A Tale Of Two Swimming Pools

This week has been a week of contrasts—from non-stop networking in San Diego to relaxed family time in Florida. My two swimming pool experiences highlight the differences, although neither was the worst of times.

Pool deck at The Pendry, San Diego

My Hotel Swimming Pool

I headed to San Diego early Sunday morning for networking meetings set up around the international BIO conference. By the time I went to bed I had had casual meetings with patent attorneys I work with from Europe (over lattes) and Australia (over mocktails), attended one reception at a rooftop bar, and attended a formal dinner in a hotel basement.

Monday I was happy to see the hotel gym had two working Peloton bikes. I did a short strength workout and 20 min ride before walking 2 blocks to the closest Starbucks. After a breakfast meeting, I worked in my hotel room for a few hours before heading to Del Mar to meet a client for lunch.  After that, I had a meeting with patent attorneys from a different European firm before getting ready for the reception my firm was hosting. It wrapped up shortly after 9 pm, and while there were other receptions I could have gone to, I was done.

Tuesday morning I hit up the hotel gym again, but opted for a longer strength workout instead of ride. I had another breakfast meeting and another client lunch out of town (in Carlsbad this time). After that, I had one more meeting over “mocktails,” and then after-dinner drinks with a patent attorney from Canada whom I’ve worked  with for so long, it’s like catching up with an old friend.

In between meetings, I carved out a few minutes to relax at my hotel pool. 😎 The weather was gorgeous even if I didn’t have time to go for a swim.

Wednesday morning I headed home on the first flight back. Between the 5 hour flight and the time change, it takes all day, but I can’t bring myself to book a red-eye.

My Daughter’s Swimming Pool

After 36 hours at home, we headed to Florida Friday morning for a family trip. We flew into TPA and drove up to Gainesville to see my daughter and her new home! This time I got to enjoy the pool—it was a nice way to relax after our drive up I-75.

My husb and daugher in her pool-aahhh!

Saturday we went to Payne’s Prairie state park and ended up hiking over 6 miles.

We got there as soon as the park opened at 8:00 am, and started by climbing up the observation tower with views over the prairie.

We saw deer frolicking in the distance. Sometimes there are wild horses.

The woods are full of Spanish moss!

The trail we picked was probably the shadiest in the whole park. My daughter plans to explore the other trails in winter. 😉

Sunday we are driving down to Sarasota to see my mother-in-law. My daughter will come down Monday for a special memorial event for my father-in-law. Hopefully I’ll have more to share at our coffee date next week.

I feel like I’ve been doing the bare minimum to keep up my Peloton streak—and with all my early morning flights that’s about all I’ve been able to do—airport walks, hotel room stretches—whatever it takes!

I hit 2190 days yesterday!

A huge thank you to Deborah and Kim for hosting the Weekly Run Down link up.

🇺🇸 Please join us Friday for the July coffee date link-up! 🇺🇸