Get Out Of Denver, Better Go! Go!

“The people in flight from the terror behind-strange things happen to them, some bitterly cruel and some so beautiful that the faith is refired forever.”  ~ John Steinbeck, The Grapes of Wrath

I am back from my trip to California.  And when I say, "I am back", let me tell you, that was no easy feat!  Just about every single fear I have related to flying in an airplane and being in an airport were confirmed on my trip!  So...if you are tuning in today to see how to survive the wild ride from Denver to San Jose and back again...you picked a great day to blog surf!

Every SINGLE thing that could go wrong, went wrong at the Denver Airport at the start of our travels.  Every. Single. Thing.  Starting with the drive up to the airport.

If you have read about my other escapades at the airport here, then you know that before you even get on a flight in Denver, you have had to overcome several other challenges first.  But this day was like no other I have experienced.  On this particular day that we departed for the airport, it seemed like the same ol' thing. We were blown all over the highway again.  There were the usual tumbleweeds to keep the near 70 mile obstacle course interesting. This time, however, we had an added new bonus I had not experienced before. We were transported to Depression Era Oklahoma!  Yes!  It is true....both Time and Geographical Travel overcame us on our drive in our Dodge TARDIS.  As we made our way toward the airport, it became darker, and darker. We looked northwest, but all we could see was an ENORMOUS dust cloud of depression era proportion!  I expected the Joads to pull up alongside us in their jalopy at any moment.  As the wind grew gustier, the dust became so thick we could hardly see the other cars on the road.  Great!  As I considered both the wind and visibility factors for my flight, it was hard to tell if the car was shaking from the gale force winds blowing it, or from me shuddering from sheer terror.  It was the first time ever that I couldn't wait to get to the airport...if only to escape the blind car ride.

Road to Denver International Airport (kinda)

Once we actually arrived at the airport a whole other trial confronted us!  How to get our bags out of the car without them or us blowing away!  We were having gusts of 60 mph winds and our suitcases were paying the price.  But the worst was how the wind blew us!  As I grabbed a hold of Butterfly to pull her into the safety of the airport (there is a term I never thought I would use...or would be true!), I had a vision of her flying up in the air and me flying her like a kite while I tried to wrestle her inside.  It was horrifying, I tell you!

Me and Butterfly

It is hard to believe that I actually felt safer at the airport than on the road....but that tells you just how bad it was.  As we made our way into the the airport, it seemed the horrible parts were coming to an end and I would only have to deal with my irrational fear of flying now.  But, it just can never be that easy if involves me, a trip and an airplane.  Sigh.

After Butterfly and I checked in and gave our personal belongings over to airline staff, we climbed aboard the train to take us to the C Terminal where our airline was located.  We exited the train and decided to eat a little dinner and calm ourselves myself for our flight.  After we finished our extremely overpriced and barely average dinner (not exactly what I had hoped for for what could possibly be my last meal...even criminals get something better than that!), we headed over to our gate and found...it didn't exist.  Well at least not in the C Terminal!  Turns out, ha, ha, that our airline actually has gates in TWO terminals on opposite ends of the airport, and we were in the wrong one.  Remember the OJ Simpson Hertz ads?  Yeah, that was us!  We ran all the way to the train and then we ran all the way to our gate, where everyone was already lined up.  As we stood gasping for air, we listened to the announcement coming over the loudspeaker for our flight.  It seemed our plane had ice on the wings.  Which is bad.  But, we had plenty of de-icer. Which is good.  But, it was so windy that they couldn't de-ice the plane because the fluid kept icing up due to the wind gusts.  Which is very, very bad.  

Did I mention that the reason the winds were so cold was because we had a blizzard on the way?  And that every minute we stayed on the ground increased our chances of not being able to leave?  Or, worse yet, having to fly through the blizzard?! True story.

We sat awaiting more information and making polite conversation with people around us.  When our plane was 3 hours delayed, people around us started booking hotel rooms and getting taxis.  But, still we waited.  When we were 3.5 hours delayed, the woman next to us finally admitted she was hoping they would cancel the flight as "she didn't want to die today anyway."  I laughed and admitted that I was scared to fly too...especially since if we weren't cancelled, we had to hope the de-icer actually worked and then we would be flying through the blizzard.  Directly following this conversation, when our flight was 3.5 hours and two minutes delayed and all of our confessions of fear and death were still hanging in the air, they announced that they would be boarding our plane!

Before they started boarding, I made a trip to the restroom where I ran into a nun.  No....I don't mean I came into the bathroom and there was a nun.  I mean as I was rounding the corner to the bathroom from one side, she was rounding the corner from the other and I ran into her and stepped on her habit!  Surely, I thought, there is some sort of divine discipline for stepping on a nun!  And as I pondered what that might possibly mean for me on this flight, I remembered seeing a nun on a plane before....

Anyone remember the fun flick this clip is from?  Yeah, that's right.....the 1975 disaster film, Airport 1975, about a jet that collides with a smaller plane and fights against gravity without a pilot for the rest of the film!  Not only that....but check out the cutie pie that the nun is singing to.  Is anyone else freaked out that the nun is singing to the kid from the Exorcist???  In my mind, my flight was spiraling downward, possibly in a literal sense, as I left the restroom and noticed the Sister was on our flight.  Really?!  Oh, God has such a sense of humor!

It was amongst all of this that I boarded our flight with fear and trepidation....and flew one of the smoothest flights I have been on in a long time.  I am sure Butterfly was more thankful than I about that.  

Overall, the flight was tolerable and led to a great trip.  I will have to tell you more about that later, cuz right now, I

Gotta Mosey.

Leavin' On a Jet Plane

"One's destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things." ~ Henry Miller

Well, today is the day.  California, here I come.  On a plane.  For two hours.  Ugh.

No secret if you read my blog....I HATE flying.  I KNOW it is an irrational fear and that blah, blah, blah (all the reasons people give me to feel completely comfortable while being in the sky, which God did not intend - proven by the fact that I do not have wings, or even feathers...but I digress).  I still hate air travel.

I tried to do a little research on overcoming my flight anxiety, but the articles I read were worthless.  Okay, I only read one.  Well, really just part of one article.  But, trust me, it was worthless.  It was written by a flight attendant who feared flying (that should have been my first clue that perhaps this "professional" was not going to share anything helpful...who picks a career that terrifies them???...but, I digress again).  The author of the article mentioned ONE thing that helped them face their fear of flying:  learning everything they could about plane crashes.

WHAT?

Yep, you heard that right.  Study, learn about, ruminate on plane crashes.  The actual falling from the sky and impacting the ground really hard in a giant, airborne (or not so much, as the case may be) vehicle.  Yes, nothing says calm and level-headed like learning about plummeting thousands of feet in the air.  I read the first three sentences, broke out in a cold sweat and then passed out.  The good news is, when I came to, I had a much better way of dealing with my flight today than learning about airline accidents.

I started thinking about what would make me enjoy air travel more.  I think I have come up with a pretty good list...see what you think.

1. In-flight Massage.  Yes, this would definitely help me relax and tolerate the flight more.  And I am not talking about some cheesy, coin operated "magic fingers" massage chair.  I want a real massage therapist.  One that not only works muscle relaxing magic, but who can also restrain me when we hit turbulence and I try to jump up and bolt.  And if I didn't actually have to get on the plane and the massage could somehow take place on a beach that I didn't have to fly to, that would be even better.

2. Live Entertainment.  Here is what I find about in-flight entertainment.  Your flight is either too short to have a movie, or the movie they show is about plane crashes or you get a great comedy and then land before it is over! And that comedy is usually some obscure film that is not carried by either Netflix OR Amazon and you never find out if monkey found the secret to life and saved the planet through his humorous antics or not. And you spend the next three years tortured for want of closure.  But, again, I digress.  I believe the best way to offer an entertaining distraction that also does not strike fear and frustration in the heart of the traveler is to have live entertainment.  I know I would happily pay 100.00 more for a flight where Tim Hawkins or Jerry Seinfeld was headlining.  Or better yet, David Copperfield.  He could make our plane disappear and then magically reappear at our destination seconds later.  Yes!  I vote for David Copperfield!!!!

3. Treadmills.  Not to actually use.  I hate treadmills.  But that is the beauty of this ingenious idea!  If given the choice to sit all chill in an airplane seat, crammed between two unpleasant passengers or walk/run on a dreadmill for the duration of the flight, I think I might just enjoy flight more than previously thought.  And if sitting calmly on the flight proves to be more than I can bear, I would have the option of using the treadmill to burn off nervous energy.

4. Airplane Smorgasbord.  But with real food...not that airline, prepackaged, rehydrated gross stuff.  Nothing says "calm, cool and collected" like stress eating comfort food.  I think the whole flight should be catered by Cracker Barrel.  And the meal should include the golf tee game, which would keep me completely occupied, albeit, frustrated throughout the remainder of the flight.  Bring on the biscuits!

5. Hot towels.  This is a little service that usually only first class or international passengers receive.  I think this little mid-air refresher should be available to every traveler on every flight.  No matter how short the flight or poor the passenger.

And also, the towel should be sufficiently drenched with ether.  Yes, this is the best idea.

Well, I leave soon, so pray for me.  But more than that, pray for Butterfly, who has to endure the flight with me!

Gotta Mosey!

Spring Thaw Singin'

"California dreaming on such a winter's day." - The Mamas and the Papas

The main thing I am going to miss when I travel to California in ELEVEN days is listening to a California playlist for two days while driving into the state.  This year, since I am flying, I won't have that kind of ramp up time.  I get two and half hours.  That's it.  But, I have decided to compile a list anyway, and listen to it for the whole week before I leave.  I think it will add a sense of enjoyment to the mundane tasks of printing and organizing.

Feel free to join me.  If you are in a wintery sort of place, it may be just the bit of sunshine you have been needing.

With no further ado, I give you - Jill's Top 5 Songs of Her California Playlist


5.  California Sun - The Ramones
It is COLD where I live in Colorado presently.  I am looking forward to a nice thaw.  The beauty of this song is that it starts warming me up just listening!  AND...this rendition is performed by the Ramones!  Which makes it totally cool.  So, you get a Hot/Cool thing going on, which I believe honors my home Sunshiney State and my current Beautiful but Really Chilly State of residence!

4.  Route 66 - John Mayer

There is no denying...I am going to miss the Road Trip to California.  The ONLY nice thing about driving through Gallup, New Mexico, is that at least you are on a historic road...AND you can sing this FAB song over and over and never get sick of it!  

3.  Do You Know the Way to San Jose? - Dionne Warwick

Everyone knows California Girls, Surfer Bird, Ride the Wild Surf, and Wipeout.  Southern California has some amazing beaches.  But, I can't stand Southern California.  Smog, traffic and the Anaheim Mighty Ducks make me steer clear of the whole bottom half of the state.  My heart resides in Northern California.  In the beauty of the Redwoods, big ocean bluffs and....the Silicon Valley (?!).  Well, a lot has changed since Dionne recorded this song...there is less room and probably more fame and fortune are found in the Valley up north than in Hollywood.  But, I have a lot of friends in San Jose just like Dionne....so I guess it hasn't changed THAT much.  Great folks still live there!

2. Folsom Prison Blues - Midas Whale

Okay...I got no one to visit there.  Just making that clear.  But, my guilty pleasure is NBC's The Voice and two days ago they had a magnificent team sing this song and this is an underhanded attempt to expose you to it.  Check it out!  (totally downloading the song...you should too!)

1.  California Dreaming - The Mamas and the Papas

If I have to explain why this is on the list, you have never heard the song.

Ahhhh....I can already sense the feeling returning to my toes!  I am thawing out just listening to these classics!  What are your favorite travel tunes?  Let me know in the comments section....I have ELEVEN days to fill with music!  Right now, I

Gotta Mosey!

California Cool

"I don't mind not being cool."  said no one EVER in California.

As I continue to wait out the bad weather, I am perusing the California Pinterest Boards.  There is one thing I am reminded of when I look at all the pins.  It may have its problems, yet nothing but NOTHING says "Cool" the way California does.

The state's name comes from a Spanish romance novel set on an imaginary paradise island called, California.  The name seems to continue to mean "extraordinary" to this day!  If you want to make something better, brighter, cooler...tag it "California".  It's kind of the Elvis Presley of US States!

Need more convincing?  Consider the following:

Ferrari CALIFORNIA Convertible

1968 CALIFORNIA Special Mustang

Convertible CALIFORNIA Car Beach Cruiser

Baja (CALIFORNIA) Bug

Affordable CALIFORNIA Housing

Disney's CALIFORNIA Adventure

Vans CALIFORNIA

This is probably a good time to mention that while adding the label, California, to tennis shoes, pizza, amusement parks, cars and houses makes them jump multiple points on the Coolness Factor Charts, it also makes them about 300% more expensive than say, Osh Kosh (Wisconsin) clothing.  Because, really, what cool stuff ever came from Wisconsin?  Cheese?  Turns out California has the market on Cool Cheese, too.  Don't believe me?  Check it out...

One last thing to take note of is the California Cool food subculture.  

CALIFORNIA Grilled Cheese

CALIFORNIA Hot Dog

CALIFORNIA Clam Chowder

CALIFORNIA Rolls

CALIFORNIA Eggs Benedict

CALIFORNIA Roll CAT FOOD!!

All of these meals and more have a distinctly California flavor to them.  And by California, I mean "avocado".  And by "Avocado", I mean, "add 2.00 to any menu item".  Just another pitfall of enjoying the special culture that is California.

I have to admit, all this cruising Pinterest is leaving me hungry (literally) for California! I need to work on planning some more.  What is your favorite California Cool?

Gotta Mosey!

Only in California

"I like this place and could willingly waste my time in it."  ~ William Shakespeare

As I continued my exploration of Pinterest while being snowed in, I realized something;  growing up in California all my life, I didn't really have the chance to see how unique it was/is.  But now that I live out of state and have traveled to many other states, I can see that there is no state quite like California.  There are things that only grow there, only created there, only exist there and if you haven't experienced it, you are probably missing out...on something...not quite sure what, but surely there is some green hole in your life that can only be filled by a trip to the Golden State.  I am hoping that these sights and experiences will encourage you to plan a trip to my home state some day.

The most outstanding attributes of California, lie in it's natural beauty.  Nowhere in the world can you witness breathtaking beauty like Yosemite National Park and the awe inspiring coast of Big Sur.

Yosemite Valley

Big Sur

One of the lesser known natural wonders of California, though, are the La Brea Tar Pits.  Ironically located in, La Brea, California.  Brea is the Spanish word for tar, and also gross, as well as sticky and yucky.  Google it.  This area of Southern California is covered with pits of tar that trapped dinosaurs back in the olden days.  There are still dinosaurs stuck there...

Only, that's not a real dinosaur.  And, actually, no dinosaurs were ever there, just old and big mammals.  The remains of one person has been found there, too.   La Brea is really just a giant pool of flypaper.  Whatever wandered in to the tar pools, stayed there and got eaten by other animals who used the pits as animal traps.  You can't see any remains in the pits.  You just walk around the grounds admiring bubbling, stinking, asphaltum imagining animals are stuck in it.  And, like everything else in California, you pay for that privilege.  In my opinion, in a state that is in a constant state of road construction, it is wiser to save yourself the Tar Pits' 12.00 admission and set up on the side of the road that is being resurfaced and wait for a small, unsuspecting animal to wander by.

Another element that California is known for is uncommon wildlife.  The Tule Elk are a subspecies of elk native to California.  There are amazing elephant seals on the coast.  But one of the most unusual spectacles of wildlife is the California Condor. Scientists rescued the last of the condors in the late 80's and started a rigorous rehabilitation program.   Once nearly extinct, there are about 226 of them in the wild now.   The condor has a long and rich history with the indigenous peoples, as well as scientists, of the areas where they once flew in vast numbers.  And those people tell of the history of Condor.  Condor, it is said, used to steal people and chop their heads off while trying to drown Ground Squirrel in the blood according to the Mono tribe, whose name, loosely translated, means "Are you Scientists Crazy Saving that Murderous Bird?!". Here you can see their attack instincts in action:

But perhaps the most fascinating zoological species to inhabit California is one that may likely be extinct in the state now.  No, I am not talking about the Grizzly...which has been extinct in the state since the 1920's but is still on California's flag and remains their state animal to this day.  No, I am talking about Sasquatch.  There is no denying the existence of Bigfoot.  Here is proof, shot in California...

Most reports indicate Bigfoot is alive and well in the way north of California, where incidentally, most illegal marijuana is grown.  Though sightings have dwindled in California, Washington State, who, interestingly enough, just legalized marijuana still reports run-ins with the creatures frequently.  And in Canada, where they pass time by drinking Screech, Sasquatch still makes regular appearances.  Coincidence?  I think not.

There are so many incredible sights to see (or not see, in the case of Bigfoot) in California.  These are just a few that I realized other parts of the US have not been able to experience.  Sure, those other states have things that California does not, but I'm not headed to those states, so who cares?

Gotta Mosey!

Pinterest Travel Fashion Tips

"A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous." ~ Coco Chanel

Generally speaking, when one starts a travel blog, it is good if one, say, travels.  It kind of brings the whole experience of travel to life for blog followers, if the author shares their actual experiences.  Kind of neat how that works.

I travel quite a bit.  And by "quite a bit", I mean; sometimes.  But, in starting this blog, I committed to traveling much more.

But I live in Colorado.

Where it snows.

A lot.

And this year has been punishing.  Usually, where I live, we get snow, but it doesn't impact us much.  Living in the Colorado sunshine 300 days a year means that the snow melts before it can hinder you.  But, this year! Oh boy!  We are still short on snowfall....BUT...every time we get snow this year, it is in the form of a blizzard!  This has put quite a damper on my travel...and my travel blog.

So what is an adventurer to do when she is snowed in?  Glad you asked...

I spend a lot of time of Pinterest.

If you are like me, Pinterest just seemed like a lot of random stuff all in one place.  I didn't really get what to do with it.  It just seemed like something to do while I was stuck in a waiting room somewhere.  But, recently, Butterfly taught me more of the ins and outs of the board pinning site.  Seems I had been doing it wrong all along.  I had tried to use Pinterest practically.  If I saw something I would never use or ever do, I automatically ruled out pinning it.  I only pinned craft ideas for my co-op, recipes I would lose if I wrote them down and shoved them in my kitchen drawer filed them in a hard to reach place, ideas for entertaining and landscape ideas.  (Okay...landscape and yard decorating isn't practical given how I HATE gardening, but I was trying to inspire myself).

Since Butterfly freed me from the bondage of factual common sense, I have a new lease on travel life while I am snowed in!

Since I have thrown in the practicality towel on Pinterest, I decided to extend that mindset to my travel plans as well.  I know the most comfortable clothes to travel in are sweats and tennies, but I have decided that I want something more.  Forget the casual slop of current day travelers!  I intend to travel in style from now on.

Ah, the good ol' days...when flight attendants were stewardesses, airlines still gave you snacks for free and anyone could move about the cabin as they pleased!  But seriously, look at those suits...and I am talking about the women!

You may be thinking that this outfit is really only rational for travel with Dr. Watson on a foggy London escapade.  Agreed.  But, hey, this is Pinterest where anything goes!  I am particularly fond of the green cape and blue gloves, which I TOTALLY do NOT need on a trip to California, which, of course, in a Pinterest world, makes them perfect beach wear for my upcoming excursion!

I am not sure I can really call this outfit retro, as it is a steam punk outfit, which I think is futuristic, if our future never evolved technologically.  So, technically speaking, I think it counts as retro.  Don't quote me.  Anyway, the outfit is superb, and I want to wear it  the next time I go somewhere.  And also speak with a British accent when I do!

Admittedly, there will be some days where I just won't feel like wearing layers of capes and corsets, so I may want to wear something a little more roomy.  Still, I like the retro perspective on travel, so I am thinking this outfit may be my best bet for lazy travel wear days:

The nice thing about this outfit is, I can use the optional cape and backpack if the weather or accommodations turn ugly.

I like all of the above outfits because they have such a sense of flare and flamboyance to them.  But, sometimes, you just want to fit in.  So, this is what I will be wearing when I go to Asia (or San Francisco's Japantown for sushi):

This way, I won't stand out and attract too much attention as an "Ugly American", who is insensitive to the culture I am visiting.

I can't wait to board planes, trains and automobiles in these smart traveling fashions!  They bring a whole new element to vacationing for me!  I am a firm believer the the clothes not only make the person, but the trip, too!  But what about when I reach my destination?

Really, it depends on where one is traveling.  In my case, my soonest upcoming trip is to California.  There are the usual clothing options for beach and warm weather:  shorts, flip-flops, Vans.  But, I found a couple of  inspirational, can't-live-without-while-I'm-in-California items that I am sure you will appreciate, too!

Are these happenin' or what?  Oh yeah, with these babies, I can go right from the plane to swimming in the big, blue Pacific!  No waiting!  No changing!  Especially if I pair them with one of these hot bathing suits, which happen to also be completely appropriate for air travel...and church, for that matter!

Oh wait!  I just remembered, I HATE swimming in the ocean!  There are more sharks there than in the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which definitely puts ocean swimming on the banned list for me!  But, I do like the beach...and beach fashion.  So maybe something like these Venice Beach, CA necessities are better for me:

What do you think?  Even though I won't go in the ocean to surf, I can use the board to balance on the super cool tennis shoe skates!  Oh yeah, just call me Malibu Barbie Jill!

And these are just some of the gems I found on Pinterest for my travel planning! You should follow me. I can't wait to share more in the coming days!  Until then, I

Gotta Mosey!

The Streets of San Francisco

"Racing is life.  Anything before or after is just waiting." ~ Steve McQueen

If you have been reading my blog recently, you know I am gearing up for a trip out West to the Golden State of California.  I have prepared for packing fiascoes, airport issues and flying hassles.  I thought I was done planning the bulk of my trip when I realized one thing - Butterfly and I want to go to San Francisco's Chinatown and we don't have a car.

Now, I am researching one-day car rentals to get into the City for some good food, interesting shopping and art gazing.  Turns out, renting a car for use in San Francisco isn't as straightforward as renting a car in say, Kansas.  The hills in San Francisco require that you consider your rental carefully, while also brushing up on special circumstance driving tips.

Here is what I have learned so far:

Because of the hills, drivers in San Francisco need to remember the basics of parking.  Most visitors to the City don't live on hills like the ones found in San Francisco, so it is important to become reacquainted with how to park on them.  When parking on a down hill, turn your wheels toward the street.   When parking uphill, turn them the opposite way.  Or is it the other way around?  I can never remember and I just read the parking tips five minutes ago!  I am going to avoid the decision all together and park at this lot where my car will be safe from downhill rolls and other cars.

Hills also propose a problem for people when they are driving....unless you are Steve McQueen.  I am thinking when I go to San Francisco, I am going to rent a Mustang 2008 Bullitt Edition.  Because surely, if Ford has gone through all the trouble of re-releasing the Mustang Fastback to glorify and memorialize the 1968 car, they want us to drive it like the original, too.  At least, that is what I am counting on!  Me and Butterfly on the Streets of San Francisco.  Just like Steve! Oh yeah.....

Travel BUMMER alert!  You cannot rent a 2008 OR even a 1968 Mustang Fastback to drive in San Francisco.  But, wait til you see what you CAN drive in San Francisco!  I am thinking this is our best option for touring the city.  Parking will be no issue, no engine to worry about stalling...AND...we already own one Big Wheel, that Butterfly can use.  Now, if I can just get my hands on a Scootcase, I will have something to ride, too!

I need to find an American distributor of the Scootcase so I can go test drive one for handling on curves and hills!  If you have a lead, let me know.  Right now, I

Gotta Mosey!

California Funshine Dream Destinations

"The coldest winter I ever spent, was summer in San Francisco." ~ Mark Twain

Butterfly finishes her college courses this Saturday (WHOOP!), and after she sleeps for a week, I am looking forward to planning some Dream Destination stops with her for our trip to California. I miss our friends and family in the Golden State, but I don't miss living there.  There is much to be said for the clean air, blue sky, mountains and breathing room of Colorado, where we now live.  That said, there are some places in California that just can't be replicated in any other part of the world...and I want to make sure that we get to revisit them while we are there!

Without further ado...here are my Golden State Dream Destination (NorCal edition):

1.  San Francisco Chinatown.  San Francisco Chinatown is the largest Chinatown outside of Asia, as well as the oldest Chinatown in North America.  It is comprised of only 24 blocks. The open air markets and apothecaries and bustling crowds are fascinating to take in.  The architecture from the street lamps to the Dragon Gate are also stunning.  I also enjoy watching the elders playing Chinese chess in Portsmouth Square. Another fun thing to do is take a tour of a fortune cookie factory (I hesitate to call it a factory, as it is just one small room...but fun to watch). Currently, ten of Emperor Qin Shihuang's Terracotta Warriors are on display with other artifacts at the Asian Art Museum in Chinatown and I would like to see that.   But, the main reason to go to Chinatown is for the food!  Restaurants, big and small, abound and you can eat from one end of Chinatown to the other and never eat the same thing!!

2. Gizdich Ranch.  Gizdich is a family owned farm in Watsonville that has acres and acres of fruit!  Admittedly, the best time to visit the ranch is in summer when the berries are crazy on the vines!  You can pick strawberries, blackberries and gigantic ollalieberries!  Besides their berries, they have a large apple orchard consisting of 16 varieties of apples, which may be picked in the fall.  Also, in the fall, they have a pumpkin field.  So, what is in season when I am there in April?  PIE!!!!  Gizdich makes the BEST pies ever!!!  While the fields and orchards may not be ready with ripe fruit in the spring, the pies are ever available.  The ranch also has a working apple press for their amazing juice that you can watch in action throughout the year.  My favorite thing about Gizdich pies, is that they top off a meal from my absolute favorite restaurant in the world, which is just down the highway from Gizdich and is stop #3 of my Dream Destinations.

3. Phil's Fish Market.   Oh. My. Goodness.  Ohmygoodness! OH MY GOODNESS! I make their amazing cioppino at home, but there is something about rolling in off the beach into this actual cement floor, sandy, no-frills restaurant and ordering Fettuccine with Crabmeat and Bay Shrimp in a Saffron Cream Sauce that just can't be reproduced at home!  There is absolutely NOTHING fancy about Phil's except the food.  Often, the line is long...but well worth the wait.  Bring a sweatshirt, as the market is somewhat open air.  And put a pin on the map to show where you are from.  Probably the nicest thing about Phil's...is Phil, who can almost always be spotted checking in with the patrons!  Oh...I am hungry now!

4. Monterey/Carmel.  Hands-down, the most amazing real estate in California is this area!  And on the 17 Mile Drive, you can see the best of the best of this area!  Wildlife, ocean life, seals, Pebble Beach and other golf courses, amazing homes and ocean views are all peppered along this stretch of California's coast!  I find the need for oxygen whenever I go on this drive because every view from every angle is breathtaking!  

Carmel is gorgeous, and Ocean Beach is a phenomenal place to take a walk on white sands.  But, just up the street from the beach is MY favorite place in Carmel-by-the-Sea.  The Cottage of Sweets is a candy shop that sells old time candy and unusual treats, too.  When we go, we ALWAYS order the Turkish Delight.  But, the most delightful thing about that Turkish Delight is not the candy itself, which is pretty extraordinary, but the conversation.  The man who owns the shop will start a whole Narnia conversation with you if you order it.  He stands about 5'6" and when he asks you who your favorite Narnia character is and why, he is happy to share that the height challenged Reepacheep is his!  Because little guys can do GREAT things!  It is definitely worth the stop in.

As stunning as the Monterey Bay area is...there is one place that everyone loves that I HOPE I do not have to visit.  I say this in vain, because I am usually outnumbered by the people I am with.  But, I just have to say, if I never ever visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium again, it will be too soon. 

Okay....these guys are safe.....but....

Dark and Scary Monterey Bay Aquarium

I know that the aquarium is world-renowned and considered quite a feat in aquatic study and development, but to me it is a nightmare just waiting to happen!

I should mention that a close second to my fear of flying is fear of aquariums.  Well, not the aquarium itself, but the things IN the aquarium.  And not really all things (I really like the bat rays), just some things.  Mainly, sharks.  And besides being afraid of flying, aquariums and sharks, I also am petrified of earthquakes.  And also drowning.  So...when I am at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, all I can think is that we are going to have some 8.0 earthquake, all the glass is going to break and it will be a race to see whether I drown or get eaten by a set free shark first!  Oh, they try to make it all friendly with cute, little bat rays you can touch, shorebirds, fun-loving otters and innocent touch pools...but the sharks are just waiting for their big chance at a last meal!  Don't laugh....it could happen.

Gotta Mosey!