It has been a long time coming...but today was the day.
Joe and I both cruised our rides into work! Woot Woot!
We picked up his ride yesterday @ Hot Rods & Custom Stuff after they finalized a few finishing touches on the clutch and transmission.
Super stoked on Joe's ride...It is freaking beautiful. It didn't really seem like it had been that long since we were sand blasting the frame @ his dad's shop. Then we did the math...It has been that long. Crazy to look back at the starting point to where it is now...Awesome!
Congrats buddy! Glad to see all your hard work pay off...Stoked to see you on the road!
I am going to need a significantly large head start or a really strong tail wind to keep up with him once he gets her all broken in.
She's yet to see the water...but she looks ready. We decided to take the plunge and purchase a tandem kayak to add to our arsenal of adventure van accoutrements. Found her on Craigslist up in Costa Mesa, CA. Saturday, I tossed all the girls into the van and we hit the road. Pretty smooth sailing only one bit of dog vomit...Which turned out to be a bit of a blessing. I learned scrubbing the van's carpet with a damp rag will remove all of the animal hair...It worked way better than our vacuum specially designed to remove pet hair...That didn't to a very good job of removing pet hair.
Vanning Pro Tip: Scrub carpet with a damp rag to remove pet hair.
We handed over the cash...Strapped her to the roof rack...Cruised over to the Newport Aquatic Center to check out all the people out kayaking and enjoying the day on the Upper Newport Bay. Then hightailed it to find some food and a cocktail...ASAP. We decided on Avila's El Ranchito in Costa Mesa...Dog Friendly on the patio...Awesome Mango Margaritas and some of the best salsa I have ever had...and I have had a lot of salsa. That was just the starters...The main courses were pretty freaking solid too. I'd go back.
Hopefully I'll have an update with the kayak actually in the water and not just in the grass or on the roof rack...Soooon...Hopefully...
Becki and Patrick invited us along for a little sneak peek of their wedding reception location. The Ocean View Villas right next to Sunset Cliffs. Awesome location...Great views...Super excited for them! They have the villas rented for a few days so the wedding party and family can chill out and enjoy some down time before the party time.
Stoked for you guys! Can't wait to see the place all done up for the party!
It had been a while since we have been to the Zoo...Meggy just re-upped our passes so we were ready to roll. Good times! If you haven't been to night time zoo...you need to go check it out!
Interior is all buttoned up...Brakes freshened up...Motor tuned up...Aaaaand she is roadworthy!
It is a great feeling! Don't get me wrong there is still more to be done. In the very near future...Finally wire up the stereo.
After that everything else is fluff...Expensive fluff...That will all come in due time. I want to drop the front end, Upgrade the front to disc brakes and add a roof rack...Aaaand that'll pretty much take it where I had envisioned her from the get go.
For now...We are just going to cruise the heck out of her! And so far we are doing a great job!
Joe snapped these shots from the back seat on the way to lunch...Super roomy back there!
Once we got back from Cabo I had to settle back into reality...Don't worry...It was only for a few days, then it was right back to vacation mindset! This might be the first year in a long time that my tan isn't a farmer's tan. Patrick had rallied me to attend his bachelor party on Catalina Island...Avalon. I couldn't say no to that one!
Super stoked on Catalina...I can't wait to take Megan. I feel like that it is going to be a regular spot for us to visit. I had never been...Really cool little town with a ton of life. I was expecting really snooty, tons o money, hoity toity...but it wasn't like that at all. Don't get me wrong...There is a ton of money there...but it is a very well balanced place. So many different people all enjoying this little slice of awesomeness.
Patrick's group of buddies were a riot...Great group of guys! Made me think of and miss all of of my knuckle-headed friends...You all know who you are!
I don't even really know where to begin. It's a quick drive up to Dana Point...A quick little ferry ride over to Avalon. You stroll from the ferry right into town...Luggage in-tow. Bars, shopping, beaches all packed into a tight little area. There is just so much life...Even early in the morning...People cruising around, grabbing coffee, securing their spots on the beach for later, chilling out...super cool! Oh yea...and the golf carts...They are everywhere...Electric vehicles, golf carts, some lifted, some customized...I have never wanted my own golf cart or electric mico-van more in my life! I am really going to have to hit a significantly large jackpot in the California Lottery.
We had a nice little two bedroom house with a TV that only had one channel. The back patio was a perfect arena for some quality beer pong and general debauchery. That was our home base...From there everything was a nice little walk away. Loved that...walking everywhere!
One afternoon we did up a little kayaking out to Frog Rock. Cruised through the harbors, checked out all the bad ass boats...Stopped off at a little rock beach enjoyed a few frosty Coors Lights and headed back to return the kayaks. We had a few casualties along the way but we all eventually made it back in one piece. I defiantly have the kayaking bug...
It wasn't all hard hitting action sports, Kayaking and Beer Pong. We got in some quality R&R...Beach time @ Descanso Beach. Descanso is a private beach on the island...with a full bar, restaurant and plenty of friendly waitstaff to keep you toasted and your belly full.
One of my favorite spots of the trip...So much of a favorite that we hit it up twice...The Sand Trap. Outdoor restaurant/bar...Happy Hour everyday from 2-7. $1 Tacos & $2 Beers. Your choice of soft or hard shell...all the fixings...You can't go wrong with that! I definitely got my monies worth both times we visited The Sand Trap. I kinda felt like it was golf giving back to me after all of the terrible times I have been in sand traps.
Had a great time! Thank you, Patrick for the invite and thank you to all your boys for setting up the event and partying down. I have to ask...This wasn't a one time thing, was it? I vote we make it a yearly event!
We had a blast! I feel like vacation is the lifestyle I was destined to be a part of! Dreams Resort Los Cabos was fantastic! We took full advantage of all of the resort's conveniently located bars. My favorites...The two pool bars...Swim up bars with stools right in the water. It doesn't get much better than that! Aside from torturing our livers we soaked up a lot of sun and did bunch of relaxing...I feel like we did a really good job coping with all of the relaxing that we had to tackle. One of the lessons I learned was that I need to have a hammock in my life full time. I have known that...but somehow it had slipped out of my memory banks. Operation: Acquire Hammock is in full swing.
We met an awesome couple from Canada, Greg and Natalie, they were getting married at the resort. Aaaand have since been married, Congrats guys! This post is a little past due...Since we have been back Greg and Natalie had a few days stay in San Diego on their honeymoon tour up the CA coast. We got a chance to hangout with them for two of their nights here...Great people! Hope the rest of the trip was fantastic! Great to meet you guys!
Cabo San Lucas itself...Meh. Your typical touristy Mexican city...I am glad we checked it out but it wasn't all that impressive. The allure of the all inclusive at the resort had me spoiled. One of my favorite spots we did check out was a bar/restaurant called "The Office". That place is an awesome little hub of excitement right on the beach. I highly recommend it...Thanks for the tip, Steve!
For now...enjoy the photos! I have a few relaxing videos to post...Once I get off my butt and fire up some video editing software. I will keep you posted.
<<<<----UPDATE---->>>>>
Here are the videos...Enjoy!
The early morning view from one of our suite's balconies.
Early morning...Laying in bed...Listening to the waves roll in...FANTASTIC!
