Travel

Did I enjoy my trip?? Look at this goofy grin, it says it all! I had a blast, wallowing around in all that luxury.

We even had sunshine and warmish weather for most of the trip.

After a  long, dark, and cold winter in Kansas, I had almost forgotten how a bed of blooming flowers can lighten up my heart.

I could have been perfectly happy just staring at the colors all weekend and soaking up some springtime.

Honestly, I enjoyed sitting in a rocker in the courtyard with Victoria magazine, listening to the fountain as much as all the time I spent in the spa!

And I wasn’t the only one enjoying the lovely weather.

This little guy seemed happy to pose for me.

I was missing Sugarwings when I saw the kid’s pool area.  There was more than one pool, this one, as well as the adult pool near it, and a pool out side of the Ladies lounge area at the spa. I thought about peaking to see if there was a guy’s pool in their lounge, but thought it might not look good to the CEO of my husband’s company if I was thrown out of the club because I was checking out the men’s spa.

Brisk, spring time air was a bit too chilly for me to brave swimming any way. It didn’t seem to bother these guys, though.

Walking around the property and soaking up sunshine along with the perfectly manicured beauty of the surroundings was enough for me.

Everything about this hotel was PERFECT down to the last tiny detail, such as serving butter shaped like golf balls!!

Which brings me to the food.  It was just almost too pretty to eat! (but I managed to try it all anyway)

For Thursday’s dinner at the country club, we meandered through the club sampling food from  a dozen or more themed stations set up around the club house.

Orchids in each appetizer??? How decadent is that????? It about killed me to eat a scallop  and then watch my empty cup with its pretty little blossom get carried away on the waiter’s tray.  If I worked there, I’d be in the kitchen washing each one off as they came back in empty cups and putting them into water to make centerpieces. 

I hope they were saved!

But then, I am the person who can’t throw away a poinsettia at the end of January  because it is still valiantly trying to cling to life. Does anyone else suffer from January Poinsettia Guilt Syndrome?

Okay, back to the pictures of pretty stuff!

We were served a roof top buffet for lunch one afternoon.

And the awards banquet dinner was beautiful too (of course!)

Gourmet food does tend to be tiny, but they pack a lot of flavor into every bite!

I kept calling it all "Top Chef" food.  I had ceviche as a snack one afternoon and closed my eyes to pretend Chef Tom was there next to me. (if you are not a Top Chef fan, you should at least watch the show just to see his eyes!! I have a crush on that man)   

And then, of course there was the spa.  I had a facial the first day, and was told to come early and enjoy the spa facilities. I wish I could have taken photos, but didn’t want to intrude on the privacy of the other women indulging themselves there.

Some people stayed all day, going from the whirlpool, swimming pool, multiple lounge areas, sauna (eucalyptically wonderful!), steam room and back again.  Laying around eating fresh fruits, sipping teas, and having beauty treatments.

There was so much to offer. I loved the individual shower rooms, set up so nicely with all you could ever need in them.  Then, the big mirrored dressing rooms were filled with any item you might wish  to primp with.  It was like Willy Wonka land for grown women instead of kids.  Candy dishes set out with combs, brushes, creams, gels, anything you could desire before dressing and leaving.

I looked at the clock a lot to see how long I had been relaxing.  Five minutes drag for me when I am just sitting in hot water.

Maybe it was because I just loved being outdoors so much.  I went for long walks to explore the neighborhood and see the flowers.

"The River" is the name of the shopping center across the street from our resort.

Its too bad I wasn’t hungry, the restaurants were had wonderful views of the mountains and the fountains. On the other hand, the free food they were filling me up with at our hotel was too good and I just had no room to sample anything else!

I browsed mostly, admiring the cheerful, blingy California style.

But not so much the California price tags.

But, if you know me, you know I found the sale racks!

And not only were these Tees on sale- they had faeries and crystals on them!

The one on the right is my souvenir for the trip.

I fell in love with these too, but didn’t really need new sandals, since I had bought some for the trip.

And anyway- I was given a pair of Crocs as one of the many gifts they kept giving us!!!

This is just a bit of the loot they showered on us, along with books and treats.  Oh and of course, the entire weekend, with flights, meals, spa treatments, golf, etc.

My husband also got a $100 gift card, but we were so overwhelmed with the generosity we had been treated to, that we donated it to the company charity. They have a fund for employees with financial difficulties. Such as one of the workers at a course my husband runs, she lost her father recently and had no money for a funeral.  The company paid for all the costs for her! Now, doesn’t this sound like nice people to work for????

We were so well cared for and pampered while there.

Its too bad I am not a bigger drinker, the wines and cocktails were fabulous too.  I decided this New Zealand white is my new fave.

I met so many friendly people, and should not have worried about snooty country club types.  I have figured out, that at any gathering or group meeting, people can seem distant. But if you just go up and say hi and introduce yourself, they are usually just as happy to meet some one as you are.

  Everyone that I talked to was as welcoming as can be and no one treated me like I didn’t fit in at all.  Even if I was the only one goofy enough to be taking pictures of all of my food and acting like a dork of a tourist!!   

But there is no place like home and it is wonderful to be back in Kansas with my own little "Dorothy".