The Great Orange County Adventure

What do you do when friends you had not seen for almost two years come to visit?  Go on an all out food and site seeing fest, that’s what!

Steve and Kathy, whom we met on a Rhine cruise years ago, moved from England to California in August of last year, just days after we had returned to Germany, making a planned visit impossible.   So we laid plans to see Orange County, summer 2015, in overdrive and make up for the months we had not been together.

Struggling a bit to remember directions, we collected our friends from the airport and set out for a great adventure.

Japanese Gardens at CSULB

The koi pond and elegance of the Japanese Gardens at CSULB lured us to its solitude first.  Feeding the fish and catching up filled our peaceful time there.  Friday evening we ate dinner at the Summit House in Fullerton. The glorious SoCal weather enhanced our view of the Coastal mountains and Saddleback.  Our waiter's sense of humor complimented the sensory enjoyment of the food, the fellowship, and the vista. 

Summit House 

Saturday had been set aside to visit the beach, but the weather report predicted rain, so we headed inland to Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary.  Smitty had volunteered there in the early 80's, but, having not dropped by for 30 years, we were surprised by improvements made.  Another Koi pond, informative nature walks, a gift shop, all charmed us.  The bird porch remained the same, allowing up close and personal views of many different species of bird.  The feisty hummers were the best, of course.

Steve taking our picture at Tucker

Lunch, in the rain, was at historic Watson's Drugstore in downtown Orange.  We took the afternoon to drive through the quaint old neighborhoods of Orange and Floral Park.  Delightful homes and lovely gardens awaited us, as we viewed from the car to avoid the unseasonal downpour.  Dinner at Rudabegors, filled with laughter and conversation, did not disappoint!

Sunday we started the morning at the Broken Yoke, a great place for breakfast fit for a linebacker.  Sunny weather drew us to the Wedge in Newport, then on to Balboa, the fun zone, the ferry and off to Inspiration Point in Corona Del Mar.  Each time we would park and walk a bit to watch the crazy people in the surf and admire the ocean.  What a beautiful day!  We drove the coast all the way to Dana Point, then backtracked to see birds nesting in Newport Backbay.

Enjoying the Wedge with Kathy

The weekend ended too soon as we drove Steve and Kathy to the airport, all of us exhausted, but refreshed, too, with our time visiting together.  Renewing friendships while revisiting old haunts and sampling many of Orange County's finest eateries made for a delightful three day adventure.