80 in Postcards 4

For my fiftieth birthday, we filled up truckloads of goodies for a woman’s recovery home. For my sixtieth, we went to Europe with Bobbie and Tracy. For my seventieth, we went around the USA on AMTRAK. And now on my eightieth, we stayed a little closer to home at the famous https://hoteldel.com/history/Hotel Del Coronado.

Opened in 1888, the Del is now owned by the Blackstone Group and managed by Hilton. This iconic Victorian hotel is known worldwide as a unique destination. Two of my friends, Katy and Susan, grew up in Coronado. They know the building well. I had a birthday meal in the Crown Room, and once in the 60’s met friends there at another venue.

In the last few years there have been many changes. Among these, the entrance has been renewed with a long handicapped ramp added and a wide front porch added with rockers. In back of the hotel there is now a multistory underground garage. Condo’s to the left and right fill what might have been open space.

This hotel opened as a resort, and it remains a resort and convention center. There was one large group celebrating Rosh Hashanah. Charming little children ran here and there everywhere sharing their happiness. The Army Surplus folks had a large gathering on the grass by the beach with décor by netting. We managed to eat a delicious deconstructed Greek salad, then steak, followed by fattening stuff and got out of there before the band started. Later we saw a gathering of speedy bike riders, yoga on the sand, and the last of a water exercise class in the big pool.

We played tourist. Our camera’s pointed everywhere. It was a joy to just see beauty and be charmed by this fascinating old building.

I can’t say that I was overjoyed to see the hall wallpapers. Red umbrellas on the west side of the building. On the city side, long grey-brown stripes fill the spaces. Here’s George heading down toward our room, and a shot of him amid the stripes. Our room was generously sized in grey and white but not with the handicapped access we had requested. They gave us a discount.

I was reminded that any beachfront building requires continual maintenance. Despite the obvious fresh paint everywhere, there were also signs of rot, rust, and mold. This old hotel had been remodeled and added to yet the buildings original character remains. It was a wonderful day enjoying the passionate Victoriana of the Hotel Del Coronado.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Links: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotel_del_Coronado
https://www.historichotels.org/us/hotels-resorts/hotel-del-coronado/history.php
https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Hotel_del_Coronad
Himself: Happily back in space.
Myself: Reading, writing this, maybe quilting, et al.
Reading: Volume five of Moon’s Suiza series.
Watching: Some 9/11 stuff.
Photo: Mine and Georges.
Weather: Flat out lovely.
Gratitude’s: Tried sleeping flat, but delighted to sleep well sitting upish.