Trying to fit in my birthday present from John this year of a 2 or 3-day trip per month has gotten tricky because we're still so busy as empty nesters--haha! We combined a couple of things I wanted to do this trip... try Allegiant Air from Ogden Airport to LAX and visit Hillary and Patrick to do a little birthday celebrating for Hillary's 26th birthday next week since we don't live nearby. Loved the wide aisles of Allegiant Air plane and easy parking literally in front of the Ogden Airport entrance for $3.50/day.
Loved our hotel in Costa Mesa, the view out back and the lovely walks we went on each morning around the South Coast Mall area.
We flew in on a Thursday night and Hillary picked us up bright and early Friday morning to stop at Sidecar doughnuts for the most AMAZING things I've ever tasted. We got 7 kinds and tasted each one... Huckleberry, Maple Bacon, Pumpkin, Butter & Salt, Carrot Cake, Apple Fritter and Cinnamon Crumble. There was a reason the line was out the door!
No worries about the donut calories because Hillary had a hike planned for us. We did Back Bay Loop and finished the whole 10+miles in 2-1/2 hours.
We met Patrick that evening in Newport Beach at Great Mex for dinner then took the Balboa Ferry over to Balboa Island for a stroll, Balboa bars and frozen banana and a ferris wheel ride.
Saturday morning we tried to eat at the Beachcomber Cafe but didn't want to wait an hour so we climbed the hill and ate at Ruby's Shake Shack and still had a great view of the ocean.
We went on a tour of the Queen Mary, saw a 4D movie and Titanic Exhibit and then headed to BJs in Laguna for Hillary's birthday dinner and pizookie dessert. We found another candy bin store and some sugar-free treats as well and cashed in another fun day!
We went on a beautiful morning hike with Hillary and Patrick at the Pacific Ridge Trailhead Sunday before church and then attended their meetings and headed to the airport for our flight home. Great 3-day trip all the way around!
