Another Sh*tty Day in Paradise

Yesterday provided beautiful weather for yet another Segway tour down in Long Beach.  My friend Thom and I took the subway and light rail down to Long Beach (beats driving and parking – plus it allows for having a cocktail or two).  We used yet another Groupon we had for a Segway tour at Segway of Long Beach (www.segwaylb.com) which they allowed us to use for a two hour rental instead of a tour.  We have already had three tours with just them (after yesterday, we’re up to 8 in total), so they consider us to be “experts”.  I consider us both rather skilled now, but far from expert.  But it was definitely nice to be unleashed and allowed to go at our own place to where we wanted to go.

For all my friends in colder climes……eat your hearts out!  It was in the 70s and clear! :p

We did follow some of the path from former tours, but we made it our own.  We had asked for suggestions before we left on potential paths, which Blaine, the guy who checked us in, had recommended a few and let us know that going down the bike path towards Belmont Shores is a good option.  On regular tours, we never go beyond where the path splits down toward Belmont near the backside of the convention center, so we went ahead and coasted on down to the pier and checked out the view from the end of the pier.  I managed to get up close to a brown pelican that was resting on the railing.  I think he hangs out there because he knows people will feed him (which you really shouldn’t do!).

We wended our way back choosing to go down Ocean Avenue since it wasn’t terribly busy pedestrian-wise.  There are some beautiful examples of early 20^th century California bungalows and other interesting architecture along the avenue, and back in the neighborhoods.  I recommended to Segway when we returned that they really should do an architectural tour through that neighborhood (not during high season though) and maybe partner with the historical society.  That’s a tour I would sign up for!  Heck…..I’d be willing to guide it!

As we slowly made our way back towards The Pike (that’s where Segway’s shop is), we tooled around the convention center and the Hyatt hotel.  The parking lot was empty, so we sped around doing figure 8’s and racing (as much as you can with a speed limiter).

It was really a lot of fun to cruise around on the Segway in the cooler temps but with sunshine.  The beach hadn’t been terribly crowded.  It was an ideal day really to be scootin’ around and enjoying the breeze and sunshine.  After we turned in our Segways, I found that I have developed my “sea legs”, so to speak.  My feet and calves didn’t hurt as much as they have before, so I am getting used to it. 

Neither Thom nor I had had much of a lunch prior – we stopped for a snack as we only had a half hour after the train until our appointment at 1pm, so we decided to stay in Long Beach for a late lunch.  Given that it was Super Bowl Sunday, it was pretty dead, and at 3pm, many places weren’t open other than fast food and bars.  The one place we had been recommended, Alegria, was doing a buffet for Super Bowl, so that did NOT appeal.  We wound up back again at George’s Greek Café (www.georgesgreekcafe.com), where we have dined a few times. 

You can’t beat the spicy $5 Bloody Mary deal.  And it was potent!  We shared some tapenade, and I had ordered a small bowl of their tomato soup:  a smooth tomato base with cream, herbs and chicken stock.  It was some of the best tomato soup I’ve had in a while.   Thom and I both had ordered the appetizer portion of their gyros…..and it’s a very generous portion for being a “small plate”.  I actually couldn’t finish all of it after having the soup.  But it was all delicious.  I’m going to go back for that soup (that, and the Bloody Mary!). 

Great soup!