Matt and I had a glorious romantic walk on the beach this afternoon – about an hour and a half of toes in the sand!!
A fleece was still necessary, but the toes came out to play.
We walked under the setting sun and straight to a rockin’ party going on back at the hotel!
A bunch of owners and some of the Dillon staff gathered on one of the old balconies in the historic part of the hotel. The atmosphere – chilly like the Florida panhandle was the warmest spring break we could afford – and lots of solo cups and beer brought the party to frat level. ‘Twas very fun though!! Hilarious bunch!
After a few hours of partying (a had the best mixed drink – 2 parts hydrogen, 1 part oxygen!), we headed back to change for our farewell dinner.
There was salad and soup, a pasta bar
And two kinds of sliders: pork and kobe beef
And of course a dessert table!
Matt and I weren’t very hungry for some reason. Must have been that Great Harvest bread we had at lunch! I also didn’t take my morning sickness medicine and felt fine all day until dinnertime when foods just started seeming gaggy again. So weird how it comes on. I wasn’t really nauseous and didn’t have trouble eating, but some foods I just didn’t want to swallow. Chewing would have been fine – it was the swallowing that was off. That’s the best way I can describe it!
Anyways, Matt and I shared two plates – mixed pastas and sliders + salad
I’m just not much of a pasta person, but the sliders were great!! How did I turn into a meat person!?
Karen and I shared a dessert plate – the cheesecake was great; the tarts OK.
We had a band tonight, but most people were more into talking than dancing.
I’m sad for convention to be over, but we just got the word that next year it’s in Tucson! Please tell me Tucson is warm in February! We are hoping that if things turn out OK, we’ll bring the baby with us and the three of us can alternate babysitting. There are lots of kids here this weekend and a few babies, so it’s a family friendly conference. A vacation to look forward to too!
I’m off to read in bed for a bit. I left Matt at the party drinkin’ beer with Jerry, Karl and Matt F!
Allie@LiveLaughEat says
It’s toes in the water…ass in the sand :). GH sure feeds y’all well!
KathEats says
Hahaha.
I am so. full.
Cait's Plate says
Haha Allie – that exact Zac Brown song went through my head as well!!
And yeah – GH knows how to throw a party! I’m sad for you Kath that it’s ending but I’m glad you had such a great time! Safe travels back to Cville!
Liz Shafer says
I live an hour from Tucson and I can assure you that the weather in February is awesome! Last week a couple of 80 degree days and this week in the 60’s…back up to the mid to upper 70’s by the weekend. Low chances of rain but always bright and sunny! Let me know if you have any questions! 🙂
KathEats says
Sounds good!
Bethany B says
I worked in Tucson for a bit and it is an awesome city! Warm dessert in town, but with mountains very close. My job was actually working to maintain hiking trails. With the hiking you and Matt enjoy, you will definitely have to check out some local trails.
The real mountains are only a half hour drive, but my favorite hike was right in town:Tumamoc Hill. Perfect quick jaunt before work (convention for you) right in town. Urban hiking with incredible views. Tucson also has lots of hippie organic eateries.
Congrats on the awards this year and I’m excited for you to see Tucson next year!
KathEats says
Would love to go hikin!
Christine @ Oatmeal in my Bowl says
I love running my toes in the sand. And the farewell dinner buffet looks delicious! Have a safe flight home. 🙂
Sylvia @ My Attempt at Balanced Living says
You will love Tucson 🙂 Just like Miss Schafer said, it’s perfect weather. Today was the coolest in a couple of weeks and it was a sunny 60*. The views are pretty with desert landscapes and mountains in every direction. There are also tons of canyons and trails to hike. Glad you had a great time in San Diego and have a good flight home!
Lynn @ the actor's diet says
Did you meet the Pasadena owners?!?
KathEats says
No, not yet. Was that the store you visited?
lynn @ the actor's diet says
yup – the one i took all those pix of for you guys!
RachelSD says
Sorry you were so cold here these past few days— sometimes we actually have a “winter.” 🙂
That beach is where I first told my [now-husband] then-boyfriend that I loved him. Good beach. Good memories. Glad you at least got to dip your toes in the Pacific.
Safe travels home!
Khushboo Thadani says
I love that good, quality food is always on the top of GH’s agenda…says a lot about the company!
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
You’re a trooper…I thought it was pretty chilly today, definitely not beach and toes in sand weather, but I’m spoiled…and I would have lasted about 10 mins out there. I was cold on my run and I was….running! Glad the sun came out for you and you had some nice R & R time with Matt…that’s wonderful 🙂
j3nn says
That is SO WEIRD to read “bring baby with us” — haha. A year from now is going to be crazy, in the best way possible!
The buffets you guys have enjoyed this weekend have been so amazing, filled with everything I LOVE. GH has excellent taste!
Stacy @ Say It With Sprinkles says
The beach! The beach is always calling to me! It looks like you had a fantastic day!
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama says
It’s hard to resist a beach even if you are freezing! We walk our beaches year round. Although I don’t take my shoes/boots off this time of year!
Olivia says
All the meals at this event are making me drool.
Michelle (Better with Berries) says
The title of this post made me want to go back to my college spring break days 🙂
And I think I want to open a GH Bakery just so I can attend this event!
kathleen @ the daily crumb says
i’m not a tart person either — usually not worth it for me — BUT the cheesecake…and those sliders… look fantastic! i need to get in on these GH conferences, at least the meal portions 🙂
Mom says
And next year, you could always bring ANOTHER grandmother along….
KathEats says
Well since you have signed all the paperwork, you are invited!
Simply Life says
oooh, I bet that’s so fun to think about next year going with your baby! 🙂
Erin says
I ate so much meat when I was pregnant!!! I DON’T really love it now b/c it was ALL I ate!
Morgan says
I was in San Diego last April and it was still very chilly! We toured the hotel you stayed at (I think – it looks like the same hotel) and it was beautiful and very historic. San Diego seems to be a place where you think it’s going to be warm but then it surprises you! Safe travels back to your home.
Kim says
I live in Tucson. I’m not a great person to ask if Tucson is warm cause I prefer the 100’s but it can be warm or it can be chilly. But, if the sun is out it will always feel warm regardless of the temp. Typically when the sun is down it is cold and once it is up over the mountains it warms up fairly quickly and you will see anything from 60 to 80. Your not going to find any beach to walk along though. 🙂
kerry says
All that food looks delicious! You have an amazing camera too!
Susan H. @ The Food Allergy Chronicles says
Beautiful pictures of your walk on the beach! The finale dinner looked delish! I love pasta dishes! Have a safe trip home!
The Mrs @ Success Along the Weigh says
I love it when its cold enough to need fleece but not to cold to dig those tootsies in the sand! Reminds me of our San Fran trip last May. Heaven! Thanks so much for sharing the pics. You’re making me excited for our vacation in a few months!
Stacy says
Jerry is my Great Harvest! Always so cool to see someone that I’ve seen in reality on the blog.
KathEats says
Tell him you’re a KERF reader 🙂 He’s so cool!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
Sounds like a great convention to me! and all that food looks amazing! Glad you all had a good time.
Gabby @ Gabby's Gluten-Free says
It looks like you had such a great time! I love San Diego- I grew up in Phoenix, AZ so I would go there every summer with my grandparents. So gorgeous.
Molly @ RDexposed says
Sharing food (and good beer) when dining out is maybe one of the best parts of being in a relationship! Ha!
Fran@ Broken Cookies Don't Count says
The pastas and grilled veggies look tasty!
Hope @ With A Side Of Hope says
So jealous of your toes in the sand! I didn’t get to go to the beach this past summer. So I’m definitely looking forward to it for our honeymoon in August. 🙂
That spread of food looks great! Sounds the convention was a lot of fun!
Stephanie @ Legally Blinde says
Glad you finally got to put your toes in the sand! Such a good feeling 🙂 The food looks wonderful again. That’s nice that you already have a vacation to look forward to a year from now! Have a safe trip back!
katie @KatieDid says
Tuscon IS gorgeous and was quite warm when I was there in March. What a great leisure walk on the beach, such a treat for this time of year.
faith says
Does this mean you are coming home today? I miss you!
KathEats says
Yep!! Walk tomorrow?
~Christy @ wonderofallthings says
Hooray for toes in the sand!!!!! 🙂 We’re sitting under 3 inches of water, ice and snow right now, so I’m a little green with envy 😉 Glad Matt and Karl connected — thanks for the bakery link!
Heather (Cake and Green Beans) says
You will be surprised by the random foods you want the most! Hot dogs ALWAYS grossed me out, until I was pregnant. I couldn’t go to Target without first stopping by the little snack bar and getting a hot dog with mustard. No wonder I’m having a boy – it’s all those wieners I’ve been eating! Ha!
KathEats says
I have been craving hot dog…haven’t found one yet though
Heather (Cake and Green Beans) says
Well, believe it or not, Target makes a mean hot dog. Just sayin’ 🙂
Eileen says
They do, indeed. I can barely get through Target without getting light-headed and hungry even when I’m not pregnant. I’m sure it’s whatever mojo they pump into the stores that makes you buy things you don’t need. Anyway, I really don’t like most hot dogs, but Target’s all-beef one is very good.
Kelly says
Field roast vegan sausages makes a “frankfurter” now that is really good!! Maybe it will satisfy your hot dog craving! They sell them at Whole Foods.
PS. I’ve been to Karl’s Great Harvest. One bummer about the great harvest’s in MN is that they don’t make Dakota that much, my favorite!
Paige @ Healthy Hits the Spot says
What a great day 🙂 Hope you had a great night relaxing
Caitlin @ Cake with Love says
The food on your blog always looks good, no matter if you eat home or go out, those cheesecakes are calling my name!
Sarah@The Flying ONION says
Such gorgeous pictures! I am officially craving sun and sand. 😀
Leslie says
I’m guessing you have a good chance of nice weather in AZ in Feb. My daughter is in her first year of college in Phoenix and it sounds like she is spending tons of time at the pool, especially during the last month.
Does your convention change every year? My husband works for a company that does a major convention every November and the location alternates between Arizona and Southern California. It has been so fun to travel in November, just as the weather in Oregon (where we live) has begun to cool off. It has also been a blast to stay at some amazing places including the Hotel del Coronado, the Ritz Carlton Dana Point, the Phoenician, the Arizona Biltmore,… The food at the Biltmore was amazing!
KathEats says
It usually alternates between East Coast, West Coast and middle
anne says
You must be having a boy!! I ate so many “manly” foods when I was pregnant with my son, like burgers and bbq sandwiches! 🙂
Ashley @ Coffee Cake and Cardio says
Too fun!! That food looks awesome too!
Kavi @ Lab to Fab! says
“best mixed drink – 2 parts hydrogen, 1 part oxygen!” HA! As a scientist, I love that!
Hilliary @Happily Ever Healthy says
The food looks amazing, looks and sounds like you are having a wonderful time!
Ali says
Why does is irk me SO much when people ALWAYS “share plates.” …”Matt and I shared two plates” This drives me crazy! I think people think they eat less when they do this…but most of the time they don’t! If I was sitting at a function and the couple across from me was switching plates and/or picking off plates between them I would think it was mannerless. Believe me you are not wasting food if you don’t share.
Susie says
I’m from Tucson! I think you’ll like it because it’s a college town like Charlottesville, but bigger, so there’s more to see and do. Hopefully you’ll stay at the Westin La Paloma because of all the Tucson resorts, it has the best pool and swim-up bar! I think it’s so funny that this year the convention was in Coronado and next year it will be in Tucson, because so many Tucsonans vacation in San Diego, specifically Coronado, each summer. You can see my grandma’s apartment in your first picture!
Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife says
What a fun night you all had! Travel safe!
Kerry @ Totes My Oats says
The slider buns look so great!
lee says
I have been in Tucson in February, and it was delightful. Granted, I was alternating for a couple of weeks between Tucson and Minnesota, so some of the delightfulness was, of course, comparatively speaking…but t-shirts and jeans in February were awesome. =)
Sara says
Tucson is beautiful this time of year! You’re in for a treat!
Megan says
I rarely ate meat before pregnancy, it was all I craved during pregnancy.
Lexi @ Cura Personalis Foodie says
Ahhh Tucson is fabulous during this time of the year! Warm and wonderful 🙂
Regina says
Oh KATH! KILLER! Tucson weather rocks right now. It’s supposed to be 73 degrees tomorrow! You two cutie-pah-tooties have gotta get out here next year, most def. I’ve lived here my whole life (save the summer months when I peace-out to cooler spots). In February, it won’t disappoint. xoxo
Angel7 says
Wow! … Kobe beef burgers… That is cool that they spared no expense in serving kobe beef 🙂
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
andrea says
Weather should be great in Feb…I live in Phoenix and we get some cool days we also get some in the mid 80’s….