dessert spread was overwhelming and I enjoyed my fair share (gluten and all).

The icing on the cake was two boat rides over the weekend.

It feels like summer is close when the big boat is brought out of storage and put in the water.  Always one of my favorite days (and rides!) of the year.