Yes...we like to travel

Southern California, one of our favorite places to frequent. Who doesn't love southern California? Some people say they don't, but really they do. Everyone does.

Our trip started out early on Saturday Morning August __. We flew to Long Beach Air Port via Jet Blue Airlines. Jet Blue is the best. TV is the only way to fly.

When we got to Long Beach it was only 7am. We couldn't check into our Hotel until 3pm, so we had some time to kill. We drove around Long Beach for a while (because we were lost looking for the right freeway to get on). We saw all the ports and masses of Cargo shipping containers coming in from China and other places around the world. It was kind of neat to see. Also very dreary. Reminded me of Joe v.s. the Volcano.

We finally found the right freeway, got on it and headed north up the PCH. We stopped near Malibu and unsuccessfully tried to get into the Getty Mansion/Museum. Apparently, you DO need reservations to get in.

We stopped along the highway and looked out over the ocean. It was overcast, but beautiful. We stopped and talked to a fisherman who had his line cast into the water from just off the highway.

Next stop, look at mansions in Malibu. Can you believe people really live like this? How do these houses not fall off into the ocean...Oh wait, they do every year. Wind-y streets up the cliff make me sick, let's do something else.

Next stop Pepperdine University. Yep. Looks like a college campus.

Keep driving up the coast. Look for celebrities, were in Malibu.

Now were just outside Oxnard. It's still very misty, and so pretty. Look at the rows and rows of strawberries. Green plants contrasted with dark soil is so beautiful. Lots of people out working in the fields picking the strawberries. Look there is a strawberry stand on the side of the road.


Turn the car around, we need some fresh California strawberries. When I say fresh I mean they were grown ten feet from where I am buying them from. Oh my...I have never had a strawberry taste so sweet. Alyssa loves them. Even Steve is really enjoying them. One basket is not going to be enough, lets buy more. Wow. They are so good. The little Mexican man who speaks no English is happy we are back for more. Take Alyssa's clothes off. She is covered head to toe in fresh strawberry juice.

On to shopping and dining in Oxnard. Target for supplies. Boston Market for lunch. Hey, all the mist burned off while we were in Target. Cool.

Now we can head back down the PCH to check into our Hotel. Sheraton Gateway. Hello, we are here to check-in. Okay, let me look for your reservation...oh it looks like you used Hotwire, let me get you the worst room we have because you only paid $59.00 per night.

The joke is on you Sheraton Gateway, the room is still really nice and quite comfortable, plus the shower head...Speakman 2000, need I say more. (We bought one right after we got home. Once you've showered with a Speakman, nothing else will do.) Turns out the joke is on us, because we had to pay $12.00 a day to park at our own hotel.


Were off to a Sokol family favorite, and the place we ate after we go engaged. El Cholo. The food was good as usual, and so was Alyssa. We left the car there because we found a free space to park (how unusual), and walked down to the Third Street Promenade.

We had a great time watching all the street performers. Bubble blower, the amazing dancing Lisa (I remember her from three years ago, a bit more grown up, but same shtick.) and of course the hilarious break dancers. Alyssa loved all the commotion, the people, the lights, the dinosaur shaped bushes. It was a great fun (and free) thing to do.
Alyssa was also quite the attraction. She looked extra cute in her white valor flowery outfit, pig-tails and puppy pack. If we gave her a cup to hold, I bet we could have made some good cash while we were down there.

One of the main goals of this trip was to see a celebrity. Doesn't matter who, just someone better than Bill Nye The Science Guy. After months of research (watching EXTRA and Access Hollywood) we discovered that the place to be was on Robertson Ave and especially the Ivy.
We headed that way, not knowing exactly where it was, but found it eventually. It was like a different world. One I'd seen only on EXTRA and Access Hollywood. We saw paparazzi lurking around looking for celebs, just like us. It became apparent to me that I was very underdressed. I had no sunglasses half the size of my face. We went into the 76 gas station to use the potty, and buy some sunglasses half the size of my face. I felt much more comfortable once I could hide behind the glasses.


The gas station workers told us that if we wanted to see a celeb that this was the time to do it. They said they like Sundays. We walked up and down the street for a couple of hours. We walked past the Ivy cafe many many times. No celebs today. We went into Lisa Kline Kids where they had some cute sunglasses for Lyss for only $8. As I was leaving the store, I passed someone who looked strikingly similar to Angelina Jolie. She had someone helping her shop and looked very incognito. She was so thin, as thin as I've ever seen anybody. No make-up, and several visible tattoos. Was it her, I think so, but I thought she'd be prettier. I guess I'll never know for sure.

The biggest take-away from our time on Robertson was a poster we saw in KITSON shop window saying Paris would be there from 1-4 on Thursday. We planned to return then.


We went to see the Dodgers play while we were in town. We paid $15.00 to park the car. Can you believe that? No choice either, you have to pay it. We bought tickets from scalpers for $15 a piece. Alyssa loved it. We loved it too. The sights, the sounds, the smells.
We ate Dodger dogs and Nachos. Alyssa learned the cheers they were singing and got excited each time we sang one. We participated in the Wave around and around the stadium. We had a great time.
Well worth the money.

We had dinner at EL Torito with our friends the Roca's. Eric and Autorina. Eric and Steve used to work together and Ernst and Young. It was nice to see them. Autorina is very fun to talk to. We all sat and gabbed for several hours.



Downtown Disney, Hello Skyler and Elise. Skyler my favorite mission buddy lives the so-cal life with his wife in Orange. We met the two of them in DT Disney. Had dinner at an overpriced Cajun cafe, then shopped the Disney store for Nemo toys, Alyssa's new obsession. Then to Jack-in-the-box for some delicious chocolate cake.
It was so fun to see Skyler and Elise, wish there was more time to spend with them.

A trip to Venice Beach. It was fine. I've seen better. It was quite windy and a little cold, we didn't stay that long.


Huntington Beach, our favorite beach. We had a great day there. The temperature was warmer and there were a lot of surfers to watch. We rented a large beach umbrella so we could have some shade. Its hard for me to really enjoy an all-day beach event unless I know I have some shade. If I spend all day in the sun I get burned, doesn't matter how often I re-apply.
For future reference, large beach umbrella is the way to go. We also bought some sand toys for Lyss. We all had a lot of fun. Just a little burned for me and a little for Alyssa. Her's however turned into a tan after about a half hour. Who's child is she, she couldn't be mine.

Trader Joe's. How doesn't love delicious health food when its so cheap. It's so frustrating to shop there when you know you can't get their stuff here at home. A new discovery, Salt and Pepper Rice Chips. We also loved their fruit leather. They made great snacks while we were at the beach.

We returned to Robertson Ave after we checked out of our hotel in Orange County. When we arrived at KITSON there were already a mob of people, more that a thousand probably. Amongst the crowd was the actual paparazzi. I wormed my way through the crowd of fans and on-lookers all the way through until I got to the professional photogs, or the paparazzi. They are mean. Mean to fans trying to get close to their favorite celebs. So I tried to make friends with them once I got close enough. I asked them questions about themselves and their job. It seemed to work. They let me in a little, and gave me some tips, such as don't get on the ground, you'll get trampled and killed.

Paris took her sweet time arriving. Over an hour late she finally arrived in a big black cadillac escalade (the official car of the stars). She posed for the crowd which went wild when she arrived. I couldn't really see her at all. I did see a glimpse of some blonde and something gold. Then for an instant I saw her. She was much prettier in real life than I expected, but way overdressed for 2 in the afternoon.
I had my camera held up over my head shooting as many as my camera would shoot. I didn't think I got any of her, but after the madness ended I found that I did get one clear picture of her.

The whole thing was totally insane. As insane as anyone would ever expect, but worth it. It was very exciting, and free. Steve and Alyssa waited safely across the street away from all the madness.

All in all our trip was very fun. I can't wait to do it all again next year, or maybe the year after.

Up Jackson Hole Way

This year, no different than others, we made the trek back to Star Valley where the air is clean and the livestock are many.

Steve, Alyssa and I went this year along with our friends Heather and Mark and their baby Jaxon or Jackins as Lyssa liked to call him. We started our trip the right way, with Walkie-Talkies. We jabbered the whole way up on our gadgets. It made it feel almost like we were traveling in the same car.

Our first stop (after Evenston for gas) was in Bear Lake. What a beautiful site it always is to see. The blue-ist water you've seen in a long time. Heather saw it first and won the quarter.

First things first we stopped at Le Beau's for Cheese Burgers, fries and a famous Raspberry shake. Delicious as usual worth the calories and wait.

Next, we rented Wave Runners for two hours. An hour for each couple and traded kids to watch as the other couple went.

While we waited for Mark and Heather who went first, we played in the water. Alyssa was eager to play and splash as hard as she could. Too bad she's not just a little bit bigger so mom and dad don't have to worry about her swallowing so much water.

We took our turn on the machines, it was Steve's first time on a personal watercraft. We took off and jumped and bumped over the waves and past the other boaters. It really gives you a sense of freedom when you can move so quickly, easily gliding what ever is under or around you. But boy, when it was over we sure felt how much fun we had had trying to hang on. We were sore for days afterward. Totally worth it.

After we packed it all up again, we moved ourselves via our cars up the highway through Idaho and into the Cowboy State. After we arrived we checked in and searched for food. Disappointingly, the Homestead Family Restaurant is only open until 3 pm. What in the small town is that about? We moved our search over to the Elk Horn restaurant. The food was edible, but pricey.

The next day we arose at our leisure and went shopping at the local Kings store where we stocked up on kiddy books for Alyssa and picked-up a few other unusual items.

Then, we hit the Homestead for lunch were we enjoyed home cookin including White-Bean and Ham soup. Surprisingly good, Alyssa and Steve particularly enjoyed it. We also enjoyed their specialty of Buffalo chips. Sliced potatoes battered with buffalo sauce and fried. Delish. I only regret that I didn't ask for the recipe.

Then the group headed up to Jackson to spend a day window shopping at over-priced souvenir shops. On the way we got caught in a freak hailstorm. It hit the car so hard we were afraid the car would be dimpled. Luckily we spotted a car wash and pulled under its shelter until the quick moving storm passed, but not before the hail shredded our passenger-side window wiper.

It was record hot in Jackson. Too hot to really enjoy window shopping. Plus with two strollers, getting around all the shot-glasses and fur-skins was difficult. We jumped ship and decided to lay down a blanket in the city park and let the afternoon pass. With a cooler full of drinks and some gummy bears we had a great time. Mark and Heather oogled over Jackins while Alyssa played games with a nearby family. It was maybe the best part of the trip. After a couple hours another storm rolled in to chase us out of the park.

Up the road we traveled to the Teton Park. Although we never actually entered the national park, at least the ranger booth where it costs $25 per vehicle, we managed to take advantage of what it has to offer. Gorgeous mountain vistas and wild life.

We stopped and took spectacular pictures of the world famous Tetons in front of the Snake River. Since Alyssa kept insisting that we allow her to jump into the river and was up-set as we foiled all her attempts to do so, we made that a short stop and got back in the car.

Our next part of the journey proved to be the most interesting. We took a 9-mile winding road though the edge of the park. It was thick forest with beautiful meadows and streams. After only a few minutes in the car we saw a congregation of people off the side of the road taking pictures. We stopped to ask about all the commotion and were told that a Momma and baby Moose had just been there drinking from a stream. As we traveled a little farther down the road, they made another appearance just for us. We pulled the cars over and jumped out with the cameras. It was so thrilling to be so close to wild animals. They moved so gracefully with such ease as they dunked their heads down into the water to drink.

A little further down the road we became surrounded by elk on both sides of the road. We rolled down the windows and listened as they spoke elk to each other. Again, a very unique and cherished experience.

We then headed out of the park and back down the canyon towards Afton. We arrived just before dark and ate at the Red Barron Drive-in, good food.

The next morning we arose dressed our Church clothes and headed out in search of church since it was Sunday. The first ward house was just letting out of sacrament, so we headed down the road and attended sacrament meeting at a ward in Etna Wy.

We took the long way home through Soda Springs Idaho along highway 34 (i think). We stopped and saw the captive geyser (again). It's getting old at this point, but Mark and Heather hadn't seen it. Also, we stopped by Hooper springs with some crystal light to make some soda out of the naturally carbonated water that comes out of the ground there.

Established on the trip were two new words. Confirmative and Hemmingway, which is meant to replace "anyway."

It was fun, lets do it again next year.

Post note:

Every year almost with out exception a feel compelled to travel to Star Valley Wyoming. When I was a child we would regularly attend the annual Memorial Day reunion in Osmond, near Afton Wy. My Grandfather was born and raised on a farm in Osmond.

I really enjoyed this tradition when I was a girl. We stayed overnite in the Corral Motel, which is a cluster of about 15 individual cabins arranged in horse shoe near the edge of town in Afton.

As a girl it was a real highlight I looked forward to all year. As an adult now I still anticipate the trip. Although I haven't attended a reunion in years, I have been to Star Valley almost every year since I have been in my twenties. Its a tradition I plan to continue.

We went to Hawaii (a while ago)

Our 7-day trip to Hawaii in Feb 2007 was more than fun and more than refreshing.

We had a hard time getting out of Salt Lake when a rip-roaring blizzard hit the valley just as we left for the airport at 6am. We arrived at the airport and got through security just in time to be the last ones on the plane before it took off.

When we arrived on Maui a soft warm breeze greeted us, so different from the world we had left behind. Gently blowing tropical greens waived to us as we walked out of the airport. Steves parents and sister who had come before us greeted us with flower leis. It was like we were in a really really good dream.

Alyssa and I stood out on the curb at the airport and took it all in as Steve went after our bags. I cried a little (good cry) because the realization of Hawaii's beauty was a little overwhelming.

We stayed in Kehei in a TrendWest condo. The accomodations were lovely, partial ocean view from the Lenai. The beach was only 100 yards or so away (just across the street). We had everything we needed and more, kitchen, pool, the works.

We enjoyed ourselves everywhere we went for the entire week. I kept asking myself, Is this real? Am I really on a tiny little bump in the middle of the ocean? We took in many different beaches thanks to our travel guide Charlie Sokol. He knew all the best places to take us. We saw incredible tropical fish while we snorkeled daily. Our highlight was always seeing the Hawaian Honu (Green Sea Turtle). Another personal favorite was the Puffer fish, which looked like a polka-dotted box of Kleenex with teeny tiny fins.

Fine dining was also a real highlight. After being on weight watchers for almost a year the food was not only delicious but exciting. We attended a traditional Luao at the Wailea Marriott. The food (and drinks) were incredible, and the entertainment as well.

Karen and Charlie treated us to many delicious dinners at lovely Hawaiian restaraunts. A favorite was Buzz's and Da Kitchen (teri beef, yum). Not to go with out mention were the meals we cooked (and when I say "we" I mean Karen) in our condo. The fresh fruit, especially pineapple, was incredibly sweet like candy, large and plentiful. Charlie also BBQ'd for us multiple times, so delicious.

We visited the Maui aquariam. We spent hours googling over all the fish. Some we had seen first hand in the water while we snorkled, and many were new to us. Alyssa enjoyed seeing all the fish for the first time. It was one of her favorite events of her lifetime (so far). We enjoyed seeing the rays and sharks and big tuna's and thousands of other variety's. We felt like we were inside with the fish when we stood in the tube with the sea life above us, below us and all around us.

The road to Hana although slightly sickening at least to Alyssa who threw-up three times while we drove the 633 turns on the narrow and winedy highway, turned out to be one of the most breath taking and memorable parts of the trip. We couldn't belive our eyes when we saw the black sand beaches. It was like witnessing creation, almost a spritual experience. The thick jungle, waterfalls and flowers made it unforgettable.

All in all we can not wait to go back.

Fun with food storage

The way I figure it is I don't want by baby to be thirsty if the water gets shut off for whatever reason. It's a sobering thought. What if the trucks don't come and put food at the shelf at Smith's. What if a racoon gets into the water tank (again) and the water is yuck for a while.

The way I am thinking of it is preparing for the ultimate camping trip. I went to Costco and dropped a bunch of cash, because you know thats how it is when you go to Costo, and got a lot of food that we would actually like to eat. I got peachy cups, and mandrin oranges, and mashed potatoes and oatmeal. Also I got stuff for trailmix. M&M's and Rasians, and nuts and cereals.

I also bought 7 gallon jugs to fill with water and actually filled them. In addition I have 9 gallons in 2 liter pop bottles I have filled previously. SO I figure if we were conservative, we could not be thirsty for around thirty days.

So what I have done although it is barely adequate, its a start. It gives me at least a false sense of security, which is more than I had before. I shall update my progress in stocking my food storage in the coming days.

So now I'm a blogger