Arrival Day in Riviera Maya

We flew on SWA....we had yo sit on the runway in Austin because winds so high between ATx and Cancun were so high we would arrive to Cancun before there was a gate for us. Texas State Lady Badketball team was on our flight.....the head coach sat next to me....she watched game films most of the flight but the last 15 minutes or so we had a great visit....she lives in Kyle and has twin first graders at Santa Cruz and a one year old at Rocking Horse. Her husband is a football coach at Fresno State. She has been at TSU five years and has really turned the team around...."Coach Z" said she would comp us tickets anytime.....just call her office...I think we will do that...a great lady!

Our shuttle to the resort was flawless thanks to Iberostar Transportation.....no other stops and we were her in less than 30 minutes. Had a cucumber mojito before we were taken to our room.

Our view, Room #7155! Snapped a picture before the sun went down.

We had dinner reservations at Haiku (Japanese habachi) at 6:30.... Once in room threw on clothes and off to eat.  Yes, we tried the sushi....not a fan but...not terrible! This was our first of three appetizers!

We sat with a ninety year old couple from Tuscon, Arizona. Chatted the whole meal....

We look exhausted....but after this amazing meal we were happy and FULL!

Appetizers: Sushi, Tempura Imperial Rolls, Tempura Shrimp, Chicken/Lobster Kabobs

Meal: fried rice, chicken, shrimp, lobster, filet steak, grilled veggies

Dessert: Fried Bananas and Ice Cream topped with chocolate sauce and a cherry.

We will go to this resturaunt one more time before we leave...always our favorite!

Came back to fresh flowers and chocolate before bed...

We will see what our first full day brings...and hope to update my blog daily!

The Wild Onion Classic, Days 1 & 2

We had tons of fun.....improved our score the second day by a handful of strokes - but we had tons of room for improvement and missed some easy putts! We hope this becomes a yearly tradition!

The first day's breakfast was scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, fruit, biscuits & gravy, and an omelette bar. Lunch was sandwich meats and salads.....followed by a scrumptious chocolate cake!

Next year is sure to be better....Kitty says she is taking 52 lessons between now and then....I promise to take a few myself! Today's luncheon/awards ceremony was fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, and salad.....followed by peach cobbler and ice cream!! 

This part isn't too pretty....but it was the fun that counted!!

The Wild Onion Invitational Tournament

This is my first year to play in this awesome tournament sponsored by the Onion Creek WGA! My longtime GREAT friend, Kitty, from Dallas is my partner...and we will have a BLAST playing for three days together! 

Day #1 was an eighteen hole practice round we played our own ball and did ok...had some pitiful holes but enjoyed it tremendously. We played with Robin Bass and her cousin, Melanie Martin. Great day at the OCC!

We registered this afternoon before we played and each got a 25$ gift certificate to the pro shop. Tonight we had a great Italian meal and an open bar to start things off! I think I liked the Key Lime Pie the best...imagine that!!! Tomorrow the tourney starts...BEST BALL...we think we can each make some great shots and score well overall!

Last Day in Vegas!

We tried a new breakfast place today Hexx Kitchen + Bar. Their drinks looked unbelievable but we will have to remember that for our next visit! Rob had a traditional meat omelet.

I had Baked French Toast ~ mascarpone, bananas, Ecuador chocolate, bourbon syrup!

Pretty intense chocolate taste but mighty tasty! Notice my breakfasts never have much protein!

We left for airport in our limo 2 hours and 15 minutes early...SWA computer system completely down nationwide and all the processing being done by hand. We were in baggage line outside of airport up to highway and back in the hot desert sun and then finally inside to more lines in two hours (at one point older people were 'dropping like flies' and wheelchair after wheelchair kept passing us by--should have been a better plan for the sick and elderly)....at one stop they asked us flight time and said we may(?) 'have hope' to make it so they sent us to a 'fast track line'...we actually made it to our flight....we walked right on after a quick potty break! No missed or delayed plane for us so we were lucky!!!! Happy yo be back home with the dachies! We had a great trip with our friends....Lee, Susan, Perry, and Barb!! Can't wait for our next adventure with them!

Day #2 of Las Vegas Golf and More!

We woke up at 7:00 am a big improvement from 5:00 yesterday morning.

We headed to Guy Fieri's again for a BIG breakfast before football and golf. 

I had Shortbread Pancake & Berry "Pot Pie"

Vanilla shortbread pancakes stuffed with a mixed berry compote & whipped cream! 

( before/after pictures with mine and Rob's help!)

Robert had Breakfast Sausage, Bacon , and Eggs.

Two cooked eggs any style, served with applewood smoked bacon, two links of chicken apple sausage, house made home-fries wire onions and peppers, and a warm sage biscuit.

We were both wearing our orange proudly before UT/OU game started...we placed our Hook'em bet and www getting ready to watch the game. So many horn fans roaming the strip with us...we made new friends just by wearing our game day gear!!

Next stop...Hotel Casino to watch the game...UT wins 24-17!!!!!! Money made there!! Great Game to Charlie and the boys!! Super proud! 

Golf Time!!! Off we go to Spanish Trails Country Club....we were in awe of the multi million dollar houses on the course! Lots of water holes .... Actually on 14 holes!!! A fun challenge and great practice going over water. Today we were glad to ride golf carts instead of golf boards!

We were so lucky to play such a beautiful golf course!!!

My PGA Man at it again......he is an AWESOME golfer!

What is a FUN DAY without a selfie?? Not the best lighting but you get the idea!!

Rob ended up one over par....I had a little more difficulty than normal but happy with a 107!! I started off shakey from my sugar filled/no protein breakfast but after three holes I was 'good to go' with the help of peanuts and hot tamales!

We followed our fun day with a great meal at PF Chang's with Barb and Perry! A little more gambling then back to the room to watch more football and pack for tomorrow's trip back home!

Las Vegas Golf and MORE!

Trying to blog from my iPad....wish me luck!

We are on a golfing, gambling, eating.....vacation with some great friends from OCC! We are staying at Planet Hollywood and have a fabulous room. Our friends, Susan and Lee have a mega suite....much like the one on 'The Hangover'! Their view is spectacular....even from the bathtub in the middle of the suite! Their suite is called "The Panoramic Suite"....Google It...AMAZING!

An early morning selfie from The Linq!!

This morning I was up at 5:00 (7:00 am Texas time)....we lounged around until Rob went on a Starbucks run for us...then we headed down the strip for a fabulous breakfast at Guy Fieri's!

Breakfast was a Bloody Mary, Mimosa for Rob...

I had Maple Bacon French Toast! 

House baked brioche soaked in maple syrup custard and riddled in brown butter. Topped with dark maple syrup, candied bacon, and brûléed bananas!

Rob had Chicken Fried Bacon Biscuits and Gravy

Freshly baked, giant buttermilk sage biscuit with crispy chicken-fried bacon, soft scrambled eggs $ black pepper breakfast sausage gravy! 

Next stop....Golf at Las Vegas National Golf Club. We rode golf boards and played 18 holes of golf. I got the hang of the board after three holes ~ then the last three holes my legs were so tired from turning it I had a hard time making sharp turns! Rob was one up with 4 holes to go....his back/hip hurt so much from golf board he lost 5 strokes on the last few holes. He finished with a 77 / course par 71. I scored a solid 102 but that includes an 8 on a par three (darn sand traps!!!!!) An experience everyone should try....thankful for golf carts on tomorrow's course! Pictures of the course....not beautiful but definitely fun!  Pictures of our FUN DAY!

  

Our friend, Perry, played with us today!

We had two threesomes...the girls were in the other group!

We finished our day with a wonderful dinner at Mon Ami Gabi with Susan, Lee, Perry, and Barb! Then won some $$$$ on some machines! But....not as much before the night before...

Playa Paraiso Slideshow

This slideshow sums up our vacation in Playa Paraiso...from us flying from ATX to Cancun to us leaving the resort the last day. We have been home almost two weeks....and I wish I was still there...it was the best, most relaxing vacation we have every been on! We didn't say goodbye because we know we will be back there very soon!

Until Next Year..... Iberostar Grand Hotel Playa Paraiso