Lodi Denny's
Saturday, December 17, 2011
December 16, On the road
My last day of work was lots of fun. We had book exchange, classroom parties and the kids were as high as the guys who hang out at the mall. The excitement was contagious and my heart was light as I wrote my last lesson plans, and wrote out the daily announcement for January 3rd, 2012. Then it was off to Oil Can Henry's for a top off and to the bank for money and then home.
When I got there, Jeff was knee deep in wrapping paper and ribbon. He was bragging about how he was done with his shopping and I was looking with dismay at Max's suitcase. He and the truck were gone and his suitcase was empty. I had a moment of panic about leaving on time, and then gave it up to the travel Gods. We would leave when we left and not a moment before.
Em and Ru got there at 5 and Max got there with groceries and quickly stuffed his suitcase and we packed up with pop, water, food, clothes and other essentials. We left at around 5:30 with me driving and a cheer went up!
5 hours and a subway sandwich later we arrived at our old standby, the Motel 8 in Redding. Max took the driving over the Siskiyou Mts and did a great job. Now after a good nights sleep (and no robberies) we are off to La La Land. I can only hope we get there before or after rush hour.
When I got there, Jeff was knee deep in wrapping paper and ribbon. He was bragging about how he was done with his shopping and I was looking with dismay at Max's suitcase. He and the truck were gone and his suitcase was empty. I had a moment of panic about leaving on time, and then gave it up to the travel Gods. We would leave when we left and not a moment before.
Em and Ru got there at 5 and Max got there with groceries and quickly stuffed his suitcase and we packed up with pop, water, food, clothes and other essentials. We left at around 5:30 with me driving and a cheer went up!
5 hours and a subway sandwich later we arrived at our old standby, the Motel 8 in Redding. Max took the driving over the Siskiyou Mts and did a great job. Now after a good nights sleep (and no robberies) we are off to La La Land. I can only hope we get there before or after rush hour.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
The Magic Kingdom
Well, it's time to revive the blog once again. Emily, Max, Ruben and I are leaving at approximately 5 pm tomorrow for the long drive to Anaheim to go to Disney Land. The last few days of work have been very intense and I am ready for some relaxation......if you can call a trip to Disney Land relaxing. It's more like a military campaign. But before you know it, that "Disney Magic" has got you and you're staring up at the snow falling on Sleeping Beauty's Castle with tears in your eyes.
J and I have had several little trips since we got back from our cruise. A mistake in color of a chair I bought at Ikea was a good excuse to get away to PDX for a weekend. And a yen to see the lovely lights and raging surf of Shore Acres (and the incentive of a cheap night at the casino) was enough of a reason to go to Coos Bay for another weekend.
I also hosted Thanksgiving dinner and the White Elephant Christmas party. It is so much fun to be with my family and share laughs and companionship. Special thanks to Jeff and Max for co-hosting and Emily for help with TG dinner.
So stay tuned for our continued adventures. Emily is co-hosting the blog so she can download instant pictures. Be prepared for pix of Indy, Tower or Terror and the "wildest ride in the wilderness". Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to Disneyland we go......by way of Redding, Sacramento, Stockton and Santa Nella. Can't wait to eat some of that Pea Soup Andersen's soup!
J and I have had several little trips since we got back from our cruise. A mistake in color of a chair I bought at Ikea was a good excuse to get away to PDX for a weekend. And a yen to see the lovely lights and raging surf of Shore Acres (and the incentive of a cheap night at the casino) was enough of a reason to go to Coos Bay for another weekend.
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| Shore Acres sunset |
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| Sunset and lights at the pond |
I also hosted Thanksgiving dinner and the White Elephant Christmas party. It is so much fun to be with my family and share laughs and companionship. Special thanks to Jeff and Max for co-hosting and Emily for help with TG dinner.
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| Betsy and Robert |
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| Ruben |
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| Haley and Carol |
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| Lavona won the Tacky Christmas sweater contest |
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| Big Turkey and big smile |
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| Watching the white elephant openings |
Thursday, November 24, 2011
November 13--Home Sweet Home
When I woke up, the first thing I noticed was the quiet and lack of motion. We had been disturbed at about 5 am with the sound of the anchor dropping, but soon went right back to sleep. But now we were really in port.
We had gotten our packing done the evening before, so there wasn't much to do except look for items we might have forgotten and head for the breakfast buffet. Just like on our first day, it was mobbed, but we managed to get one last omlette and find a seat by the pool. We made some phone calls since we were now back in the good ole USA. Then it was time to go.
We joined the rest of the people in our group and formed a seemingly endless line that moved at a snails pace. Finally we got off the boat, through customs, on to the bus, to the airport and through check in. It took two hours and we were really tired. Jeff got us fish sandwiches at Burger King and we found a couple of seats by a window. We bought a paper so Jeff could read about his Duckies and I could get a crossword and the comics and we sat and read until we thought it was about time to go to our gate. When we got there, we also got bad news. A two hour delay of our flight to PDX. Thank goodness we had time to spare, but it was an annoyance, and LAX is a very uncomfortable place to spend time.
When we finally did get on the plane, our flight was quick and uneventful, and we caught the shuttle to the Marriot and soon were on the freeway south. After a stop at Denney's we made it home around 10. I couldn't believe I had to work in the morning, but life goes on even after a wonderful vacation.
Once again, Jeff and I have been able to travel and enjoy each other's company with a minumum of conflict. (K's idea of conflict was my insistence on going to dinner with a concussion - gee, can't a guy go to dinner in peace?) I am so grateful to have a traveling companion that shares my interests. We just have a really good time together no matter where we are or what we're doing.
Since we came back, we are again immersed in work and life in Oregon. The rains have started, and the weather has turned cold. There is snow in the mountains and the intensity of the holiday season is upon us. But my mind often turns to scenes from our trip to Mexico. Sitting on the balcony, watching the moon above and the sea rushing by below, the sun and sand of Cabo, the taste of a Margarita and the feel of the hot sun. The laughter, the dancing, the conversations, the fun. I am very grateful to have these memories to see me through the winter.
And a few more scenes from the trip:
We had gotten our packing done the evening before, so there wasn't much to do except look for items we might have forgotten and head for the breakfast buffet. Just like on our first day, it was mobbed, but we managed to get one last omlette and find a seat by the pool. We made some phone calls since we were now back in the good ole USA. Then it was time to go.
We joined the rest of the people in our group and formed a seemingly endless line that moved at a snails pace. Finally we got off the boat, through customs, on to the bus, to the airport and through check in. It took two hours and we were really tired. Jeff got us fish sandwiches at Burger King and we found a couple of seats by a window. We bought a paper so Jeff could read about his Duckies and I could get a crossword and the comics and we sat and read until we thought it was about time to go to our gate. When we got there, we also got bad news. A two hour delay of our flight to PDX. Thank goodness we had time to spare, but it was an annoyance, and LAX is a very uncomfortable place to spend time.
When we finally did get on the plane, our flight was quick and uneventful, and we caught the shuttle to the Marriot and soon were on the freeway south. After a stop at Denney's we made it home around 10. I couldn't believe I had to work in the morning, but life goes on even after a wonderful vacation.
Once again, Jeff and I have been able to travel and enjoy each other's company with a minumum of conflict. (K's idea of conflict was my insistence on going to dinner with a concussion - gee, can't a guy go to dinner in peace?) I am so grateful to have a traveling companion that shares my interests. We just have a really good time together no matter where we are or what we're doing.
Since we came back, we are again immersed in work and life in Oregon. The rains have started, and the weather has turned cold. There is snow in the mountains and the intensity of the holiday season is upon us. But my mind often turns to scenes from our trip to Mexico. Sitting on the balcony, watching the moon above and the sea rushing by below, the sun and sand of Cabo, the taste of a Margarita and the feel of the hot sun. The laughter, the dancing, the conversations, the fun. I am very grateful to have these memories to see me through the winter.
And a few more scenes from the trip:
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| One of the endless line of vendors at Cabo--Henna anyone? |
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| I'm trading my boat in for this one--Cabo Harbor |
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| Sunset at sea, Day 1 |
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| Coffee on the balcony perched, above the ocean |
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| Harbor patrol |
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| On the walk in PV, old town. |
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| Does the Tux detract from the Duck Hat? |
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| One more of that Puerto Vallarta sunset. |
November 11 and 12—On the Sea heading North
Leaving Puerto Vallarta was bittersweet. It was so beautiful there and we wished we had a few more days instead of having to go home. But we woke up and were steaming north. After coffee on the balcony and wandering the boat a little bit, we got on swimsuits and headed for the pool. We wanted to take advantage of the sun before we got too far north. We found our spots at the aft end again, but it was really too hot at mid-day to stay there. We looked for somewhere in the shade.
Jeff had bought a cigar while we were in P.V. and as we were looking for a place to settle, he came across some men with lit stogies. So he sat down to join them. I found my place in the shade one level up and with book in hand found peace and tranquility. And took a lap around the top deck. About 2 hours later, I went back to where Jeff was sitting and was introduced to the whole crowd of smokers/spouses. They were really nice people and so funny and friendly. Jeff had a great time getting to know them. Something about sitting with a group of guys puffing on stogies and looking out over a deck filled with females sweating in two pieces can bring out the raunch - in a funny sort of way.
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| The top of the ship looking "aft" |
In the evening, we dressed up again for dinner. We really enjoyed having a table to ourselves, and not having to try and make conversation with M and A. Then we gambled a little, and went to the comedy club for two comics. They were both pretty good, but very raunchy…….no kids allowed. We laughed and laughed and then headed for the balcony and bed.
In the middle of the night, I was awakened by the sound of the boat slapping the waves. We were in the middle of an ocean full of swells. The boat went up and down like a drunken merry-go-round. At breakfast there were more than a few folks turning green. The weather had turned cold and cloudy. A few brave souls were still trying to sunbathe, but it was foolhardy. When it began to rain, even the 20-something hard-bodies were covering up and coming inside.
The big event of the day was the Chocolate Buffet. It was all chocolate desserts of every kind including a chocolate fountain and lots of fruit and cakes for dipping. It started at 12 and long before that, a line formed that seemed to go all around the ship. J. and I got in line and eventually got two platefuls of goodies, cups of coffee and proceeded to stuff our faces. Amazing! But I had to have some protein to counteract all that sugar.
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| Rough seas viewed from the lounge window |
Jeff and I were both concerned that we wouldn’t be able to watch the Ducks/Stanford game. So we checked in the sports bar to see if they were going to show the game. There were a bunch of guys in there watching soccer. It didn’t seem like the sports bar would be the place to catch the game. After more inquiries, we were excited to find that we could see the game on ABC in our room. So we watched the end of the Michigan game and waited eagerly to see our team in action. Jeff’s Oregon hat had drawn lots of attention and there were quite a few people wearing the green. I’m sure our shouts of joy could be heard throughout the 6th floor as the Ducks showed their strength against Stanford. Towards the end of the game when the Ducks were up and moving towards a rout, Jeff took his Ducks flag and adorned head to toe in green and yellow, went to the Sports bar where he made his presence known - all in good fun with more then a few guffaws.
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| Jeff roots for his Ducks |
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We enjoyed our last dinner at Herman’s station, and went to the casino for one last try at riches. Then back to room 6207 to finish packing and prepare to disembark on Sunday. We could only hope that getting off the boat would be easier than getting on.
FYI, After some discussion, J and K have decided that we will leave the blog open. We have nothing to hide, and everyone is welcome to read about our adventures.......even those whose motives are suspect.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
So Sad
Hello Everyone:
Sadly, we found out that someone has been viewing the blog with whom we do not want to share information. Therefore, the rest of the trip details and future adventures will be at a new blog address which we will share via email with all of you. Thanks for following our adventures......you can bet there will be more to come.
Love,
J and K
Sadly, we found out that someone has been viewing the blog with whom we do not want to share information. Therefore, the rest of the trip details and future adventures will be at a new blog address which we will share via email with all of you. Thanks for following our adventures......you can bet there will be more to come.
Love,
J and K
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