kismet art

Summer Trip, 2011, Day 10, the Redwoods and Coming Home

Oh, Trees of Mystery, how I love you so.  One of my favorite Roadside Attractions in the United States, the giant statues of Babe the Blue Ox and Paul Bunyan have been a popular stopping place on trips through the redwoods for generations of my family.  My great-grandparents took my dad here when he was around the age of 5 (he was excited until they pulled into the parking lot and he saw the actual size of the statues).  I came here as a child and brought Dave here on a road-trip around a dozen years ago or so, and despite the fact that it was cold, and damp, and we really just wanted to get home everyone humored me when we stopped to take photos and buy some awesomely kitschy souvenirs on the last day of our vacation.  And not so secretly, as you can see in the photos, everyone loved posing for the camera one last day.   The Good:

-a morning swim in the hotel pool

-well, the Trees of Mystery of course

-bonus at the Trees of Mystery stop, we saw a Renaissance wedding party right after their Redwoods nuptials

-listening to the final chapters of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, on CD

-Passing over the bridge between California and OregonThe Not-So-Good:

-Even though we covered a lot of territory the past few days we still had several hundred miles to drive today and EVERYONE was road weary

-we continued what would be an almost week stretch without encountering the sun again Top Tips:

-pick up some take-out on your way to your house, along with a few staples, to make the transition back to "reality" easier

-take a photo of your mileage (yes blurry ones count), your car, the happy faces of your family when they see your house

-try to come home a day early so you can slowly transition (Dave had to go right back to work the next morning and it was a rough those first few days)

-don't be in too big of a rush to get back into your normal routine, I would have to say the break from technology (phone, computer, Wii) was nice and I tried to hold off on "checking in" too much those first few days (amazing what else can occupy your days.)

I love trying new things, seeing new places and  I love to take a vacation.

But be it ever so humble, THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME.

Summer Trip, 2011, Day 9, Eureka

This was the day that the phrase "Are we there yet?" was made for.  No Good/ Not So Good or Top Tips today.  Just happy to only drive a few hours.  Happy to make it to Eureka.  Happy that when we pulled up to the motel we had reservations at that we all took one look and without having to discuss the ick factor, turned around and upgraded to a nicer hotel with an indoor pool.  Happy to have found the family owned and operated Angelo's Pizza Parlor, with really good pizza.  Happy to be out of the rain and the fog and eating popcorn while watching "Shrek".  Happy to be a little closer to home.

Summer Trip, 2011, Day 8, Driving, Driving, Driving to Petaluma, aka the Last Day We Saw the Sun on Vacation

Slept in past 8 a.m., grabbed a quick bite to eat, and hit the road, taking the scenic (LONG) way on Hwy. 101.The Good:

-Dave was able to take everyone to In-N-Out Burger, his favorite place to eat when he used to live and work in California

-we got to our destination safely (after more than 12 hours in the car today I was hard-pressed to find the good)

-Petaluma is a beautiful town (see last 2 photos of this post) with amazing architecture and a downtown full of cool-funky shops and delicious places to eat

-Ben wrote "this is my vacation face" on his paper hat and spent the next 2 days of the long drive home putting it on with that silly grin  The Not-So-Good:

-too long in the car today, as mentioned before if we were to take this trip over again we would add more days for relaxing or shorter car rides

-we got lost not once, but twice, on our way to Petaluma which added over an hour-and-a-half to our already long day in the car

-the second time we were lost in Petaluma, in the dark, called our motel and the woman at the front desk couldn't give us basic directions to get to the motel-even though we ended up being less than a mile from the motel (thank you nice man at the Petaluma Shell station for knowing how to drive around your own town and for giving stellar directions) The Top Tips:

-when staying in Northern California look for a place that sports an indoor, or heated, pool- this pool could not have been warmer than 70 degrees, and as it was about 60 degrees outside it made for a less than 5 minute swim experience

Just that much closer to getting home today and as hard a driving day as this one was we were still enjoying our adventure.

Summer Trip, 2011, Day 7, Disneyland

Disneyland, the self-proclaimed "happiest place on earth", our honeymoon destination almost 16 years ago, where while on our honeymoon we witnessed many a parent and child having a meltdown and vowed that someday if we had children of our own we would do Disney differently, and for the most part I can say that we had a delightful day.   The Good

-yet another chance to get some nice family photos

-it was fun to share our own childhood and honeymoon Disney memories with Ben and Emma

-we split up a couple of times during the day so that we could take turns taking Ben on some of the rides more appropriate for his age

-we stopped for water and snack breaks often so no one was overly hungry or tired 

-we were able to stay into the evening and enjoy the fireworks The Not-So-Good:

-as always Disneyland was really crowded (though we beat a lot of the rush by arriving at 8 a.m. when they opened) and this being our 3rd day in a row of a crowded venue we were all a bit tired

-a lot of popular attractions have a fast pass that allows you to come back and avoid the long lines, unfortunately a couple of the rides broke down while we were there and we could no longer use the passes

-I know we live in a little bit of a vacation bubble but it really seemed as though the prices for everything at Disney were really inflated (we had planned for this but it was still hard to fork over the money sometimes)


 Top Tips:

- eat at Downtown Disney- it gives you a break from a lot of the crowds, there are many food choices and a variety of prices, and you can sit down and be waited on instead of carrying a tray around and trying to find a clean table.

-rent a locker to store coats, snacks, and sunscreen (we needed coats for the evening fireworks and during the daytime when there were light rain showers)

-if you have children under the age of 5 bring or rent a stroller, I wish we had done this earlier in the day, it would have made life a lot easier for Emma

-don't drive, take the shuttle back and forth from your hotel, and buy your shuttle voucher the night before to beat the rush

-plan to stay more than one day (we didn't have the time in our schedule), not only will you save money on admission in the long run but you will be able to see "everything" and have more time to rest during the day



After 14 hours at Disneyland I came to realize that it was a day of laughter, a day of tears (the happy kind), a day with hopes and a day with fears (no more Pirates of the Caribbean for some), there was so much that we shared, that it's time we're aware, it's a small world after all...

Summer Trip, 2011, Day 6, Legoland

This is the face of the boy who had no idea that a trip to Legoland was part of our family vacation.  This is the look on Ben's face when he started seeing signs close to the entrance (and this is the point where the other photos became blurry because, as those of you who know me can attest, I started crying because I was so happy that we were able to take him there.)  Visiting Legoland has been a dream for Dave (and Ben) and it was one of our main reasons to visit Southern California this summer. And I still can't believe that we were able to keep it a secret (thanks to all of our friends and family for not spilling the beans!)  Now, a little confession, I think Legos are an excellent toy, even though I can often be found grumbling about how spread out they are, and I love what Ben builds, but I don't quite share the level of passion for Legos that Ben and Dave have and I was a little apprehensive that I wouldn't love Legoland as much as they both did.  Happily, I was proved wrong. I loved Legoland, the amazing details that went into each area, down to President and First Lady Obama on the steps of the White House, to the music that played outside the Cantina in the Star Wars section, and found myself just as thrilled as the rest of my family as we visited each area of the park. The Good:

-The special exhibit right now is Star Wars (the combination of Star Wars and Legos are truly Ben and Dave's favorite things in the world) making this a top destination for this vacation.

-Legoland is easy to get around in, everything is laid out like the spokes on a wheel, the hub being Miniland, and all areas lead into one another effortlessly which meant the four of us were not as worn out at the end of the day from all the walking. The Not-So-Good:

I really have nothing but good things to say about Legoland, it was clean, the staff was friendly and helpful, and it was really fun for everyone.
Top Tips:

- for a limited time this summer stay after 5 pm and kids eat free for each adult meal purchased at participating restaurants.

-many stores (Toys R Us, Lego Store, etc.) carry a Lego party pack for around $20- inside, printed on the party favors, are buy one adult ticket get a child in for free (these coupons are also sometimes in the Lego Club magazine- you can sign up for that free here) using those coupons saved us $118.00 off admission!
Legoland is a wonderful place to visit for the whole family.  And I have over 400 photos to prove it.

Summer Trip, 2011, Day 5, Coronado/San Diego Zoo

The Good:

After arriving at our friends Kathryn and John's house in Coronado (I have known Kathryn since the 4th grade- she introduced me to Dave while we were in college and married his fraternity brother, John), we spent the evening visiting, enjoying a cold glass of really awesome home-brewed IPA and barbecued hamburgers and ended it with everyone getting a good nights sleep.  The next morning we got up early so we could spend the day at the San Diego Zoo .  Dave and I had both been there as children and wanted a chance to go back and see all the changes that had been made. -a really sweet big brother indulging his younger sister
-baby hippo with his mama
- gorilla statue-fern--snake skeleton

The Not-So -Good: I realized (after we got home) that I never got a photo of my friends Kathryn and John (so I am hinting here that I would love it if you would send one soon.)
 -lovely toad sculptureDung beetles 

The Top Tips:

I had read up on the San Diego Zoo and its exhibits but truly did not realize how expansive it really is.  If you plan a trip there buy a ticket for the bus- for around $8 not only can you take a behind the scenes tour of the zoo on a double decker bus but you can also be let off and on at different areas without wearing out the kids to early in the day.  And if you are there be sure to eat at Albert's Restaurant, really good food in a cool, quiet, sit-down atmosphere.

Summer Trip, 2011, Day 4, On the Road to San Diego (as seen from the car)

The Good: 

-some interesting scenery and a chance to listen to more Harry Potter on cd (I really had to stretch to find the good today...)
The Not-So-Good:

-we had been doing pretty well finding places to stop and have a picnic/ rest stop along the way until today, unfortunately for us the rest areas for a 75+ mile stretch of highway were closed due to budget cuts and we ended up eating lunch at some tiny tables behind a gas station in 90 degree heat (at least their bathroom was clean).  Emma was delighted by the large displays of 1/2 gallon bottles of Patron and shot glass assortment on the way to the bathrooms.  Ben was delighted to get out of there.
The Top Tips:

-drive less, relax more (this is my mantra for our next car vacation)

Summer Trip, 2011, Day 3, Hanging Out in Oakland

The Good: 

Breakfast at aunt mary's with Jan and Dorothea- super yummy food, fun-funky atmosphere, and the coolest waitstaff on the planet.  Bonus: Jan and Dorothea were on an episode of Food Network's  Diner's, Drive-Ins, and Dives with Guy Fieri - fun to watch their episode on television then eat there too!

Jan then took us to a local Farmer's market where we bought giant blueberries, corn, fresh homemade yogurt, and local beef.  One of the things I loved the most about their neighborhood was that even though the Bay Area has an amazing transportation system we were within walking distance of their favorite stores and restaurants. -today there was a lot of time to breath, read, play and relax, a delicious barbeque (thanks Dorothea), and a quiet evening of visiting after we put the kids to bed.  We will be allowing for more days like this on our next family vacation.Ben indulging his super corny mom at the farmer's market The Not-So Good:

-I can't think of a not so good for this day on our trip, I really think we all needed a little rest (as the photo above indicates) after all our exploring and car travel (especially since we knew we had another 8 hour plus ride coming up the next day.)

The Top Tips:
-when taking a photo (like the one of the hen and chick plants above) try to take at least one with an object for perspective, like a coin- in my garden the above plants are about 2 inches across, the ones above were an amazing 12 inches across, but hard to see that from this photo.
-once again, hand over that camera and let someone else take several photos-love that we ended up with so many family shots (I am hardly ever in the photos and really need to work on remembering to hand over the camera more.)

Summer Trip, 2011, Day 2, Oakland and San Francisco

Today we were able to go visit "Claude", the albino alligator at the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park- one of the places we were unable to get to the last time we visited the Bay Area.Butterflies were everywhere (including landing on us) in the amazing Rainforest exhibit.

The Good:

-Cousin Jan bought our tickets to the museum online so we skipped the lines- the "snake" from the 1997 "movie" Anaconda greeted us at the entrance to the museum

-we were able to see many San Francisco landmarks from the car (while Emma napped and the rest of us gave our tired feet a little break) including Coit Tower, The Presidio, The Palace of Fine Arts, and Lombard Street.

The Not-So-Good: -the only not-so-good today was that Emma fell asleep right before we crossed over the Golden Gate Bridge (she know the bridge from books/ photos and was really excited about seeing it- Ben took a lot of photos for her, including one of her asleep in the back seat.)

The Top Tips: -hand the camera over often and have people take a lot of photos of yourself and the people you are traveling with, you never know when you will end up with a gem like the one of the four of us taken by cousin Jan

-pack a snack/drink- we were able to hold off our picnic little longer at the museum thanks to a snack break

-Get dinner recommendations from someone local, we were lucky to be staying within walking distance of  homeroom mac + cheese in Oakland-loved how their tables were made from salvaged bleachers, this was by far one of our best meals during our vacation.

Summer Trip, 2011, Day One- Eugene, Oregon to Oakland, California (a recap)

The Good: -beautiful scenery (Mt. Shasta is amazing, even when taken through the car window at 70mph- and no, I was not driving.)

-car naps

-lots of laughing and talking with one another

The Not-So-Good: -over 9 hours in the car, that was even too long for the grown-ups to take

-I burned several audio books to bring along, including Harry Potter, waited to burn them the night before, was unable to check the discs before we left- disc 2 didn't work but we were able to fill in plot points for Ben-note to self, take time to burn any cd's and double check them first

-Emma became carsick and missed the bag (but her aim was great on herself, her car seat, and the carpet)- very fitting that Ben is reading a book in the photo above entitled "Oh Gross" with a chapter dedicated to vomit...

The Top Tips: -pack picnic food for stops on the road (we always include a roll of paper towels, paper plates, and a cloth tablecloth, and a few special treats that the kid's don't always get to eat)

-both Ben and Emma had their own back-packs with art supplies, books, and a few surprises too (my parents often wrapped a small toy or book for my brother and myself to open each day on long car trips-they came by before our trip with a bag for both the kids.)

- I wish I didn't know this one but Handi-Wipes (or any anti-bacterial hand wipe) are really great for cleaning up vomit until you can get to the store to get some carpet cleaner.  I did travel with large ziplock bags that were great for sealing in her dirty clothes but I will make sure to pack a large plastic bowl and some carpet cleaner in the future.

All in all a great first day and we made it to our destination- the home of cousin Jan and cousin Dorothea in Oakland, ate some amazing Chinese take-out, had a well deserved and much needed adult beverage, and lots of fun chatting, catching up, and not sitting in the car!