The Grand Finale

The week before school started.  A tradition started exactly one year ago.  At the end of a summer filled with so much activity, we just wanted to escape without getting on a plane.  To our sanctuary.

The Grand Del Mar.



We arrived around 11 a.m. on Tuesday, hoping against hope that an early check-in would be possible (if not, no worries, we were prepared to enjoy the activities at the resort regardless).

Not only did we get an immediate check-in, but also an upgrade to a top level floor with a great patio and views to both sides.

[the adult pool]



The real score, though?  The goodies that awaited us.




[Lauren was incredulous:  "But Mama, how did they know I love kitties?  And chocolate chip cookies?"]

After the sugar rush, the next stop was the Explorer's Club, of course.



Only for 90 minutes, though.  We had a very important afternoon appointment.








Heading back to the room to get ready for dinner was interrupted by an impromptu catwalk.





This trip differed from our others in that I made the executive decision to go off campus for dinner each night.  Not only did it give us a change of scenery and choice of cuisines, but my wallet was not nearly as light at the end of each meal.



Del Mar Rendevous, located on the main strip in downtown Del Mar, has wonderful Asian food, plus we had a curbside seat to watch the sunset.



And show off her newly pierced ears.



Day 2 began with more time at the Explorer's Club, followed by a sprint to the pool.



Where she met up with new friends from New Yawk.



Fresh fruit lemonade and butter cookies in the lobby that afternoon tided us over before another evening out in Del Mar.



Since it was our last night, we dressed for the occasion.



I had a hankering for some guacamole, and Yelp helped navigate us to the perfect spot.





Satiated with good food (plus a coconut margarita for me, aah), we browsed a few shops....



Before walking a few minutes to the park overlooking the beach.

Where Lauren promptly worked off her dinner by launching into cartwheel-mania across the wide expanse of green.



And found yet another new friend.


[Meet Sadie, the most mellow 3-year-old pup on the planet.  About as opposite of Mojo as you can get.  Sigh.]

We managed to get some pics overlooking the gorgeous view.





Before watching the sun begin its magnificent descent.





Then it was back up the hill to The Grand, where we caught the very last of the evening light in a serene seating area we had all to ourselves.







Much too soon, morning came, and after a final hour at the kid's club, we were back on the road to Orange County, with a full day of school shopping, art, and musical theater class to attend.

So while we both wish we could spend more than two nights in what has quickly become one of our most treasured places, it is as if the very limited time we have there each visit forces us to squeeze every morsel of enjoyment and goodness out of it.

For this mama, it was truly the perfect end to a wonderful summer.