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.

A Poke in the Eye

Thursday, August 12th visited the local eye specialist. It has been a good year since seeing him. Endured the dilation of the eyes and his initial exam was "mmm...oh...wow...mmm..wow look at that.... wow...mmm...a lots' hap pend with your eyes in the last year".

Okay, we were expecting some small bleeders and knew that I was having trouble with some hemorrhaging in the eyes. Let's go into the technician and have a scan completed for more details. Not a big deal. Oh, wait we need to do a IV w/dye to highlight the veins in the eye. Okay 1996 was the last time I had this done and yes I blacked out then.

Ensures everyone that I was over the needle in the arm fear and that I would be fine. I was right. IV was nothing. Sat up to the eye scan placed my chin in the scanner and begin to take the scan with dye running through my veins. One, two, three pictures and oh...the room begins to spin and I begin to sweat. Called time-out and pushed back with my head between my legs, took some deep breaths and felt back in control. Let's get this done the quicker the better. One, two..."Oh Hell" and everything went black. Yup, I passed out for all of about 5 seconds before being rev ivied. Had a sip of coke and finally endured the remainder of the test. Lesson learned. It's not the IV has it is the dye running through the veins that rocks my world.

Photos definitely show the need for some laser treatment. Doctor was hesitant to proceed however, after I had had such a rough time taking the photos. Ah, what the heck what's one poke in the eye more going to do.

First, poke was a shot of numbing agent to numb the entire eye area. Oh, I thought the pressure injected was going to bust my nostril. That was a trip. Next, Laser zaps..there is a bleeder zap zap zap and so forth. Some 3000 plus zaps completed the laser treatment or laser burns and finally one last poke with a Kellogg shot and my one eye was completed.

Let's see 3-4 days of swelling. Woke up on Friday the 13th and open my eye up. Okay all I could do was open the eye up to a small slit due to the swelling. It should be gone in a week or so. At least I wont' have to worry about going blind. Luckily for me I was able to spend Friday the 13th at home resting. Imagine if I had the surgery on the Friday the 13th what could have happened then.

A Day Outdoors

Invited Jenny and her children (our grandchildren) to come and spend some time with us yesterday up the canyon. We found just the perfect spot for young ones to threw pebbles in the river. Of course grandpa (me) told Adyson and Lexi to go ahead and throw all the stones in the river paticularly where those fishermen are fishing. Hm...okay, I was polite and asked them to wait for a few minutes that the fishermen would leave and they did.

While my princesses, and Boston played along the river bank and threw some stones in the river, Papa was able to put his new fly rod and reel to work. To everyone's amazement, it only took a few minutes and Papa was yelling "Fish On"! Funny I didn't see the other fishermen catch anything in the same hole.

Grandkids got a kick out of seeing Papa catch the fish and some of them even watch me let it go. Of course it was Boston my grandson. Adyson and Lexi were off in a fairy tale of their own and soon lost interest in the fish.

Ended up catching two fish for the day, landed one and had several good strikes. Finished fishing around 1:00 PM and we just sat in the picnic area and caught a few zzz's and Cheryl read.

Another wonderful day in the Great Outdoors! Thanks Aydson, Lexi, Boston, and Jenny for spending some time with us up the canyon.

A Little Relaxation & ATV Riding

Enjoyed the state holiday this past weekend by visiting our good neighbors Bruce and Jane at their cabin. Spent the day relaxing, taking little ATV excursions, spotting and observing the wildlife and even did a little fishing.

Tragically, we also experienced the link to the following news story.

ksl.com - Man killed in ATV crash in Summit County

Our prayers and thoughts go out to the family and the man's son who was riding with his father at the time of the incident.

Our day was nearly perfect otherwise. Who could complain about see not one, nor two but in fact five different moose enjoying the afternoon also. Even saw a calf with it's mother. An awesome sight indeed. Sorry no pictures somebody left the camera in the backpack at the cabin.

Even did a little fishing or tried on the trip. Bruce tried out his skills on the pond and I quickly grabbed my fly rod and reel. Of course I wanted to try out my new 4X rod and new Lamson reel. Hm... how does the reel attach to the rod? Oh, you have to grab all of the reel and not just the 4X spool. Yup, there I was a great PDM hatch happening in front of my eyes and the trout were dining.

Oh well, how could I let a little oops ruin the whole day. I got as much fun watching Bruce and the rest of the kids fish with powerbait and no hits.

Had to even laugh as my wife ridiculed me and recounted the story to our friends of how I scarred my children with my fear of heights on a family trip to Arches and the hike to Delicate Arch. Hmm...I wonder if she saw this article that published this weekend in the news. I told you so!

ksl.com - Climbing regs reviewed at Arches National Park

We hated to the day end as we conclude our little adventure of relaxation and fun. Thanks Bruce and Jane for a great time.

Home Again, Home Again, Jigdy, Jigg

Sunday we took advantage of our last day of sleeping in. The hotel had 3-4 weddings over the weekend and could give guarantee us a late check out until 7:00 AM Sunday morning. Hm, so we asked for a wake up call at 6:55 AM and turned around requested a late check out which they allowed us to stay until 12:30 pm and then went back to sleep.

Now a afternoon, at the airport is always a adventure in of itself. It would be almost worth the price to purchase a cheap ticket and just go and sit at the terminals and watch and listen to people.

Hm, we listened to an argument between a girl and her boyfriend on the phone. Never could quite figure out what the argument was about; however, she missed her flight because she was unable to get a ride to the airport with her boyfriend. Okay, okay, a good 45 minutes of the "As the World Turns" and we relocated to other seats.

Caught our flight to Chicago and actually arrived early. Okay this is going smoothly. Yea, right. First we had to go to a different concourse to catch the flight home. Next as we arrived thinking all is well they announce that our plane was delayed. In fact, they had to swamp out our plane and our plane was on it's way from Washington DC and our flight would be delayed by over 45 minutes. ARGH!!!

Needless, to say we did arrive home safely after listening to all the problems in one of the stewardess life and all the people she knew and who her girl friends were dating. ARGH!!.

It's good to be home.

From Revolutionary to Civil War Times

Saturday was are last day of really getting out and seeing the sites. After a lengthy discussion and much deliberation we decided to kick back and take it easy Saturday. First stop, Jamestown Settlement. What I share this information with you yesterday. Oh, you're so wrong. Jamestown Settlement is right next to historic Jamestown where we went yesterday. To confuse the general public, the National Parks Service operates Historic Jamestown, the actual original location of the fort. In addition, the state of Virginia has created a museum and operates it as Jamestown Settlement. A word of advice, adults you will want to go to historic Jamestown and see the original location and archaeological diggings. If you have small children and want to show them what the Jamestown settlement was like then take them to the Jamestown Settlement. Best Value if you have time for both do both. Jamestown Settlement depicts the life of the settlers and re-enacts that life style with Indian Villages, the fort, and the replica ships to explore. It was well done and worth the visit. We didn't spend a lot of time here but thought we should at least visit the site. Another word to the wise. Watch for falling tree branches. While contemplating where and how to get to the Indian Village which we could see through the forest of trees, and these are not small trees, we heard a large cracking and observed as a 1 foot in diameter tree limb snapped and began it's downward descendant immediately above the Indian shelters. Luckily have snapping a few more branches in his downward path the branch was stopped by other limbs and came to a uneasy rest. By time we walked a couple of hundred of feet around the path to the village, security had arrived with the yellow caution tape and corridor the area off and consoled the shaken Indian actors. Just a little excitement for the day. Next it was back to Yorktown. We had heard that their was a feud brewing and we want to see what all the commotion was about. What you say we have already shared our Yorktown experience with you. Oh you're so wrong. Well to time travel. We traveled from the Revolutionary time forward to Civil War times. Arriving in York Town we entered the battlefield to observe the Confederate and Union Field Camps. Walking over to the battlefield we observed a demonstration in gear used by the troops, how to march, how to fire their rifles, and how to make a bayonet charge. Kinda of cool if you ask me. Here we were observing the Union Army, talking to those soldiers who served in the Civil War and observing what the field camps were all about. It was a great way to cap off our trip and start thinking about a Civil War Historical Vacation. Now we had to check out of our timeshare this morning so it was late afternoon and we traveled back to Williamsburg, checked in to our hotel for the evening and then enjoyed a stroll into the Merchant area of Williamsburg for a nice evening meal and thus concluded our day.

Here's a video to help you all enjoy the experience that we did.

Where It All Began

The year was 1607. In a race to conquer the American Continent, the British, Spaniards, and French had sent explorers to claim the land. In 1607, King James III of England sent a capital venture group led by John Smith. They arrived on the Eastern shores of Virginia. Their mission was to create a settlement where the resources of this land could be harvested and converted to trades and exports. In other words, how could this company of men become rich.

The group consisted of 104 men and boys. They explored several locations along the James River to settle but finally selected a small island and named the settlement Jamestown after their king. Here they created their own House of Burgess and began to make laws to live by. This was the beginning and the birth of our form of government today. This was the first original permanent English Colony.

For the next 100 years, the settlers faced the challenges of a untamed wilderness. By the end of the first year, half of the 104 men and boys were still alive. Diseases, starvation, and Indian attacks were a common theme.


Well the rest is as they say, history in the making. John Smith meets Pocahontas, John Rolfe learns to grow tobacco and exports it to England. Around 1699, they determined that the settlement was not the best suited location due to the swamp and they hence moved to now Williamsburg, VA.










I had to make sure and get a picture of the princess Pocahontas for my granddaughters. I can now sit down with them and tell the real story of Pocahantos and the her contributions to our country's history. She was a great lady.



While at Jamestown make sure that you take the 5 mile drive around the island and see what the island is like. Yes, it is swamping, but beautiful.

If you ever get the chance take the time to go to the original Jamestown Settlement and check out the archeological digs. This was a great tour and we learned lots about the settlement and what we are doing today to preserve this glimpse back into history.

This was a great site to visit and I found it most enjoyable.

Williamsburg to Mount Vernon

This morning, we saddled our horses and began our trek to learn more about General Washington. I have become somewhat more interested in this man and how he conducted his life while here in Williamsburg. So we pointed the horses north and began our trek Northward. The trail took us through other familiar names associated with battlefields and history. Places such as Fredricksburg, Spotsylvinia, Quantico and Fort A. P. Hill. We also passed by places such as Richmond and Petersburg. Finally as we neared Washington D. C. we veered to the right and entered into Alexandria, VA.

Yes, some 2 1/2 hours later we arrived at Mount Vernon to learn more of the man we call the Father of our Nation. Yes, we have fast horses.


Mount Vernon was well worth the trip. It was a hot and muggy day, temperature well into the 90's; but any uncomfortable situations which we were asked to endure was worth the opportunity to walk the grounds and tour Mount Vernon. The home sits on a hill overlooking the Potomac River and provides a tranquil atmosphere to ponder upon the events that it has seen and the individuals whom lived within it's walls.

I was reminded of several facts that I had been taught and forgotten about Washington (i.e. he was a surveyor in his early youth). I also learned new and fascinating facts about President Washington and his family. He was a organized man who took great thought and preparations before commencing upon a task. Despite his lack of military experience, he without ever leading a campaign lead the colonist army to victory by outsmarting the British Generals.



We were also fortunate to have a local high school class perform for the audience as part of their senior project.


While touring the museum, we observed the shoes and a replica dress that Martha wore on her wedding day. I know that my granddaughters would be interested in these two items. So I made sure to include them in my blog for their appreciation of beauty and fashion.

The day was overwhelming and convinced me that given the opportunity again I would return to be fed again. Turning our horses Southward, we arrived back in Williamsburg some 3 1/2 hours later. There were many horses on the path as we headed home around 5:00 pm. Too many for my liking; but we did survive the rush hour madness. Tomorrow we travel to Jamestown.

Yorktown & Surrender

Hm, we must be getting old. Cheryl and I again took advantage of the opportunity to sleep in and finally got started close to noon. Any regrets? No way the sleep and rest is much needed.

Traveled to Yorktown this afternoon and toured the battlefield of the final battle of the Revolutionary War. It was in Yorktown, that Cornwallis had set up encampment by order of Clinton to wait the winter out after capturing Charleston S.C. Washington seeing the opportunity while the British Troops were divided in half sized the opportunity and moved onto Yorktown.

One can see the actually earthworks that the British and American Armies created. The America's with the support of the French moved their cannons into position and began the bombardment of the British lines. Soon the Americans troop moved their lines and embankments to within 400 yards of the British lines. Then one night the French and Americans moved onto redoubts #9 and #10. Here the once tattered army of the colonies showed their true colors and fighting as professional soldiers with the French broke through the lines of the British and turning their cannons onto Yorktown pounded the British forces.

Soon Cornwallis realized the situation he was in and order a retreat across the River York. One thousand men started across the river and a tremendous storm prevented the retreat further. Cornwallis had only one option, surrender.

We walked through the Moore Farmhouse where on October 18th, 1781 officers from both sides met to negotiate the surrender terms for Cornwallis's army.



Imagine what the officers of each army must have thought and considered as they worked through the conditions of the surrender. Sitting in a small room with each other, the American Troops refusing to give the British an "Surrender with honors". The thoughts and debates that more than likely occurred as they came to mutually agreed upon terms.

We looked over the field now called Surrender Field where on October 19th, Cornwallis's army marched, over a mile long, and were order and complied to laying down their arms. This was the last battle to be fought in the Revolutionary War.


It was an honor to walk across the fields and inspect the earthworks where so many men sacrificed their lives for the creation of our country. It makes one stop and ponder the feelings of those that served and to walk across the same ground as men such as Washington, Lafayette, and others walked across and consider their internal struggles. An awesome day!

Finished our day with a visit to Victory Center in Yorktown and a quiet dinner along the River York. We had experienced some tremendous feelings today and surrendered ourselves to the nightfall grateful for the opportunity.

Conversations, Shopping, and Witch Trials

Another late start today. Thank goodness for vacations, Cheryl and I are enjoying our time of relaxation and rest. Much needed time of rest and leisure.

Once our day began it began with a discussion with General George Washington. General Washington addressed an auditorium of people and allowed whom ever wished to ask him a question which he would respond too. Here is a man that is cynical, yet full of great wisdom and insight. A man of conviction, to his values and beliefs, a man of firm resolution. It was revealing to hear his reasoning and perception and come to a better understanding of whom he is.



Next, we spent a few hours in the Merchant Area enjoying the shops and dining. A tour of the capitol and jail concluded the day and another couple of hours sitting and watch people stroll up and down the street conclude our afternoon.

We luckily came across a place for Cheryl and I...well probably more me than Cheryl. We discovered the first hospital for the insane and mentally ill at Williamsburg. Touring through I thought how fun some of those early medical treatments could have been. Hm...I warned you and told you I probably belong in such a facility.







Finally, we arrived at the capitol and became the chief justices to the Royal Magistrate in the trial of an accused witch in the area. Another great insight learned of how the trials of the day were conducted and what was or not allowed in the court. This trial was only concerned with the facts that were brought against this woman and whether she met the conditions of being a witch. 38 not guilty votes and 44 guilty votes sent the woman to the jail until sentencing. Hm, Cheryl and I had varying votes. Guess, who was more sympathetic.

Late start, late finish, wonder what tomorrow will bring.

Plantations and Rebellion

Happy 20th Anniversary to Cheryl and I

Today, we visited a couple of significant plantations along the James River. First, we toured the Shirley Plantation. An active plantation housing 11 generations of the Carter-Hill Family. Rising above the James River the plantation view of vast corn and wheat fields is a magnificent sight. This is the oldest continually owned family business in the United States and Virginia's first
plantation.





Edward Hill I descendant included the mother of Robert E. Lee who married a revolutionary war hero. Elizabeth Hill grew up at Shirley Plantation.



Also imagine all of the men of the plantation going off to war during the Civil War and the women of the plantation left to run the 950 plus acres. What was their thoughts and concerns when one morning they awoke to find the Union Army camped in their fields. Despite the fact, that their men were fighting for the Confederacy, they unselfishly cared for the wounded. As a result of their compassion, General McClellan issued a order of protection and placed two Union Guards to ensure that no harm came to the women nor the plantation. Thus the Shirley Plantation survived the Civil War one of the only few.




Next it was up the river to Harrison landing and Berkely Plantation. The Berkely plantation dates back to the first settlers of Virginia.





It was actually here that the first settlers arrived in 1619, before the Mayflower Pilgrims and they observed and declared the first official Thanksgiving. These settler were shortly alienated by the Indians and the Berkely Plantation did not see any active settlement for nearly three more years.

In 1726, Benjamin Harrison IV constructed the three story mansion and began to host important guest to his home including man such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. In fact, all of the first 10 Presidents of the United States visited and stayed at Berkely Plantation. Benjamin's son also known as Benjamin Harrison became governor of Virginia and signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776. William Henry Harrison, Benjamin's son became famous for his efforts at Tippecanoe and later became the ninth president of the country and his grandson became the 23rd President Benjamin Harrison.



Berkely Plantation was utilized as an encampment for the Union Army during the Civil War. Lincoln visited the troops twice during the war and it was here that General Butterflied created a tune in his head and working with his bugler composed "Taps". A lot of firsts occur ed at Berkely Plantation.








Driving back to Colony Williamsburg, Cheryl and I envisioned the Revolutionary and Civil War Troops traveling down he same roads that we were traveling on and could see them marching to the battles of freedom. It makes one stop and think about what really occur ed in this area and who travelled the same paths.


Concluded the day at Williamsburg with the Revolution taking Center Stage, a visit by Lady Washington and General Washington. Here an wounded soldier is complaining to Martha Washington of the army not paying him and he is unable to work. It was a touching scene as Martha pays the soldier some money and promises to take care of the matter. This actor we became acquainted with and had several conversations with him. Oh by the way, he has never heard of the State of Utah.

A dinner at the Kings Arms Restaurant filled our bellies and we returned to our timeshare amazed at the circumstances and the events of what lead to the creation of our nation.

A Trip Back into Time

We took our time this morning getting going but it was well worth it. Hey, after all we are on vacation right. Okay, it was noon before we got going. Who cares!

First, after breakfast at Sonic, we arrived at the Williamsburg Visitor Center and began our journey back into time to Colony Time Williamsburg. Walking through time and the town we experienced how the common folk (the poor); the middle folk (merchants, shop keepers; and the high society ( the governor, military and tories).















In the Governor's Palace characters such as Governor Dunbar, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry lived or conducted business here. It's easy to imagine the early colony residents living and surviving the revolutionary war.


Re-enactments of the events that lead to the war and what occured brought characters such as Bendict Arnold to life. Boo..

"WELCOME TO THE REVOLUTIONARY CITY"

A cry for independence!





























































A Traitor, Bendict Arnold.























































A friend, Lafayette.






My wife loved the trip back into the future but due to the rain ( very little) and the humidity she has forbidden all photos of her. Something about she would look like a drowned cat... hm, I don't think so.

It was too bad that we had to come back to reality but our Lola directed home via scenic route and after a wonderful dinner at Mirabelle's Italian Restaurant we relaxed for the evening and planned tomorrow's activities.