In Corona del Mar

 

The last leg of my journey to California was long but still interesting. There were drastic changes in landscape, cities traveled through and drivers now on roads they call "Freeways." I left Blythe, CA, at 11:30 a.m. with the temp at 85° and arrived in Corona del Mar at 5:00 p.m. with the temperature dipping down to 65°. I did lose some time driving a few miles back into Arizona to pay $4.49/gal of diesel rather than the $5.79 that greeted me in California. In addition, I stopped at "Little Sister's Truck/RV Wash" to give Winnie a well deserved wash.

Cost was $2.00/per foot for a simple wash and dry vs.

$10.00/foot a paid in Florida.
(But...to be fair, that included waxing and cleaning the awning)

My home away from home for the next week looking down the street from the upper deck at the Newport Harbor jetty just beyond the Corona del Mar State Beach.

Looking northwest

A 6 p.m. sunset with Catalina Island to the left.

With tight quarters for parking in this residential section, son, Chuck, made arrangements with next door neighbor who would be away, to have Winnie squeeze into his driveway.

With a 30 amp to 20 amp adapter, an extension cord provided
 electricity to be sure my refrigerator maintains proper
temperature for my perishables.

And yes, Jack C., it's gonna be all about food. Remember

as you enjoy the meals with me, that they comprise

the main and many times only meal of the day for me.

After getting settled, a wonderful dinner completed my

day. And always, a healthy salad at each meal.

My buddy, Bruce, was my shadow. He remembered which pockets contained treats from Thanksgiving when I was here last.

.

Chuck prepared Lemon shrimp and pasta

Delicious dinner topped off with
Amaro Lago Maggiore.

Savoring a bitter liqueur after dinner in Italy is an Italian family staple. This drink is viewed as both a tradition and an herbal remedy for healing and digestive purposes. It has a long history going back to medieval alchemists who thought that these herbal infusions were useful for healing all manner of maladies.

One day, down the street in the Corona del Mar State Beach Park, a film crew looked like they were filming a segment for the Food Channel (guessing) with 9 Food Trucks in the parking area.  Three members on each team stood for the longest time listening.

Friday night's dinner....

Silvia prepared shredded chicken over Quinoa with Masala sauce
accompanied by...

...my purchase from Grape Creek in Texas. Very nice.

Saturday night, Chuck and I WALKED the mile and met Beca and Rob at El Cholo Restaurant. Lots of history with this restaurant. It originated in Los Angeles in 1923. The grandson, Ron Salisbury now runs the chain of six restaurants. When a guest wandered in for dinner and while waiting, he drew a figure of a man (now the one found on their menu).  He called him “EL CHOLO”.  In those days EL CHOLO was the name given by Spanish settlers in California to their field hands. In 1925, the Sonora Enchilada restaurant became El Cholo. 

Beca, Poppa Charlie, Chuck and Rob.

Coconut Margarita
Blended. Served in an old fashioned Margarita glass 
with toasted coconut rim

Toasting with beautiful granddaughter, Beca
(Before haircut)

Chuck and Rob

I tried A Taste Of History (1996)

Cheese Enchilada, Rolled Beef Taco, Chile Relleno and Pork Tamale

accompanied by a side of Spanish Rice and Refried Beans.

On Sunday, another at home, made-from-scratch pizza.
Mine topped with sautéed onions and olives.

Monday evening, Breaded Rock Fish

Topped with bread crumbs, chopped walnuts, olive oil, lemon,

rosemary and touch of Pepperoncini.

Pop, Silvia and Chuck
(After haircut)

Tuesday night's dinner was a trip up the road to the Tommy BahamaRestaurant in Newport Beach. It was my way to thank my very special hosts for providing me with a week of relaxation, good food and terrific experiences and views of the Pacific Ocean with a taste of life in California. I enjoyed a FILET MIGNON topped with a demi glaze, Trumpet Mushrooms, Feta Cheese, Cauliflower-Potato Mash and Lemon Arugula greens.

To conclude my blog, my dear readers should know that it was not all about wonderful culinary experiences. 

Silvia and Elisa

We went to Mass on Balboa Island. I did my restocking marketing at Ralph's. I got a haircut at Mar's Barber Shop with Alyssa. I met Silvia's friend, Elisa who visited Winnie and, natch, got herself a spot on my Wall of Fame. We caught a glimpse of a couple of whales way out blowing spouts of water. I walked the neighborhood with Chuck and saw incredible homes and their landscaping. 

The breezy days were chilly but relaxing on the deck with cloudless, sunny skies made the day toasty warm and I've got a nice color as a result.

   

The lemon tree on the deck provided a
'fruitful' harvest.

Orchids in full bloom

            

And so, I come to another one of those endings...along with the same feelings I had leaving Florida, Texas and now California. All those good things must come to an end. The memories are many and varied and I've tried to capture them in both pictures and in words; which is the purpose of this blog. Now begins the journey back east.  Here's a peek at what's to come, at least to Joplin, Missouri by March 22nd. I'm still reading about the nasty weather that continues to plague the northeast. My path home will probably experience some of the same. So stay safe wherever you are. I'll see you in Nevada.

Seven stops to Joplin, MO by March 22nd.