Cool Desert!

On our way back from Tuscon, we decided to break up the trip, and stopped along the way in Indio, CA at Fantasy Springs Resort.  Aside from the fact that it was of course, dry and hot (common in the desert I hear), this spot in the middle of nowhere was lovely.  


Really cool, modern decor and a bed that easily rivals the Westin's Heavenly Bed.  We stayed on a Monday night and the only thing cooler than the constant blowing AC everywhere you went (NOT a complaint, btw) was the room rate of about 73 clams per night.  Not to mention our visit to the snazzy, loungy pool & jacuzzi was very private.  We were the only ones there!  


It also has a casino, which we had zero interest in entering or smelling like, which was great because the hotel has its own separate entrance.


Six restaurants in the hotel and we ate at trendy, yummy, upscale casual Pom, where we mistakenly ordered enough food for a week of dinners at the Gosselins, which cost us about 50 bucks.  Drinks at the rooftop wine bar?  Can you beat $5 a glass (with a coupon from the front desk) and a lush, beautiful view from the top?


Regrets?  We were too full to stop in at Lique, the ice cream parlor which stays open until 5AM.


Complaints?  Just one... WiFi was $9.95 per day.  I don't get it.  It's free at McDonalds for goodness sakes!

My Big Break

 I love teaching.  Not as much as I love acting, but man does my job have its perks!  Number one perk being, school vacations!  Yep, just like the kids, I'm on Spring Break!  


Time off is just bliss... usually.  I'm fine with one week, but go longer than that and I get... depressed.  Sounds strange to even admit, but true.  I get sad that I'm not running around being busy, and if it's not  a busy time for me as an actress that fact is amplified, making me sadder!  I am a woman who needs a schedule!  Without it NOTHING gets done and I become a worthless pile of pajamas on the couch.


Actress and awesome friend Jen Nikolaisen got me in the routine of doing yearly, monthly, weekly, and daily goals.  We used to email them to each other on Sunday nights and then check back in at the end of the week to see how we did.  A very helpful technique!  Thanks Jen!  Expect my goals this Sunday night!  I'm going to sleep in every day I can this week, but by golly I am going to get some stuff done!  Happily!!


Happy Friday Everyone!!  

Avila Beach -- The Round-UP!

Overall we had a very relaxing getaway to a little beach town just outside of San Luis Obispo, CA called Avila Beach.  Should you ever have the pleasure of visiting, here are a few do's and don'ts, based on my experience:  DO stay at the Avila Village Innwww.avilavillageinn.com Extremely reasonable rates, friendly staff, great rooms (we had a private hot tub on the balcony, ahh), fresh coffee in the lobby at all times AND fresh baked yummy cookies daily for the guests!  DO bring or rent bikes and take a ride down to Front St.  Very bike-friendly area... Also VERY dog-friendly (although Bailey stayed at a friend's).  We saw big dog bowls full of water everywhere and you can take your pup on the beach before 10am and after 5pm. DO stop on Front St. at the very cool, beachfront Wildwood Winery http://wildwoodwine.com/cm/homepage.html for a $5 wine tasting (7 wines).  Bike ride back to the hotel was a bit challenging.  DO have a nice dinner at Gardens of Avila at Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort http://www.sycamoresprings.com/.  And get the mussels!  Delicious, delightful, loved it!  DO grab a quick lunch or dinner at the Avila Beach Deli on Front St. or the Avila Village Market.  And DEFINITELY get a massage from Trish at the Avila Bay Club and Spahttp://www.wcaclubs.com/club/scripts/section/section.asp?NS=AB.  She has a background in medical massage and is amazing and very reasonable.  And my massage went about 15 minutes longer than it should have :). OK, the don'ts: DON'T go to the Custom House Restaurant on Front St.  I ended up writing a complaint email to the manager:
Hi Hope, Last night around 6:15 I came into your restaurant and was greeted by a friendly hostess who instructed me to order from the bar when I told her I wanted to get something to go.  After waiting a good ten minutes, a clearly in the weeds bartender for no apparent reason, told me, "We don't do to-go orders."  OK, if that's your store policy, why didn't the hostess know?  And then he double-checked with the other tattooed, tank-topped bartender (or possibly manager -- was that you?) who didn't bother giving me the respect of even looking at me but instructed to the other bartender that I could get pizza through the door to the side of the bar. I've worked in food in beverage for 16 years in the capacity from hostess to manager I am comfortable saying that all of this was unacceptable and COMPLETELY unnecessary.  Was insulted and felt ill-treated.  Will not be returning to your establishment.
Lastly unless you like so-so wine and watery coffee, DON'T go the Avila Wine and Roasting Company.  Nice guy running the stuffy little place, though.