My First Blog.

Hi everyone.

March 1st, 2014 was my first day of retirement from AT&T, where I had worked for almost 18 years. Although I enjoyed working for them and loved all the people I worked with, that was a totally awesome day!  Not, however, being one to sit around and let the grass grow under my feet, Mark and I decided to begin a travel agency.  As part of that effort, I will be producing a blog entry at random intervals - I seldom do anything on a regularly scheduled basis.  I will try to talk about our trips, special places to see, hotels and restaurants - although you might also want to check out Mark's blog - Dining in Vegas - for great Vegas restaurant reviews..
For the first retirement month, I pretty much tried ineffectively to get caught up around the house.  Oh well, everything will keep until I'm ready again.

 On March 27th, I began my official "Retirement Tour".  Mark and I drove to Southern California, where we met up with our daughter Jennifer and stayed for 2 nights at the very nice Ontario Airport Hotel - nicely situated between the Airport and the Ontario Mills Mall.  Friday night we went to dinner at JiRaffe in Santa Monica (my home town) for an absolutely wonderful meal.  The restaurant had been recommended by Evan, a friend of Jenn's and the Head Chef at Johnny's Harborside in Santa Cruz - another great restaurant you'll be hearing about in a subsequent blog.   JiRaffe at 502 Santa Monica Blvd , Santa Monica, CA 90401    310/917-6671.  A few days later the Facebook Samohi AlumniAssociation page announced that JiRaffe Head Chef/Owner Rafael Lunetta  had been named Chef of the Year by the California Travel Association (CalTravel).  If you're in the area be sure to give them a try.  
On Saturday, Jenn and I attended my best friend Sharon's Birthday Tea - beautifully prepared by her daughter, Erica, Jenn's BFF.  Then we moved on to the Courtyard by Marriott Los Angeles Burbank Airport.  Although I usually totally enjoy stays at Courtyard by Marriott, I can't recommend this one.  Between a rude desk clerk and no Burbank shuttle, I'd say find another hotel.  Bright and early Sunday morning, I took Mark to the airport to fly back to Vegas, where our other car was waiting at the airport for him and returned to the hotel to pick up Jenn and we headed out to Sequoia National Park - an amazing visit which will be my NEXT blog - this one is already too long.  Relax, enjoy the day and think about where YOU want to go next!