Christmas Road Trip

Regular readers know how much we love road trips.  And family gatherings.  And being together.  

We did all that and more this holiday.  We flew to Las Vegas on the 23rd to have Christmas with my daughter and her family.  Christmas eve was wonderful with the three grandchildren, Arthur, Amy  and Amy's excellent meal. The kids were cute and excited and presented us with a little Christmas program that they had worked out.

Christmas morning we drove out to Los Angeles, experiencing 50 mph winds, driving rain, fog, and heavy traffic.  It didn't matter much because at the end of the drive we had Christmas with John's siblings and celebrated John's mother's 93rd birthday.  She looked wonderful and very happy to have her kids and grandkids around her.  Another wonderful meal, gifts and then we got John's mom to tell us stories about her childhood.  She had a rather eccentric mother so the stories were particularly fascinating.  

The day after Christmas was beautiful, sunny, clear and warm.  

This is the view from our hotel balcony in Pasadena.  If you click on the photo, you can see a distant snow covered mountain peak.  It might be Mt Baldy, but I am not sure.  Here in Ohio, we have no leaves, no color, no warmth.  It was so nice to walk around Old Pasadena and see sidewalk tables filled with customers and no one wearing heavy jackets with hunched up shoulders braving cold winds.

We had breakfast with John's kids and then we walked around the shops in Old Pasadena.  The city had already erected the stands for the Rose Parade.  They fit them in wherever there is a bit of room.

See the stands tucked into the entrance to this lovely old church?  Note the Port-a-Potties on the side street.  Quite a contrast to the lovely church architecture, isn't it?  This scene is repeated all through the parade route.

Californians are always in a hurry.  We know this, but the sign below still made us laugh.

All over CA, we saw these signs on the freeways.  I can't believe people have to be told.  My next thought is to ask how many accidents were attributed to this to cause a law to be enacted.

We had a great time with John's siblings and spouses at PF Chang's.  We laughed, we ate, we laughed, we talked, we ate, we laughed.  It was pretty darn fun.  I always tell John that there just isn't enough Chinese food in our marriage.

I managed a quick stop at my friend Tamara's store, Zinnia in Pasadena.  I had not seen it since she expanded.  She has such a flair for the unusual both in store decor and product.  If we hadn't been flying home, I would have bought one (maybe two) of everything. Go visit her as soon as you can.

Our last of our four Christmas celebrations was at my brother Doug's home.  Leslie is the best cook and baker.  It was just wonderful being with my brothers and their wives.  I miss them so much.  They make me laugh all the time with their elaborate stories.  I still can't get over flowers in December. This rose is on Leslie's front walk.

Driving back to Las Vegas where John won as much money as I lost (see, we are the perfect fit), we stopped in Baker for a cold drink and I finally got a photo of this well-known stop.

Baker is a town in the desert of California.  It is out in the middle of nowhere and consists of a long block of gas stations, restaurants and one motel.  I always wonder where the people who work at these businesses live.  

It is good to be home.  Three hotels in 7 days is tiring, but we loved our time with family and friends. We enjoyed the weather in CA and we were re-astonished at the CA traffic.  It snowed last night. We're home.

Comments

[maureen]

Wow Ginny...that's a trip! Isn't it great to be in balmy weather sometime during the winter? dh is out biking as I write and I'll walk the beach in a few minutes.

Funny you find the CA people more in a hurry; we find the opposite but then we're comparing them to DC. In LA, they expect drivers to wait the pedestrian has crossed the entire street, not just the side the driver is on. Amazing.

To 2009!

[Annette]

Do you miss CA?

[sherry goodloe]

I'm glad you had a nice trip out here in California during the holidays with your family.

I'm a transplant from Indiana. I always wonder what it would be like to "go back home" to visit at Christmas time. I sometimes wonder if I really miss the snow this time of year as much as I THINK I do :)

[Tumble Fish Studio]

Happy New Year, Ginny!

Wow! I recognize all of the spots you pictured. If you were at Zinnia's you were within about 2 miles of my house! We're learning to slow down out here - I just saw a sign for 8 min. parking (not 7 and yet not 9 either) And the metropolis of Baker way out in the desert - good times! Anyway, glad you had a good trip.

Marsha

[Chris]

Hey! You were in my neck of the woods! The day is fabulous today, and for the parade it usually is. We don't live in Pasadena because it's just too crowded there, but we're about 15 mins away. And yeah, it's rush rush, traffic traffic, and parking issues galore in Pasadena. But the mountains right now, without the haze the smog, and with the snow, are fantastic. We are lucky to live in the foothills.

I'm glad you enjoyed your trip. Home is always where the heart is, though!

Happy New Year to you and your family!

[Brother doug, not in the religious sense!]

It was great seeing you and John, but what is it with these "California" comments? Our signs are not any more ridiculous than those in other states. What is so unusual about roses in December; we have them every year. You California transplants can make fun of us but every year after you watch the Rose Bowl and Parade you all want to come back home!!! But the real point is that it is not about the signs or roses; it is all about family and we miss you all year long.

[NotSoccer Mom]

that is quite a trip! glad you had a good time. yes, the no texting thing here in CA is new. i'm glad, as i believe it's mostly kids (new drivers!) who do it. although, sadly, i must admit i've done it (although mostly just at stoplights). no more! and yes, traffic in socal is horrendous! a little better in norcal i think. hey, i love that rose photo; it's beautiful!

[Judi]

Sorry I missed you! Zinnia does look great, doesn't it? Glad you had such a wonderful trip and such terrific weather. I'll think of you tomorrow at the PCC flea market!