More "heart-ing" LA

When you have spent the last week in snow-storms (Chicago) and constant cold rain (even if the PacNW is beautiful, and it is indeed, it is very rainy in Jan/Feb), packing up and hanging back up an entire collection of cycling gear (+90 pieces)over and over again, combined with early mornings and later than I am used to evenings and driving around and getting lost in unknown cities albeit, familiar airports--(not complaining---it was a fun adventure, but exhausting), arriving to sunny blue skies, and ocean views and warmer weather was a real big treat. Pretty much we had not seen sunshine (except for maybe 5 minutes here and there in Portland) in over a week.

And my friend who runs the Marriott in Marina Del Rey "styled" us in a big way with lovely suites and VIP service---all unexpected, all very welcome indeed! After we arrived, Paola went and explored Venice Beach by foot and I went for a 4 mile run...in the warm LA sunshine. We treated ourselves to an Ahi Tuna dinner and some local Simi Valley Cabernet and toasted the first week of presentations on the road and in the air.

Sunday, once again we were rained out but not down. Paola wanted to go to the "exotic" Abercrombie & Fitch (only in the UK in Europe), and I went for another 5 mile run in the fitness center downstairs and then walked to the beach and watched the waves and got grounded while the rest of the town was in a super bowl frenzie. Even a relaxing weekend in LA can feel tiring when you are entertaining someone from another country, but Paola is a very independent Italian woman---so it was fine.

Monday and Tuesday were filled with bike shops and traffic and LA sunshine---from Laguna Hills to Santa Monica to Seal Beach and Pasadena and Fullerton and all around the LA bowl. It was a successful but tiring trip. We arrived at LAX for our flight to Reno to meet with a client from Colorado Springs the next day.

Mike and the Scrapper were a sight for sore eyes indeed. Just what this girl needed after a Tour de Force of the last 11 days! Home sweet home for at least a week before I hit the ground again! I am very very tired! If you are heading to Portland for the Handmade Bike Show, enjoy! I love it there even if it rains. Really a lovely place!