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East Coast | West Coast
East Coast | West Coast
Oak Beach, North Carolina.
Photography Kyle Haines
EAST COAST - Wilmington, Southport and Oak Beach, NC
recently went to visit my friend Mariella, originally from Uruguay, who I met in Connecticut, but now lives in coastal North Carolina.
WILMINGTON, NC
She picked me up at the Wilmington airport and we dashed off to the nearby city in her Porsche.
We started on the banks of the Cape Fear River and got a glimpse of the WWII USS North Carolina. The ship was a part of every major naval Pacific offensive during the war and won 15 stars. Decommissioned, it is a historic landmark to honor those that served.
We started on the banks of the Cape Fear River and got a glimpse of the WWII USS North Carolina. The ship was a part of every major naval Pacific offensive during the war and won 15 stars. Decommissioned, it is a historic landmark to honor those that served.
We had lunch outdoors at a restaurant in the historic area before taking a horse-drawn carriage ride.
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A 1915 cast-iron fountain trough.
The two lower troughs on each side were for dogs and similar-sized animals.
The two lower troughs on each side were for dogs and similar-sized animals.
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SOUTHPORT
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We spent a day shopping and dining along the water in historic Southport.
https://www.ncbrunswick.com/islands-towns/southport
OAK ISLAND
https://lifeinbrunswickcounty.com/guardians-of-the-dunes/
What a delight to unexpectedly drive by this
driftwood dunes art installation.
driftwood dunes art installation.
View of the Atlantic Ocean at Lazy Turtle Bar & Grill
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The seagulls put on quite a show for me as I sat on a beach bench.
A relaxing, coastal, Southern journey.
WEST COAST - San Diego, Hollywood and Santa Monica
SAN DIEGO
I flew out to visit my art loving, foodie friend and former colleague, Tina, who lives in downtown San Diego. Upon arrival we headed off to fabulous Balboa Park's Mingei International Museum.
We enjoyed lunch within the treetop-lined outdoor patio at the museum's Michelin-recognized restaurant ARTIFACT.
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What a delicious way to begin the trip!
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The museum terrace overlooks some of the grand Spanish Colonial Revival-style buildings in the park.
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That evening we wandered around and dined in Little Italy.
Off to La Jolla and the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego.
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WOW, what a delicious lunch with a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean.
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We walked over to Casa Beach to see the seal pupping season.
Later that evening, we decided to go to newly renovated
The Lafayette Hotel & Club for a drink.
The Lafayette Hotel & Club for a drink.
The dazzling multi-dining interior.
The outside bar, which is adjacent to the pool.
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I tried out the Rio Bravo - very tasty!
After I got back from the SoCal trip, Tina sent me this article that just came out about The Lafayette Hotel & Club.
Then we were off to dinner at Mabel's Gone Fishing!
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HOLLYWOOD
The next day we drove north to Hollywood.
We stopped at Grauman's Chinese Theatre to check out the hands and footprints of honored movie stars.
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Marilyn Monroe & Jane Russell were memorialized together after starring in
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.
Some favorites.
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We toured Paramount Pictures.
Santa Monica
Santa Monica was our next stop.
We took a stroll along the beach and had lunch at Elephante.
We took a stroll along the beach and had lunch at Elephante.
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Our table-side view at Elephante.
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Look at those beautiful mushrooms! Another delectable fungi moment.
An Art-Filled, Hollywood Golden Years, Seaside and Scrumptious Time!
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