DAY 124- St. Louis, MO...

My hotel was situated right near the base of the St. Louis Arch which was rather neat to be so close to, but my room happened to be facing the downtown area.  It was a very nice view especially at night with the lights of the city.  I woke up to the same basic view only with the sun starting to reflect on some of the buildings and I could see a bit of the shadow of the arch falling on some of the buildings.  I walked across the street from my hotel in the morning to get a good photo of the arch.   Then, I walked a bit of the park area around it but the wind had picked up overnight and it was very chilly out.

Photos- St. Louis from my hotel window at night and in the morning.

Photo- The St. Louis Arch.

Next, I found myself on my way to the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis on the west side of downtown.  I had been told that I had to visit this Basilica if I ever went through St. Louis.  It looked HUGE from the outside but I was not prepared for how amazing it was on the inside.  I walked in the door and was greeting by a gentleman at the visitor’s stand just inside the front foyer.  I was told that I could take pictures, where the gift shop was, and that there was a museum downstairs. 

Photo- The outside of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis.

Walking down the main aisle of the church I was in awe as the music from the choir floated down around me in the surrounding beauty of the Basilica.   The choir was practicing for the Christmas midnight mass.  I could almost feel like I was in the presence of God amid all of this beauty and sounds of harmony floating around the HUGE open areas of the Basilica.  I sat at a pew to just take it all in and I was almost to the point of tears.  I felt full of emotions.  It was just all so much beauty to take in at once.  Wow! 

Photos- The wonderful interior of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis.

The interior was full of marbled columns, arches with mosaic tiles, and painted frescos.  At the center above the alter there was a large dome area that went at least 30 ft. above the main floor area.  Everywhere I turned was a new beauty that I took my breathe away.  Off of the main pew church seating area there’s several hallways where there are chapel areas with smaller statues of Mary and a baby Jesus, and among others.  Off on onside there was a row of Christmas trees along with a smaller Christmas manger which almost seemed out of place in a majestic place such as this Basilica.

Photo- Forest Park in St. Louis, MO.

Next on my way to find the Interstate heading west then north out of St. Louis, I wandered into Forrest Park.  Forest Park is a large city park in St. Louis that has a city zoo in one corner of the area and surrounds the St. Louis Art Museum.  There’s a large pond like area in the middle of it.  Out on the pond there are several fountains sprouting up and out.  There were walking/running trail paths.  People were out on them; some of them even with their dogs.  I imagine on a warmer day this park would have been packed.  There also was a large statue of Saint Louis riding on a horse.  I got out and walked around for a short bit around the park.  The whole park took up what would have been several city blocks.  It was a very large space with trees and grassy areas.  Right now, it was mostly barren trees and yellowed grassy areas but in the height of the late Spring time I would guess that this would be an amazing place to just come spend some time.

Next, I was off on the interstate heading north towards eastern Iowa.  The plan was to spend the holidays in Iowa with family.  That is something I will admit that I have not done in years.  Quite often, the driving conditions between Salt Lake City and eastern Iowa are not ideal in the winter time.  This year so far had been a mild winter and I thought it would be an easy ride into Iowa coming from the south.  I didn’t see a hint of snow until I reached the northern portion of Missouri. 

Photo- The Iowa scene as I drove north towards my hometown of Cedar Rapids, IA.

The roads were still clear with a bit of snow of new snow off to the side as I got into Iowa.  There was a bit of patches of ice under the over passes here and there but for the most part it was wonderfully clear sailing on the interstate.  The only real touchy driving conditions came when I ventured off of the main roads and onto side roads as I got close to my old neighborhood in Cedar Rapids; slow and steady was the key here.  But my front wheel drive always makes it easier to drive in these conditions.  But there is also the added benefit that I learned to drive in Iowa’s winter.  I feel very comfortable on winter roads driving but please don’t ever ask me to parallel park.  I made such good time I was there about 40 minutes earlier than what Mom was expecting me.   She didn’t complain about my showing up early.  She was very happy to see me.

DAY 97- Austin & San Marcos, TX…

The first thing I had planned for the day was a visit to the Texas State Capital.  I was curious to see what a big state like Texas would have as a building for the state capital.  So I found parking along the street and walked up the main stroll to the Capitol building.  I wasn’t surprised to see a statue that was dedicated to the Confederate Dead but coming from the north it hit me that this was seen as the norm for the south.  There was another statue on the main stroll up to the Capital that was in honor of the Texas Rangers which made sense to a certain extent.  Then, I noticed another statue that was dedicated to fireman that I thought was very honorable. 

Photo- The Texas State Capital.

Photo- The statue for the Confederate Dead.

I went into the Capital building and had to walk through a metal detector, had my purse go through an x-ray machine; nothing new for any of these buildings anymore since 911.  The interior was a painted orientate white wood with touches of gold.  It was elaborate as you would think a state capital building would be; though, I will say I was a bit surprised that it wasn’t more elaborate.  I’ve been in state capitals in Utah, Montana, and Iowa; and this capital building didn’t seem as elaborate.  But I will admit the rotunda area was quite a bit taller than most.  The very tall round rotunda was centered in the capital building.  On each floor there were former statesmen paintings hung around the rotunda.  At the top inner side of the dome area was a star with Texas around it.  I ended up taking the stairs to the third level which was as close as you could get to the inside upper rotunda area. 

Photos- Inside the Texas Capital rotunda.

 

There were quite a few areas that were not open to the public because of remodeling going on.  There were also quite a few areas where furniture was stacked in halls because they were installing new carpet.  But overall, it was a very nice building.

I then went to the 6^th Street area that is where the night life in Austin occurs.  There are tons of restaurants and bars along the street.  There were still quite a few people along it about noon time but I would imagine at night it would be packed.  There were a couple of gift shops and t-shirt shops but all in all it was bars or restaurants that served alcoholic beverages in the area.  A great deal of the buildings were older with had colorful signs and some even had very colorful names too.

Photo- Zilker Park.

Next, I drove through the Zilker Park area which is a HUGE city park area that people enjoy in the area.  There were people running, picnicking, and strolling along paths and all with the city skyline off in the distance.  From there I drove through the South Congress area where there are shops and food carts.  In fact, some of the best reasonably priced places to eat I was told were the food carts.  It was almost a whole block area where they were set up.  It kind of reminded me of Portland but these carts had more room between them and had places for you to sit down to enjoy the food.

Photo- Inside the Black Sheep Lodge.

The next place that I stopped at was called the Black SheepLodge.  Part of the reason that I stopped by, I’ll admit, was the name and the other part was that it was known for their burgers and beer.  I found a parking spot in their lot about half a block down from it.  I walked down the sidewalk and out front there’s a covered patio area where there were tattooed biker dudes; a row of Harley like bikes were lined up along the far end of the patio area. In among the bikers there were others that looked like hippies.  I walked inside and wasn’t sure about what to do about sitting down if there was a hostess or what.  I asked a guy and he said it’s communal seating; sit where ever you want and a server will show up.  There were plenty of TVs to watch your sports and there was 4 different football games on while I tried to decided where to sit.

I chose a picnic table where 2 other guys dressed in t-shirts and ball caps who were already seated and a cute Oriental gal in a Black Sheep Lodge t-shirt showed up.  She recommended a local brew called Live Oak that was similar to a Heffie and then handed me a menu.  I looked at the menu and ended up choosing the Carnitas Sandwich which is a slowly marinated pulled pork with green chilies and served with some spicy slaw on top.   I also ordered it with the sweet potato fries.  It arrived and the sandwich was wonderful with a nice hint of spicy with the sweet bbq flavor.  I then HAD to order the Fried Cookie Dough dessert.  I was just too curious.  A while later an oval dish shows up that looks like chicken nuggets with ice cream.  It didn’t look very appetizing.  I tried it and it was okay but I don’t think I could get past the appearance enough to enjoy it.

Next, it was the drive to San Antonio.  Though, I was making a pit stop about half way.  About halfway to San Antonio, I stopped at a town called San Marcos.  I had been told that there were glass bottomed boats on a small lake where you could view the natural springs of the lake.  I swung by the visitor’s center where I got directions to the place and also got a coupon for $2 off my boat ride.

Photo- The small clear lake where the glass bottom boats are.

The Aquarena used to be an amusement park with a hotel that is now owned and run by Texas State University which is located nearby.  The lake is situated near a golf course that looks very scenic.  With my $2 off coupon I paid only $7 and got to go on a nice gentle ride in a glass bottom boat with a young captain who explained about the lake, the springs, and the ecosystem in the area.  It was also very fascinating and I even got to see a pair of turtles and some fish.  I was amazed at how clear the water was and it was 25ft deep in some areas but it was so clear you would’ve guess it a few feet.  After the ride, I was invited to go into the former hotel building to see the aquariums.  It was free.  I went in and learned more about the ecosystem that is particular to this area and got to see some more interesting fish and water life.

Photo- A pair of turtles as seen through the glass bottom boat.

I drove into San Marcos and took a quick walk around the main square area.  The main downtown area is centered around the courthouse building and there were a great deal of picturesque older building situated around the surrounding street areas.  It was about 4:30PM so quite a few of the businesses had already closed or were in the process of closing.  So I just walked around for a bit and did some window shopping.

Now I was on my way to San Antonio.  I got checked into my room just as the sun was setting.  It was a pretty view from my 6^th floor hotel room.  I got directions and a map from the front desk clerk and headed over to San Antonio’s River Walk area where I planned to find somewhere to eat for dinner.  I was within walking distance; about 6 blocks.  While on the way to the River Walk, I happened to walk by the Alamo on the way; which was cool because it was lite up and the moon was shining above.  The river walk area was wonderful and all decorated for Christmas with lights.  There were a lot of people walking around and out. 

Photo- The Alamo lighted up with the moon above.

I ended up eating at a place called the County Line which I had been told had good BBQ.  It was okay are far as BBQ but it was sitting out watching on the patio area that was the real winner here.  I watched people walk along and watched tour boats going slowly along the river area.  I was having fun just watching and drinking a HUGE margarita.   I was glad I was walking back to my hotel after this margarita.

DAY 78- Petrified Forest...

After a nice little waffle breakfast I headed out of Payson, AZ. Now I’ve been accused of “waffling” my way through the US and I will admit to enjoying my share of waffles during the continental breakfasts.  The goal for today was to visit the Petrified Forest National Park on my way to Gallup, NM where I would stay for the night.

Photo- The northern edge of Tonto National Forest.

As I headed east the landscape of Tonto National Forest changed from tall cactus to tall pines on bluffs.  There were forest spotted mountains off in the distance.  The road started to climb and I found myself in mountainous country of the Sitgreaves National Forest in an area called the Mongolian Rim.  It’s a HUGE valley area but I didn’t really have a viewpoint off the side of the highway as I headed first east.  It was amazingly beautiful but I could risk taking photos and keeping the road on the climbing curvy roads; sorry.  But I’ll tell you it was an amazing view. 

Before the town of Heber-Overgaard I came upon a prescribed fire.  Yes, the forest service burns on purpose so as to kill some of the undergrowth that can lead to more dangerous situations if a real forest fire raged.  This one did appear to be under control.  The traffic slowed.  There were fire trucks and police vehicles on both sides of the road with their lights flashing.  Men with yellow vests were running around with shovels in hand while the smoke just sat around the road.  There was no wind and that’s a good thing in this case.

Photo- The precribed burn area I drove through.

As I entered into Heber-Overgaard, I turned right onto Hwy 277 to head north.  I was tempted to go straight.  There was a Wild Girl’s Saloon advertised that sounded like a good place for me to stop for lunch; I figured I just might fit in too!  But it was a little early for lunch yet so I pressed on.  Seven miles later, I came to “T” in the road and turned left onto Hwy 377.  Shortly after that I saw the sign that I was leaving the Sitgreaves National Forest.  The landscape changed drastically to a very arid land with short juniper trees and golden wheat colored grasses.  Another 30 miles later and a quick left and I was in Holbrook just off of Interstate 40.

Next was the Petrified Forest that was just off of I-40 another 25 miles down the way.  The park wasn’t busy.  In fact, I asked the gal if there was a film to watch at the visitor’s center and she said yes, and she could put it on just for me if I wanted it.  I was the only one in the room as the film played.  The film gave the history of what the area was like and how the petrified trees got to where they are today.  It also stressed that nothing in the park was to leave the park unless it was purchased from a gift shop.  This is probably the most erosion that occurs at this National Park; visitors take part of the park home with them and little by little the park disappears.  They also warned that they do inspections and it’s a crime to take anything from the park.  It was repeated a couple of times in the film and I was told by the national park employee again just before I left the building.  Okay, I think I got it.

Photo- My first sighting of the Painted Desert.

I drove north from the Painted Desert Visitor’s Center to the Tiponi Point where I got my first real view of the Painted Desert.  You know, I’ve seen some photos of it and some artist renditions but I just thought that they had played up the colors and nothing could be like that in real life.  Boy was I wrong.  In front of me stood the small grooved hills with lined layers of bright vibrant colors.  I could see why they called it the Painted Desert.   I stopped and took a few photos and hoped that they would begin to do justice to what I was really seeing.

Photo- The dining room area of the Painted Desert Inn.

I was excited to get to the Painted Desert Inn; a National Historic Landmark that in the 1950’s was in its heyday of a stop along Route 66.  Yes, I’ll admit I knowingly stumbled upon another section of that famous highway.   There used to be a popular restaurant and soda fountain bar inside.  Now all that was operational was a book shop.

I parked the car, took a couple pictures of the outside and then went in.  Wow!  The vibrant blue paint against the adobe jumped out at you.  The murals in the dining area had been restored for me and future generations to see.  They were wonderful.  The area of the fountain bar with the stools stood gleaming.  A glass paneled ceiling area was above the stairs where symbols of the Zuni and Pueblo people were stamped on the glass and painted.   It was all so colorful and vibrant.  I had seen black and white photos and a few small colored photos but none did it all justice.

Photo- The Route 66 stop in the Petrified Forest Nat'l Park.

I had just mainly planned to drive through the park and visit when my interest was sparked.  I drove along the road in the park and stopped at a couple more overlook points.  The road moved away from the Painted Desert areas and became flat filled with scrub brush.  Then there was a Route 66 area just before the park road went over I-40.  There was a great deal of visitors there; so I decided I would stop on the way back.  I drove on.

The road continued on for almost 5 more miles with the scrub brush land.  Then off in the distance on my left I could see the same hills of the Painted Desert only this time the hills were gray with thin layers of black and burgundy.  The road turned and dipped.  There was a bridge area with a wash filled with bright golden trees against a barren flat land.  I thought it was wonderful scenery and probably the only one.  I stopped to take a picture.  I thought it was like Fall in the desert and in its starkness I saw beauty.

Photo- One of the roacks at Newspaper Rock.

As I drove along, I saw a sign that said Newspaper Rock.  I swung my car down the road and parked.  I walked over to a cement lookout point and saw a jumble of rocks.  But upon closer inspection there were petroglyphs on the sides.  It was kind of hard to see with the naked eye and there was an eye piece that helped you zoom into see them.  All the signs stated to stay on the platform.  This was as close as you got; which was a bit disappointing.  I continued on.

Photo- A gray version of the Painted Desert.

Next, it was the area called the Tepees.  The Painted Desert hills had more of tall upright shape here.  I guess you could call them tepee shaped.  I drove on and pulled into the Agate Bridge.  Now this was a total disappointment.  The Agate Bridge was being held up by a bridge of formed concrete.  Whose bright idea was this?  I found it disturbing that I was in a national park that should be preserved and there’s formed concrete holding up a natural bridge.  I would rather have the natural bridge not be than to witness the bridge being supported by formed concrete.  I read a sign nearby and they installed the concrete bridge back in the 1950’s.

Photo- A log of Petried wood in the Crystal Forest.

Shortly after that I arrived at the Crystal Forest area.  All signs said to stay on the path but two older women were not on the path and taking close up photos of petrified logs near the parking lot area.  I guess they didn’t understand the leaving no foot print idea of a national park and I ended up seeing three other people doing this too as I continued on the path.  I found it very frustrating; because in this day and age there is a thing called zoom on most cameras and there were logs that were very close to the paths too.  The whole area seemed like a forest of downed short cut up logs against a gray landscape.  Some of the logs had the most amazing colors in the centers of them.  I walked along the path and drank in the interesting landscape with the quietness.

Photo- The Crystal Forest.

Next, I drove towards the south of the park where there was the Rainbow Forest Museum.  There was more traffic here.  I decided I needed to turn around before the park closed.  The parks hours go till 5pm and I wanted to make sure I was by the north entrance before then.  I swung by the Route 66 stop on the way back.  There was an old car, a cement formed bench that had car tail lights on one side, and a sign with information about Route 66.  Route 66 in this area had been torn up when they built I-40.

As I approached the north entrance there were signs about stopping for a mandatory inspection.  I wasn’t worried but was wondering how far they would inspect my loaded down car.  They might be a while.  I stopped at the stop sign but there was no one there.  I drove past the visitors center and on to I-40 heading east onto Gallup which was about 70 miles away.

The landscape changed from the barren flat scrub lands to towering colored rocks.  The road climbed up and then went down but in general it was all a gain in elevation.  I watched the sun climb up the sides of the towering rock as I drove east.  The sky in front of me had hues of chalky pink and lavender.  It was a wonderful view with the edges of the towered colored rock gaining more red hues as the sun descended.  It was a disappointment when the sun did finally set.

Photo- The sun starting to set on the towering colored rock landscape.

I got checked into the hotel and ended up in the north area of Gallup at a local Italian place for dinner called Fratelli’s Bistro.  It was a casual easy going place where I instantly felt at ease.  I had the Vodka Sausage Rustica, which had a wonderful creamy vodka tomato sauce with pieces of spicy sausage over a bed of farfalle ribbon pasta and a glass of wine.  For dessert I could pass up their homemade gelato which they had 12 different flavor selections to choose from.  My server told me that when the owner’s wife was pregnant they made a pickle flavored gelato for her.  Pickle?!??  I think I’ll past on that one.

I watched the election results starting to come in on TV, while I enjoyed my gelato.  This would be the first time since I was 18 that I didn’t vote.  It felt rather strange but at the same time I really wasn’t enthused about either candidate.

DAY 59- Joshua Tree National Park & Dinner...

In the morning I found myself heading downstairs in mid-70’s weather to have breakfast at the Best Western Plus Palm Desert Resort.  I don’t think it really even cooled off last night at all.  The breakfast is the wonderful part about staying here.  There are four set choices and they cook it to order.  I decided on pancakes with sausage and I took my breakfast outside in a trellis covered patio area where little sparrows are enamoring a little boy.  “Look Daddy!  That bird flew right over me!”  The boy says with wonder in his voice.  Yes, I back to my usual people watching as I eat my breakfast.  A majority of the people I see are retired couples or families.

Photo- Near southern entrance of Joshua Tree Nat'l Park. 

The plan for the day is to head out to Joshua Tree National Park.  I follow the Google directions with some confidence because there’s limited roads in the area.  I head east on I-10 and take an exit that’s about 26 miles out in the middle of nowhere that mentions Joshua Tree National Park.  I passed a sign about 8 miles prior that mentioned no services for the next 28 miles. It so very true there’s nothing out here.  The radio loses reception as I drive north into Joshua Tree National Park.  I also notice that cell phone reception is patchy at best too.  6 miles in there’s a Cottonwood Visitor Center where I stop show them my National Parks Pass and get a map of the Park.  I’m at the southeastern entrance of the park which is kind of the back way into it. 

Photo- A grouping of Cousin It's relatives?

I drive north along the only road through the park.  Quite a bit of the stark landscape is rocky and arid.  Most of the plant life is short and stocky succulents.  There’s a beauty in the starkness of it and the clouds are light wispy trails in the sky.  It’s a wonderful day.  It reminds me a little of driving through southern Utah except there are more rocks and Joshua trees here.  I always thought that the short stubby Joshua Trees remind me of an old slightly graying version of the Cousin It, from the Addams Family.  But in this case, Cousin It also has a spike ‘do’ on top; a green spiked crown.  Joshua Trees were named by the Mormon pioneer settler’s heading out west on the wagon trails.  They actually were called something else but the Joshua name just seemed to stick.

I stop at some of the Exhibits and read about them; like the Smoke Tree Wash which has light thin billowy cotton looking trees that are smoke trees.  This wash seems to have quite a few of them.  The exhibit sign also says I don’t want to be standing by this sign when it’s raining because I would be in the middle of a river; good to know.  As I stand there I hear the pure silence of it all.  It was refreshing after a day of so much activity at San Diego Zoo.  It was a nice day out enjoying the solitude of nature.

Photo- Fried Liver Wash? Really?!?

I continue north going by the Porcupine Wash, the Turkey Flats, and the Fried Liver Wash; quite the list of names.  Then, I come upon the Ocotillo Patch and I stop to take a couple of pictures of this species of succulent.  They look like a grouping of tall branch straws pointing towards the sky with florescent green on them.  Some of them bend out or curve towards a certain direction like the wind has guided and spaced them that way over time.  The ocotillos stand out among the mostly dry sparsely green stubby plant life that’s around them. 

Photo- A wind swept Ocotilla Cactus.

Photo- The Cholia Cactus Garden.

Shortly after the Ocotillo Patch there’s the Cholia Cactus Garden.  This is something to see.  There’s a fenced off trail path that winds through the garden area that maybe goes about ½ mile.  Soon you are surrounded by these alien short rounded forms.  They almost look like they are ready to bloom into flowers.  The buds are puffed up.  The angle of the sun on them makes them even more striking.  It’s fascinating walking through them but the signs warn not to get too close to them because they are prickly lot.

Photo- A Cholia Cactus up close.

Driving past the garden the landscape starts to evolve into an even more alien landscape.  There are larger lighter color rock formations that look like piles of rocks.  The road comes to a “T” intersection and I turn left towards Jumble Rocks.  I drive through the campgrounds that look like a wonderful place to camp for the night.  I see a trailhead called Skull Rock and get out to see if this might be a good second hike of the day.  I read the sign and it says it’s about 1.5 miles.  That would be a wonderful hike I think as I start down the path but then I see a sign saying beware where you step there’s rattle snakes a foot.  Nah, on second thought I don’t think I want to try this trail by myself especially with poor cell phone reception.  Plus, I’m really not too fond of snakes to begin with.  I also notice that the wind that was keeping it cooler to explore the area has stopped and it’s starting to get pretty warm out.

Photo- Almost an alien landscape in Joshua Tree Nat'l Park.

I start to drive further west along the road but then I look down at my fuel gauge.  I should have filled up at the last stop along the interstate.  I look at the map and decide to turn around.  I go back to the “T” in the road and turn left towards the north entrance hoping that I can easily find somewhere to fuel up at the small town of Twentynine Palms; I know what a name for a town, huh?  I stop at the north entrance station and say hi to the gal in the booth.  She starts to wave me through after she sees my annual park pass but I ask her if she knew where the closest gas station is.  Sure she says and gives me the directions.

Photo- A look at Skull Rock where I decided not to hike.
Snakes and me don't mix!

I drive down a hill three miles and then take a left into Twentynine Palms.  I easily find the gas station and fill up my tank.  I go a bit more into Twentynine Palms and am so glad that I decided to stay in Palm Desert instead of this smaller community.  The hotel selection is slim and the restaurant selection is even smaller.  I did however find a McDonald’s where I drive through for a diet coke and a small chicken snack wrap; just a little something to tide me over until my dinner date later on.

I turn around and head back to the north park entrance at Joshua Tree.  I say hi again to the gal and thank her for the directions.  I say I didn’t want to run out of gas somewhere in the park.  She laughs and agrees that wouldn’t be a good thing; as she wishes me a good day.  I start to head back towards the south park entrance.  I look at my cell phone’s clock and realize I’ve spent more time than what I thought.  I should really be getting back to Palm Desert.  I quickly finish the diet coke and decide it might be best to stop at the Cottonwood Visitor’s Center and see about some more water to drink.  The heat is really making me sweat and I’m trying not to run the air in my car to ensure that the car doesn’t overheat.  I purchase a slightly cold bottle of water and head back to the interstate.

I had hoped to get a little pool time in when I get back to the hotel but I just feel a bit zapped after the heat at the park.  I take a quick nap instead.  Shortly after a short nap, I take a shower and try to figure out what to wear for my dinner date.  John had mentioned that the place would be some place where you could wear shirt and shorts; so I figure casual and wear jeans.

I drive over to the restaurant where I’m to meet John.  It looks like it’s on the second floor of a clothing store in the downtown area of Palm Desert.  I walk around and find stairs heading up and discover I’m in the middle of a walking mall with two levels.  I locate what I think is the door to the restaurant.  I walk in and I right away feel like I’m under dressed.  A woman in a short cream linen dress and stiletto heels walks in the door before me.  Then, I see another gal in white designer jeans, a black ¾ sleeve t-shirt and designer accessories and I know I’m under dressed.  This is strange because usually I feel over dressed for stuff in Utah.  But I’ll play it like I don’t know it and see how the hostess reacts to me.  It’s a guy and he doesn’t give my clothes a second look.  I guess I'm alright. Whew!  I don't have that much clothing with me on this trip and the few "dressy" pieces I have I need to wash.  In fact, I need to find a place to do my laundry soon.

John had texted me his was on his way, and I’m always one to be on time or before time.  So I sit at the bar and look over the restaurant and the menu.  The restaurant is a Tommy Bahamas’ and is a bit more upscale than I’ve been in a while.  The description and prices on the menu clinches it, as the most expensive upscale place I’ve been.  I’m a bit nervous that a date is going to be paying for my meal.  As you can guess, I’m not in my element at all. And I’ve haven’t dated that much in a while.

Dinner and the company were wonderful with the exception of a table nearby that was shouting at a football game on TV.  I teased John about needing a remote for their volume.  But I really didn’t mind I was tucked into the rib eye steak I had ordered.  It had been a long time since I had a steak this good and I was really enjoying it.  We ended up sharing a HUGE piece of pineapple chiffon cake.  I kept on teasing John that he needed to take the rest of it home and have it for breakfast.  He kept on saying no you take another bite of it as he sipped on a glass of wine from a bottle of wine we were also sharing.  We were both stuffed.  We talked for a while after we finished eating but the restaurant was starting to close up for the night. 

That’s when John told me that this restaurant was part of the men’s clothing store that was downstairs from the restaurant.  That makes sense now that I could quite really find the “main” entrance to the restaurant.  I had felt like I came in the back door to something.  I guess that there are only certain Tommy Bahamas has these restaurants and as we sat there he talked to the waiter about a recent remodel done to the restaurant. It was all new to me.

John walked me out to the entrance I had come in, gave me a hug and wished me a good night.  I walked across the street to my car and back to the hotel I went.  A short time later, John sent a text to make sure I made it back to the hotel safely.  I answered and thanked him again for dinner.  It was a pleasant way to end the day.

DAY 56- Shopping, Getting Lost, & Monday Night Football...

The night before I went to do a bit of shopping and grab a bit of dinner at the District which is a shopping area in Santa Ana.  It is within a few blocks of the La Quinta hotel where I was staying.  I take a turn in with a left turn signal and get about half a block and stop.  It’s backed up traffic for the entire area.  I eventually get to a stop sign area where they have a woman directing traffic through the area. 

Then, I realized I am in the wrong lane to get to where I was going.  So I go back around and end up in basically the same place only one lane over.  But I’m just amazed with how busy it is and it’s a Sunday afternoon.  I have my windows rolled down because it’s beautiful southern California weather.  I say out loud,”OMG! How do they ever get any shopping done here?”  Next to me, an Oriental guy and his girlfriend in a black sports car just looked at me in a bit of disgust but didn’t say anything.  I guess I must have said the wrong thing?

Photo- The District shopping complex in Santa Ana.

I finally managed to park out in the boondocks of the Target parking lot and head in.  The store is literally packed.  I’m in a bit of cultural shock here; because if I was in Utah I would have any store that was open almost to myself.  I quickly found what I needed and headed to the shortest line in the place which is still 6 deep.  There’s 4 gals in their early 20’s who look like they are purchasing the entire stock of cotton balls that they have in the place.  A run on cotton balls?!??  That’s a new one.

Next I literally drive through heavy traffic again to get out of the Target parking lot and across the street to a brew pub where I decided to have dinner.  Almost 5 minutes later I’m parked out in the boonies of another parking lot and really questioning my own sanity for even venturing out; so much for the green energy efficient world.  The heffe beer was good and I had some spicy buffalo wings; all on special during the Happy Hour which I felt like this was the only thing that was going right for the night.  Back to the hotel, I went after all of that.

I got in my room and the front desk is calling to check to see if everything with my room was alright.  I mentioned that one of my key cards wasn’t working and the other one I had to play with a bit but past that everything was fine.  The next thing I knew the front desk gal was at my door with two new key cards and making sure they worked for me.  Now THIS is service!  In fact, the next morning I go for breakfast and the lady attendant offers to make me a waffle as I go through the door.  I was wondering if I had a “Need Waffles” sign on my forehead.  But I will say this, if you ever need to stay in Santa Ana, I would recommend the La Quinta.

The goal of this day was to find the Crystal Cove State Park which my friend Diane had recommended to me.  I got the directions off of Google again.  Yes, I know I have not had the best of luck with Google.  Well, this proved to be another failure of Google combined with me; not a good combo.  I skipped to the third line in the directions which was south on Interstate 405.  I asked the helpful gal at the desk how to get to I-405 South.  Next thing I know I’m zooming along south on I-405 looking for an exit number and street name.  Then, I’m looking at the exit numbers and discovering that they were getting smaller and I must have missed it in my skip forward area of the directions.  I turned around at the next exit; taking a right hand turn from the left lane in front of three other cars and no one honked!  DAMN!  These people are too nice or maybe they were glad not to be on the same road as me?

I head back north looking for the exit and the exit numbers jump a couple of numbers; completely skipping the exit number I need.  Oh, this is SO not good!  Okay, I know the general direction of which way I need to go and I see a Harbor Blvd exit sign.  I took it and hoped that it eventually ended up in a harbor by the ocean.  Yes, it’s sad to say but some days that is the extent of my line of reasoning.  I ended up driving west through Costa Mesa and ended up finding Hwy 55 which I found went in the direction I needed and took me to Hwy 1.  My screwed up logical way of thinking paid off. Yahoo!

Photo- The boardwalk path that leads towards the beach at Crystal Cove State Park.

I arrived at my destination and paid a state park fee to get in.  Later, I found out I could have foregone the state fee and gotten a parking validation to a lot more south and across Hwy 1.  Live and learn seems to be the way I go.  I parked the car, put sunscreen on, put misc. stuff in my mini backpack with a towel and off to the beach I went.  It was a gorgeous beach and Diane you were right; it is a relaxing haven along the coast.  I got down the path to the beach and decided to sit down and just relax for a bit.  I spread out my towel and watched a family of three boys with their parents along the beach.  I ate a sports bar and what was left of a diet soda.  I had a pesky seagull eyeing me and my food.  He kept edging towards me.  I put all of the food away and then the gull went off somewhere else.

Photo- Part of a family walking along the beach at Crystal Cove State Park.

Photo- The pesky seagull that was eyeing my sports bar.

After a while, I headed down the beach where I could see cottages and more people.  It was probably about a mile or so and I carried my sandals and walked along the edge of the ocean waves.  It was beautiful weather; blues skies with wispy clouds and right about upper 70’s.  What a way to spend the day, I thought as I walked along.  As I got closer to the cottages, I saw that quite a few of them were actually abandoned old cottages which were owned by the state park service.  There was a fence cording them off from the beach and warning signs were posted. 

Photo- A seagull army looking out to sea?

As I continued along, I saw a stand and a restaurant.  The restaurant was called The Beachcomber; how appropriate.  I walked up to the restaurant and found out that there was an hours waiting time for a table inside or longer if I wanted one outside. Whoa!  I asked if there was somewhere nearby that I could get something cold to drink.  Sure, just go inside and you can sit at the counter.  One, with no waiting! Yes!

Photo- The Beachcomber Restaurant where I had lunch at the counter. No waiting!

I ordered a diet soda and an appetizer of a pita pizza with bacon, sweet sun dried tomatoes, and onions with a bit of brown sugar on it.  Yum!  I watched the people all around in the restaurant and the kitchen staff too; who were right in front of me.  I turned around sometimes to look out the door to where the beach was too.  It was a busy fun place to be.  I watched two guys at a table near me playing rock, paper, and scissors for the last artichoke appetizer they ordered.  It’s so fun people watching.

After that, I headed down the beach the way I came.  I again passed a gal with a metal detector that I had said hi to on the way down.  I asked if she had found anything.  She just shook her head and said,” Just a few coins that’s about it.”  I wished her a good day.  The tide was down quite a bit from where it was on my walk down the beach.  I could see more of the rocks on the shoreline where before they were just bumps of a rock out of the water; now I could see almost all of the rock.  I walked along and heard a vehicle.  A coast guard pickup truck was driving along the beach.  He waved at me as he passed.

I headed back up the path to my car and left the park.  I turned south onto Hwy 1 and within a short bit I was slowly driving through Laguna.  I saw quite a few art galleries but I just wasn’t in the mood to stop.  I’m sure I already was a bit sunburnt even though I put sunscreen on.  I also wanted to get to my hotel in Chula Vista before it was too late in the day.  I wasn’t sure what to expect for traffic in San Diego. 

Photo- Monday Night Football rush hour traffic on the interstate
and motorcycles zooming between cars.

BOY, I was in for a surprise!  I ended up getting stuck in the middle of rush hour traffic for Monday Night Football.  I never thought to check the Monday Night Football schedule before heading into San Diego.  Note to self- check sports schedules the next time you go to a large city that has sports teams.  San Diego was playing the Bronco’s and it was a popular game to see I guess.  It was solid bumper to bumper traffic for almost 12 miles.  The only vehicles that were really moving were the motorcycles that were driving between cars.  That is the way to travel if you are in southern California on a nice day.  But I still found it unnerving watching them go along at quite fast speeds between the cars.  It was probably a good thing that I wasn’t wearing Bronco orange driving through this lot.  Then, I would have never been able to get over for my exit. 

Photo- An oasis from a stress filled day at the El Primero Boutique Hotel.

I eventually got to Chula Vista and got checked into my room and before sunset too.  Tonight I’m staying at El Primero Boutique Hotel which is located in the Third Ave downtown area of Chula Vista.  I located the hotel on the hotels.com website and looked small private and inviting.  The room certainly looked inviting tonight.