What is it about Disneyland that makes everyone feel like a kid? Is it the upbeat, happy music? The Disney characters? The wonder of the little smiles on grandchildren's faces? The perfectly maintained, hassle free grounds? The fairytale rides? -- I think it may be all of those things. No matter how many times you've been there, there is always something more to see, another laugh to be enjoyed, and more pictures to be taken.
Mist greeted us for our morning assault on Disneyland. Amy had her list of agenda items for the day -- we just happily followed along and enjoyed Maddie and Jack discover all the magic around every corner. The scared/ excited squeals of "Honey, I shrunk the audience" were outdone only by the broad smiles from atop the rocket ships, yelling down at Mom and Dad to look, while Grandma & Grandpa took them to outer space!
The best, though, was the Disneyland Parade in the evening. Twinkling lights, more upbeat music, and faces of wonder, squealing delight at each passing float - "Mom, is that really Snow White?" and other purely fanciful expressions at seeing the "real" stars they have seen in videos. We're sure that the parade will be remembered long after the purchased treasures have faded into oblivion.
A sound night's sleep after a long day that thrilled us as much as the kids, and we were off to see Paul and Tara-- our son-in-law's Mom and Step-Dad. We always have a great time with them. The afternoon just flew by as we caught up on their lives, and they on ours. After much wine, we were off to dinner at an Italian restaurant, whose name escapes me -- it's a difficult one -- but it was a riot! Really fun waitresses, and Tara and I had to give "Grappa" a try -- some warned it was worse than straight gasoline -- but we thought it was rather good-- of course by now we were into our 4th bottle of wine! Way more food than any of us needed, and more wine with dinner -- I think we had another great evening together!! And these kids think they have the corner on fun -- no way!!
Tara whipped up a delicious breakfast from The Corner Bakery to help our swollen heads, and we were off for another adventure to Warner Bros. VIP Tour -- much better than the Universal Tour -- not as crowded, and more interesting things to see. My favorite was seeing an Oscar up close. They had all of theirs for Best Picture displayed in the Museum. A very fun afternoon. We'll be looking forward to entertaining them this summer in Portland.
Another short drive up the coast and we were preparing for our assault on The Channel Islands -- one of the most difficult National Parks to see. We will be on an all day adventure tomorrow with a bunch of school kids to see Santa Cruz Island -- one of the 5 islands in the park.
What a perfect day! We arrived at the boat with our water, food, sunscreen and jacket ready for a fun day. The weather was beautiful -- nice tropical breeze, sun in and out of the clouds keeping the temperature just right, deep blue waters that are so clear, and vistas from the bluffs that make you know you are in very special place. Indian artifacts are still being found all around the islands and the geology is interesting.
We took two different hikes during the day, as well as enjoying the beach -- and those school kids -- all 50 of them -- were great. We got to know the teachers and several of the parents. They were from Santa Barbara -- we thought maybe it was a private school they were so well mannered, but it just proves that public school can have well behaved kids.
The boat ride was half the fun. We saw a pod of 6 beluga whales, a big school of dolphins who played all around the boat for about 5 minutes, sea lions, and all kinds of birds. The whales were a big thrill, as they are not often seen in this area. They were quite close to the boat a couple of different times. The adults were more thrilled with them than the kids! I guess nature just can't compete with Disneyland and Videos!
Phil had never been to Oaji, so we decided to head up there since it was close and it was getting late by the time we docked. I love that beautiful valley and town. But it is growing too. Lots of new buildings since I was there a few years ago. It would make a wonderful retirement spot.
Lunch in Santa Barbara on the wharf, a quick spin around town, and we were off again up the coast. We'd never been to Solvang, so headed off the road to check it out. Talk about tight architectural control! This little town is so Scandinavian that even the Dane's would think they were at home! We drove around a bit, but it's biggest draw appeared to be shopping and cuteness -- and we didn't need to do any more shopping!
We wanted to see the Mission at San Luis Obispo, so made a beeline up the road to see that. Dating back to 1792, the 5th in the chain of 21 Missions throughout California. It is now right downtown and still much like it would have been in the 1800's. The museum has many of the original pieces of the original Mission. Very interesting. And downtown San Luis Obispo has lots of charm. They have done a nice job with the shops and with the creek that runs through the town. Had a very nice feel to it.
We landed at Pismo Beach for the night. Phil wanted a night at the beach and we found a wonderful Best Western for a very reasonable price. When you show up at 5:30 and they still have rooms, most places are willing to make it attractive for you to choose them! We had a room right on the pool and hot tub with a view of the Bay and rocks just a few steps away. Very nice rooms -- even with a fireplace and well decorated. The Sand Cove Inn. A definite 10 for the money!
Today we have a long trek to Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, so we left our cozy room on the beach before they kicked us out -- I couldn't beleive it -- I could have stayed a week! We had a trip back in time for lunch -- an A&W Drive-In, complete with car hop! A not so great burger and a frosty, dripping mug of icy root beer, and we were back on the road. Remember how to signal the car hop you are ready to have your tray removed? You put your lights on -- and out she comes!
Somehow our guide books didn't mention the road going in the southern entrance -- was another one of "those" roads. It is called the Generals Highway after Lee and Grant -- and I think it was forged when they were still alive! No vehicles over 22' and most switchbacks were the 10 MPH variety. For 17 very l-o-n-g miles! We climbed from about 1000' to over 6000', but the views were spectacular and the Sequoias' awesome. Just to stand near the largest living thing on this planet has its own sense of reverance. 107' around the base and an estimated 2300-2700 years old. A 13 story building would only come to the first of its huge 8' diameter limbs. You can't get a sense of it without being there.
Fortunately the road improved after the Sherman Tree. We drove on to Grant Grove Village, the location of the original park of the park. Here we made a strategic mistake. They wanted $130 to stay at the lodge (contrary to what the book says), and the guy was a jerk to boot. So, we said -- every National Park has lodging just outside the park, and this one had lots coming in the south entrance, so we said - we'll just grab something, and continue into Kings Canyon tomorrow. Well, an hour and a half later we were in Fresno still with no place to stay. We are both bummed. Now we have to drive all the way back in tomorrow! One of the worse misjudgements we've made on the whole trip!
We thought seriously of not going back, but glad we did. It was over 100 degrees in Fresno, and yet only in the 80's in the park. We saw more Sequoia's today, and drove part way down the King's Canyon Gorge before we had to turn back to get to my friend Joyce Hall's house by 5PM. King's Canyon is the deepest gorge in the US -- how did I always think it was the Grand Canyon? We had a really nice day just exploring the park.
What a time we always have with Joyce and Steve. Once again, you would think we see each other all the time. We are able to just get right back into our lives and cry and laugh about what has happened and where we are in our lives. Joyce lost her dad since we last saw them, and he was such a wonderful man, it was really special to hear Joyce recount the last of his life and his Memorial. And so good to hear her Mom is doing well.
We yakked and yakked, then went for dinner and a movie, then more yakking. First with the guys, then sent them to bed and we kept going a while longer. 2 AM and the kids were already in, but we were still talking. Finally headed for bed, but more to come in the AM!
We knew when we left Fresno, we were within sniffing distance of home. We pushed on for Red Bluff -- the entrance area to our final Park -- Lassen. We found a nice dinner place to reminise about this fabulous year. We can't believe 2 things -- that we have been our for over a year, and that we will really be home this next week. We talked and cried over all we've seen, and all we've learned. We know we have some wild days ahead of us as we try to reorient ourselves to "normal" life, but we are looking forward to that, and to working on the book about everything we've done.