February 2011 ROADTRIP

Our Dear Parents

We started our adventure with a blustery and wet eight hour drive down I-5 to Pomona, CA.  It would take a lot more than inclement weather and SoCal traffic to keep us from Dad's 80th.

Following our celebration and visit with  our SoCal family, Jody and I had a relaxing ride over to Mandalay Beach Resort near Channel Islands Harbor.  The resort is actually on the beach side of Oxnard, CA.  But who wants to admit to intentionally traveling to a place with such an awkward sounding name? We just say we went to Channel Islands Harbor--near Ventura.

We were fortunate to get an oceanfront room with a deck overlooking the BEACH.

Beachfront view of the blue Pacific

The spacious two room suite backed up to a lush garden area with faux waterfalls.  The water features eventually flowed to a large grotto and falls that livened up the underground parking garage.

Garden area outside the front door

Looking north from our balcony

Sunset over Santa Cruz Island

Perfect Sunset

Embassy Suites Mandalay Beach Resort

Northeast part of the resort

Hi!

Friends

Southwest toward Anacapa Island

Beautiful wife 

Not quite swimsuit weather

T'was a pleasant and restful three day vacation--reading, walking on the beach, more reading, sleeping, drinking in the views...