Burgers, Beaches and Real Housewives of OC

It was a day that had California written all over it. More specifically SoCal. I mean, how often can you go to Knotts Berry Farm, chow down at In-N-Out, hit the beach AND party with the stars of Real Housewives of Orange County? All in one day! Certainly not back home in Oklahoma. The day started off with the home of the chicken dinner and thrill rides, and ended with a night out with tabloid fodder. And a secret I can’t reveal.

Our annual vacation to La La land wouldn’t be complete without a visit to an amusement park… or two. So I dropped two of my sons (and their friends) off at Knotts Berry Farm to spend a few hours on Ghost Rider, the Accelerator and whatever else reminds you of what you had for breakfast. I didn’t stay. I’ve been there a thousand times. I like to keep my breakfast in my stomach… where it belongs. It’ll be the same routine tomorrow at Disneyland.

On the way home the boys and I made a pit stop at our favorite burger joint… In-N-Out. (The only In-N-Out we have in Oklahoma is an imposter. Last month Michelle and I stumbled upon a convenience store in Mannford with the same name. Fake. Fraud.) We’ve been In-N-Out fans for years, and apparently we’re not the only ones. A recent Consumer Reports survey named it the top fast-food chain in the country.

Michelle with her niece Emma

Before dinner we had just enough time to squeeze in some beach time. Every year we sample some of the best beaches in the world here. Laguna, Huntington, Malibu, Corona and Newport to name just a few. What I like about beaches is they never change. They’re the same as when I lived here during college in the 70′s. And generations before that. Plus they’re simple. All you need is surf, sand and sun, add a towel and chair, mix in a few beach toys or a paperback, and you have a recipe for fun.

Michelle and Tamra Barney

The day ended with the unexpected. Michelle woke me up from my beach stupor. “Let’s go Mark. Get ready. We’re going out with the Real Housewives of Orange County,” she told me. She went to high school with one of them, Tamra Barney. I haven’t seen the show, but those of you who have will recognize Tamra, Vicki, Peggy and Eddie. They were all there. I kept looking for the cameras, and wondering if this was part of the show. Real Housewives is entering its seventh season. Taping begins next month. And I learned some inside scoop about a few of its stars that will shock their fans, and make the tabloids drool. How’s that for a tease? Credible? Reliable? You would think. But I’m sworn to secrecy by my wife. Sorry. So stay tuned.

They’re all housewives, but 3 of them are “Real Housewives of Orange County”

Me and Michelle, Tamra Barney and Lori Carter

The two Colleens

Eddie Judge, Jeff Olsen and me

Michelle and Tamra

All in a day in the OC and La La land.

I’m worn out.

I need to go back to work so I can relax.

Vacationing is hard work.