DAY #8 (THURSDAY) -- VISTA -- CARLSBAD -- RUNNING OUT OF STEAM!!

On this day, Thursday,  Kathryn and I are both running out of steam.  She has now moved into her new place and her suitcases are unpacked.  The house she's going to live in is a very nice, clean and spacious home  located in the town of  Vista.  The town near Vista is Carlsbad, a busy, youthful seaside town with quaint, colorful store fronts that house coffee shops, donut shops, hamburger joints, clothing shops, surf  board rentals, bike shops, flower shops. 

Just like a mother who checks out the school and the bathrooms on the first day of Kindergarten before she leaves her child there, I found I loved these two cities and decided it was safe to leave Kathryn  here by this beautiful seaside town (as if I had a choice!!)  It definitely passed all of the "mother tests."... especially the biggest test:  "Could I  live here for a month in the winter months?  Oh, yeah! 

Even though on this day Kathryn stated, "I am so tired of driving," as she got in the car,  she still wanted to show me more sites.  She had been  the driver for  three-fourths of this trip while I was the "Happy Passenger."  Actually, she used her I-Phone to navigate us through the hills and valleys of it all as well as directions through the cities, and I paid for the gas!!!!!  AND the cowboy hats!!!

We drove through Encinitas and Del Mar, past Torrey Pines Golf Course, known to be Tiger Woods' favorite course.  Every curve brought yet another stunning view of the ocean with people swimming, people surfing. I was especially impressed with the fact that in some places alongside the ocean, and sometimes on a cliff above the ocean,  were campgrounds!   Yes, campgrounds like you see in Minnesota with picnic tables and RV's and tents, except these had an ocean view!  Unbelievable!!! 

We also stopped along the way for lunch at a restaurant called Ki's which was directly across from the ocean.  As we parked next to a Jaguar Convertible,  I wondered if when these people left the restaurant would they worry about making a knick in the side door of  OUR Chevy Cobalt!!!  We shared a plate of 3 fish tacos that was the best I've ever tasted.  All seating was on the second floor with the door open to the patio  and sea breezes blowing in.  It was Thursday afternoon... garbage day in Minnesota... but lunch by the sea in California!!

By 2 pm I was  back at the hotel and Kathryn went back to her home, hopefully for some much needed rest.   Evening dinner was to be with  Jordan, a mutual friend of Kathryn and Whitney's who requested to meet me also!  We chose a Greek restaurant and Kathryn picked me up after she picked him up.   Who I expected  to meet was "Just Jordan", a young friend.  Who I saw when I met him was an engaging, bright young man who looked me directly in my eyes (he had nice brown eyes!), shook my hand, adjusted the car seat so I'd be comfortable, then got in the back seat and asked how my day was!  Wow!!!  Someone who showed genuine interest  to a woman with gray hair!!

As we got out of the car I asked him how long he had lived in California.  As it turns out, he's a former Marine who served 5 years in the Intelligence Division and had done 3 tours of duty in Iraq!!   Such an honor to meet someone like him!  We three had an engaging and fascinating conversation  on everything from religion and politics (yes, it was civil!)  to family, food and travel.  It was  especially fascinating for me to hear his comments about my working in the American Embassy in Vienna, Austria and the Marines who get the duty of guarding the embassies around the world.  A great night with fantastic people to finish off a memorable trip!!!

LESSON FOR THE DAY:   Even when you're tired and exhausted, good food and good company will always energize you!!!

DAY #7 (WEDNESDAY) -- CARLSBAD -- (DAY OF REST IS OVER!

On Wednesday, Kathryn and I drove  along the coast to Oceanside and enjoyed the beautiful scenery.  I can easily see why she fell in love with this area,  especially the sunshine, sea shore, and surfing! 

Every which way I looked the scenery was not only breathtaking but so picturesque....no need to have a good camera as the natural beauty of the small coastal town made every picture perfect!  In fact, many of these photos were taken from my flip phone!!  (Yes, flip phone!!!)  And many were also taken from a moving car!

We decided to go to the pier in Oceanside and walk out to the end where there was a restaurant called Ruby's.  What a fun place that turned out to be!!  It was decorated like a 50's malt shop with red and white décor and the waitresses wore red and white uniforms with real true black and white leather saddle shoes.  Those were the coolest things in the whole planet for us "bobby soxers" during the 50's.  We used to polish them every day and night, just to keep that black and white color looking fresh!  (For those who don't know what I'm talking about, well, too bad....you missed out on a great trend!!) 

Of course the menu was also taken from the 50's....hamburgers,  malts and apple pie with ice cream!  Yup, we ate it all....well, we split it....but we stumbled out of there very full and satisfied!! On our way back we came across a lazy pelican sunning himself on the pier.  He also looked like he had just  eaten at Ruby's as his waistline and double chin looked just like mine!!

In the evening we had yet another dinner out with Kathryn's high school classmate Whitney and her mother Pam who Kathryn is staying with.  This time it was a fish dinner, excellent as expected.  After today I'll bet my waistline is even bigger than that lazy pelican on the pier!!!

Evening ended full and happy and sunburned!!!

By the way, below is what I call California's version of the "CABIN BY THE SEA." 

DAY #6 -- (TUESDAY ) - SAN DIEGO - DAY OF REST!!!!!

On the 6th day I rested!!!  Yikes... many miles... hotels ...meals ... mountains ... memories... a lot to take in during those 5 days.  Kathryn had some interviews so I stayed in the Hampton Inn in Carlsbad for the whole day, and it was wonderful.  Swimming, blogging, sleeping....no rushing!  Finally, a real vacation.

No sense in reading beyond this point....nothing else was accomplished this day!!!

DAY #5: (MONDAY) LAS VEGAS -- CALIFORNIA !!!

ON THE ROAD AGAIN:   Waking up in a luxury hotel room in Las Vegas is pretty sweet!  Kathryn went to the spa (complimentary) and the pool, I stayed back to finish packing.  We then got on the road around 10 am to finish the last leg of this incredible road trip!!   Ah, not so fast!  Within 15 minutes on the freeway, the traffic started to back up with cars going back to California, so  we decided to take an alternate route that went towards Lake Mead and down the eastern side of the state. 

Our lunch stop was at Searchlight Café and Casino.  Not a very large place but food was good.  Before we left we decided to try our luck at the slot machines.  We decided to "go big" and put  $20.00 in the slot machine.  We won, we lost, we won, we lost...then got bored after 15 minutes and left.  When we got in the car we counted our "winnings."  We lost $10.00...$5.00 each.  The "big time spenders" continued on our way. 

SCENERY:  Now we're driving down the east coast of California by Lake Havasu City.  One interesting city we passed through was Cal Nev Ari, a city that must be situated in California/Nevada/Arizona.  Don't know, didn't stop.  Also drove by a trailer park called Calzona, apparently close to the California/Arizona border.  Nice drive with Willie Nelson singing to us through the hours. 

At one point a sign stated, "Heart of the Mojave Desert."  The land changed immediately:  very rugged, hilly, nothing green, very dead.  Even the cactus were black,  like they had been "burned".  Yet it was still very beautiful.  Kathryn noticed the outside thermometer in the car said:
                                                          3:45 pm---102 degrees
                                                          3:55 pm---104 degrees
                                                          4:10 pm---106 degrees
                                                          4:25 pm---110 degrees
Luckily we were moving out of the area  and within a half hour the temperature had gone down to 97, 93, 91.

While listening to Willie Nelson's Greatest Hits for the third time, we turned a corner and  wham!!!  Some of the most unbelievable scenery we had ever seen, and we had not seen it coming.  Ahead of us were the most fantastic sand dunes...to the side of us, behind us, all the way to the horizon...like we had just entered another country!  Around another corner, more sand dunes.  So fascinating!  We noticed a rest area at the top of one of these sand dunes and went up there to take photos.   Unbelievable!!!  It turns out that it was the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreational Area sponsored by the city of Imperial, California.  It went on for about a mile more, then stopped.  But what a surprise that was!!!! 

FINAL DESTINATION:   The last leg of the trip was at about 7 pm, heading west with two hours left to go towards San Diego.  To the left of us were mountains that due to the sun going down almost looked black.  On a second look, we noticed that they actually looked purple..."purple mountain majesties, above the fruited plain." 

 To the right of us was a beautiful sunset, a breathtaking ending to an incredible journey...an ending that is just the start of our "New Beginnings."   

LESSON FOR THE DAY:  Get out of the house and go somewhere!  You'll always take home in memories more than you spent in money.  And memories you can take with you...to heaven!!


                                          "America, America, God shed His grace on thee,
                                                  and crown thy good with Brotherhood,
                                                           from sea to shining sea."

DAY #4: (SUNDAY) SALT LAKE CITY -- LAS VEGAS

On our way out of Salt Lake the next day,  we wondered whether we should take time to visit Temple Square at the Mormon Tabernacle.  We chose not to as it was situated right downtown and we were anxious to get going toward Las Vegas with another long day in the car.  As it turned out we did visit a Fort about an hour outside of Salt Lake which turned out to be quite interesting.  It was a good break from the tedious driving.

SCENERY:  Another incredible day of unbelievable scenery while driving through the mountains on our way to Las Vegas. Red rocks against the blue sky with white clouds surrounded by green grass.  Elevation was 3000 feet.  Some mountains even disappeared into the clouds.  As far as we could see in front of us, to the side of us, behind us, were breathtaking, indescribable scenes of beauty. 
At some point the mountains were so high and "commanding" that they surrounded us on all four sides!  On the Atlas map it states, "Grand Canyon Parashant National Monument."  It was breathtaking!!!  I was speechless....something that can only be experienced, no words needed. 

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PEOPLE WE MET:  On this day it wasn't someone who we met, but someone who we already knew.  Kathryn's step-brother David and his wife Betty live in Las Vegas and always wanted us to visit them.  However, at this time they were having construction done in their house so instead they booked us at the JV Marriott Resort and Spa, compliments of them!!  We could not believe our eyes as we drove up the palm tree lined driveway to the entrance with a line of limousines waiting at the door.  I told Kathryn she should park behind the limousine but instead she said, "No, I'm going in front of them!"  The looks on everyone's faces, (limousine drivers, bellboys, residents) when we stepped out of our white Chevy Cobalt car with two bikes on the back, a soccer license, and two women in cowboy hats was... priceless!!!  David and Betty also came over that night and bought us dinner.  They are two very special people who made our stay in Las Vegas also very special!!!

HOTEL:  JV Marriott Resort and Spa. 

LESSON FOR THE DAY:  Family is still  the best highlight of any trip!!!

DAY #3: (SATURDAY): CHEYENNE - BUFORD - SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH

PEOPLE WE MET:    This morning I discovered that I must have left my prescription glasses somewhere in Deadwood as I couldn't find them, so had to stop in Walgreens to pick up some reading glasses.  Only in Cheyenne, Wyoming do you enter Walgreens and see a real live cowboy: about 70 years old, weathered face, white hat, jeans, worn cowboy boots, long sleeved shirt in 98 degree weather.  As I was shopping I overheard him talking to the clerk, telling her about some Russians who used to live in Wyoming many years ago (???)  The comment from the clerk was priceless: "Well, I don't know about that. I haven't lived any other place but Cheyenne, and if I can't find it in Cheyenne, then I don't need it."  Drove by a Farmers Market in the middle of town and nowhere had I seen so many cowboy hats.  We fit right in!!! 

Our lunch stop was in Rawlins, Wyoming, a town of about 10,000 people.  It was Saturday around noon on Labor Day Weekend and the town was pretty quiet.  We did find a restaurant that was open and had a good lunch.  Before we got in the car, Kathryn wanted to walk around the block and stretch her legs before getting back on the road again.  Since it was 99 degrees (!!) I chose to sit on the bench and wait for her.  (Sorry, folks, I'm not 27 and the heat bothers me!!)

As I was sitting on the bench, out of a building next to the restaurant came a guy carrying a "POLICE" bag.  I mentioned to him that I didn't know there was a police department next door.  He said  he was a police officer with the Rawlins PD who had just finished working out.  As I had just retired from a police department, we proceeded to have a very fun and informative conversation about Minnesota and Wyoming police departments, how many sworn officers they had ( 22!), court appearances, evidence rooms, nasty cases....he even shared with me his concerns about how being a police officer was different than what he first thought.   We were strangers but also immediate friends brought together by our similarities, in a place in the middle of nowhere.  What a dear young man he turned out to be who was just leaving for his cabin with his family for the weekend.  He got into his truck (of course!) and we got into our car.  And for a split second, I wondered if he ran our plates (SOCCER)....just in case!!!!  (P.S. -- No, cops don't wear cowboy boots in Wyoming.... I checked!!)

As we left Cheyenne, I commented to Kathryn that I hated to leave Wyoming as I really liked the town and the people.  It was then that she showed me a picture she took of, you guessed it, the cowboy that I met the night before next to the fitness room!  She took a picture of him while he was eating breakfast!!!  What a daughter!!!

SCENERY:  Just after leaving Cheyenne, we noticed we needed gas so we stopped at the next town called Buford, which turned out to be a "read find" on the road!!  Turns out Buford Trading Post is the "Nation's Smallest Town" with a population of 1, first established in 1856!  It is also the highest town between New York City and San Francisco on I-80 with an elevation of 8000 feet.  (I felt it when I got out of the car!!)  It was recently sold in an internet auction in 2012 to another guy from it's original owner for $900,000.  Famous people who have visited here were:  President Ulysses S. Grant in 1869, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Butch Cassidy, the infamous outlaw who apparently robbed the Buford Trading Post, was caught and spent time in the Laramie prison.    Oh....and most recently Barb and Kathryn, infamously known as the "Goerges Gals of the Roadside Ramblings." 

On this day we traveled west in Wyoming for about 6 hours.  This part of Wyoming consisted of ranches,  oil wells, wind farms, acres of sunflowers and antelope running on the prairie.  One time as we were driving on the highway, a train was also going the same way alongside our car....very picturesque!   Also beautiful cliffs in Chugwater and the Ty basin, a panoramic view that was absolutely breathtaking!   Every turn was something new, every moment was peaceful.   No photos were taken... no photos could do it justice.  Some things must only be felt, experienced, appreciated.

HOTEL:  Fairfield Inn by Marriott.   Arrived in Salt Lake City, UT around 7 pm.

LESSON FOR THE DAY:    Even after 3 days in the car with me, my daughter is still an awesome young woman!  And cowboys still are cool!!

Day #2: (FRIDAY) - RAPID CITY -- DEADWOOD -- LUSK -- CHEYENNE, WY

FRIDAY MORNING: Had good waffle at AmericInn, then off to Deadwood, an hour away. 

Left Rapid City and arrived in Deadwood, SD.  Loved Deadwood!!   Took photos, wandered through stores, another hot day!  Looked for places to eat but nothing was open  so while pondering a city tour, decided to just eat at Diamond Lil's Casino which was right in front of us.  Restaurant was on the 3rd floor and what a find that turned out to be!  The restaurant is owned by Kevin Costner, the movie star, who displayed the costumes and memorabilia from all of his movies there, such as  "Dancing With the Wolves" and "The Bodyguard."  Really fun place and excellent food.

PEOPLE WE MET: Turns out our server was a little cutie named Trevor.   He also was 27 like Kathryn, was moving to California, enjoyed history...fun time with him.  He would tease us by telling us that Kevin Costner made the bread pudding, or that it was rumored that he might be coming in and why don't we stay longer.    When we left, I told him to tell Kevin Costner that it was a shame he missed meeting Barb and Kathryn!!!

In the glow of the fun we were having,  we decided to buy matching cowboy hats for $5.00 in a silly shop, then matching horseshoe rings as memories of Deadwood.  A comment heard from Kathryn as we stepped out of the store in our "matching hats" was,  "I can't believe I'm dressing like my mother."  However, she has not taken off that hat since we got them!!

SCENERY:   Drove through breathtaking scenery in the Black Hills National Forest, as well as the scenic highway in Wyoming.  I found Wyoming to be absolutely beautiful!  Parts of Wyoming consisted of  wide open prairies, no people but us, no road signs, no litter, no houses, no gas stations...very serene, very peaceful.

Stopped in Lusk for ice cream in cozy coffee shop called "The Daily Grind."  Locals came in with their cowboy hats and strong western "drawl", adding to our memories!!!  Building across the street was built in 1866.  Police department along side that building was "closed" at that time!!! 
Arrived in Cheyenne at 7 pm.   

MORE PEOPLE WE MET:  Decided that evening to go swimming in the pool and Kathryn was going to work out in the fitness room right next to the pool.  As I was walking there, a door opened and out walks the most perfect "Hollywood" type cowboy you'd ever want to meet:  white hat, crisp shirt, fresh jeans, cowboy boots, and a nice "Howdy, Ma'am" smile.  Odd thing was that I thought he was coming out of the fitness room so I started going towards his room.  He looked at me kind of funny and said, "'Can I help you, Ma'am?"   "Oh," I said, " I thought this was the door to the fitness room, my daughter is there."  He replied, "No, ma'am," and walked away.  It was then that I noticed he even walked bow legged, so he definitely  must ride horses!!  Awesome!!  Of course, I told Kathryn about it and we had a good laugh!!!



HOTEL:  Holiday Inn Express, beautiful pool, beautiful town!!!  People were very nice.

LESSON FOR THE DAY:  Wear that cowboy hat with Pride, even if it did only cost $5.00!!!
 And not all cowboys sleep under the stars....some even sleep next to a fitness center!!!

Day #1: (THURSDAY): APPLE VALLEY -- RAPID CITY, SD

The much anticipated road trip started....about 3 hours late!    Delays for forgotten sunglasses, store that wasn't open, unscheduled stop at post office...minor stuff.  Finally, on the road.

SCENERY:  The first Rule of the Road Trip was that whoever drove could choose the music.  Consequently, Kathryn chose to drive, even though I also came armed with what I thought would be excellent music for the 9 hours that we would be in the car:  Elvis Presley, Tony Bennett, Willie Nelson.  As Kathryn drove, I settled in for an expected boring trip through southern Minnesota and South Dakota.  What I hadn't expected to see was the beauty of miles of farmland with rows of corn, soy beans, sunflowers!!!  As far as the eye could see, from horizon to horizon.   Like a patchwork quilt with yellow sunflowers interspersed between the acres of corn and soybeans.  At every turn was another beautiful sight, another colorful "quilt."  Combined with the music that Kathryn had chosen, the beauty was mesmerizing and the time passed quickly.

 STOPS:  Corn Palace in Mitchel, SD.  Sorry, don't know the history of it at this moment  but do know that it's worth making the effort to see  as it really was quite impressive.    We jumped out of the car in 98 degree weather, took the photo, then back in air conditioning and on the road again.

 

Also a "required stop" was Wall Drug.  Great place, although it was closing at 7:30 when we got there at 7pm.  Yes, we got caught up in the photos and souvenirs. Doesn't everyone have a "Where in the Hell is Wall Drug" magnet on their fridge???

 

 

HOTEL:  AmericInn -- Arrived in Rapid City at 9PM!!  Ugh!!  Hotel had a  great swimming pool, a great way to end a tiresome day of sitting!!

LESSON FOR THE DAY:  Let Kathryn choose the music, and get out of my house every 20 years or so to see the  beauty of our United States!!!