Coast to Coast

What a weekend, we left Orlando at O'dark:30 on Thursday (the second) and arrived in LA at about 0900. Stepped off the plane and could already feel how much cooler it was here and we all rejoiced in that. Didn't have any luggage to pick up, so it was right to the rental car counter and I won't bore you with the details of what a pleasure it was dealing with Carol at the Hertz counter. Let's just say that Dan and Kim and the other guy working behind the counter walked away because it just got unbelievable/embarrassing  the way she was talking to me. We were on our way and Carol was soon forgotten.

Made a stop at a Wal-Mart to pick up some things we needed; water, diet coke, and snacks, the essentials to life. We also got some lunch and then we headed to the hotel, hoping that a room would be ready and they would let us check-in because it was hours until the official check-in time. We lucked out and got a room, unpacked and walked over to Disney.

There are two parks here: Disneyland (which is like the Magic Kingdom) and California Adventure. There is also Downtown Disney, shopping and eating.

After walking around Downtown Disney, remembered that Mum and Dad have a brick at Disneyland. So called Tammy to get the number and off we went on the great hunt. It was very easy to find here, everything was in order not like Disney World where they have been moved around and not in order anymore. We had to do a small field day on the brick, got it as clean as we could before snapping the picture.

Back to the hotel to rest for a bit, but that didn't last long. Kim and I went to the office to see if there was somewhere nearby to walk. The guy at the desk didn't have anywhere nearby to walk so we asked if there were any parks and he recommended Square Mile Park and it was only 7 - 8 miles away. So we headed out for a road trip to check it out before actually walking there in the morning.

Turned out to be a really nice park with lots of walking trails. On the way back to the hotel stopped at Vons to pick up some stuff for dinner, salads with chicken for Kim and me, and a sub for Dan.

After getting up bright and early and I mean early, we stayed on east coast time so it was about 0330, Kim and I went for our walk at about 0630 and walked for an hour. Started out we both had jackets on but before we were done the jackets were off but the weather was perfect.

We got to the park just after 0900 and walked right in, we had purchased our tickets last night so we didn't have to wait in a line to do that. It is so funny how everything is so different but the same, it felt that way all day.

At the railroad station looking down Main Street.

Snow White's Castle, just not the same as looking down and seeing Cinderella's Castle, but still fun to see.

The Castle and the Matterhorn, we didn't ride the Matterhorn because we aren't really roller coaster people..

But we did go on the Jungle Cruise and had a great guide, had us laughing the whole time.

The Haunted Mansion, closed for rehab so we were a bit disappointed.

Tom Sawyer's Island/Pirate's Lair

Had to prove we were really there.

Entering into the Disneyland Hotel area, it was at the far end of Downtown Disney, at least from our perspective.

Going to the Expo to pick up our race packages and tickets.

My new best friend.

As always on Disney property, the flowers are beautiful.

Saturday morning we got up at our normal time and headed out to Oxnard. Going up over the mountains and running into fog in the valley.

The church in Oxnard where Mum and Dad were married a few years ago.

On the way back we were looking for a Sonic and got off at the exit for Calabasas, didn't find a Sonic but did find a quaint little town with a farmer's market going on.

They had samples of all the fruit and I tried it all, ended up buying some plums. Would have loved to have gotten more but I just didn't have time to eat it before we left.

Our next stop we Griffith Observatory, saw the Capital Records building on our drive up.

The Observatory.

The Hollywood sign in the distance and again we were really there.

That night (Saturday) we went to the other Disney Park; California Adventure. Didn't do much but did walk around enjoying the sights.

In front of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Kim and I went on this ferris wheel.

What is a vacation with a picture of someone taking a picture.

We went to the Pasta in the Park Party and had dinner. The desserts were the best part.

And we got our picture taken with Minnie Mouse.

Race morning, Dan walked up the street from our hotel (4-5 mile mark) and got pictures of us.

That's me in the white on the left center.

With our medals after the race, we got one for this race and the Coast to Coast for doing a race at Disney World also.

Our official times.

And after the race we still had the strength to pick up a car.

We had a really good time and if I ever got the chance to do this again I would.

Disneyland 1/2 Marathon

A week from right now, Kim and I will be standing with all the other participants of the Disneyland 1/2 Marathon waiting for the race to start. We are both pretty excited and looking forward to our whirlwind trip to California. Will fill you all in next week when we get back.

Tour de Pain

Kim and I did it, we finished the Tour de Pain this weekend. Started on Friday with a four mile race at Jacksonville Beach on the beach. The beach is really packed so it was pretty nice. Started just before sunset and there was a breeze. Would really like to do another race there.

Our next race was Saturday morning, a 5K. Started at the store that sponsored the race and made a loop in the area. Spent some time walking into the sun but otherwise was an enjoyable time.

Went back to the hotel to get cleaned up and have some breakfast and then we went out and about to kill some time. Wal-Mart was our first stop. Then thank goodness for the GPS because Kim thought of going to an Apple Store to see if we could get the cases for our I Phones and we just poked it in and up it came. The Apple Store was a bust, they had run out of the cases, so we just downloaded the app and ordered them that way. But we were now in one of the sprawling outdoor malls so we lots of choices and things to do. Williams-Sonoma was our next choice, lots of nice things but way to expensive. Barnes and Noble was just around the corner and we knew we could kill some time there. By this time we were getting hungry and what should we walk by but a California Pizza Kitchen and that sounded great for a quick bite to eat.

Back to the hotel after that, took some cat naps, read, watched tv and just killed some more time. The last race started at Jacksonville Landing was just across the river. Got there at about 1600 and milled about smartly until our race start time.


This one had four start times and each race was finished before the next one started, it was a double loop right in that area and it wasn't called the Sizzler Mile for no reason. There were some pretty fast runners in each of the races. Both Kim and I had pretty fast times. I ran for a bit at the start and if I had any doubts about running, they were settled then and there, I am a walker and will stay a walker. But I did do the mile in 11:20 so I was pretty happy with that.

Kim and me after the mile race:

We really enjoy the whole weekend and if we have the chance will do it again next year.

Happy Kids!

Kaleigh says Daddy is hiding, I think he was using the opportunity to catch a few zzzz's.

Just Because...

She is so cute. This is the first time Kaleigh has had two ponytails that will stay in for a while and she wanted her picture taken and how could I refuse?

Baseball

Yesterday was Riley's third baseball practice, really just an introduction to the basics, no games. He is still at the stage that if the ball (they use a koosh ball, much less dangerous) doesn't just land in his glove he's not going to catch it but it does come close every now and then.Holding the bat is another story, every time he touches it, he holds it a different way and swings like crazy. But he had a good time and that is all that matters. His favorite part was getting his own water and of course, snack.

Our visitor last night.

Didn't want to leave Kaleigh out, so this morning she looked so cute I couldn't resist taking a couple of pictures. OK it was probably closer to 20 shots but these were two I really liked.