Oahu! Kinda off the road as a ONE Time Trip!

Travel note:

We chose to fly out the San Jose Airport because it was more than $100 cheaper per roundtrip ticket than any of the other Bay Area airports.

Day 1:

After a long flight on Hawaiian airlines, where the staff if a group of very nice people, we landed in Honolulu 3 hours backwards in time from California. The flight was uneventful, and we now know to bring our own snacks on board with us, and to check in at the kiosks before approaching the ticket counter. Hawaiian Airlines provided and fruit platter with crackers and cheese as a main meal. Everyone was still hungry.

Later in the fight small chip bags were handed out, as were complimentary Rum drinks, but still everyone was hungry. They do have a snack cart which I refuse to pay $6 for a little bag of M&M’s. Flight issues aside, arriving in Honolulu Airport is an experience, especially with being a Bay Area native, and being fully versed in our 3 airports.

As you walk out of the departure area toward baggage claim, you enter a garden area right in the middle of the airport. We couldn’t believe what we were seeing. However, baggage claim for Hawaiian Airlines is 2 buildings over, so be prepared to take a walk for your luggage. We had 2 kids with us ages 4 and 8, and they were troopers even thought they were exhausted. Getting to the car rental, the minibus was having issues and Avis was having issues being organized. But, we got our cars and headed for the market (being Costco) as we are staying in a private home with a gourmet kitchen and bbq island. Honolulu Costco is scary and so it the neighborhood it resides in. We didn’t stay long.

Driving to the house we are staying out was like being in a movie. The road literally abates to the coast line; we were being hit with ocean spray from the water striking the curbs. Just being able to look out at the vast area of sea and that is all you see….it’s amazing.

After all of the luggage and groceries were attended to, the first thing we all did was head out the back door to the beach and terraces. We goofed off a bit stepping quickly in and out of the water, started marinating meats, and dinner was soon to be eaten.

Day 2

Everyone is on California time, so while we were waking up at our normal internal clock times, we were up about 3am Oahu time. Being as there are neighbors, we couldn’t exactly go out and play. So we did what everyone in 2015 does, we got out our tablets and played games!

As the sun came up, some photos were taken, playtime in the lagoon happened, as did some underwater photography. This afternoon, we are off to the Polynesian Center for a full day of the Hawaiian experience.

The Polynesian Cultural Center, the name is an understatement. This place is as big as Disneyland Anaheim, and it’s all about the islands. Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, Aotearoa (now New Zealand), Fiji, Tonga, and Marquesas (think Survivor). We visited all of the “islands” with the exception of Marquesas’ it was being renovated.

It was interesting to learn that the Hula (hippy hippy shake) as we know it, was not a native Hawaiian dance. It originated in Tahiti. As tourism of the islands progressed it was assumed the Hula was native to Hawaii. The original Hawaiian dance of welcome to a visitor (or cousins are tourists are referred to) has coconuts filled with dried beans and a floral top, much like a maracas, and is a smooth flowing, very beautiful and gracious dance.

The men also dance, and actually were the first island dancers; as usual women had to fight for the place of expression. The men’s dance is very testosterone heavy, it’s mostly about expressing power and position. However and women became to be allowed to dance the male dances softened, for dances of courtship, or telling a tribal story, or announcing the birth of a child. All of the islands dances represent a story of some kind. It can be announcing the hunt or the successful hunt has been completed, to announcing a courtship, to showing the love to and elder whom has passed on.

Now with that trivia aside, at the Polynesian Cultural Center, and you go to each area, there are exhibitions of things that are native to that island community. When we first hit the Tahiti area, my partner, daughter and daughter-in law were pulled from the crowd to learn and try a traditional Hula. It was interesting to see that the hip movements are actually controlled by the bend of a knee and slight turn of the thigh. Not easily reproduced in about 5 minutes of practice time. Keep in mind both girls of the younger generation are both pregnant and managed this quite well.

Our son and son in-law were pulled into the Tahitian welcome dance. For 2 boys (both in their -mid-20’s) who are not accustomed to moving like this, they did a really good job.   Not 15 minutes later our son was picked from the crowd for a drum exhibition. The poor master of ceremonies had no idea whom he had chosen. My son has the gift of mimicking any instrument after hearing it just once. The performance master kept trying to mess him up, but it just didn’t work. In the end he gave my son a crown of banana leaves with a banana leaf bird flying skyward. The 2 other fellas the MC picked out didn’t manage as well, but they tried.

The second guy got lost on the rhythm so he produced “we will rock you” to the crowds enjoyment, and a very amused MC who admitted no one had stumped him like that before. The 3^rd guy, he was from Korea, was very soft spoken and terrified to be on stage. Of course the MC had a field day with guy, (who took it all in stride); in the end he earned the crown of shame, but was a great sport about the whole thing.

As me moved from island area to island area, we saw exhibitions of spear throwing, more styles of dance, what homes of the past looked like, how cooking in a pit dug into sand happens, then to a movie that was done in 4D about the history of the islands. Finally it was Luau time. We had all been looking forward to this all day long. We wanted what we understood was traditional island food and the show that went with it. We got it!!!! Even the grandkids ate well.

The Luau was more than we imagined. Dinner of traditional island foods, (ok I can do without poi), but it was a bit salty for my tastes. The steak was done great, great flavors, the pork too salty for me, I’m not a fish person so the salmon I skipped, the chicken too salty but great overall flavor. The entertainment made dinner worth it. We were introduced to several styles of dance from the various islands, and our daughter (who is pregnant) was invited up to do a very soft “hula” by one of the young men. After all her brother and her partner got to do Tahitian dance and Tongan drums earlier in the day. It was only fair! The young man who picked her from the crowd did his best to keep her laughing and relaxed so she could hula gently! I am very happy the Polynesian Cultural Center was aware enough to realize the pregnancy and keep my girl happy.

After the luau, was “HA”. A performance I am glad I did not miss. While I understand that most of the dances performed tell a story, and I did get most of them…..some of the performances were lost on me. On the way home, it was not just me that missed the point of some of the dances…..but that’s ok, it gave us a lot to talk about. Overall the presentation of “HA” I got the gist. From here it had been a very long day at the Center….we were tired and still operating on California time, so by the time we got home it was 2AM our time…we all slept until 7AM California time the next day.

Day 3:

A day mostly at the house, a little grocery shopping, and a little beach time…a little catching up with work for all of us….boring stuff like laundry….and off to Kailua Beach to snorkel. I am so glad we bought an underwater camera for this trip. I have chosen to stay home from the beach today, too much sun yesterday, and it gives me time to catch up on my writing. I can’t wait to download my camera after my partner returns with a lot of under the sea images.

Apparently Kailua has amazing waves to surf or body surf in, and amazing amount of sand that sticks to you everywhere so that you bring it home, leave it in the car, etc…..this led off to Spaghetti night.

Day 4:

Hanauma Bay! Snorkeling in a crater!!! Ok the key word here is CRATER. When you reach the entry center for Hanauma Bay, (a national park) you will pay $7.50 per adult to enter and kids under 12 are free. From there you go to a presentation film of the do’s and don’ts of visitors to the bay. It was well worth watching.

However, having watched numerous National Geographic documentaries and having seen fish approach divers, I was not prepared when one came right up to me and kissed my mask. I was so startled I had to surface for a moment. Now I am a trained scuba diver on the California coast. It does not meet what you experience in the Hawaiian waters. The colors of the aquatic life are just so bright, and you see smaller fish swimming under larger fish for protection from being eaten.

We watched schools of fish eat on the reefs; we saw fish I that I cannot even name. As the day wore on, we all traded off on rest and snorkel gear, all talking back and forth about what we saw or what we got close too.

Hanauma Bay is even really great for small children. We had the 2 grandkids with along with their parents, and a few blow up rings from the dollar store the girls were floating on the tubes with their little masks on, and still being able to see the sea life, just excited them to no end. BBQ – Our son-in-law loves to BBQ. Twice while we have been here he has grilled dinner for everyone, and one lunch for everyone. The boy has grill talent might have to put him on one of those Food Network grill shows!

Day 5: We both opted to stay home and let the young folk go and play. The humidity and constant on the go was catching up with both of us. The home we stayed in has upper and lower balconies, as well as a private back lawn and beach. Staying home was not a hardship.

Day 6

Pearl Harbor! There is really no explanation for how it feels to walk on the Monument! After watching the pre-boarding film (narration by Stockard Channing), approaching the monument has a completely different feel from just being a tourist. To be honest, this was not a tour I wanted to do. However the family wanted to go, so being out voted we went. I am now very happy we did. There is so much information our public education did not give to us. At this point, unless a Vet can tell the tale, do not believe what you are told in school!

Dole Plantation was so much fun. It’s also the only place to get a Dole whip besides Disneyland! We started with a trip to the oyster counter where both grandkids got to pop open oysters. Both got lack Pearls….that were turned into charms. From there we went on the Dole Pineapple Express.

The Express takes you all over the Plantation, and shows you the diversity of the fruits that are grown on the Hawaiian Islands, as well as the wild life that depends on this vegetation.

Fine ass chocolates, the name says a lot…but the taste for the chocolate is just so so…and the coffee was comparable to Starbucks. A lot of acid and a minimal taste profile. Alas the chocolate shop has a Guinea Hen as a door person that will escort you to your car, upon leaving the shop.

Day 7:

Waimea Valley! Waimea Valley, it really doesn’t sound like much…does it? But it is!!!!!! Waimea Valley has a very fine café and restaurant, gift shop, river with botanicals and the waterfall. The waterfall and botanicals are not to be missed.

Our son says the Tuna Melt at Waimea should not be missed. Go figure boys and their stomachs are the first register. I have to say the ¾ mile walk is taxing if you are not ready for the humidity factor. But I can say the walk to the falls is more than worth the effort. Especially when watching the grandkids becoming exposed to native lives in some way!

Being as it was our last day, we opted to order for pizza. We were disappointed. Pizza on the mainland is soooo much better. We tried to supplement with wings and it dip but it didn’t help much…

So departing on the AM of Day 8.; we went to Denny’s on the way to the airport. The service was deplorable. 45 minutes to seat and 45 minutes after the order we placed. We barely made our fight. Talking of flights everyone but 1 made preflight TSA, but 1.  That 1 was in a security to the parking garage. Which as a group is BULL. How does TSA take 1 from a small family of 8 that has been pre-booked and our legal names are in the system…then one of us spends more than an hour going thru nonsense security crap. Over a BOTTLE of GATORADE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Let’s say I hate flying and were to prefer to take the train everywhere!

 

Disneyland Anaheim, Way Overdue!!!!

This year my partner and I (mostly my partner) decided we should do a family vacation to the California Disney parks. This would include the elder generation of our mothers, us, the eldest child and her two girls. After months of planning it paid off. Everyone had a great time with a Disney Christmas.

Thursday 12/18/12:

Tonight we told two little girls they are headed to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure for their Christmas gift. I think it’s safe to say they didn’t believe us, until they unwrapped their new Minnie ears, both specific to each kids personality, also in the package was a map of the parks, that’s when they realized they were really going!!!!!

Monday 12/22/14:

With the need of a minivan and none of us drive one, I rented one from Hertz. I have to admit I am Hertz loyal as they always take care of what I need, to the point now I am a preferred customer. The intention of getting the van a day before leaving was to prepack, however the prepack turned out to be minimal. We were able to load the red wagon (for towing kids) the emergency road kit and the dry snacks bin. As we drive a somewhat older car, it was a lot of fun to play with the panel buttons of a modern vehicle.

Tuesday 12/23:

Amanda off at 1pm, load car and load kids, load mom and her luggage (as well as cooler and food box). Start the 7 hour road trip at 2:30 pm. Stop at about 6:30 for gas and snacks. Really heavy traffic due to trucks on the grapevine. Even heavier traffic arriving into the heart of Los Angeles. As we neared the Disney exit the fireworks were going off, we all joked that Disney was celebrating our arrival to vacation.  We all unloaded to our rooms at the Travelodge Anaheim.

Wednesday 12/24:

Our first day at classic Disney. We started the day with the girls meeting Mickey and Minnie. Then the character breakfast at The Plaza. We were greeted by goofy, Minnie, Rafiki, Gepetto, Captain Hook, Peter Pan, Chip and Dale, Tigger, Pooh, Pluto , Donald Duck, Fairy Godmother. (it was a breakfast buffet ).

From there we started for the rides. By end of evening after watching Fantasmic and the fireworks we had oh competed half of the park. (Lunch at French market then dinner at Aladdin’s Oasis. )

Thursday 12/25:

Off to Disney California adventure. First thing was a meet and greet with Elsa and Anna from frozen. Then breakfast on the pier. Then it was off to cars land. We did the racing first then the tractors. Then it was off to Ariel’s Under the Sea, then California Soarin.  After that we meandered around and just popped in and out of wherever finally seeing the production of Aladdin and also Crush the Turtle.  We celebrated Christmas with a late lunch at the Rainforest Cafe and enjoyed all of the animated activity.

The kids played in bugs land and the production in the bugs land theater was excellent in 4D. (Dinner was sandwiches in the room)

Friday 12/26:

Back to classic Disney park. Breakfast was in Tomorrow-land, then we hit up the rides we missed the first day. Unfortunately it became so crowded by 10 we skipped a few favorites. This however made us reevaluate what to do. So we saw a Mickey show we normally wouldn’t have watched some of the street bands, had lunch at grizzly bears. Then it was off to the holiday parade. From there we called it an end of vacation.

Local Travels

Once upon a time, as all good stories begin………………….(ahem) before we were grandparents!

We used to jump in the car and go on long road trips, just the 2 of us. These days, our road trips mostly involve where can we wear out 2 little girls, close enough to home for sleep, but is still an adventure to them.

Here’s what we have done lately.

Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. (afterall we are East Bay natives)

We took the girls (ages 7 and 3) to everything we could squeeze into the day. We went to the Rose Garden,The Botanical garden where they had a blast imagining being in different parts of the world represented by the flora. The Tea House and Gardens (they loved the high bridge and the tea), the Band shell where we ate clam chowder and sausage rolls, the DeYoung Museum…..not the best place for kids not into art as of yet. We listened to freelance musicians at the Band shell and by the end of the day 2 sleeping girls were belted into their seats for the drive home.

Next came a trip to Santa Cruz since we are unseasonably warm in California this year. It was also the clam chowder festival / cook-off, which I don’t eat but the rest of them do. We played on the boardwalk, taking turns riding the bigger kid rides with the older granddaughter. We all went on the Cave Train ride, its silly but so much fun, think of the Flintstones and there you go. Eventually we made our way to the pier for a decent lunch of shrimp and crab, then back for more rides on the boardwalk. Ending the day with 2 tired but sun kissed girls.

Finally for the first quarter of this year, this past Saturday we went to the St. Patrick’s day Festival in Dublin, CA. Which for us is a 10 minute drive, but still fun none the less. I have lived in the Bay Area all of my life and had never been to this festival until now. We had a great time. The weather was good, there was unique art, and rides for the kids. The best part…..all of this surrounded the Dublin library, where the older kid asked if we could go in, so we did…and she proceeded to read to us for over an hour. Not a bad way to spend a day.

Napa Valley on Memorial Day Weekend, 2013

This past Holiday weekend also included my partner’s birthday. We decided to play in Napa Valley. Living in the SF Bay Area, that makes for a not very long drive.

We started our morning having breakfast with our daughter and 2 granddaughters at Mimi’s in Concord. From there we trekked ( okay, we drove) toward the Napa Valley. It is pretty much a scenic drive and enjoyable. This was our daughter’s first experience in wine tasting, and it was a blast to share it with her.

Our first stop was the Sequoia Grove Winery. We sampled a trio pack, starting with the Rocklin Rose’ 2012. Really tasty!! We did end up purchasing a bottle.

From there we made a few other stops, the samplings we were not thrilled with. But then it is all a matter of personal tastes. Eventually we made our way to the Louis St. Martini Winery, our ultimate favorite. My partner and I had stopped in on a whim a few years ago, and just love their Rose’. In fact it was the first time I got her to enjoy a wine. Even though we live in close enough driving distance, we do not head in that direction often. The 3 of us did the sampling with the little ones munched on bread sticks and juice the counter person offered them. I have to say I do enjoy how the wineries are now more family friendly and prepared for kids being around during tastings. Needless to say from the Martini Winery we came home with a few bottles of Rose’ and a few Gnarly Vine.

Now it was kids time! First stop the Petrified Forest. After the trauma of Leah managing to burn her finger on a light bulb in the gift shop (she’s 2), we started our walk along the tour path. There were a fair amount of tourists, and it was not to steep a climb for kids, however those whom have breathing or balance issues, should bring their health aids/equipment along. This is by the signage a heavily populated area of Poison Oak so be sure not to touch the plants. As you wander around the paths there are plaques explaining the history of the dig sites and how the wood was transformed to rock. It’s an interesting little side tour the 6 year old loved.

From there we went to the Old Faithful Geysers in Calistoga. The geysers are a natural phenomena, and yes there is a smell of sulfur in the air. This attraction also hosts a petting zoo, $0.25 for the feed out near the pens. The girls had a blast watching the water shoot up into the air, and feeding the variety of goats on the property.

Our last stop for the day was the Union Hotel in Occidental California. I chose it because I have some family history tied to the place, and fond memories from childhood. I wanted to introduce my family to my childhood memories. That being my great uncle in the 60’s and early 70’s was the head chef of the hotel so here is a shout out to our now gone Chef Larry Tiede. The kids menu offers 6 or 7 selections, and the service was more than you can ask for with 2 small kids in tow. We had more food than we could finish and well brought leftovers home.

So here is a glimpse of a family day in Napa Valley, and yet we have so much more to explore, when the little ones stay home with dad.

no.254 Rose at Martini

the street sign

First stop, breakfast

old Faithful

my fave winery

a petrified log

Sequoia’s Rocklin Rose

The Giant at Petrified Forest

Monterey and a Bucket List checkmark

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Over the Mother’s day weekend our family opted for going to the beach. Living in the Bay Area we have plenty of beaches to choose from, but most days they are overcast. We chose to make the drive to Monterey, may see 17-Mile drive and play on the beach. That was the original plan. Sometimes plans change.

Due to heavier traffic than we anticipated the normally 1.5 hour drive took a bit longer. So we decided to go to Cannery Row for lunch prior to playing in the sand.  So first we trekked over to Bubba Gumps, the line was horrendously long. We chatted about where to go next and decided on Shrimp Louies. Great food, reasonable prices; we rolled out the door rather than walked. Being as we were already on the row, we played tourist, walked around and checked things out. Then I saw an arrow pointing to a viewing area….it was a really small sign. So we went. What we saw is something that for most of us is a once in a lifetime thing, we saw WHALES!

That was my Bucket List item that got checked off. I saw whales while standing on a deck not to far from the aquarium.

After that we decided to backtrack to Seaside, and play on the beach there. It was less crowded, a really great beach and I took a lot of great photos.

 

 

 

 

Muir Woods

Muir Woods, a wonderous forest land right here in the San Francisco Bay Area. Who would think that 30 minutes out of Sausalito are thick lush forests full of trails for hiking?

A few weeks ago, we took our eldest grandchild for her first venture into the woods. Granted it’s a controlled environment, but she is only 5. At the main gate, the rangers offered a treasure map of sorts for children (we had already found it online). This particular map was so much fun. Even us the supposed adults got a kick out of it. As you walk along the path, there are numbered posts and plaques where the little one had to find particular clues to solve the puzzle of opening the treasure chest. This little girl got them all. She proudly showed her prize to the rangers at the main gate as we exited. Ok so that part is the short version.

As we spent a few hours walking along and doing the clues, I was playing with  my camera as I am an amateur photographer. There is plenty of nature to fill your camera card with. Trees, flowers, water, birds and that is just the beginning of the list. I was amazed at the draw Muir has for out of country guests. We heard french, italian and russian. There were languages we could not identify. It’s definitely a diverse environment of cultures as a tourist spot.

Two things  you should know. First is to get there early. I mean no later than 9AM. The parking is limited, and the tour busses take up a lot of room. Second is to pack your food. They do have a small cafe, but it is hideously expensive and not very good. $7 for a hot dog is a bit much.

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Solvang, Santa Barbara and Morro Bay

Recently I attended a travel conference in San Luis Obispo. Since we were that far south, we hit up a few of the towns in the area. San Luis is nice, but expensive. We chose not to spend to much time being tourist there and went out and about at the other locations.

On the drive south we stopped at the Madonna Inn. We had been told there is a famous bathroom there that had to be seen. It was a different kind of place. The cafe is very decorated, with a hodge podge of style. The food was really really tasty, and a little pricey…I will eat there again if I’m in the area. We decided to walk around and see whatever there was to see. The formal dining room looks like something you see in and old The Thin Man movie, very glitzy and done up. They have a wine cellar, and gift shops. The gift shops are very expensive, and the service for tasting wine was not promising. We got tired of waiting and left the wine tasting, there was no one available to pour. At that point we returned to the car and got back on the road.

  

 

The first day after I departed the conference for the day was in Solvang. I have a miniscule amount of Danish in my heritage, and had been there as a child with my grandmother. I have told my partner about Solvang so off we went. Now granted Solvang is a very “tourist” town, but it’s fun. We wandered around and looked in the shops, I took some photos and then we went looking for our target; a place that serves Abelskiver. Abelskiver is a danish pastry much like the pancake balls you see on the As Seen On TV ads. Finally we found it at a little cafe called The Green House Cafe.

   Walking around town we saw a lot of different food shops, trinket shops, and some interesting art pieces that are specific to the town.

We stayed at the Days Inn Buellton, which was featured in the movie Sideways; we won’t be staying there again. It was clean, but it is old and could do with some upgrading. The complimentary breakfast was nothing to write home about, or even write here about. If you do for any reason end up there, get up early or you will have no breakfast.

Following the second afternoon of my release from the conference we headed to Santa Barbara. It was a short drive, and a nice day. We opted to do the Red Brick Historic Walk. It’s a walking tour that takes you to the still standing and some still be used original buildings. We saw the Courthouse, The Library, and some other various building. I highly recommend this walking tour.

 

 

 

Our 3rd day, the conference (last day there) ran late, so we just hung around the hotel and hit the hot tub later in the evening. However while driving back we did see there is a place called Ostrich Land.  However we were getting short on time so we did not actually visit the place.

On our way home we slid over to Highway 1 and stopped off at Morro Bay. We wandered the beach, saw the Morro Rock, collected shells ad enjoyed the weather.Then we headed home.

Tilden Park!

As a Bay Area native, I have been to Tilden Park many times as a child. I recall going there for the pony corral, the carousel, and the little steam train. This past weekend, we decided to go to Tilden Park and introduce our eldest granddaughter to more of the memories I have from when I was her age.

We started off making our way to the carousel, to find out when we arrived that Tilden is celebrating the 100th anniversary of it. After purchasing tickets for all 3 of us ($7 total), and I can’t tell you how long its been since I was on a carousel, we were in line and waiting our turn with a very excited little girl. While we were waiting we watched around us as booths were setting up. By the time we were off the ride, there were face painters, temporary tattoo artists, and more were setting up as were were departing. Our little one opted for face painting (price depending on choice) with a butterfly Mardi Gras mask; in pink of course. From the carousel we moved on to the Tilden Little Farm. Unfortunately we didn’t know it was a bring your own lettuce and celery for the animals thing. So we walked around and the little one was scratching noses of goats, and cows, when one very nice woman handed her a few celery sticks. At this point we were near a heifer and her newborn bull-calf whose name is BillyBob. They are at this time in a private pen. BillyBob is still a bit wobbly, but very sweet looking. Well Mama cow took a liking to our granddaughter. She kept trying to lick her face, kept lowering head so she could be scratched, and when celery was finally presented, she got so excited, after finishing her treat she leaned her head down in a thank you nuzzle, and knocked our unsuspecting little one over. I never saw it coming, and it was sweet really with the exception of a crying startled child. The heifer whom was really trying to do a loving thank, just didn’t realize how small this human really was. So as will all crying children, off to the restroom we went to wash of the scrapes, and settle her down. A very kind ranger had a stock of band-aids at the exhibit room counter and handed some over without question. Once we got past the drama of now being mad at the cow (go figure a ticked off 5 year old), we moved on to our next stop.

The Steam Train! ($9 total) It’s a nice little train reminiscent of the one in Train Town in Napa. There are open seat cars as well as very tiny cargo cars. These old knees weren’t getting into the cargo car. Go ahead and laugh, I laugh at myself all of the time. We had our tickets and were waiting for the last round of riders to un-board. One of the conductors took time to ask the little one about her time at the carousel, the telling marker of the face paint cluing him in to where we had been already. He was told the ride was fun, the woman who painted her face very nice and the Mama cow who knocked her down, all in about a 3 minute span. I give the guy credit, he smiled the whole time as if interested, tutted over the cow and then shook her hand and led her to an open train car where he picked her up and got her seated. (We were not the only ones with a kid here). So we are now boarded, and taking the leisurely pace through the hills, when the kiddo tightened up against my side, that was when I realized we had open space on that side looking down into a gorge, while this train has been running for my 44 years there has never been an accident of any sort in the news. However she was already tired after all the other ventures, and maybe just a bit afraid of heights. So we distracted her with the miniatures that are set up along the tour, like the 4 foot tall water tower, the small mining office; you get the gist. Before she knew it we were back at the station and the ride was over. Going through the little tunnel seemed to fascinate her the most.

All in all, we had a great time, didn’t have to spend a fortune; and will be going back for hiking minus the kid!

Railroads and Sacramento

Most of us have memories associated to our grandparents. I particularly have a lot of them. With that I want to do the same for my grand-kids.

This past weekend August 5/6, we took our 5 year old granddaughter to Old Town Sacramento. Now we live in the Bay Area, so the drive would have been easy….but I wanted the little one to have some of the memories I have of tripping around with my grandfather. Ok she has 2 grandmothers but so what, creating the memory was the key here. When I was young my Grandpa and I would jump on BART and go to San Francisco and ride the Trolley or the Ferries for an entire day. I remember being 5 or 6 when Grandpa took me on Amtrak for the first time to Sacramento and we went to the California State Railroad Museum http://www.csrmf.org/ . That is what we re-created this weekend.

We boarded the train with a little girl who was literally vibrating with excitement. She was going on the grown-ups train. After we found seats and got her settled she hopped back and forth between us  for the window views.

As we arrived at the Sacramento station, walking into the main lobby was like taking a step back in time. The old wooden benches, the mural showing when the groundbreaking took place to lay the rail lines. It was actually pretty cool to look at it as an adult. Of course the little one was not impressed until we started our walk into Old Town. Her first comment about Old Town, was “it looks like a cowboy movie”. She was right, the old wooden and brick structures do look like they have come out of and old western.

We strolled down the river dock from Amtrak toward our hotel. We stayed at the Embassy Suites on Capitol Mall. It really worked out as a perfect location. At one end of the main strip of Old Town was the Amtrak Station, at the other was the hotel. We had a room with a river view, and view of the Towers Bridge.

Our original intent at heading to the hotel so early was just to drop our bags at hotel storage. We were pleasantly surprised that we could actually check-in at noon. So we went up to the suite, got unpacked and headed into touristville aka Old Town. First on the agenda was lunch. I had done plenty of reviewing prior to the trip, so I had a general idea of where we would be eating. We had lunch at the Rio City Cafe. Great food, no one tried to hurry you out, and it was comfortable. Now keeping this kid full is always a challenge. Anytime we go somewhere I always have granola bars and fruit snacks in my pack because I am well aware “I’m hungry” will be coming soon.  So that being said, this kid ate a bowl of clam chowder, a couple pieces of bread and butter, and bacon wrapped shrimp, as well as pilfering french fries off of my plate and another type of potato off of her Gigi’s plate.  Finally the “I’m full now” came….and the wandering around began.

We had booked ahead the tour of the Old Sacramento Underground http://www.historicoldsac.org/programs/programs-underground.asp and had a little time to kill. So we popped in and out of the shops. The tour was interesting, and led by Jouni (yoni) who professed to be a closet Archeologist. He actually had heard about the supposed underground before he ever had the tour job and had been researching about it as much as he was able. The history of how the Underground was developed was the most interesting thing to me, that and how a non-technical society pulled off the construction with the less than powerful tools they had. From this tour it has now made me aware of why some of the odd things I see in buildings are really there. I’m not going to spoil it by telling you about it, just know if you go to Old Sac the tour is full of information. Anyhow, by the time the tour was over, it had gotten REALLY WARM and humid outside, so we decided to head back to the air-conditioned hotel.

At the Embassy Suites, in the early evening they have what they call the “Managers Reception”. This really is more for the adults than kids. Wine, beer and other drinks are available, as are snacks of chips and dip. It’s not really kid oriented. However she was fascinated by the all of the fountains in the reception area and pretty content to watch the water while we had a glass of wine. We opted for dinner in the hotel cafe rather than go back out to the heat of the evening. After dinner we went up to the room just to kick back and relax. None of us are used to the heat that we experienced in the later afternoon. So the kid was set up in the living area with Nickelodeon and we went into the other room to watch a movie. Of course there was a lot of running back and forth by the little one asking this or that, she kept looking outside waiting for it to get dark because we had told her the bridge would light up. We were pleasantly surprised to hear jazz music, apparently on Friday evenings a jazz band plays on the hotel patio. They were really good, so we just muted the TV, read and listened to jazz.

As the sun started to set we called the little on to come see the colors out of the window. Remember, we had a river view. Now we just needed it to get dark so the bridge would be lit, and then the little one would settle in for the night. I have to admit, that bridge lit up is an amazing site.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next morning we packed up, went down for the complimentary breakfast which was really good. The Embassy had an omelet to order station, fruit, scrambled eggs, breakfast meats, cereal, danish and of course juice and coffee.  We were all stuffed when we were done. After breakfast we gather our packs and strolled down the Capitol Mall toward the Capitol building. On the way was the Wells Fargo Museum ( who knew, we didn’t) and the little on loved the stage coach and the gold coins.  From there we headed to the Capitol building, explaining on the way why the building was important and what kind of work is done there. It was declared then the she was going to work there when she grows up.

After we had looked around a bit and taken photos of the budding Governor, we headed back to Old Town, did some tourist shopping, and headed to the California State Railroad Museum. I hadn’t been there since I was her age so the exhibits had altered a bit in 30+ years.  The mannequins in the cars gave her a start, one of them who was a surveyor had its hands up and she yelled it was Freddy Kruger. After we got past that little bit, she really started to enjoy seeing how the trains have changed over time.

From the Museum we headed to lunch as we had some time to kill before our train to head home. We settled on the Cafe’ New Orleans. It was comfortable, had a great choice of foods, and not to far from the station. Now that we had a full kid we headed to the station. We boarded, and this was the result of all of the walking and excitement of the 2 days.

As for the next trip, who knows. Happy trails!!!!

Winter Play in Tahoe for the young

As a child I spent quite a bit of time in South Lake Tahoe at my grandparents cabin in the Tahoe Meadows. Now granted we are talking the 1970’s to 1980’s. Winter in Tahoe was always so much fun, almost kind of magical. My cousin and I when the adults were to busy would make our own snow hills to disc and toboggan down. Nothing like a couple of maybe 10 year olds with snow shovels and time.

My memory says that hill we made out in front of the house was 12 feet high. More than likely is 4 or 5 feet. We hit with a blast of water from the hose so it would freeze nicely over night, chopped in some steps on the backside so we could climb up….and then drove my Grandma crazy for the evening wanting it to freeze faster than it actually was.

In the morning as we squirmed at the breakfast table, the adults finally kicked us out so we could go play. I remember laughing a lot, crashing into a few of the cars in our driveway (yea we didn’t consider how we would stop), and being to tired from play to eat dinner. I also remember the “grown-ups” coming out to try out our personal snow hill…….

Now really, any kid with a snow shovel in a cold enough region can do this. Those of you who vacation in a winterland may not have access to such tools. In the South Lake Tahoe region, there are specific discing and tobogganing areas such as Black Bart Hill. Or any non marked “private” property that offers a good sliding slope.

            So here’s to great memories, and memories yet to be forged! Feel free to give a shout of one your favorite childhood vacation memories, I hope to hear from you.

Til next time!