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Gruene Mansion in Gruene! Last December, Don and I spent a night in this sweet old mansion, from 1872.  The Victorian-style home was built by Henry D. Gruene, (pronounced GREEN) in a town once called Goodwin. H.D. was evidently quite a guy in the community. The town's name was eventually changed to honor him. The Dance Hall Most people in Texas know of Gruene, because of its famous dance hall. Texas has a lot of old dance halls, but Gruene Hall is the oldest.  The dance hall was built by Mr. Gruene in 1878. It sits right next door to his mansion. That was pretty convenient for Henry. Also for us, since we had tickets for a Tiki Christmas Concert on the night of our stay. Around Gruene The mansion and dance hall aren't the only buildings connected to Henry. There's the 1904 Mercantile, (great antiques now) with HD Gruene's name. The Gristmill River Restaurant is housed in the old cotton gin, built by the H.D. Other old buildings have been turned into fun shops and cafes, all just steps from the mansion. It's fun to imagine the town in 1900, when Gruene was a thriving community. Cotton farming, ginning and banking! There's still a vault in the Mercantile building. Gruene Family This photo was taken on the mansion's porch. I'm guessing the older man is Ernst Gruene, who immigrated with his wife Antoinette from Germany. They moved their family to the town of "Goodwin" when Henry was a baby.  I'm guessing Henry is the younger brother... and maybe that's his young son. This photo would have been taken after Henry returned home to Goodwin, to marry and build this home. H.D. spent many prosperous years, until his death in 1920. Sadly, Gruene was a ghost town by 1950. Mansion Property The old ghost town had a sort of revival in the early 1970s. Restoration of buildings began. Today Gruene Mansion has 2 guest rooms. Most of the other 30 or so rooms, are elsewhere on the inn's property.  When we pulled in on December 5, we followed the drive back a ways, to peek at some of the other buildings where guests stay. On the River Some of the rooms overlook the Guadalupe River. The website description... Victorian Rustic Elegance with modern amenities.  This land along the river was purchased by Ernst Gruene, in 1845. Eventually, son Henry took over the land and planted cotton and housed dozens of sharecroppers... or so I read. I couldn't tell if any of the riverside buildings were historic. The weathered wood in winter, made everything look old. Gathering Spots Near the riverside units, there were lots of open air gathering spots. On a chilly Thursday afternoon, I found no one making use of the rocking chairs.   I didn't spot anyone on the swing, beneath a metal roof. The community space didn't looked appealing on that gray day. but in the summertime, I can imagine a different vibe. Lot of guests hanging out, after a day tubing down the river. Heading In We parked on a brick & grass lot, beside a larger covered outdoor space.  Free parking was a perk. Gruene has become much more touristy, in recent decades. We could have gathered near the fireplace, under this roof.  A blanket and hot chocolate would have made it cozy. Busy Henry We've admired this Victorian mansion on many past visits to Gruene. But only recently did I learn that Henry Gruene lived here, with his wife Bertha.  Before that, he was busy in the saddle. He left Gruene (Goodwin at the time) at the age of 19 and spent time as a cowboy. I expect he gathered a lot of stories and lessons while driving longhorn cattle. Maybe he spent some of that time on the trails, calculating how he was going to prosper in Goodwin. Welcome Heart Check In was at 3. We found a sign pointing us towards the office, in the back building.  I doubt Cowboy Henry would have cared much for the heart-shaped entrance that took us to his old home. Lobby The yellow office was in a space that connected the old mansion to The Pantry, which is a coffee shop, housed in the back building.  I was disappointed there wasn't more of a lobby or lounging space. There was no place to sit, but I noticed a water station, with lots of old photos on the nearby wall. The Stairs One photo showed some images of a major restoration, around 1970. The old stairs look scary!
After checking in, we headed up those stairs. They're still sort of scary. My photo does NOT show how sloped and twisted that journey was! Luckily we had no bags.
We reached the top of the stairs and found a little sitting area with a sort of pew. There were 2 more doors. One led to the porch. The other opened to the hall, where our room was located. Back Stairs After that amusing stair climb, we went back to the car to get bags.  This time we chose the outside stairs, which were much easier. But the code didn't work. I made a couple trips to the desk until we got that figured out. Peculiar Hall Some very odd work has been done to create guest rooms, since the Gruenes lived here. The long hallway, (with very tall ceiling) led directly to the entrance of our cozy suite. Our short door in the tall hall, made me laugh.
I took a closer photo with the door open, showing the screen door to the balcony. The space between the open doors, was part of our suite... Bertha's Suite. Bathroom door to the left. Bedroom door to the right. Pondering the Door With my back to the balcony, I took one more photo of our closed door. With open space above, it looked like part of a stage set. Not sure why this amused me so.  There was only one other upstairs guest, but he frequently went in and out of his room. (a smoker maybe?) The hallway sounds floated right above that short door. Footsteps, door sounds, cellphone conversations, startled me repeatedly. I never saw him, but If he'd been an enormously tall man (or a giraffe) he could have poked his head over the door and asked to borrow a cup of sugar. Bertha's Room Our room was named for Henry's wife. I loved our corner space with 4 tall windows.  We probably could have opened them and walked right out to the wrap around balcony. But we had our own balcony door. The queen size bed, with ornate carved wood, was plenty comfy. We had a fridge, TV and coffee maker. All good.
The vintage wallpaper on the ceiling was kind of fun. As a kid, I would have loved an entertaining ceiling, when I was bored at nap time.  The view out the side windows looked towards a shop and an outside bar.  I walked over later to see the next door property. There was a small stage and an outside bar.  Since Gruene Hall was on the other side of our inn, we were literally surrounded by live music possibilities! The Bathroom! Our luxurious bathroom was a hoot. The sink set-up was very nice and spacious.  The red claw footed tub was sort of on stage! This so amused me, I had to take a few photos to capture the tricky little platform.
I did some wondering about how I would reach the shampoo & soaps mounted to the wall, when the tub curtains were closed. Bath Time Rules Then I took some time pondering the rules of the tub.  "If there are TWO of you frolicking in the bath, Please double check your awareness of the water level." Don and I had a good chuckle over that one. Porch A tiny part of me was glad the weather was chilly and damp, when I stepped through our own door to the porch.
We hardly had time to make use of this incredible wrap-around porch! Had the weather been lovely, I would have had a harder time dragging myself away from the porch.
I love porches and I love rocking chairs. Anywhere and any day.  I love people watching, too. We had the perfect view of folks strolling the walk in front.  I even loved the view behind the chairs, from the circular porch section. Looking back at the inn, it was fun to see all the those tall windows of our corner room! I sat for a spell. Just not a long one.  I played Goldilocks and tried out all the chairs. I liked the rockers at the end. They had a good view down into Gruene Hall's yard space.  This photo is from the ground, (obviously) but it shows the old-timey wire fence, that divides the dance hall and inn properties. In warm months, when Gruene is hopping, the inn's porch would definitely be a great place to take in some good people watching and music. Below After pondering on the porch, I realized I never explored the space beneath our room. I took the funny stairs to the lobby desk and headed towards the front of the house. I found nice leather chairs, near a decorated tree.
The old front door had an antique bell in the center. I used to love those old twist turn doorbells! There were numerous tables at the other end of the room. I believe the tables were available to guests who purchased drinks or food, at The Pantry.  While looking around, I couldn't help but notice a round table, with lots of appetizers and sweets. Oh boy! I guess they forgot to tell us at check in! But when I inquired, I learned the inn's owner was having a private gathering soon. Rats. Not for us. My Own Meet and Greet I headed towards the stairs, feeling a little like a middle schooler who just learned she'd not been invited to a party. But all sulking ended, when I met a pleasant looking couple who had just checked in. We struck up a converstaion and I learned they were also attending the Jamestown Revival Tiki Christmas Concert.  In fact, their son Jon, was performing. That's because he was Jon Clay, of the Jon & Zach (Chance) folk duo... Jamestown Revival. In the sweetest (non-braggy) way, these 2 shared about the "boys" who were once high school buddies. The parents were excited about the recent spotlight on these talented young men, with Grammy and Tony nominations, for the score they wrote for Broadway's musical, The Outsiders. New Groupies After a good long chat with these wonderful folks, I dashed upstairs to tell Don. We were already excited about the show. We both love Tiki and Gruene Hall. We also recently became introduced to J. Revival, after seeing them perform in 2022. (Willy Nelson Concert in Sacramento!)  But suddenly I felt a giddy connection to this talented young band... through the parents of one member. Pretty funny, at 67 I was a whole different kind of groupie. I admired these sincerely proud parents. It made me extra excited to see the show, knowing what happy supportive parents were behind them. I know. Very corny. Cowboy Tiki-Time It was fun to know there would at least be 2 "fans" in the crowd, (besides Don and me) who might be over the age of 50.  Don and I are way, way over 50, but we conjured up some youthful enthusiasm with our cowboy boots and leis. I wore my flowered shirt and Don was decorated with ukuleles. We enjoyed a toast in our room, to the fun ahead. Evening at the Inn Before heading next door, we did sneak a peek at the downstairs porch. I snooped in a window at the inn's private gathering and chuckled to myself. Have fun y'all. Sorry we can't join ya, we have to go see our friends at the dance hall now.
We headed through the glowing heart-shape. I wonder how many bridal couples have posed in that spot? The Show The evening couldn't have been more enjoyable. The stage was decorated with palm trees and Christmas decor. The enthused fans (some in tiki attire) seemed laid back and game for a simple evening of folksy Christmas music and good humored, relaxed on-stage banter. It was as if everyone already knew each other. Yet we oldsters never felt out of place. The band and the crowd all seemed equally welcoming. Night in Gruene Don and I lingered a while after the show. It felt good to know we had no drive ahead. We'd been standing throughout the show, (no seats) but we were still in no hurry to rush back.  It didn't take long for the main street to empty. We had a fun peek at the old Mercantile, all lit up with no cars cluttering. We strolled down the walk just a few steps, then up to the porch.  It was an added bonus to have our stay in December, when lights and greenery decorated the porches! Morning We slept well in Bertha's Room. There was no music lingering late at night. No guest going in and out. All was peaceful and cozy.  We had to hit the road early, but made sure to purchase some coffee and warm scones from The Pantry. The smells of coffee and sweets, was welcoming. It was a perfect end to our stay. What's Notable? We stayed in a Victorian mansion, in one of our favorite places in Texas. Even though Gruene's become touristy, it's still such a festive little town. I really never appreciated the history of Gruene or the mansion, until this visit.  Mostly I'll remember the cozy room, with access to the huge porch. The tub was not ideal, but just fine for one night. The price wasn't great either (total over 300) but again, it was just one night. A stay with warmer (not hot) weather would have made the visit absolutely ideal. I would love to enjoy more of the grounds and definitely more porch time!
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Thanksgiving at La Mansion With no family in town for the holiday, Don and I made last minute reservations for a stay in San Antonio. In a hotel where we've always wanted to stay!
We arrived the day before Thanksgiving. We wandered down the Riverwalk looking for those familiar stairs leading up to the Spanish style building. I remember spotting that pair of stairs (and the leaning tree in the middle) about 2 decades ago, for the first time. On the Riverwalk Since moving to Texas 24 years ago, we've visited the historic San Antonio Riverwalk numerous times. (rarely quiet, like my 7 am photo)  Somewhere, we have photos of the kids posing on this sweet pedestrian bridge, right near the hotel entrance. Selena Bridge I learned recently, that many refer to this bridge as the Selena Bridge. Nearly 3 decades ago, the famous singer performed her last concert at the Alamodome. Tragically, she was killed a couple weeks later. A romantic scene from the movie Selena, (1997) was filmed on this bridge.  The bridge gives sort of a curious view of La Mansion, with its arches and wrought iron. The hotel section facing the water, opened as La Posada in 1968. It was built on the property of the historic St. Mary's College, after the school relocated. The luxury hotel opened just in time for the crowds attending the HemisFair '68! College Street When Don and I arrived the day before Thanksgiving, we found the door (near Selena Bridge) locked. We left the charming Riverwalk-World and searched for the main entrance on College Street.  From the street, we saw a a very different view of the hotel. We could also see St. Mary's Church, on the corner. Obviously the school and church are connected historically. St. Mary's College The first building for St. Mary's was constructed in 1852. This 4-story structure came later, in the 1870s. It was the tallest building in San Antonio at that time!  It was fun to compare the old image to today's building. Not much has changed. We tried the door beneath the flags. Locked! How do we enter this complex of old and new buildings? La Mansion del Rio Hotel The main entrance was actually in a newer building, with valet parking and garage.  The friendly valet guys pointed to the lobby door, near a welcoming sign that showed the full name of the hotel... which was a mouthful. Once we had our keycard, we could enter all the doors. The entrance above the Riverwalk (near the oval sign) was the only one we needed.
Obviously we were drawn more to the "rio" than the street. I liked just stepping out, to see the river activity. Back inside the door, an open air corridor took us to the lobby, elevator... pool. Unlike the high-rise hotels nearby, we got to enjoy a little fresh air, every time we wandered.  We could peek at the pool and courtyard, every time we headed to the lobby. The vibe was different each time! Sometimes lively. Sometimes still. Lobby The lobby desk was within the old building. We checked in a little early, which meant we missed the rush.  It was a Wednesday before the holiday weekend. Lots of families began to arrive. Cocoa La Mansion is now owned by Omni, so we got some Omni perks, like the Hot Cocoa Table. I of course had to stop for a chocolatey drink!  I'm glad they kept the La Mansion name, so we weren't constantly reminded that we were actually staying in a chain hotel. El Colegio... Blitzen's There's a curious history behind the hotel's El Colegio Bar.  This part of the school property was added in 1934, after St. Mary's College added a law school. El Colegio became the bar's name. We would learn later what the glowing BLIZTEN'S sign was all about. The Dean's Office In 1967, St. Mary's outgrew the location and moved. In '68, a former law student purchased the property. A new building was added for hotel rooms and the Dean's office (with its wonderful stone fireplace) became the hotel's cozy bar. For years it was also a convenient gathering place for lawyers and judges, who worked at the nearby courthouse.  Don and I actually had a drink in El Colegio, about 10 years ago. We sat at a table looking out towards College Street. Exploring the Old Building I was sorry that our room couldn't have been in the historic building, on College Street.  But at least I could explore the building that once held the school. Not far from the lobby desk, a Christmas tree with the gigantic gold balls, lured me over. Then I got curious about what was above.
I absolutely love a good staircase! I had this one all to myself as I climbed to the 4th floor. When I reached the top, I looked down and gave a tiny squeal of giddy delight.  Then I noticed I wasn't by myself. A man dressed in paint splattered clothes had just come from the elevator. I told the workman I was enjoying the best view! He said he'd never seen the stairs, since his job required him to use specific halls and elevators. I invited him to come have a look and I wish I could have taken a picture of his happy face. We both admired the tree from above! Decor I wandered and found numerous event spaces.  But the doors were all locked. I wasn't as free to explore as I'd hoped. But there were many halls for wandering, in both main buildings.
I enjoyed all the different styles of art... antique paintings and Mexican Huichol yarn art.  There were vintage photos of San Antonio and old pictures showing some of St. Mary's athletes. The school was all male until 1963.  This little sitting area with soft chairs and soothing art, seemed to be inviting me to stop and sit a while. Fountains A visit to San Antonio always makes me feel like I've traveled to Mexico or Spain. Especially when there are trickling fountains. I found one in a courtyard...
... and another with a lion's head, on the outside of the building.  I wish someone could have told me about this unusual fountain near the pool. Stone faces and colorful pieces of tile! Was this a recent piece of art? Our Little Oasis Our host at check-in was very gracious, giving us some room options.  We couldn't have been happier with our choice, on the 4th floor at the very end of the building.  I loved our beams and the brick wall. 1960s Spanish style! And a door with a balcony!  The carpet and furniture looked nicely updated. I was of course drawn to the photos and art. Who were these smiling gals with rattlers on their jumpers? Female students sometime after 1963, I guess.  Trivia: The green and gold serpent became the school mascot, after diamondback rattlesnakes were found on campus, in the 1920s. There was more art in the bathroom.  It was a nice space. Not huge, but modern and fresh, with good light. Relaxing Don was pleased with a comfy chair.  We had a cozy morning on Thursday, enjoying coffee and pastries, with the Macy's Parade! Balcony I loved having doors that opened, to let in fresh air and views and sounds.  We also had a door that opened to a shared balcony. It invited me to wander a little later. 2 Views Our balcony wasn't the most spacious, but we had 2 chairs. I could sit in one and check on the pool activity.  I could sit in the other and study St. Mary's! What a delight to hear the bells chime... a lot! Some guests might get annoyed with regular bell and song interruptions. But I loved it. The sounds transported me to a different time and place. Roof View Besides people watching below, I could look across at the historic building.  The building was designed by a French architect. I felt like I was in Paris. When I wandered along some of the upper walkways, I was able to study some of the buildings that surrounded our hotel.  So many tall buildings have popped up in the old city, since the original 4-story school of 1877.  You can see our 4th floor balcony, above the fountain. So close to the church and bells! Outside Seating The pool courtyard was especially inviting at night. The water was plenty warm and a fire pit made the sitting area cozy, when temps dropped.  At the opposite end of the property, there was another courtyard.  It also had a fire pit, but also lots of rocking chairs to lure guests. I never saw anyone making use. I'm glad we enjoyed some outside sitting on Wednesday, when it was slightly warmer.
The first evening, we ordered some wine at El Colegio and enjoyed some people watching by the pool. I did not see a single person on a cell phone. Rare! I actually noticed a dad, reading Hemingway while his kids swam. Location We hardly needed to leave our sweet hotel, tucked between the Riverwalk and city buildings. But the Riverwalk access was the icing on the cake.  San Antonio's Riverwalk is a little like the canals of Venice. No cars. Lots of tourists... shops and restaurants. WPA helped create the canals and bridges in the 1930s. Then and Now Disastrous flooding of the San Antonio River in 1921, initially prompted the creation of the Riverwalk plan. I'm not sure when the vintage photo was taken, but it looks similar to the photo I took, on the right.  The new photo shows the 1968 hotel addition, which blocks the view of St. Mary's roof. When I look at both photos I wonder how many feet have walked along these paths. And how many visitors have fallen into that water! Exploring on Foot We didn't join tourists for a boat tour. We've done that. But we never tire of wandering along the winding along the pathways, beside water. A few times we took the stairs up to the street level and explored. We passed by The Alamo, then enjoyed some lunch at the historic Menger Hotel... evening drinks at the glamorous St. Anthony Hotel. The area was extra festive with colorful decorations and lights! Blitzen's On both days, Blitzen's (or El Colegio) opened its doors in the morning and afternoon. Coffee Bar... then Cocktail Bar.  I believe Omni has something to do with the Blitzen's name. I believe this year, about 13 Blitzen's Christmas Pop-Up Bars showed up in Omni hotels, around the country.  I popped in to see some Pop-Up surprises, when it first opened on Wednesday afternoon.
I love some Christmas spirit! I love surprises! I love the history of El Colegio. But the blend of it all was a bit odd.  The old fireplace was festive and amusing with Santa Dear.
The bar stools had cute covers and there were 2 Santas decorating a leather sofa. There were lights hanging above and a tree in the corner. All good.  But in the morning when we sipped coffee and enjoyed the newspaper, we had the same one complaint. It's hard to enjoy your coffee or cocktail and all the festive decor when there are TVs flickering on both sides of the fireplace and behind the bar.  I'd have been fine with some classic holiday movies playing. But it was all sports. Wrestling at 9 am! 4 Brothers: Southern Provisions Our hotel had a lovely restaurant, with an intriguing name. The restaurant also had a lovely patio, overlooking the Riverwalk.  The restaurant name recognizes the 4 brothers of the Society of Mary, who established St. Mary's College. That was in 1853! We're talking 16 years after the fall of the Alamo! This lovely dining room and bar was built on land, that likely saw some dramatic happenings, in 1836.  I guess the entire hotel sits on land that was once part of the famed Battle of the Alamo. The mission itself is just about a quarter mile away. Thanksgiving Dinner We were lucky to get reservations for Thanksgiving dinner at 4 Brothers. Our trip had been spur of the moment. I had hoped for a cozy booth, like the one I spotted during one of my exploration missions.
I was especially thrilled when I found out it was not a buffet. We could order from the menu, or enjoy a plate of typical Thanksgiving foods.  We arrived early to enjoy a toast in the bar. At first I was disappointed that we were seated at a cafe table, close to others. But we ended up enjoying a couple seated nearby. They were intrigued, when Don ordered a smoking toasted pecan old fashioned cocktail!  They had just finished their meal, so the 4 of us ended up chatting until our food came. This would not have worked out well, if this couple had been at all annoying. But I'll always remember our conversation. Just like us, they had decided on a T-Day getaway to San Antonio, because their grown kids weren't in town. We talked about some interesting things... like shared concerns about our country. It was odd and unexpected and pleasant.  I'll remember how much I enjoyed my turkey dinner, as well as the upbeat waiter who served it. How did he manage to be so energetic and gracious after serving on a busy holiday? Nighttime After dinner we stepped out into the chilly air to have one last peek at the water. On Thanksgiving night, the sidewalks were fairly quiet. (photos mostly from the night before) We stood on the bridge and wondered what the river would look like the next night... for the annual holiday light parade on the water! What's Notable? Our stay at La Mansion was such a sweet surprise. Our expectations were simple... to just enjoy a change of scenery, in a decent hotel.  We loved our room with balcony and bells. We appreciated the professional and friendly staff. The history of the property was an added treat. There was even something very pleasant about the other guests we passed, or observed, or spoke with. And of course the location made our stay extra special. Maybe next time we'll splurge and book a room overlooking the water!
"Laguna Surf Lodge" When Don booked our seaside hotel, it was still called Laguna Riviera Beach Resort.  When we arrived last October, a new name greeted us on a temporary sign. Since 1948 The old name conjures up a ritzy image. In 1948, Harry & Lillian Willits had some European resort ideas, when they named their California hotel. They had been inspired, by earlier travels, to both the Italian and French rivieras.  I've been to neither of the glam resort areas, but my photo of "Laguna Riviera" (from across the Coast Highway) looks a tad more Floridian. Which totally delights me! It reminds me of roadside motor inns that my family enjoyed when I was kid. Hints of the Past Don and I were newlyweds when we lived in Laguna Beach, in the '80s. We were in our twenties and much younger than The Riviera, but I was fond of the hotel's throwback charm, even then.
I remember the car-port-style entrance, on the left. I remember peeking through the glass to see the pool, beneath the futuristic cone structure. Today, you can still see some of the beachy colors, on the yet to be renovated side. Spiffed Up! We knew about new ownership and renovation before arriving. When we pulled in through the opening, the old homey Riviera Hotel had bright new surprises.  Over the years, the family friendly resort attracted lots of happy return guests. Even when it became a bit worn and aged. Some renovation was still in progress during our stay, but Laguna Surf Lodge had a relaxed, yet classy boutique hotel vibe. We were greeted by a charming valet guy, named Gabe. He offered us some refreshing flavored water, in eco-friendly metal cups. What's in Back? Before moving towards the office, I let my eyes follow the arrow on the brick drive. I could quickly see what made this hotel such a magnet, for over 7 decades. The 1-acre property has amazing views!  This photo shows just a glimpse of the 5-level property, with stairs and pathways heading down to the beach! And surfers! We saw many, so the new name fits. Friendly Check In We found the temporary office in a welcoming space, with glass doors opening off to the pool area.  An upbeat young woman named Rynn, checked us in. She seemed excited that we'd be staying in her favorite room. "It's one of the original rooms!" I loved her enthusiasm about the hotel's history. It first opened with only 12 rooms, then expanded to 41. Beverage Corner Rynn pointed out a corner of the lobby, where we could help ourselves to coffee and water. Right away I noticed the beautiful green glasses and colorful mugs.  Rynn explained a little about the hotel's, new SCP ownership and its Holistic Hospitality approach. No paper cups here! "Soul Community Planet" The SCP stands for Soul Community Planet. There are currently at least 10 of these properties, mostly in the west.  Here's a quick description I stole from their website: "Soul Community Planet (SCP) was founded on the core values of wellness (Soul), kindness (Community) and sustainability (Planet). We provide hand-crafted venues comprising hotels, coworking, restaurants, and fitness. For those who believe in the power of healthy living, kindness towards others and compassion for the planet." Family Run 1948- 2018 I do love a family run hotel. This is how the Riviera looked when the Willats family owned the hotel. They not only ran the hotel, but lived in it. Harry's son Bruce, took over in the 80's and evidently had good stories about growing up at the Riviera.  There were stories of famous guests, like author Pearl S. Buck. She and her family came for annual 3-month stays. Did Bruce play with her kids? Not sure. It was 1952, when Richard Nixon's family stayed at the Riviera. The Nixon girls were pretty young, when they were seen tossing a ball with their dad on the beach. It was the weekend before Nixon was elected vice president. Meeting Jimmy During our stay, we didn't get to meet any politicians, or writers, or any members of the Willats family. But we felt delighted to meet Jimmy Bray in the office on the second day.
I'm still not sure about Jimmy's title. He was way too gracious and fun and laid back, to introduce himself as "owner". But he was an absolute delight as we swapped stories about our shared love of historic hotels. Jimmy has played a big role in renovations of many properties around the country. His enthusiasm for Laguna Surf Lodge was contagious. His upbeat energy was shared with guests and staff alike. He introduced us to Mari, who had just tidied our room that day! Fun Cars After raving with Jimmy about how pleased we were with the renovated hotel and the top notch staff, I had to let him know how much I loved the fun vehicles!
If we'd had more time and more money, we could have taken off in the 1967 Land Rover, with a guide and surfboards. The lodge offers a very cool "Dawn Patrol" adventure package, that involves a day of surfing and beach dining. Ship Shape! While checking in, Gabe effortlessly made 2 trips with luggage to our room. By the time we headed down the pathway, I'd fallen in love with the hotel.  With all the time we've spent in Laguna Beach over the years, we've never seen more than a street view of the hotel. It was exciting to finally stroll down the zig-zag pathway. Looking up at the structure, the balconies and windows made me think of some kind of whimsical ship! Or maybe a humongous houseboat! Room 101 Luckily when Don booked, he made sure we had an ocean view room with a balcony. That was enough to thrill me.
Since the rooms are all very unique, I wasn't sure what to expect. I was excited to learn we were staying in one of the original 12 rooms. It took us a while to reach it, at the lowest level. But it was still high above the beach. "Peaceful Room" We never saw another room, but I can see why Rhnn thought this room was the best! The whole front of the room was glass.  It was considered one of their "peaceful rooms", with lots of light and airy space in the front portion. A modern table with four chairs, sat beside a wall of white brick. A little reminder of the old structure!
There was a great wet bar, with fridge and sink and I loved the framed photo... hugging a surfboard! Sit a Spell At the foot of the bed, we had a comfy couch and a sweet table made from a slice of tree.  We could lounge and enjoy the view out the glass doors, or we could enjoy some nearby nature, right in the room! Green In the center of all those tree rings, there were 2 tiny pots. Those miniature succulents sort of delighted me!
On a nearby wall, there was a circular piece of art. It looks flat in my photo, but the soft moss and feathery fronds, were growing right out of the circle. Ahh! Peaceful Sleep! The bed itself was luxurious, with an avocado green mattress. A first for me. But the bed was also surrounded with comforting features.  I love an adjustable lamp with plug-in options. Above the wood headboard was another piece of calming art. Did it flutter when the ceiling fan was turned on? Forgot to check. Sounds and Scents On one table, there was a round "Yogasleep" machine, that offered up soothing sounds or music! In fact there was a dreamy melody playing, when we entered the guest room!  On the other table there was an essential oil diffuser, with the most lovely and subtle aroma. A bottle of pillow spray was handy as well. Brand New I love a retro bathroom with pink tile, but there was nothing mid-century modern about our bathroom.  I was more than happy to give up the 1950s look for this lovely space. We had everything from double sinks to illuminated mirror. An enormous shower and even a fabric steamer, for wrinkled clothes. No TV Part of the Peaceful Room approach meant no TV. It was actually a treat to not have the option.  There was a generous space beside the bed. Just right for a little stretching or yoga time. There was even a mediation pillow.  I found a yoga mat in the closet and a "Well-Being Play Book" nearby. The enormous mirror could have helped me perfect some yoga poses...or ballet... or photos! The mirror came in handy in the evening, before Don and I headed off for tiki drinks at Royal Hawaiian.  We did an "Old People Selfie" with the mirror. I hoped to spotlight Don's bird of paradise shirt and my flamingo dress, but mostly I captured the nice floors! The Deck! I was thrilled to have a private deck, but never did I expect a 2-level set-up! We opened our glass doors to an upper balcony.
A set of stairs led down to a spacious deck, with an L-shaped couch and a massive umbrella.  And a view that never got old!  We made sure to catch sunset on the first evening.
In late October, that happened around 6. Then off to dinner. In the morning we grabbed complimentary coffee from the lobby and returned to enjoy our view. The coffee was delicious, btw! From a local brewing co.
We enjoyed breakfast treats from Orange Inn, just a block away. For lunch we had tacos from a nearby cafe, along with Sangria flavored soda!
The deck lured us back in the afternoon for a little tea and some reading... very curious Laguna Beach history! Surfers and Sunset On the second night, we made sure to stop back at the hotel, for another sunset on the deck.
The waves were minimal, but the surfers were still entertaining to watch.  They used every last bit of sunlight to catch the last waves of the evening.   I realize I posted 16 photos related to our deck and view. I don't have to tell you, that we were in love with that glorious deck. No matter what time of day! What Else? We had only 2 nights and the time went fast. We didn't make use of the little shared space, tucked into the property about halfway up from the beach.  We could have played corn hole or enjoyed fire pits in the evening. 1950s? In this old postcard, you can see folks gathering in the same area. How I love the webbed lawn chairs and fringed umbrellas!  If we'd visited in a busier season, we might have met some other guests as we gazed out at the sea. To the Beach The railings and views, made it seem like we were enjoying a vacation on a cruise ship!  But we weren't trapped cruisers! We could easily follow the walkway down to the beach.  On my first trip down, I was amused by the maze-like journey. Even though there was only one way up and one way down.  The lush growth created a wall, beside the white railing. It was exciting to see what was around each corner. A sweet little table for 2, surprised me at one point. A little platform just off the path, offered a perfect sunset view.
Before reaching the gate to the beach, there was a long narrow deck with about 10 rocking chairs. So many options for enjoying the view!  I saved the rockers for later. I had to get my feet on the sand. Before opening the gate, I checked out a collection of beach supplies, that guests were welcome to use. There were beach chairs and boogie boards, umbrellas and sand toys! I took nothing, but left my sandals behind.  I so wanted to step back far enough to photograph the complicated structure of the hotel. Impossible. I'd have to swim a long way out, to really see the whole thing. So I walked along the beach instead.  I headed north and found myself at Laguna's lively Main Beach. The Pool! With a gorgeous beach, I hardly needed pool time. But I wanted the whole Riviera experience!  Another postcard image gave me an idea of how the pool looked... maybe in 1957? Just guessing that date. That was a good year. My birth year.
Don and I were the only guests who were drawn to the pool that day. I did a little posing before I got in the water. The pool area hasn't had the full remodel yet.  That meant I could sit in the flower-shaped hot tub and imagine the day when swim caps were required. But those gals in the postcard image weren't wearing caps! Maybe they had different rules in California.  I remember Florida pools in the '60s. Oh how I hated the women's cap rule... regardless of hair length!  Don was reading in a chair and I didn't have any lady friends to gab with, so I leaned my head back and studied the umbrella-like structure above me. I really do love that thing! Did it have glass at one time? I should have asked Jimmy how they plan to refurbish this area. Please don't remove this retro thing! Nighttime The hotel had a whole different feel when the sky was dark. There is always something magical about being near an ocean at night.
I will never forget the sound of the waves as we wandered up and down the walkway. Daytime But I absolutely loved the light, bright feel of our hotel in the daylight!  Even with fog in the morning, the views were the best!  The surfers were out at 7 am. I think most were high school age, heading to school soon.  Even though the water was unusually calm, we spotted surfers at all hours! Location! What a treat to be able to walk to restaurants and shops, without grabbing the car. It was a fun walk on the sand, to Main Beach and further north to Heisler Park. Returning along the Coast Highway, offered up good people watching, shops and restaurants. What's Notable? A classy seaside boutique inn, with a mid century vibe! The room with its balcony was above and beyond, in every way. The hotel's location was just right. And in the future there will be a restaurant/bar and spa, a plunge pool and much more on site.
We felt like we'd hit the jackpot with our accommodations, as well as our service. I must say, that Jimmy and the welcoming staff, played a big part in making our stay so extra special. It's rare to see such an eager staff working together. It was hard to leave this little bit of paradise. But Jimmy gave us hugs and begged us to stay in touch. So I guess that means we'll have to return!
Gypsy Vardo Wagon for a Night This magical little "circus trailer" was our home for one night!  A few years ago, I spotted an image of it on the internet. When I found out you could actually spend a night in the wagon, I put it on the list! Pee-wee Connection The charm of the tiny house on wheels, wasn't the only thing that lured me. It was also the desert setting! Just 13 miles from Joshua Tree National Park area.  Honestly, I was maybe the most excited about the quirky history of the little trailer! It played a part in the ridiculously nutty, (love it or hate it) movie, "Big Top Pee-wee". More on that later. Finding the Place Don and I booked the little trailer for a night in October. It was the halfway stop, on our California road trip. The night before, we'd been in Hollywood. What a contrast!  We followed the website's driving instructions, which warned us to avoid Foxy Flats Rd. However, we weren't given a preferred route. This photo shows the lovely road we chose... before the flat gravel road suddenly climbed a steep hill and things got tricky with our rental car! Hicksville Trailer Palace We were relieved to end our rugged road adventure. We parked near a spiky Joshua Tree, outside the fenced in compound, with the amusing name. Hicksville Trailer Palace!  I was giddy about our overnight in the little gypsy wagon. I was excited to spend a night in a quirky resort, out in the desert. Purple Office at the Trailer Palace We moved towards the purple building, with the word Office on the door. I was feeling pretty tickled to be staying this colorful oasis, filled with refurbished trailers. This is the kind of oddball place that Don and I love.  I guess using the word tickled, shows my age. I picked it up from my grandmother. "Daw" was frequently tickled over things. This resort would not be Daw's kind of place, but I can imagine her saying, "Oh I am just tickled to death that we are able to stay at the Roosevelt Hotel!" The Geezers Arrive Anyway, Don and I headed for the door and knocked quite a few times. When Jessica opened the door, I was confused by her perplexed expression. That was an odd greeting, since we'd been told to text 30 minutes before arrival. She was expecting us.  There was an awkward silence, so I introduced myself and Don, in case she'd had a bit of amnesia. I soon realized she was simply baffled to see a bald man and a lady with wrinkles. She was clearly expecting younger guests, like the ones jumping up and down, on the website. We clearly weren't hip enough for Hicksville. Touring the Compound Jessica had us follow her through the locked gate. I tried not to be insulted when she muttered, "I hope you know what you're in for." She spoke as if we might be too elderly to navigate the internet. Maybe we hadn't peeked at the website to know they had communal bathrooms and a vape room, located in an old lifeguard stand. Those things didn't thrill me, but I knew about them.  I gave her a pass. Maybe she had a headache. "I know..." I sort of teased, "We look like a couple of old geezers, but we stay in places like this a lot." I assured her that I'd studied the website. The first thing she pointed out was a cartoonish outhouse, sitting on the Astroturf. It was one of 2 toilets we were welcome to use. (Daw wouldn't have gone for this!) Music & Pool Girls We passed a juke box, built into the side of the purple house. Jessica told us it was complimentary.  Music was already playing, entertaining 6 young women lounging in the peanut sized saltwater pool.  The 6 women were the only other Hicksville guests, on that October Thursday. They looked about as pleased to see us as Jessica had been. I would have gestured hello, but they sipped their drinks and tried to ignore the elders who were passing through their space.  I did not invade their privacy, by taking pool photos that might include the gals in bikinis, holding beers. I took photos later. Mostly Trailers We followed Jill around the grounds. She pointed out the other trailer options. I was glad almost all were unoccupied that evening. There was an intriguing houseboat and a Sideshow-themed circus train car. The trailer, with the porch and roof, reminded me of Lucy & Desi's luxury home, in "The Long Long Trailer" movie. That's where the Pool Gals were staying. A Community of Trailers Just like in the movie, our trailer was located on the edge of the property. We had a good spot for looking out over our odd little community.   In the movie, the trapeze artist Gina lives in the colorful wagon. Her window gave her a good view of other tents and trailers. Our view was similar to Gina's, but we never saw Pee-wee approach! Interior When we stepped inside our trailer it felt like a storybook cottage. The colorful curtains hid the bed, as well as the large window.  There was a purple velvet couch, across from a sink. Squirts of water came forth with a press-down lever. Not exactly the easiest for washing your face, but I was happy to have it. We already knew our tiny trailer had no bathroom.
The opened curtains revealed the bed and more window light. A shiny wooden table slid out from a slot beneath the mattress. That came in handy.  I definitely needed to "climb" into bed. It was high! But it was comfier and larger than expected. And the ledge for the bay window, gave me a bedside table. Spotlight on Pee Wee This may have been Gina's home in the movie, but the cozy trailer was definitely focused on Pee-wee. I liked the curious artwork, titled "Tequilla".
A little shelf held Pee-wee related books and toys and the once popular, talking Pee-wee doll. I pulled on the plastic ring, but heard no voice when I pulled the string. Just the same hissing sound, my old Chatty Cathy Doll made, after years of play.  I had some fun with an old Viewmaster toy. It showed images of Pee-Wee, from his Pee-wee's Playhouse Show. Don used to watch with our daughter when I worked on Saturday mornings. Good times! TV/Movie Star... Cancelled? Not all folks appreciated Pee-Wee's humor, back in the day. And then after he got in trouble with the law, he lost a few fans. But Pee-wee's been gone more than a year, now. Rest in Peace. I choose to embrace the good in Paul Ruebens and the joy he brought to lots of kiddos.
Long before Pee-wee was a "star", he was a teenage actor, at a theatre in Sarasota, Florida. I found his original name, in an old theatre program, from a play my dad directed in 1968. Paul Ruebenfeld actually. Small world. TV & AC Our space was tiny, but there was an a.c. unit, which was very much needed with the blazing afternoon sun.  Seemed silly to have a TV, especially since it didn't seem to work. But there was a DVD player which miraculously did. Later that night we popped in the Big Top Pee-wee movie. We had an amusing viewing. The Movie I snapped photos of the wagon, to compare later.  I took this photo below, to send my kids.  They recognized Sacha, the performer on the left. He taught our kids at Circus Camp, one summer. So many fun connections!  It's been 36 years since this scene was shot inside the wagon. Not too much has changed.  A different couch, but the wallpaper looks the same! Evening Light There was an interesting feel to the place as the sun began to lower.  The Pool Girls retreated to their big trailer, but the juke box music continued their playlist as the sun lowered. Luckily it was a varied one, that we sort of enjoyed. Phototime with Props With no-one around but us, I pulled out my Gypsy skirt for a quick photo or 2.
Knowing we'd be staying in Pee-wee's gypsy wagon, I packed props. I tossed a couple of bowties into the suitcase. They weren't red like Pee-wee's but I think he'd like their style.  Sorry we blurred you Pee-wee. I didn't realize we were on portrait mode. By 6, the wagon cast a perfect shadow over our 2 chairs. Don made drinks and we enjoyed looking out over the dusty little kingdom. We had the place to ourselves.  And then Jessica appeared. She just stopped to chat. Maybe her headache went away. Maybe she saw our bowties and thought we were odd enough to fit into the rad hipster world of Hicksville Trailer Palace. We actually had a nice chat. Entertainment Options We had a little time before our desert oasis would be chilly and dark.  There were lots of options for entertainment. There was a teepee beside us, with seating and fire pit.
There was pingpong, in a shady little game room area.  There was even an odd putt putt golf area.
We didn't have enough time to get into a good book, inside the cabin library.
We didn't have the energy (or desire) to climb into the covered ball pit.  We could have lounged on the surfboard style loungers, next to the old lifeguard tower from Huntington Beach... also used as Vape Room.
Don and I were already happy and relaxed enough. We did not need any vaping entertainment. I did of course peek through the glass.
I was kind of curious about the archery and shuffleboard! Food? I never found out what was with the Dr. Wiggles Weiner Wagon. I guess wiener can be spelled weiner. ??  We didn't bring our own frankfurters, but the Pool Girls grilled burgers, later that evening. They invited Jessica to join them. We got no invites!  They were sitting around the table, on little swings when I passed by to get some ice. Communal Bathing Just steps from the funny table and swings, I found the door to the ice machine.  Right beside the ice machine there was a cowboy bathtub. Actually that was a sink.  Behind the flamingo curtain was the community shower. This was an awfully intimate set up. Next to the ice/shower room, there was a separate door to a toilet. It actually had a lock and a heated toilet seat. I never made use of the outhouse with the moon.
There was also an open air shower near our trailer. It had a small metal wall and stool. Made no use of that either. Almost Dark We didn't make use of all the entertainment options. Instead we moved to a different spot and pulled out the fried chicken dinner we'd purchased earlier.  Grilled burgers would have been better, but the scenery was perfect!  Our little glowing wagon looked mighty sweet, after sunset.  The sweet trailer's "face" seemed to be telling me something as I headed inside. "Paint me" ?? Morning at the Trailer Palace I was up nice and early, since we Geezers were in bed by 9:30.  I climbed up to the roof deck/hot tub, for a nice view before 7.  There was lots of sky drama.  The property was still, so we had to be quiet. But it was time to play. Before Hitting the Road The sun seemed blistering hot in the afternoon, but the "resort games" looked inviting in the early morning light.
I was pretty awful with archery. My BB gun skills were equally bad, but shuffle board was a hoot! Nearby Fun We tiptoed off the property before 9. We wanted to explore the area before getting to our hotel (and shower) in Laguna Beach. A Notable Night always ranks higher if there are fun things within walking distance. In desert country, I have to share the fun places that are within a close drive. The photos above show the nearby fun! What's Notable? Even though it took a bit of time to warm up to our host and this oddball Trailer Palace, I'm glad we stayed in Pee-wee's trailer. I'm glad we oldsters found a way to have fun at a place that caters to the party crowd.  $160. is a lot for an overnight in a trailer, which requires a dark walk through the sand to reach the restroom. Staying in the fall on a Thursday was probably wise. But I have a feeling we would have a lot more stories to tell if we'd stayed over a 3-day weekend!
Kitschy Signs We stayed at a Hollywood hotel, with a sign that looked like it was from 1960s Disneyland.
Before we headed up the drive we passed a green & gold sign. This sign & lion combo, remind me a bit of 1960s Las Vegas. Magic Castle The whole entrance off of Franklin Avenue, just amused me! There were signs & lions on both sides. Go left and the drive led to the hotel.  Go right and the drive heads up to the Magic Castle... which we did later. Our Bright Yellow Hotel Our hotel wasn't quite as grand as the castle, but it was bright and welcoming.  This happy midcentury beauty was originally built as apartments. In 1950 it had nothing to do with the "mansion" next door, which later became The Magic Castle Club. Today the 2 are affiliated, but with different owners. Magic Castle? The Magic Castle Club was the whole reason we were staying at the Magic Castle Hotel!  The exclusive club, sits halfway up the hill, looking a little like something you might see at 1970s Disney World! (I love dates and Disney comparisons!) Over a Century Old But the castle is much older than the 1970s.  The mansion on the hill, was built as a private residence, back in 1909. It didn't become an exclusive club until 1963. It's still owned by the Academy of Magical Arts, a group of magicians and fans of magic. A Sunny Tuesday in October Don and I arrived before 1:00 on a pretty afternoon. More lions greeted us at the fountain.  Don waited in the car and I zipped up the stairs to inquire about early check in. Lobby There was no Hollywood Glam to be seen, but moments after I stepped inside the quiet lobby, I was enjoying the hotel's welcoming, playful vibe.  Gina greeted me at a widow, near the courtyard door. She couldn't have been more welcoming. I told her that we learned about the hotel (and its connection to Magic Castle) from a news piece on CBS Sunday Morning. She laughed. We weren't the only ones who called for reservations on the day the show aired. Champagne at 1! Gina said our room was ready and we could park in the garage below the building. (a fee, but worth it) I ran out to grab Don because Andrea suddenly popped out with a tray holding 2 glasses of champagne.  Was that a regular thing? Or was it because I had mentioned we were spending a couple days in Hollywood celebrating our 45th anniversary? Not sure, but it was a fun welcoming!  It was just plain fun to sip our champagne (next to our pile of bags) and gab with Gina and Andrea about how excited we were to stay at the Magic Castle Hotel. Perks We made reservations a few months before, after learning that hotel guests are able to acquire vouchers for an evening at the (Members Only!) Magic Castle. We paid extra to get a package deal, that covered our room, gave us vouchers for the Magic Castle Club, plus a $200. dinner gift card.
There were so many fun perks that came with our stay at the happy yellow hotel. One was free snacks! Next to the lobby window, there was a list of all the goodies available. The staff insisted we not be shy about asking for treats whenever we wanted! It's all part of the fun! The fun that the staff sincerely seems to encourage! A Yellow Ship Oh what I would have given to have stayed here as a kid! The hotel seemed to be built around the swimming pool.  Terraced stairs led up to the rooms, which formed a ring around the central courtyard and pool. It felt like a big ship, with all the fun in the middle! Family Friendly Most of the 43 rooms are apartment-sized and have full kitchens and pullout sofas. So the place attracts a lot of families.  The above photo was taken during a rare moment, when the pool was empty. The pool is heated year round and open (I believe) 24/7. The guests seemed as pleasant as the staff, so it was pleasantly entertaining watching families (many with Australian accents) enjoying the pool! Tropical Retro The levels and stairs were a bit confusing. And also hard to navigate with a lot of luggage. (Staff was more than happy to help) I loved the retro design of the place.
I got a little lost looking for our room, #108. It was not on the first floor, but up a level and around to the back. When I made a wrong turn, I discovered a complimentary laundry room for guests.  The rooms with balconies and pool views would have been fun, but we'd paid an extra chunk, for our evening at the Magic Castle. We booked a lower cost room. Room 108 No pool view, but we got a lot of space for our buck! We had numerous windows in our 1-bedroom apartment. None of the windows had decent views, so we kept shades mostly closed.  We hardly needed the kitchen, but we had a decent one. The fridge had a lock, which was odd. It's a family hotel and there were beverages inside, unsuitable for the kiddies. There was a cute stove/oven and a tea kettle...  ... a toaster and microwave! There was a large separate bedroom with a king bed.  We should have brought more family! There was lots of floor space for sleeping bags and a sofa bed in the other room! Getting Ready I appreciated the non-1950s bathroom. And I was happy to have a real tub.
We had Magic Castle robes! Very handy when you need to start your beautification, for an evening at Magic Castle. Mirror Photo The mirrored sliding doors to the closet, gave us an opportunity for a photo shoot, before heading to the Magic Castle.  And why is Don wearing a hideous wig and feather tie? What's with my boa and cigarette holder? Costumes in October Formal dress is always required for members and guests, visiting the Magic Castle. Except for a couple of weeks every October, when costumes are encouraged.  Gina took our photo in the lobby before we headed over to The Club. Not all hotel guests take advantage of the opportunity to visit Magic Castle. But many do and the staff had fun with those guests who were headed that way. They even offered to drive us, but we opted to walk. Photo Stop We walked down the drive and paused to ham it up in front of the sign.
Don and I didn't exactly go all out with costumes. We were a little nervous, not knowing how many guests really dressed up for Halloween. We played it safe with a wig and feather boa, which could be stashed into my bag if we changed our minds. Waiting The Castle opened at 5, but we arrived about a half hour later. We'd made reservations months before and had chosen an 8:00 dinner seating, so no worries. But there was a line, that was a bit surprising. And slow moving.  We stood in line nearly an hour before getting in. I'm still not sure why. We seemed to be standing with a lot of people who had chosen formal dress over costumes. They also seemed to be "guests" like us. They weren't being ushered to the front of the line, like arriving members. These guests were not all from our hotel? I wanted to ask how they all got invites. I hear it's tricky. Celebs I saw a few people glancing at Don's attractive wig, trying to determine whether he was in costume or not. Who wouldn't want to wear that thing daily?  People watching became entertaining, when more costumed guests began to arrive. As we got closer to the entrance it was fun watching fancy cars pull up. Club members were ushered to the door, quickly. I didn't exactly recognize any famous people, but back in the day there was some well known members of the Academy. Johnny Carson, Cary Grant and Steve Martin... The process was odd and slow, but we eventually got inside. Magic Castle Evening There are very strict No Photo rules, inside. Phone cameras had to be put away as soon as you left the tiny lobby. Once inside, we said "Open Sesame" to an owl, wearing a pirate hat. The door opened to the club and its complicated multi-leveled maze of rooms and passages. A grand night of dining and drinking, while we observed talented magicians, performing in cozy parlors and watching some incredible acts in an intimate theatre. Night at the Hotel After many hours of magical entertainment, we headed back to our little hotel next door!  At 11 pm, we spotted one family happily (and quietly) playing in the pool. Morning I stepped out of the room around 7 the next morning.  I headed down the steps and got to see the pool without any guests.  The little movie screen glowed above the patio area. Cartoons! Breakfast in the Lobby The lobby had a nice set up, with real dishes and silverware.  I grabbed some yogurt and packaged pastries, while I checked out the old photos on the wall.  There were some vintage photos from the Hollywood area. I wish they'd had a few showing the hotel, back in its apartment days. Coffee and Movie I liked the coffee options! And I appreciated the large plastic trays that helped me carry the food and drink back to the room.
I was tempted for a moment to text Don to join me on the patio. All the tables were vacant and there and a movie with a train was playing! That could have been a fun start to our day. But I took our tiny breakfast upstairs.  I promise we didn't eat M&Ms or Snickers, with our light breakfast! On the Patio After a while we headed down for more coffee and enjoyed the friendly atmosphere. There kids playing board games as they ate their cereal.  We spotted a man in a vest and tie, entertaining a family with magic tricks. Alfonso We were pretty excited when Alfonso came to our table and did a few card and coin tricks! He was good! An Australian family joined our table for a bit and Alfonzo really surprised the kids when some Australian coins appeared.  I told Alfonso how much fun it was to watch the kids' faces when he performed. He said the kids are the best. "They're so genuinely surprised!" Hanging Out We had about an hour before we needed to hit the road.  We didn't have time to work on the popsicle puzzle. Popsicles are a big thing at Magic Castle Hotel! More Sweets! I made sure to indulge in every freebie I could find. Help yourself to the soda machine!
I grabbed a cone and had some fun with some swirly ice cream!  I didn't just pose with the cone. I ate the whole thing. Hotline Time! This is what I was most excited about!
24-Hour Popsicle Hotline! Right next to the pool. They answered right away and I made sure to sound very needy. "Hello! I am in need of a popsicle right away please!"  Look hard and you can see my server is wearing white gloves (and jeans) and he has an assortment of flavor options on a little silver tray! The man behind me didn't seem to need a popsicle that morning! Actually a frozen treat might have put him in a better mood. Pack Up I hated to leave this fun, playful place. But we needed to head off to Joshua Tree National Park. We packed up.  Don's suitcase was a little lighter. He left his wig behind for the housekeeper's amusement. (I turned the light off, to avoid wig fires!) What's Notable? Our hotel stay was more enjoyable than we expected! We'd book a room basically to give us the privilege of getting guest passes to the Magic Castle.  We did enjoy the evening of magic, just a short walk from the hotel. But our little yellow oasis will almost be more memorable. The staff and the set up (with all the funny gimmicks) created an atmosphere that was laid back and comfy and homey and playful. I would love to come back with our kids and grandkids someday!
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Ninety Notable
Nights My New Year's Resolution for 2014 was to start documenting some of the memorable overnights I've had in some very odd and curious motels and hotels. Like the adventures in my Dining Blog, I have learned to enjoy the surprises that happen when you step out of the comfort zone, far away from the well-known chains. I began with a few entries recalling my very first home away from home memories from my youth. Then, I started sharing about some of the quirky and unforgettable motels, hotels and inns that my husband and I have discovered in recent years. The best part about this challenge was making some lists with Don and getting on the road in search of new overnight adventures. I gave myself a 2-year goal to write up 90 stories and the goal was met. Now we just keep on adding! Archives
December 2024
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