Thank you all so much for viewing the first half! Your support is always appreciated! I cannot begin to tell you all how much I loved and needed this trip for my mind, body, and soul. It was a blessing in every sense of the word. Now onto the second set of photos and stories…
This here is one of my #1 buddy’s, Maerick. You may remember him recently from twentyFINE. He and his mom, Kamber (shown in the next photo) came all the way from California to celebrate my 29th with me. The things we do for the people we love, am I right!?! Maerick’s voice has dropped significantly since last April and it took me aback! My little buddy isn’t so little anymore! He’ll be fifteen at the end of April! Love a fellow Taurus!
Kamber, her oldest son Kaell, Maerick, and myself at Lucille’s Barbecue. They have these barbecue restaurants all over Southern California and ironically, this was my second time at one on this trip (went two nights prior with Michael and Jenna). Love me some barbecue and when I lived out there it always made me so happy to see the St. Louis style advertised on the menu.
The next day I went to old town Temecula. I hadn’t been to this part of Temecula in years and years. It’s super cute and trendy. They have all kinds of shops and restaurants down there including a French themed coffee shop, which was my reason for going that morning.
Love me a good mural regardless of how simplistic it may be.
Love me some of the old architecture.
It really is picturesque down in old town. I don’t know why I don’t make a point to visit it more regularly, but going forward, I believe I will. My uncle and I even went down later that evening to an awesome brewery spot for dinner.
Hotel Del Coronado, a dream destination of mine. One nasty January or February I will stay a long weekend here and live my best Southern California life.
It was so nice to shut my phone off for an hour and just meditate. Listening to the sights and sounds of the beach and ocean are so freeing to me. I just love it.
There was plenty of military activity that day. This shot with the fighter jet directly above the couple in love was a real juxtaposition for me, but I love the photo.
The closest person to me was well over fifty feet from me and when I noticed her getting up to leave, I rushed over to ask her if she would mind taking my photo with my book. We got to talking and I learned her name was Bridget and we followed one another on Instagram. She was super awesome and took several great photos, like the one above. She even admitted that she herself used to be a shithead once upon a time, which was hilariously awesome. It was a wonderful experience that made a spectacular day even more special. Don’t forget to BUY SHITHEAD HERE if you haven’t already!
I went to one of my favorite spots in the world: Bayview Park on Coronado Island. This is a very small park, but the view is quite grand. Unfortunately, there wasn’t anyone there I felt confident in to take my photo until this young couple showed up. I asked them and the girl also took several shots of me. It was another great interaction.
To give you an idea of just how large these shipping boats are… It’s literally half as tall and even as tall as some of the skyscrapers in downtown San Diego! Blew my mind!
After my stint on Coronado Island, I went to a different kind of island lifestyle: False Idol, a tiki bar hidden like a speakeasy in a high-rise in downtown San Diego.
The theming was so good it was honestly of Disney caliber. I was wildly impressed.
Colsen, whom you’ve all seen many times before, was the one who thankfully introduced me to this beloved space. I fell instantly in love and will 100% be back.
I’m not a big alcohol person, so I never choose my drink based off the alcohol in it, but rather by the fruits and flavors. I got a pair of pineapple based drinks and both were top notch. Colsen is far more savvy when it comes to ordering, so he knew exactly what he wanted. Both our drinks were delicious and worth getting again.
Our second round of drinks, which were every bit as delicious as the first. I’m tell you all right now, if ever in San Diego, False Idol is a MUST GO!
Colsen is simply the best! I couldn’t be more proud of all this young man has and is accomplishing! He is a marine mechanic who showcases his work on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, so give him a follow! His passion and enthusiasm towards his craft will make you so very thankful you did!
“OH YEAH!”
Goodnight and goodbye, San Diego. You were every bit as wonderful as you always are. Hopefully I’ll see you again real soon…
Well there you have it, the second half of my trip to Southern California. I must get out there annually or else I think I’ll dry up like a California Raisin and while I love those, I certainly don’t want to be one. I’m so thankful for the gift of time I’ve been given and truly appreciated each and every single individual who made this trip as amazing as it was for me. You all are simply the best!
As always, THANK YOU so much for viewing! I appreciate you greatly! Feel free to leave a comment below as I LOVE reading and responding to them! I’ll return soon with another all new post, this one highlighting a place in St. Louis that I absolutely LOVED! So until then, I wish you all, all the best!
Working hard everyday towards achieving my goal of becoming an international best-selling author. Wrote the book, just need the agent and publisher. Received the ultimate endorsement when Britney Spears wrote me saying she'd be one of the first in line to buy my book! #FreeBritney
