Trip Report 9/3-9/8

We decided to fly this year--best decision EVER. We arrived in MB 10 minutes ahead of schedule via Delta operated by Chautauqua from STL with a quick layover in Cincy. Got there about 12:10PM on Labor Day. Waited about 1 hour to get rental car...but no big deal. We arrived at Monterey Bay at 1:30 and was told that our room was not ready yet, so we went on over to Kroger on Restaurant Row to buy groceries for our stay. We bought an entire cart of junk food (I call it as I see it!) for $65, so this is by far the best place to get groceries. We got back to the hotel around 2:40 and we were checked into our room on the 12th floor. The room was a little tight (1BR OF), but it was exactly what we needed, just being my hubby and me. If there would have been anyone else in the room, it might not have worked. The rooms weren%26#39;t the cleanest I%26#39;d ever seen, but the room was priced right and they definitely weren%26#39;t dirty. I would definitely recommend this hotel. The view from the balcony was amazing. Yes, the elevators were a little slow, as some other reviewers have mentioned, but it was never unbearable. Besides, I was on vacation. Also, the parking garage was not bad at all. We did have a small rental, but there seemed to be plenty of parking for large vehicles on the first level and I saw several SUV%26#39;s up on the higher levels. The entrance and exit is one way, which is really nice.

As for the b-fast there....it is what it is. My hubby endearingly referred to the eggs as %26#39;Army eggs%26#39; from his Army days, but it was FREE. That is the operative word. The potatoes were really good and it was nice having a little something to eat in the morning without going out, since my hubby and me aren%26#39;t big morning eaters anyway.

That night we ordered Hungry Howie%26#39;s pizza. Wow, it was absolutely wonderful. Probably one of the best pizzas I%26#39;d ever had and my hubby and me eat a lot of pizza (I%26#39;m actually admitting this??!!)

Tuesday was spent all day at the beach and that night we went over to Carolina Roadhouse for dinner. I ordered the filet medallions and they were excellent. Cooked perfectly. Hubby ordered a strip steak and it was cooked to Medium Well, instead of the Medium Rare that he ordered. He didn%26#39;t want to say anything and said that it was good anyway, so I can%26#39;t hold anything against the restaurant for that one. Looking back, I%26#39;m sure the waitress just misunderstood him. Our waitress was nice and took good care of us. Great dinner.

Wednesday morning was spent at the beach and that afternoon we headed out to Marguaritaville and Hard Rock to buy t-shirts. We also hit up the Ripley%26#39;s Aquarium. That was my second time going there, but I still loved it. My hubby really liked all of the sharks and stingrays. Loads of fun. It was about 3:00 and we headed over to Original Ben%26#39;s (Rest. Row) for an early dinner. It was absolutely wonderful as always. Best food ever. Because of that place, I will not eat seafood anywhere inland...it spoils you!!!! Our waiter was excellent and we did not have to ask for anything EVER. He was completely on top of it. On the way back, we decided to drive on over to the Nascar Cafe to walk through it and take pictures by the cars. After completely humiliating my hubby at a couple of rounds of Daytona (HA, HA!), we decided to head back for an evening stroll along the beach.

Thursday was spent at the beach and that night we ate at Sticky Fingers. This restaurant outdoes itself every time I go there. Those were the best ribs I had ever had in my entire life. Need I say more??

Friday was spent at the beach, most of the day, until a fisherman 75 yards from us caught a bonnethead shark, followed by a fisherman 50 yards from us reeled in a stingray. I was out of the water for the day after that...hee, hee. Needless to say that neither of those creatures would have hurt me in the least bit, I was just psyched out :). We drove to Broadway at the Beach and walked around a little bit and took some pictures. We went back to the hotel and ate in that night.

Saturday we had a late afternoon flight, so we decided to stroll around Barefoot Landing for a little bit before heading to the airport. The shops there are great. We ate at River City Caf茅 for lunch and it was excellent. We sat right on the intracoastal waterway and it was fun watching the jet skis and boats go by.

This trip to MB was absolutely wonderful. 87 degrees and sunny every single day, I could not have asked for me. I cannot wait to go back soon!!!!! :)

Trip Report 9/3-9/8

What... a wonderful time you had!!! Its a great report..thanks for sharing...

:)))

We also like Sticky Fingers.. and Hungry Howie%26#39;s