Day-38: Grilled Cheese at the Ritz

Saturday, November 2, 2013

After another relaxing night we were up but not too early. After coffee and breakfast Greg and I ventured back over to the Lexus Spa to retrieve their car.

Our plan of the day included a drive up the coast to Dana Point for lunch at the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel. After donning our “Orange County” attire (including my KHL Yacht Club shirt) we took to the road. By the way, the Lexus Spa had worked wonders on the car, sparkling clean, with shiny tires and a soothing hum purring from the engine.

San Onofre Nuclear Power Plant

En-route we passed iconic Southern California locations including the USMC base at Camp Pendleton, the “eternally idle” San Onofre Nuclear Power Station and Dick Nixon’s old haunt at San Clemente. We actually came within a few miles of Mission San Juan Capistrano but too far to see if the sparrows were home. For whatever reason, the Saturday traffic on I-5 was intense, actually stop & go (more stop, than go) so after consultation with the backseat navigator, Greg ventured over to the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) CA-1 for the last miles into the Dana Point area.

On arrival we were able to quickly find a park just across the street from the Ritz-Carlton in the Doheny State Beach parking lot. With their state park season pass, parking would be free versus the $15.00+tip charge for valet service at the Ritz.

 

You might ask just how did we know we were at the Ritz? Well, perhaps it was the sign or more likely the “gold” fire hydrant. The hydrant was probably encircled by an “invisible fence” to keep dogs at bay.

The hotel was participating in a humane treatment for elephants program, “The Elephant Parade” program. Featured were a series of small elephant sculptures painted by various artists. The program is similar to the painted cows, horses, dolphins, mermaids, etc. seen in other cities. (www.elephantparade.com)

We found the outdoor café and were seated at a table with a view, a great view I might add, as the hotel sits upon a bluff overlooking the Pacific with vistas of the coastline to the north and south. As the café featured “communal” dining, we were joined by another couple, much younger I might add. Seems it had taken us 60 plus years to find ourselves dining at the Ritz, and they were doing so in their thirties.

Looking South

Looking North

As we sat down the server brought a bowl of addictive house made potato chips, well the server actually brought bowls (plural) of the chips. I suppose we could have hung out there for hours devouring the chips all afternoon but we were there for lunch. The grilled cheese sandwich had earned high marks so naturally that was my preferred entrée along with a Stone IPA; a mighty fine lunch it was. The chicken and Ahi salads also looked particularly good and if the amount left on the plates was an indicator, they too were enjoyed.

After lunch we walked around the hotel grounds briefly before heading back to the car.

Well, surprise, surprise, surprise, we were greeted at the car by a personal note from the Orange County Sheriff’s department letting us know that we were not in a state park, it was actually a county park and that Orange County did not honor the state’s season parking passes. Not only that, they kindly requested the payment of a $41 “get-out-of-jail” donation. Do we get no mercy here, does our age, military service and good looks mean nothing, on top of that we’re generally nice people; so what’s up with the ticket? Certainly Greg will take this case to the Supreme Court if necessary to ensure that good triumphs over evil.

From the parking lot we ventured to a couple of overlooks gazing at the mega houses along the beachfront. A sign indicated that lots started at $2.0+M; good thing we didn’t have our checkbooks.

All in all, it was a great afternoon outing, another opportunity for dining in an appealing setting devouring great food with long-time friends.

Once back home we tuned in to college football but within minutes several of us were caught dozing off for catnaps here and there.

Our plan for the evening had been to visit the local In-N-Out Burger though when Diane offered an option of no more car rides coupled with leftovers of the pizza and home made soup, we caved in and chose the more relaxed and less stressful option of having to walk no more that 15 feet to the kitchen table for comfort food we all enjoyed.

After dinner we watched more college football and the HSBC golf tournament from Shanghai. As with last night, one by one, we ambled up the stairs and all began another restful night.