Days 7 and 8

Day 7

Ryan slept for 11 hours. I guess playing in the ocean wore him out. We had breakfast, and had a little hike.

The hike made me realize how out of shape I really am. True it was hot, and a little humid. But certainly not enough to be a viable excuse. After the hike we headed toward the beach and stopped for lunch. During lunch I remembered I had left the backpack with the laptop, Ipad, kindle, my wallet and some spare cash in the tent. Not wanting to tempt fate we went back to the campsite, fortunately only about a 30 minute round trip, and then returned to the beach. On the way we noticed a “Souvenir” shop, figured it would be a good place to pick up a CA bumper sticker, and perhaps a Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) one too. It was also near a few Mexican restaurants so we figured we would stop by after dinner and get our sticker(s).

Also saw a Fisker Karma. Which if you’re interested is an expensive electric car.

We arrived at the beach, a different one than yesterday, and Ryan was suddenly afraid to go in the water. It wasn’t the boogie board he was afraid of, but the seaweed. His fear of bugs is spreading. After a while, and with Mayzie assisting, he got in, (between patches of seaweed) and did a pretty good job with his board.

(Ryan is in about the middle of the screen as the video starts)

Tim and I didn’t even get our feet wet. I have decided I don’t like the beach. When I told Mayzie that she proclaimed “Then I can’t be married to you” So I have now decided I don’t like the sand. Sand everywhere. I did, however, spend most of the afternoon looking at the ocean and wishing I was in one of the sailing boats. I used to love sailing. And although I haven’t been in one for probably 15 years, I still miss it. I think I will take up sailing when we get settled in the UK. I am also seriously considering building my own boat. I really enjoyed building the bunk beds (see earlier post) and figure I can combine the two activities. Or maybe I just watch too much NCIS.

After the beach we headed to dinner. We were told the wait would be about 20 minutes. Just enough time to get our bumper sticker. Alas no. The store was closed. Not to worry though we were confident a gas station would have one, maybe not of the PCH, but at least a CA sticker. At least dinner was a success..

After a quick stop for oatmeal and firewood, and back to the campsite, we started a campfire. The boys were excited and happy. When we get more time I am going to show Ryan how to start a fire. I think he will be fine. We shall see.

We have also heard from Becky that our mattress has sold. Yay. And also that the wildfire in Colorado Springs, whilst not “out” has moved from the city so much that most of those that were evacuated have been allowed to return. Unfortunately 350+ homes were lost, but it could have been MUCH worse.

Clif

PS. I have lost the cable needed to get some of the pictures off of the camera. I will update when I have found it.

Day 8.

We are now officially headed East. Although our car won’t make complete sense to the un-educated till we drive back through CO.

Today we head to Las Vegas. We set our alarms and got up at 7. By the time we packed, woke the kids, ate, packed some more and got on the road, the day already seemed like it was half over.

Our route to Vegas took us awfully close to the souvenir shop we saw yesterday, so we figured we would try that again, and if they did't have any stickers then we needed some gas anyway and we could pick them up then. Store was closed. Oh well.

Off to Vegas we headed. We stopped at a Golden Arches to use the restroom, but we made PB&J and Nutella sandwiches for lunch. We have actually done pretty well about not eating junk food. The amount of smog that was just everywhere was such a shame. The mountains did look like they would make for a nice view though.

As we got near the border of CA/NV we came across a town with a plethora of gas stations. We were successful in getting a Nevada (NV) bumper sticker, but no CA. I think we will just order one online (along with New Mexico) and have it shipped to one of the people we are visiting in Kansas.  It might seem like cheating, but we have been trying. So leave us alone.

As we entered NV Mayzie noticed that again no “Welcome to” sign. I don’t actually remember seeing any. Glad we didn’t decide to stop and photograph ourselves along the way. Perhaps they have removed the signs because of all the idiot tourists stopping and taking photographs? :)

As we approached Las Vegas we saw our hotel in the distance. The Stratosphere. The hotel was easy to get too, especially when I turned SIRI off who was inept. I think the firmware update Mayzie did a few days ago has scrambled her pixels. (SIRI’s not Mayzie’s :))

Pulled in to valet parking. Checked in to the room (what a zoo) and found the room. I had grandiose visions of what the room would be. I was mistaken. We got what we paid for. Two beds and a bathroom. It was certainly nice, but not the extravagance I was expecting. Too much TV and movies for me.

We had dinner at a typical diner, and then took a taxi to “Circus Circus.”  The kids had a good time is about all I can say about that. We did take a goofy picture of all 4 of us in a photo both. Unfortunately we don’t have a scanner to upload. Then sun was starting to set by this time so we took another taxi back to the Stratosphere, retrieved our car and took a drive down the strip.

I really am amazed at how big the movies make Las Vegas appear. Don’t get me wrong, many of the hotels and buildings are big, it’s just that the city as a whole doesn’t seem as grandiose as the movies make it out to be.

We parked at the Bellagio, and walked to see the dancing fountains. Pretty cool. Also saw the Eiffel Tower, Bert and Ernie and two Flamingo dancers in their full get-up strolling along the road!

I don’t know if the Casino’s pumping oxygen into the casinos is a myth or not, but it was either that or the efficient A/C that made me have extremely dry eyes, and Mayzie feel really dizzy. Vegas seemed full of kids. Perhaps that’s because we have kids and went to the kid friendly places. My advice would be if you’re going to go, go without the little ones. We did no gambling, and got to bed.

Cliff