Today's Quote

California Interstate 405 by a1rnmu74

"Legend has it that the 405 got its name because the only time it isn't choked is between 4:04 and 4:06 in the morning."
- Guy Nicolucci, from Spirit, Southwest Airlines Magazine, Jan 2011

2 Question Thursday/Aloha Friday

Vintage Family Vacation by YesterdayCafe

Every now and then I participate in Aloha Friday, where I ask a simple question for you to answer (nothing that requires a lengthy response) and Two Question Thursday (same idea...only TWO questions).

We recently got back from a Vacation with my family in California.  With three boys under 10, a 4 hour flight, and long trips in a rental car, I was very thankful to have a few things with us.  The most useful (other than diapers...diapers are definately useful) were these:

Our iPhone: Direction on google maps, Yelp for finding good restaurants and hotels, and lots of games to keep the kids occupied.  Oh, and if you are visiting San Diego might I recommend the free San Diego Hotels map and the Balboa Park ap you you plan to visit there.

Color Wonder Books:  I bought one book for each of my three boys and they were worth every penny.  They kept them busy for hours on the plane and at my Dad's nursing home, and I didn't have to worry about them coloring the seats.



So anyways, here's my questions today...

• Where have you travelled this summer?
• What are the things you found most useful while traveling?

If you have a blog and would like to post your own questions you can leave your link on the appropriate day at the linkys at 2 Questions Thursday and An Island Life.

Mountain Views

The pictures below show a few of my favorite things about summer in the San Bernardino Mountains where I grew up.  We were blessed to have been able to take a trip back there this August. 

Stopping to look at the view on Rim of the World Highway.

The view from Dad's porch.

 My Old Back Yard

Close up of the red wildflowers growing there.

The Strawberry Peak Fire Tower
Twin Peaks, CA

The view from the Strawberry Peak Fire Tower.

The view coming down the "shortcut" trail
in back of the tower.  Strawberry peak is a gorgeous place to hike.

Wildflowers coming back down the Rim.
(These are beautiful...but the best are when the Yarrow is
blooming...the smell is amazing!)

When I told people here in Texas I was from California, I'd often get asked, "Aren't you happy to be out of there?"...as if it were a place I should have liked to flee from.  I don't think they realized what I'd left. 

 

Back then I was so homesick for these mountains.   I've grown comfortable with Texas now and don't often long for California like I used to...but being in Twin Peaks this past week felt like home in a way that I don't know if Texas ever will.

Throwback Thursdays

Traveling Questions

Every now and then I participate in Aloha Friday, where I ask a simple question for you to answer (nothing that requires a lengthy response) and Two Question Thursday (same idea...only TWO questions).

I am just back from a Vacation with my family in California.  In spite of loosing my wallet and nearly missing my flight because of it, nearly loosing a suitcase (it took a different rout home than we did), leaving my camera at a relative's, and getting a slightly sprained ankle, it was a good trip.  Actually, a very good trip!  I'll be posting some pictures here once I get the pics on my phone downloaded, and more once I get my camera back.

So anyways, here's my questions today...

• Have you ever lost anything on a trip?
• Have you ever gotten injured while on a trip?

If you have a blog and would like to post your own questions you can leave your link on the appropriate day at the linkys at 2 Questions Thursday and An Island Life.

How to Get to Japan

Try this (trust me, it's funny):
1. Go to Google Maps and click on 'Get Directions'.
2. Write 'USA' as your start point.
3. Write 'Japan' as your destination.
4. Go to the 31st point on your route and when you stop laughing, share this with a friend so they can laugh too.

Aloha Frida - Traveling

Welcome to this week’s edition of Aloha Friday! Every Friday (well, ok, almost every Friday) I ask a simple question--nothing that requires a lengthy response. 

  My question is...

What's the last place you traveled to? 

My last trip was to California to see family. Just got back. See pictures here.

Please leave your answer in a comment below.  And, if you have a blog and would like to post your own question you can leave your link at An Island Life.

$60 - $90 Flights From Texas to California and Vice Versus - I'm Going!

Southwestern has a special deal on flights that you can order TODAY until 11:59 Pacific Time (that's California time, so until 1:59 out here in Texas) from Texas to California and California to Texas as low as $60 to $90. Those are one way flights, but if you buy one there and one back it's still a lot less then round tickets are elsewhere right now. The dates available Dec 1 - 15 and Jan 4 - Feb 16.

I've booked my flight and am taking a trip to see my dad in California in January! Very excited! Wish I had thought to post this earlier for you all...cause I know I have some homesick readers out here who could use something like this.