Celebrating Our 45th Anniversary @ Duane's Prime Steaks @ The Mission Inn, Riverside, CA

Eric found the perfect restaurant for our Anniversary Dinner at Duane's Prime Steaks.  The bonus is that it's located in the Historic Mission Inn in downtown Riverside.

Our friend, Darla, took us on a tour of Riverside in 2021. This historic Hotel is the crown jewel of the City.    

The Lounge at Duane's

has a bar.

Live music

Eric & our Dirty Martinis

Crystal congratulated us

on our 45th Anniversary.

It's time for Dinner...

The Dining Room

The San Juan Hill painting by

Vasilli V. Vereshchagin, 1900

dominates the room.

We are seated nearby.

I take in the details of

the painting, featuring

Colonel Teddy

Roosevelt during our

leisurely meal

Our Server, Elise, asks if we are celebrating and is happy to take photos for Eric and me.

Elise recommended The Big Easy

 Red Blend by Fess Parker,

Santa Barbara, California.

Eric and I smile as we remember our time at Mardi Gras in New Orleans, aka The Big Easy.

Our shared Appetizer is a Crabcake

with Mustard Sauce, topped with

Crispy Artichoke, served with

Pomegranate Gastrique &

 Summer Greens.

Eric's Lobster Bisque is

made with Tarragon &

Chantilly Cream.

The Innkeeper Salad is made with

Romaine, Roddichio, Olives,

Bacon, Hearts of Palm,

Bleu Cheese & tossed with

a light Vinaigrette.

Eric ordered a Baked Potato with

his Ahi Tuna served with Soy Ginger

Cream Sauce, & Tomato garnished

 with Herbed Goat Cheese.

He ordered Truffle Mac & Cheese

 with Crispy Herbs for us to share.

My center cut Filet Mignon with

a Garnished Tomato.

The plate rim of our Double

Chocolate Cake is decorated

with Happy Anniversary.

I saved our review of dinner:  Each Course was superbly prepared according to our instructions and artfully presented.  Besides being known as a preeminent dining establishment in Riverside, Duane's Prime Steaks is a AAA Four Diamond Restaurant and its rating is well deserved. 

It is a marvelous place to dine and make very special memories.  

 The Mission Inn's illuminated

Archway bells welcome

evening Hotel visitors

& diners.

A Lovely Birthday in Rancho Cucamonga, CA - Thank you, Eric!

Birthday Roses

I love them!

Eric and I drive to Rancho Cucamonga for Brunch at...

...Crepes de Paris.

Outdoor seating for cool days.

I like the intimate seating

here.

Paris vendors...

Art & Books

Fresh Flowers

Fresh Fruit

Looking towards the

back of the restaurant.

Brunch at the Eiffel Tower

Eric's Paris Salad is made with

Spinach, Feta Cheese, Carrots,
Strawberries, & Grapes with

Raspberry Vinaigrette.

My Crepe Suzette with Orange

Marmalade & La Bastille:

Egg & Cheese Crepe.

Our Capiccinos & Eric's Mixed Berry Crepe with Homemade Whipped Cream.

C'est magnifique!

Our Brunch was sooo delicious!  Eric and I thanked the Chef and our Server for a delightful experience.

Unwinding with a Brooklyn

Bridge Jigsaw Puzzle.

Finishing the sky will take

the rest of the evening.

Tropical Storm Hilary & the Day After in San Bernardino County, CA

Eric & I are staying at Mountain

 Lakes RV Resort in Lytle Creek.

We were on the western edge of

 the Storm Track.

Hilary's rains didn't stay exactly in the Storm Track.

Looking out our windshield

at the rain.

Today's a good day to make a pot of Spaghetti Sauce.

Taking a picture of our neighbors

in between bands of rain.

A few RVers came in for the weekend.  Eric and I watched RVs leave Sunday morning.

There's got to be a morning

after...

Anyone remember the

Poseidon Adventure?

The rainfall total in Lytle Creek was reported to be 9.44 inches.  

The puddles in front of our

motorhome have dried up.

Eric walks out of our

motorhome.

Our outdoor rug is mostly covered in dirt.

Just as the Meteorologist

predicted, sunny skies.

Clouds obscure the mountains

off Lytle Creek Road, & the

road is dry.

It looks like yesterday's

storm is loitering

Lytle Creek is flowing within

its banks.  

The rainwater runoff in this

area flowed smoothly.

Did those rocks "bounce"

across the road, or were

they moved to the parking

area across from the hill?

This is our favorite mountain

with clouds pic.

The Palm Trees in this picture

remind me of movie scenes

of Southern California.

There need to be Palm Trees on both sides of the street for this to be the perfect SoCal shot.

Low-lying clouds linger over

the mountains into the 

early afternoon.

 

Summer in California: Southeast to Lytle Creek

Morning mist at 7 am

Most of today's drive is

 on Interstate 5 South.

California Cattle

Bakersfield  144 miles

Los Angeles  245 miles

I take a turn behind the wheel.

Pyramid Lake

Elevation 2,00 Feet

Eric takes the wheel as we

approach San Bernardino.

Taking Interstate 210 East

around Greater Los Angeles

The Allendale

Water Tower

Interstate 15 North

San Bernardino

 National Forest

Returning to Mountain

Lakes RV Resort in

Lytle Creek