2005 California Trip

Friday, September 30, 2005

Yikes. The closer we got to hour hotel, the closer we got to the wildfires of Burbank. We had been traveling all day, and had somehow navigated our way from LAX to our home away from home. Since it was dark already, we could see the flames as we drove, and we couldn't help but notice that we were headed right for them. The "Hill of Flames" was seemingly just a mile or so away from the Courtyard, and we stood and watched as we got out of the car. Everyone else assured me that we were safe. Yeah right.

Dana and Todd guided us to Hollywood and Highland, where we ate at the expensive-but-very-good Grill on the Alley. Then we walked along the Stars Walk of Fame and over to Grauman's Chinese Theater - the place with the hand-prints.

Got back at 1am. I had been up for 23 hours and 30 minutes.



Saturday, October 1, 2005

Another touristy day in Southern California. Leaving the wildfires behind, we started out by visiting Dana and Todd's pad and meeting Sam, their charming turtle. Feeding time for Sam was exciting to watch. Going to brunch at Dana and Todd's favorite place (Chez Noir) was quite an experience. What a great place. Best croissants I've ever had. By far.

The touristy stuff started when we got to Universal Studios and paid our $53 per person to get in. We took the studio tram tour, and went to several of the attractions. The best was the T2 in 3D show. Also interesting was the Waterworld show. The special effects for these two were especially impressive.

Dana and Todd had to split and head to a work function for Dana. After some amount of trouble figuring out where to eat in the shopping/tourist area outside the park, we wound up at Gladstone's Seafood. Like all the food we've tasted, it was very good, and fairly expensive. Carol got a bit of shopping done, but we got home at a decent hour.


Sunday, October 2, 2005

"Make the fun stop!!" That's what our friends Dot and Greg say when they're having too much fun and can't take it anymore. That's the situation here in Southern California.

Todd wasn't feeling well, so just Dana came with us as our personal in-the-car tour guide to the beaches. We drove up the Pacific Coast Highway (the PCH) and various other roads through Topanga and on to Malibu. There we lounged on the beach for a couple hours whilst gathering dead, washed-ashore lobsters and other flotsam, flying an alien kite, exploring tide pools and making about 6 throws of a frisbee. It was only in the upper 60s, but it felt nice. Then we ate at Paradise Cove, which is right there on the beach.

After dinner we drove to the Santa Monica Pier to shop, people watch, and sunset watch. It reminded me of Navy Pier - there was plenty to do, and the sunset was really neat. Debbie and I had to explain to everyone about the "green flash". Some of us claimed to see it.

Tomorrow it's on to Yosemite!


Monday, October 3, 2005

We ate breakfast at the oldest remaining Bob's Big Boy. I keep wondering if there are older Big Boys with other names, such as Manners? It took only about 4 1/2 hours to reach the Apple Tree Inn in Fish Camp, just south of Yosemite. Wonderful place. We have 3-unit cottages in the woods with heat only from fireplaces. Very rustic.

Dave and I refused to give up. First Carol, then Debbie (to ride the tram with her - they enjoyed it but they froze), then Todd and finally Dana turned back. But we men-folk kept going to the top. Top of what, you ask? The sequoia grove and museum, which was about 1,100 feet up a long uphill trail. Too bad the museum was closed. We did enjoy the walk, and all the Big Trees. The joy is in the journey. Took the two of us over 2 hours to head up, but less than a half-hour to come down. And we somehow beat Todd - he had managed to get lost and come straggling in later.

Dinner was at an informal but good Mexican place: El Cid.


Tuesday, October 4, 2005

After our continental hotel breakfast, we drove the couple miles back to the park, and went right up to Glacier Point. Fantastic vistas of the valley far below. I may have my numbers wrong, but I believe that we were at about 7,500 feet looking down at the 4,000 foot valley floor.

After lunch we drove into the valley. Stopped at a neat walking bridge and skipped some rocks whilst gaping at the rocks above us on both sides.

Yosemite Falls was dried up for the year. Instead of hiking to them we watched a video at the nature center.

Tuesday night we walked over for an expensive dinner at the Tenaya Lodge. Nice place with good, but costly food. Due to those big bucks, Dave and I had to give up the $50 bill we had been passing back and forth to pay for dinners.


Wednesday, October 5, 2005

Another driving day. It took us about as long to get from Yosemite to Tahoe as it did from LA to Yosemite. Too many mountains in the way. It was a beautiful trip though. We got to see parts of Yosemite that we hadn't yet been though. Stopped near Mono lake for lunch.

There was a disorganized meeting for the Tahoe Triple at the Horizon Resort and Casino that evening. The best part was the buffet dinner - it was excellent. Dave and Carol hit the slots afterwards. And not for the last time, either.