Thanksgiving Adventure 2010

Tuesday, November 23rd

Our adventure begins Tuesday afternoon.  According to Cheryl we started our own version of the movie "2010" where the world comes to an end and a family frantically outruns the devastation of the world.  Okay, well the world wasn't ending but imagine how we felt Monday night when the weather persons all communicated to the Intermountain States:  "if you don't have to travel then don't!  Blizzard like conditions will arrive Tuesday afternoon by 3:00 PM.  In fact, the first time in the history of our company we told all of our projects and delivery drivers to cease and decease operations by noon and get home before the blizzard strikes. 

Okay so what does that have to do with Cheryl and I beginning our adventure.  Well of course with all of the hub-bug about invasion of privacy with the airport screenings or pat downs we chose to drive to our Thanksgiving destination.  Tuesday afternoon I vacated work around 1:15PM and hurried home to pick up Cheryl and head South out of town.  Of course we were trying to out run the storm and with a bit of luck and some strong wind we made our first destination 350 miles away from home and South enough to enjoy sunny weather. 

Had dinner with Cheryl's folks who happened to be in the same town and Cheryl's sister that night. 

Wednesday, November 24th

We got off to a slow start but enjoyed our drive to Southern California and Escondido.  Only problem was that I thought I was trying to out race the storm that we left behind and as we came across the California State line it appeared that all of California was evacuating from a serious earthquake or grandma lived a long ways through the woods and over the river.  Hm.. at least we will have Southern California to ourselves.

Thursday November 25th- Gobble, Gobble,Gobble

Who could ask for a better day.  Okay our children all chose to abandon us this year something about it was the in-laws turn and we of course graciously accepted the offer to fly the coup.  Our Turkey Day celebration was a first for Cheryl and I.  We drove to Oceanside and walked along the beach side checking out the waves, surfers and birds.  Sixty degrees and rising with sun shining felt great and refreshing. 

Our turkey dinner was served to us by a Kenya Native who went for a run one day and stopped in Oceanside.  Mimi's was a fun spot to watch the various families, couples and friends gather and enjoy a Thanksgiving feast.  Mmmm...still can taste the tender dark meat turkey, stuffing and pumpkin pie.  Diet??? what diet.  Let's just say I hope I'm not starting all over when I get home Sunday night. 

Finished our day with a nap and relaxing, watching TV, and just livin' the dream.

Friday, November 26th - The Day After

Day began way to early.  Somebody for free discounted tickets to the Wild Animal Kingdom booked a Owners VIP tour with the resort and it wasn't me.  Regardless, we ended up staying up half the night and then getting up at the crack of dawn to take our golf cart tour.  Now of course the resort wants to assess your membership and determine if there is a "better way" for you.  Well after 5 hours we walked away with the plan to upgrade our membership and a few pennies less in our pocket.  It after all was a good deal that we plan to utilize and enjoy more.  Time will tell of course.

Mm, a bloodsicle

After a quick bite to eat, we traveled SE to the Wild Animal Kingdom.  Imagine our surprise when we were able to find a parking stall right across from the entrance gate.  Okay it was the end of the day and people were beginning a mass exodus out of the park.  We immediately headed to the Africa Experience and caught the Cheetah Tales show on the way.  Amazing animal that strolled within a few feet of Cheryl and I and a impressive presentation of the cheetah's abilities. 

Next a tram ride through the various regions of Africa where we observed white rhinos, springboks, black rhinos, mule deer(okay mule deer are native to Calf but they were living amongst the African tribes), elands zebras, ostrich eggs, herons, pelicans, flamingos, lions, and many other wild animals with funny names that had big horns on their heads.  It was getting dusk and difficult to capture the animals on camera but still fun. 

Dinner, home again home again and crash for another day.

Saturday, November 27th

Another lazy morning by sleeping in and gaining some much needed rest.  So relaxing!  After we had dressed for the day we headed back down to Oceanside.  Enjoyed the remainder of the morning walking out onto the longest pier along the coast and observing the surfers, fisherman and people out for a stroll.  Met one individual who had family near us and his son who is a bishop nearby.  Perch was the target for the day as he indicated and we wished him luck.  It's a long way to reel in any catch from the ocean up and onto the pier. 

At the end of the pier is a great little famous restaurant known as Ruby's Since we were on the pier above the ocean we had to try the seafood combo plate and a famous shake.  Yes, it was a bit cool weather wise the shake was a tasty delight.  Enjoyed our lunch eating good fish and shrimp while watching the folks on the pier catching nothing but minnows for bait. 

The rest of the day we decided to stay out of the wind and drove north and south along the historic 101 Coast Highway.  Stopped for a brief spell at Oceanside Harbor and then turned south and drove all the way to Del Mar before turning back towards the resort.  It was fun passing through towns such as Oceanside, Carlsbad, and Encinatas.  Beautiful beach coast line for miles and just a relaxing lazy afternoon. 

Finished our vacation by having dinner with Sean and visiting before returning to our timeshare and sadly packing our bags for the long trip home tomorrow morning.  It's been another great chapter in our dream.