noplasticshowers

It’s #collegeandthearts time for #2, and that means lots of flying, lots of hotels, lots of looking at colleges, and lots of art. We’ll cover the hotels on this ten day adventure here and the art on apothecaryshed. Off we go!

The trip out to LA was via our disdained old flame United airlines. The plan is to burn all of the FF miles in the pile. And wouldn’t you know, United performed perfectly! On time (early in fact), wifi, power, room to work. The staff could be friendlier, but they were not downright surly so that is an improvement. Well done United!

@noplasticshower Thanks for the kudos. We're happy to hear your overall experience with us today has been great. ^ML

— United Airlines (@united) March 28, 2015

We arrived just at sunset and proceeded to Hertz where we are cashing in loyalty points for free cars all week. Hertz would not let me reserve a convertible, so I got one at the airport by paying extra money. Free is nice, but wrong car sucks. Not too good Hertz, way to squander your loyalty good will!

Anyway, the best part of the whole thing was figuring out how to get the top down. 20 minutes, one Hertz employee, and a miraculous theory later, it went down. We were laughing pretty hard. The drive to Laguna was uneventful.

14 West is right next door to the Holliday Inn in Laguna. That should tell you something. Wrong side of the road, but a decent location within walking distance of the real center of town (5 minutes).

14 West is not exactly on the Pacific

Due to some mixup that the hotel was sincerely sorry about after it was too late to fix, my 17 year old and I ended up in a one bed room. Fortunately the bed was huge. But really, this was a fail on the part of the hotel.

Room 12 has a nice big bed and a circular chair set

We were in room 12. We were promised a rose garden. Just sayin’.

The kitchenette in 12

The sink/closet alcove in 12

Sadly, the HVAC and the small fridge were like droids making machine noises all night. Where are the Jawas when you need them? Get this machinery out of here!!

Dire need of Jawas at 14 West

The shower was not plastic.

At least the shower was not plastic!!

Do not steal these hanger hangers are for lesser properties

Anyway, there are better places to stay in Laguna, but they will cost you way more money. Three showerheads for 14 West.

Then there is Laguna itself.

Pacific. #collegeandthearts. @TheUlluh pic.twitter.com/UwugaqmTJS

— Gary McGraw (@cigitalgem) March 28, 2015

If you have to have breakfast within 50 miles of Nick’s, make sure you go there. Just fantastic. Mimosa. Crispy (?!) juevos rancheros. Amazing biscuits and honey.

First a tour of UC Irvine with friends, and then art.