Thursday, January 2, 2014 – San Diego We spent our last day in California at the San Diego Zoo, widely considered one of the largest and finest zoos in the world. It more than lived up to its reputation. We wandered through countless exhibits featuring animals from around the globe, all housed in impressively designedContinue reading “The Last Day Was a Zoo”
Category Archives: 2013 California
San Diego Bay
Wednesday, January 1, 2014 – San Diego We kicked off the new year with breakfast at Richard Walker’s Pancake House, famous for their oven-baked apple pancakes. Chrissy and Delaney went for the signature apple cakes, while I opted for a baked pancake loaded with broccoli, mushrooms, onions, and Havarti cheese. Aaron, sticking to the classics,Continue reading “San Diego Bay”
Surf(er) Watching
Tuesday, December 31, 2013 – Los Angeles to San Diego After sleeping off our long day at Disneyland, we hit the road from Anaheim back to LA to complete our trip along the coast. We drove from Santa Monica to Dana Point before hopping on the I-5 freeway to finish the journey to San Diego.Continue reading “Surf(er) Watching”
Disneyland!
Monday, December 30, 2013 – Anaheim Walt Disney World opened just a year or so after Chrissy and I were born, and we both grew up with frequent trips to the Magic Kingdom. Over time, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom became part of our Disney experience. Our kids are second-generation Disney World enthusiasts, thanksContinue reading “Disneyland!”
Remembering a President
Sunday, December 29, 2013 – Santa Maria to Anaheim Our day began with a visit to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, an impressively curated tribute to his life and presidency. One of the highlights was the Air Force One display, which perfectly fed into my love of aircraft. Reagan is buried at the library, andContinue reading “Remembering a President”
Seals and Otters and Whales, Oh My!
Saturday, December 28, 2013 – Monterey to Santa Maria We left Monterey and took the scenic 17-Mile Drive through Pebble Beach, admiring its majestic homes, famous golf course, and expansive views of the Pacific. A family member suggested we stop at Point Lobos State Park for hiking and views, and at Nepenthe in Big SurContinue reading “Seals and Otters and Whales, Oh My!”
Big Valley, Big Inspiration
Thursday, December 26, 2013 – Yosemite National Park My day began with a 3-mile run—1.5 miles uphill from our cabin to the main road and 1.5 miles downhill back. Those 1.5 uphill miles at 6,000 feet of elevation were no joke for a Florida flatlander with sea-level lungs. But the effort was worth it, bothContinue reading “Big Valley, Big Inspiration”
A Slightly White Christmas
Wednesday, December 25, 2013 – Yosemite National Park What a breathtaking place to celebrate Christmas. Our day began gathered around the fireplace, where Chrissy surprised the kids with stockings and a few small gifts she’d managed to hide in her suitcase. With our holiday cheer firmly in place, we laced up our boots and setContinue reading “A Slightly White Christmas”
From the Mountains to the Sea
Friday, December 27, 2013 – Yosemite National Park to Monterey Our journey from Yosemite to Monterey took us through a fascinating cross-section of California’s landscapes. Following the GPS, we wound our way down a remote and twisting road, leaving the mountains behind. It was mesmerizing to watch the foliage change as we descended—majestic pines gaveContinue reading “From the Mountains to the Sea”
Christmas Eve Tradition
Tuesday, December 24, 2013 – San Francisco to Yosemite Breakfast at a diner near our hotel sparked one of those delightfully offbeat family conversations. Over pancakes and eggs, the kids decided I must be a Buddha. During our time in Chinatown, I’d mentioned Buddha or Buddhism a few times, and apparently, that was enough toContinue reading “Christmas Eve Tradition”
Where Are We Going Now? 