This shall be a continuation from my post last week about…….
MY WEST COAST ADVENTURE!!!!!!!
BECAUSE….now I can tell you some details about my time in Las Vegas and in California since both trips have come and gone! Which feels so weird to say……I waited for this West Coast vacation for months and then it flew by in the blink of an eye!!!!! As most fun trips and vacations tend to do, I suppose. 👀 😉
I also suppose that that is a sure sign that lots of fun was being had, if time flies by!!! And this is completely accurate – my trip was so much fun!!! 😃
SO, here is the brief recap!!! As I told you in my last post, I flew to Las Vegas and visited my two best friends and their 3 Chihuahua puppies. And ohhhhhhh, you HAVE to see the little faces of these adorable pups!!!!! Please let me introduce you to:
I am so in love with them!!!!! And they are the BEST trio of greeters that I have ever experienced in my life! So many kisses and snuggles and jumping on me and showing me so much love…it was so sweet and I loved every minute of it!! I soaked it up, as much as I could, while I was there – – getting my much-needed puppy fix!!! 🐕 💕
In addition to time with these cutie pups, I got to spend time with my phenomenal friends, Mattie and Julian, FINALLY!! After almost four years, we were sooooo due for major catch-up sessions, including all the laughs, silliness, and stories we could jam-pack into my stay with them!!!
Our visit also included watching movies, going in their hot tub, dining at incredible restaurants, watching the cruise ship show that we did together back in 2011 and reminiscing, (that was SUPER FUN!!), and also going for a walk in a beautiful park right by their home! The weather was in the 70’s and 80’s (Fahrenheit) the entire time that I was in Las Vegas so it felt amazing to be outside!!!
AND, out of the four days that I got to spend with my friends in Vegas, only a couple hours were spent on The Strip! And no, I did not do any gambling while I was there – – in case you were wondering!! 😁 🎰
Rather we went to a place called Area 15 – – known as “immersive entertainment” and such a cool place!! Granted, my friends and I had limited time and only went there to walk around, enjoy the psychedelic lights and music, and then get a fancy drink together!! 🍸
However, this is the type of place that has an assortment of exhibits that you can explore. And each unique exhibit offers an immediate “pseudo-transportation” to another location or even to another dimension – – for example, one exhibit invites you into a gallery of artwork and the incredible display of lights and special effects make you feel like you’re actually inside the paintings themselves!! Or another exhibit allows you to deeply experience art because it combines music and certain smells – – so all of the senses are involved!! OR another exhibit is set up like a grocery store, where you follow clues throughout the store AND where you can pass through a glass case of food, walk through a surprise door, and enter a mysterious hidden dimension!! (Or something like that…so I heard!)
Sounds amazing, right?!?! Definitely keep it in mind, if you ever find yourself traveling The Strip in Las Vegas!! I told my friends that the next time that I get to visit them, we must go back and actually explore some of these immersive exhibits for ourselves!!!
In any case, we did find a seat by this electric tree and enjoy our one beverage in Area 15!
I had such a magical time in Vegas that it was so hard to leave!!!! It never feels like enough time when I am in the presence of such amazing souls. And don’t forget the sweetest little puppers, too!!!! 😍
However, Cali was calling my name! So, when it was time, I left Vegas and flew to LAX to meet up with one of my closest friends, Matt! Him and I go waaaay back to my first dance contract in 2006!!
And Matt and I filled the four days that I spent in California with LOTS of excitement and joy!! 😃
First of all, I accompanied Matt to a production of ‘Hamilton,’ one of my absolute favorite musicals of all-time!! 🎶
And it was a spectacular production! I was thrilled to be there and basically danced in my seat for the duration of the entire show.
Then, because Matty works at DISNEYLAND, him and I spent 1.5 days in Disney and California Adventure, going on as many rides as we could!!
Seriously, though, the parks were quite loaded with people because it was the first weekend of their seasonal displays and holiday decor for Christmas!! And I have been to both Disneyland and Disney World before, yet NEVER during this time. I had no idea how decked out the parks get for the holidays….though I do now!! 😲
It was very impressive, for Christmas to be in full swing at Disneyland in mid-November!! And Matt and I had so much fun while we were there! Besides, he was my tour guide, since he knows all the “ins and outs” of both parks, so I just followed his lead and enjoyed the adventure. It was awesome! 🤩
And aside from running around the parks with Matt, I was able to see three more amazing friends of mine while I was in Cali!!! And that included a breakfast date, a lunch date, and a drive to San Capistrano to see a friend perform at this really great restaurant and venue!!
Funny story: Right before I arrived in California, the temperature was in the 70’s. As soon as I got there, the temps shot up to the 90’s and even hit 100° one day!!! It was like this heat wave, that clearly the Universe set up just for me!! 😉 BECAUSE as soon as I left Cali, the temps went back down to the 70’s. I do love the heat and the sunshine, the Universe knows me well!! And I absolutely loved the timing of this random heat wave that appeared in California while I just happened to be there!!!!!! 👏🏼👏🏼 🌞 👏🏼👏🏼
And all of that basically concluded my West Coast Adventure update for you!!! I laugh now because I think I first mentioned it being a “brief recap”…….ummmmmm……oopsies?? 😳 🤣 Once I got rolling, I just kept on going!!! So, now you know the highlights and then some!! 😁
All in all, it was beyond a worthwhile trip that left me feeling fulfilled, joyful, and recharged in my soul and spirit. I’m so grateful that I had the chance to travel…along with everything that I mentioned in this blog!!! It’s a pretty long list of things! I’m so very lucky. ☺️
And so extremely fortunate to have such phenomenal beings in my life, both near, far, and on the West Coast!!!! It’s true what they say:
And I am feeling all of the above. 🥰
Thank you for being here and joining me for the recap of my vacation. Sending love and gratitude your way!! ❤️✨❤️✨❤️