The Dream Becomes Reality

  We finally feel like we have made it to California. Although we spent the night in San Diego, the sun is coming up in the east and we are pointing north on The Pacific Coast Highway. The Pacific Ocean is on our left and beautiful Southern California is to the right. Our first real contact with the Pacific is in the town of Oceanside. We found a parking spot close to the beach, walk through the mist and fog on moist, sticky sand to the water. There were some rocks about ten feet out and I had to stand on them for some reason. So, I rolled up the legs of my sweat pants (no judging) and walked through the freezing water. I have a picture of myself standing on top of this rock with my shirt off, striking a very studly pose. I need to get those out again and show my wife and kids. We stayed on the beach for about another 15 or 20 minutes then moved on. It was very interesting seeing the area come to life as the morning wore on. First the surfers are out with there boards and then the businesses and shops start opening along the street. After a while the bums and homeless people start roaming around to get to there panhandling spots and get to "work". As the sun gets higher in the sky the people on the streets get weirder. I don't want to dwell on this too much but let's just say Southern California is not the place for me.
  By now we are on the 405 near Los Angeles and sitting a near stand still in traffic. We creep along for maybe an hour when we see why the left lane is closed and causing brutal congestion. Apparently someone thought it was a good idea to cross 16 lanes of traffic in morning rush hour. Well, he didn't make it, and they had not removed his body by the time we drove past at 10 miles an hour. I don't know why, but for some reason I didn't call my parents or really tell anyone about this. Maybe because it doesn't even seem real when you drive past a dead person covered by a sheet in morning traffic. So we continue north, next stop Big Sur!
  See you next week for more adventures in Sunny California!
 

Death Valley and the Worlds Tallest Thermometer.

 After our three hour stay in Las Vegas we moved on towards California. We drove for what seemed like, at the time, to be the longest and hottest day in human history (check back in a few weeks for my post about northern Nevada). We ended up in Baker, California. Known as the gateway to Death Valley, and home to the Worlds Largest Thermometer. We stayed at the Wills Fargo Motel, across the street from THE restaurant in town. It was about 120 degrees  according to the giant thermometer, and that felt about right. Dry heat my ass! Hot is hot, I don't care what anyone says. The motel was clean and we went straight to sleep (two beds). We woke up the next morning bright and early to hit the road.

 Our next destination was Mission Bay in San Diego. We wanted to camp for the night and found that they had a site right on the water. It was night by the time we arrived, and the place was packed! People everywhere. Come to find out, Mission Bay has a huge Fifth of July party. We found a spot to park and set up camp for the night. By set up camp I mean we opened the back doors to the van. We had no space in the front, back, or either side of our van to set up even a lawn chair! We ate some canned goods for dinner as the fireworks started, and settled in for the night to the soothing sounds of drunks yelling "Whoooo!".

 In the morning we packed up camp before the natives woke up and pointed the van towards the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway). At this time we haven't seen the Pacific Ocean yet, and we are getting pretty antsy to get there. Check back next week to share in the thrill of victory!

VEGAS BABY!!!

 After seeing the two largest holes in the United States, our next destination was Las Vegas. By now it's July 4th and we are excited to see some crazy stuff, so we do the logical thing, leave Route 66 and head for Vegas. On our way up Hwy 93 we saw some amazing things. One of the coolest was Hoover Dam. It was completed in 1936 and over one hundred workers lost there lives building it. The dam is 1244 ft across, 726 ft high and holds back the Colorado River to create Lake Meade. Awesome site to say the least.

 Thirty five miles to the west lies Las Vegas. We arrived around five in the evening, and were immediately struck by the amount of people crammed into a relatively small town. We decided to try to get a room at Circus Circus. That's right, we had no reservations. First mistake. Then we wanted to check out the casino, and headed that way, only to be stopped by security after taking two steps into the doorway. Needless to say, we had a quick visit to the casino in Circus Circus. A little disappointed, but unfazed, we moved north on the famous Vegas Strip to find a place to stay.

 Chris and I landed at a quaint little motel in North Las Vegas, frequently seen on the T.V. show COPS. We walked in the front door and notify the fine gentleman that we needed a room. He asked "One bed, or two?" After a short discussion about who would sleep on the floor if we tried to be frugal and only got one bed, reality sank in. There was a surreal moment of noticing the fish bowl of condoms on the counter and hearing the guy add up a whole nights worth of hourly rate charges, we answered in unison "Two beds!" Followed shortly by "No thanks, we'll find somewhere else."

 Well, realizing that there were no other vacancies in all of Las Vegas, and after our encounter with the locals, we decided to move on. Next stop, California!!

 Check back to find out if we make it through Death Valley.