Mother's Day in Santa Monica

Brian and I went to Santa Monica for a few days for Mother's Day to see Jessica, and it was lovely to be in the sun and be warm.  Santa Monica was a nice temperature but could be on the coolish side with a breeze, 68-70 degrees.  It was great to see Jess, and she has a nice apt. just a few blocks from the beach.  Saturday we rented bikes, the 3 of us (cruisers) and rode for a couple of hours on the bike trail that runs right through the beach.  We rode one way and walked out onto the Santa Monica pier, then the other til we ended in a place with fruit popsicles!

Lots of dodging other bikes and, in some places, pedestrians, but it was fun!

It's about a 5 hour flight each way but a direct flight at least!  We went to the Getty Museum on Sunday for Mother's Day and took a picnic with us - Jessica made a kale salad and a tomato & cucumber salad with mint, and we added brie cheese and a sourdough baguette - great picnic under a shade tree.  The grounds are beautiful with some very unique gardens and pretty interesting architecture too, even besides the indoor exhibits.

We came back to the beachfront and went to the Georgian Hotel, which I didn't end up with a picture of - must have been on Jessica's phone.  Wonderful little porch over looking the water with a nice ceviche and cheese tray to with my wine and their beer!

And then back to the beach in time for the sunset - we had a good one, as you can see in the picture!  Santa Monica is beautiful, and Brian commented on how many people are out walking, biking, doing yoga, generally just enjoying the outdoors.  He even said, "I could live here!"  We're not ready to give up Alaska yet though (even after it snowed when we got home and they said it was the 232nd day with snow this year!)

Too soon, it was time to go back, but first we had a trip to Ojai - next entry!