Road Tripping, Part Two: Balboa Island and Laguna Beach
Following a short jaunt after breakfast, around the grounds of our resort, we decided a trip to Balboa Island was in order.
We walked across the bridge, to avoid a parking problem, while enjoying the view and the festive lampposts.
This cheerful greeting awaited our arrival on the other side
Once on the island, we nosed around in dozens of curio shops, souvenir shops and boutiques. This one was packed as tight as sardines in a can with country good, candles and food stuffs.
As we emerged from the clutter onto the street we noticed a couple of feuding confectioner's shops across the street. Dad's claimed to be the home of the "original" Balboa bar with the "World's Best" frozen banana,
while Sugar 'N Spice asserts that it is the home of the "Original Frozen Banana" since 1945 yet also serves Balboa bars. The only truth we could determine was that it didn't matter who was eating a frozen banana---everyone doing so looked as if they were doing something publicly unacceptable.
This is California, just as a reminder, so we just about bust our bellies laughing as this strolled past us
followed a few minutes later by this rasta Oreo dog arrangement
No visit to Balboa Island is complete without the mandatory stop in the Balboa Candy Store. Here is the place filled with salt water taffy in assorted and delightful flavors.
The children's boutique offered us a glimpse of the current indulgent trend in costumes for toddlers as evidenced by this shot of a Flamingo costume
Further down the street we passed this
on our way to the General Store to shop for a birthday gift for my niece
Of course, being a foodie, this store distracted me so I sent Mini-Mme in search of a gift while I immersed myself in So. Cal. Produce
When we met up again, after our separate shopping experiences, we were both hungry and felt fortunate to find this Mediterranean place for lunch
Once inside, Mini-Mme ordered this hummus with pita bread
while our friends ordered this Panini sandwich with salad
and I enjoyed a chicken kabob with a Greek salad
Although no one had much room left for dessert, we all admitted that these looked alluring
In lieu of dessert, however, we decided to stroll back across the bridge to Newport Beach instead of hitching a ride in either an electric vehicle
or a muppet mobile
or even a serenity based golf cart like this one
We rested up at the hotel, drove to Laguna Beach for an early dinner and enjoyed a reservation at our Mexican restaurant while other diners were informed of a two hour wait for seating. Our friends split a chicken fajita dish
while Mini-Mme enjoyed a chicken quesadilla with salsa fresca and a strawberry margarita
and I finished off a succulent Dungeness Crab Tostada with fresh guacamole
For dessert we strolled around the corner
past this guy whom I wanted to bring home with me since he would look great in my dining room
and we finished the night picking candy to fill our bags for the ride home
We left Laguna Beach and headed back to our Newport Beach resort after saying goodnight to the dolphins in this fountain (except you can't see the water flowing over them in this nightshot
recommend this
email
print
link to this page
Comments: 45
Great job, as usual. I particularly loved "The only truth we could determine was that it didn't matter who was eating a frozen banana---everyone doing so looked as if they were doing something publicly unacceptable. "
You had me laughing and smiling all through my coffee. Very enjoyable!
Incredible photos, Donna. You really do have a talent for showing the flavor of a place.
3:15 AM??? Gawg.
I don't know whether to be glad Gather can now keep track of our Gathering thru the timestamps!
Hehe... but lookit the timestamp on the kitchenMage's comment... she was either up early or up later than I was!
Thanks for writing, Donna. Sounds like a great time.
Dorine, it was a exquisite few days.
Shaunee, thanks. It was a lot of fun.
Minnie, it's hard for me to look back at the food. My stomach starts to growl.
Duckie, thanks. Those lampposts added a bit of happiness to the street scene.
kM, those frozen bananas crack me up every time I see one. I do love 'em though.
Ina, thanks. But really, have you ever watched people walking down the street with those things halfway down their throats? That activity should be banned! Hah!
Nancy, thanks. I did try hard to capture several aspects of that day.
Nana, thank you. You should plan a visit sometime. It's a lot of fun!
Duckie, that cracked me up! Your dream would make a great short story.
Lyndon, there was also a pony suit. The photo wasn't as colorful as the flamingo though. I think I know what I'm going to be for this coming Halloween though.
Bart, Thanks. Yes, the water is surprisingly clear. It was a great mini-vacation with my favorite mini-gal.
Faith, thanks, food porn is one of my specialties from way back when. Oh, and I do belly dancing too!
Layla, Thanks very much!
Richard, Thanks. Everyone needs a day of indulgence every now and then, right?
David, thank you. It was a very fun day.
Visit again soon! Send candy, or a frozen banana!
Sonia, thank you.
Perhaps they should pool their dollars and get a sign that boasts they are the original feuding confectioner shops?
The piece? What can two say? Two is ever amazed by one.
Damn I miss California. DAMN! You have made me so homesick with this piece. Guess, it's time for a visit. Steve? ;) Use to go out to Coronado for fun times and your pictures brought back such great memories. Thanks for the walk down Memory Lane, darlin'.