Friday, October 21, 2011

State Fairs ~ Then and Now ...

Back seat of the station wagon and no air-conditioning on one of the hottest (Santa-Ana Wind) days in Southern California. My siblings are excited for our first-ever trip to the Los Angeles County Fair in Pomona and I am barfing my guts up. Nausea stumbles around in my tummy and we're not even there yet. What a glorious day...

Once inside we marvel at the gigantic Ferris Wheel, the Hammer Heads, the Fun House, and the Midway. Undaunted we traverse the fair and it smells awful to me... fried dough, pizza, bbq, cotton candy, and ice cream treats. I eat nothing of the notorious fair food. I ride zero rides and am despondent. Until... we pass the midway and my dad hands me a quarter. I hurriedly choose the rolling ball game where I may win a stuffed animal if I amass points over 25 or under 10. Dropping the balls slowly and carefully my points add up to ... yep ~ a total of 9 points!!! I win a huge candy cotton pink and neon green striped kitty-cat. The thing is as tall as me and I am tickled silly. No doubt about it; I love the fair.

Arizona is filled with sights and sounds that intrigue travelers from around the world. As we begin the celebration of Arizona's Centennial I have been visiting as many places in our beautiful state as possible to afford myself the illustrious notation of being a true Arizonan. Last night I knocked another notch into my Stay-cation belt when we visited the Arizona State Fair. State Fairs are icons of childhood fun with thrilling rides, delectable food, and impossible games of skill and chance. Stories of fair food abound and the newspaper is filled with descriptions of decidedly greasy, deep-fried everything, even a fried scorpion dipped in chocolate. Last night's menu for our troupe included deep-fried dill pickles, deep-fried chile relleno/hot dog on a stick, a giant turkey leg, fry bread with pork stew, corn-on-the-cob, and a deep-fried s'mores for dessert. Mmm-Mmm. Nothin' like fair food; I can feel my arteries clogging as I type.

No rides or games of chance last night as the main event was the concert being held in the giant arena at the state fairgrounds. My son and his friend invited us along to see .... wait for it....



SNOOP-DOGG!! Can you even believe it? I have been to a lot of concerts in my time but never one like this. The pat-down upon entrance, the thumping music, the dancing, and the nightclub attire were all a part of the action. I'm glad I went tho' it will probably never happen again.



I continue to search out entertaining experiences, monumental sights, and incredibly tasty food-bits. I'll keep you appraised of my journey.

Until next time,
Deb :)

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

How We Loved Pismo... and Still Do!

Pismo State Beach ~ California, October, 1993

            Our kids were standing utterly, perfectly still. Everyone knows how hard this is for children, and I’m telling you that they stood completely motionless. It was blessedly silent but for the whispery fluttering of hundreds upon hundreds of tiny feathery wings. A camouflage game of peek-a-boo played out in a multitude of velvety miniature spectacles covering the trunks and branches of the trees within this glade. Vibrant orange and yellow hues mingled with shiny black threads and bright white polka dots. Our daughter, aged 7, was mesmerized by the surprising sight and tingly sensation of these winged wonders as they settled upon her arms, legs, head, and shoulders. Her brother, aged 5, was hoping that he too would become a welcome landing zone. Awestruck and barely breathing, he quietly waited. We stood mesmerized as mere seconds later amidst the late morning fog in this eucalyptus shaded grove, he was rewarded with a flock of visitors of his very own. Imagine if you will an amazing gift you may never see anywhere else, that of thousands of migrating Monarch Butterflies swirling through the air and tightly hugging onto the trees (and your children) in this quietly peaceful place. The Pismo Beach Monarch Habitat is one of the largest of its kind found in the Western United States. It is located half a mile south of Pismo Beach just off Highway 1. There is free parking inside the North Beach Campground. You can acquire more information about these Monarch Butterflies at http://www.monarchbutterfly.org.  

            We are not surfers, but we absolutely love the beach and beach camping. Having grown up in Southern California we are used to the summer fog that envelops the coastline at dusk and throughout the early morning hours. The North Beach Campground is right on the beach so there is quite a bit of damp air here. However, waking up each morning to the sound of the ocean surf, mingled with the scent of the sea and a little smoky bacon is just this side of heaven. Our kids loved the ease of rolling out of their sleeping bags, grabbing a bite of breakfast, and then taking a quick stroll to the beach. The walk to Pismo Beach from the campground itself is convenient and this area of the California coastline is expansive and uncrowded. There is plenty of shoreline for walking and splashing in the surf, building sand castles, digging for shells, hiking, and relaxing in the sun. Exploring the little town of Pismo found us loving a sourdough bowl of clam chowder and yummy fish and chips at The Splash CafĂ© on Pomeroy Street. While out bike-riding on rented pedicabs we came across Old West Cinnamon Rolls which smelled (and tasted) better than any we’ve ever had. There are some intriguing little antique and designer shops in nearby Arroyo Grande, just a few miles outside of Pismo. Throughout the nearby Edna Valley there are also wineries and the ones we visited were positively delightful. We don’t enjoy the sand dunes, but have heard that this is a terrific place to ride your dirt bikes too. Pismo is one of those places you may return to again and again because of the beautiful weather, friendly locals, sunny beaches, and plentiful recreational opportunities.

            Pismo State Beach North Campground (where we camped) was a flat, shady campground located just off the beach. You will have to walk over a slight hill to get to the actual shoreline, but this little separation may help in keeping your tent sand-free. This campground has 103 sites without hook-ups. There are restrooms, fire rings, and pay showers available. You may also bring your furry friends as long as they are leashed. Oceano Campground is nearby and though we have never camped there ourselves, we have walked through to visit with the neighborhood ducks and found it to be well worth a try. There are several other private campgrounds for RV’s and motor homes throughout the area as well. Please keep in mind that this is a very popular place to camp, and from Memorial Day through Labor Day reservations are required. To make your camping reservation call 1-800-444-7275, or go to The San Luis Obispo section of the California State Parks website at http://www.slostateparks.com/. For more information on the entire Pismo Beach area try http://www.pismobeach.org/ or http://www.classiccalifornia.com or http://www.pismobeachca.net/.

Keep in Mind …

When planning your visit to Pismo, please note that the Monarch Butterflies return annually each October and stay through February.

If you’ll be visiting someplace foggy, overcast, and damp, bring dry wood from home to start your campfires. My husband had purchased firewood at the campground store and diligently worked to build us a fire. Needless to say, the wood sputtered and hissed, smoldered and smoked, but never really caught on. Dismally we realized and now we know for sure that damp wood just won’t burn.

Here's to your next adventure,
Deb :)            

           

           

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Delicious Memories

Zion National Park ~ Utah ~ May, 1991

            It all started out with a snow-cone. After driving for hours we were all hot, tired, and cranky. We have always maintained that vacations are a priority as time away from life’s pressures is meant to de-stress, re-energize, and relax your body and soul. Of course, traveling in a hot car with two young children might actually raise your level of stress rather than decrease it. We also tend to be over-achievers in our family and there is a definite level of competitive perfectionism tied to our hectic existence. I expect a faultless campsite close to bathrooms and showers, with a suitable picnic table, a good fire ring, and sun and shade where our children could play safely within my line of sight. Entering a campground with this heavy list on his plate challenges my husband to deliver the perfect campsite every time. As luck would have it, most every single campsite in the Zion Canyon Campground was perfect. But, I digress... The snow-cone. We headed into the little Zion Market where we found colorful and cooly inviting snow-cones. We bought two, and headed to our campsite so the kids could enjoy a treat while we set up the tent. Erin and Zach had these darling little camp chairs that we pulled out first to get them settled in their ring-side seats. There is always a tense hurriedness, along with the sensation of a comedic production as we set up the tent and filled it with our all of our gear. So when they were younger, it was easier to let our kids watch our wacky maneuvers rather than participate in them. Finally we began our little waltz only to realize that we had tears, and more tears. Plop, plop… Zach had licked the top of his icy treat right into the dirt, and in that 100 degree heat it was rapidly melting. On top of that, as he grabbed for the snow-cone he slipped and skinned his knees which were both bleeding down his little legs. Lest you begin to think we’re perfect parents, I will only say that increased tension and hilarity ensued. To a hot and tired four year old, losing a snow cone is a big disappointment. But to our son, Zachary, who rarely found himself with a treat this delightful, it was absolutely painful. Our son was allergic to just about every food group on the planet. He was not able to have any dairy products, wheat or glutens, eggs, nuts, soy, corn, or shellfish. The list of what he actually could have as a treat was very short indeed. So what did we do? We dropped everything to run ourselves right back to the store for a replacement. Life was good… and the campsite was perfect.

            I grew up believing that Paul Newman and Robert Redford were the most gorgeous leading men of our time. My infatuation had led me to see the movie, “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” many many times, and I became fascinated by their story. While researching the Zion area, we read that parts of the movie were filmed in the area, and one of the original structures could be found in nearby Grafton. Well, I just had to see it. After locating a map highlighting the trail, we set out.  The area was a blessedly gorgeous canyon surrounded by the loveliest of mountains and I could delightedly imagine Butch and Sundance racing through on their own two horses. We drove for miles and the road continued to narrow as it turned into a dusty trail. We drove over a creek and back, weaving and circling while bouncing off rocks that I just knew would gouge the bottom of our van, leaving us hopelessly stranded. My persistence kept us pressing on until unexpectedly the trail ended. Yes, you read that correctly. The trail just ended. Additionally, a thunder-storm had blown in and it was dark and windy. The kids were bored and scared and we felt completely alone in that isolated canyon. My indulgent and intelligent husband finally convinced me that we were not going to find the little house that The Kid and Etta had shared. So we turned around and headed back to Springdale only to find out from one of the locals that the little house had been washed away in a flood the year before. So much for all of my research!

            All of Zion National Park was striking, and for fun we went horse back riding; waded in the river; hiked through the Narrows and up to Weeping Rock, The Court of the Patriarchs, and The Great White Throne. We visited nearby Springdale and poked into their little shops, but will never be able to think of Zion without remembering an incredibly delectable piece of homemade Bumbleberry Pie. There were so many families camping at the Zion Canyon Campground and along with our kids we made a few new friends, which reminded us that you’re never too old to make new friends.

            There are many campgrounds, cozy inns, and little motels throughout Zion Canyon and you will be both amazed and delighted by the scenery throughout the area. Zion is about 150 miles outside of Las Vegas and about 45 miles from St. George, Utah. If you are driving an over-sized vehicle, be aware that you will require an escort through the very narrow (and very dark) Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel. If you choose to avoid this tunnel, head into Zion through Springdale on the south side of the park itself. Check out Zion Canyon Campground’s website at www.zioncamp.com to find more information on the RV/Tent campground where we stayed. You will find tons of information at www.nps.gov/zion and http://www.utah.com/nationalparks/zion.htm on Zion National Park and all there is to do in this magnificent canyon. Zion National Park has an amazing shuttle system that operates to keep the tranquility and beauty alive within the park. And lastly, if you want to check out that delicious piece of pie, head to the Bumbleberry Inn in Springdale.  Their website and other info can be found at www.bumbleberry.com.  Believe me; you don’t want to miss a slice of this very unique and delicious pie!

Keep in Mind …

Do your homework ahead of time, and research the area you will be visiting to collect helpful information for your vacation. And, when plans don’t work out perfectly… don’t lose your cool, just go with the flow.

Most National Parks have an excellent Junior Ranger Program for children from 6 to 12 years of age. There are usually hands-on activities, hikes, and lessons designed exclusively for children. We’ve participated in these types of activities at many of the places we have camped and our kids thoroughly enjoyed them all.


May all your adventures be filled with memories.
Till next time,
Deb :)

Monday, October 10, 2011

Halloween Disney

You know we love the House of Mouse. It is truly one of our very favorite places to hang out. This month Disney is decked out in an Autumnal Halloween theme. Atop the Magic Kingdom entrance are delightful Disney pumpkin characters in greeting. Strolling down Main Street finds a huge Jack-o-Lantern for photo ops and decorations galore. Don't miss out on a pumpkin muffin from the Main Street Bakery. Delicious!!

Our early morning entrance gave us a jump start and we were able to ride EVERY single ride in the park in one day. The new Star Tours ride was absolutely amazing. We visited this attraction three times and had three different adventures. What a great trip and still a nod to the old throughout. I will let you explore and find things out for yourself so look around as you meander to your boarding area. We did miss out on visiting Mr. Lincoln and Tom Sawyer's Island though, even with our handful of Fast Passes!



The Julie Andrews' narrated fireworks is a spectacular and Fantasmic never fails to delight. But the piece de resistance for this weekend was The Haunted Mansion. It's all spook-tacular for Halloween and The Nightmare Before Christmas. I was amazed at the decor throughout and the attention to detail. Disney does not disappoint in this area at all. We managed to complete our adventure just before closing at 11:50 pm and walked out amidst the dazzling lights and the scents and sounds of Main Street, USA. Another great family time at Disney!!!



But... what'd we have for eats you ask? We could not pass up muffins from the Main Street Bakery for breakfast - pumpkin and chocolate chip ... yum. Pumpkin spice lattes were also very tasty. We ate somewhere new for lunch. It's out by the Princess Affaire near the entrance to Toon Town. They serve up some very tasty stuffed baked potatoes with bacon and sour cream or broccoli and cheddar. The kids had bratwurst with sauerkraut. Yum!




Dinner found us at an old favorite - The Golden Horseshoe Revue and we feasted on chili in bread bowls and chicken nuggets with fries. Their root beer floats can't be beat! We never pass up a Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bar either and that dark chocolate coating was de-licious! Gotta continue to pass on the Disney Fritters though. I had a bite of one and it still cannot compare to the originals. Darn it :(

The weather was perfect and October is a wonderful time to visit Disneyland. The park was a bit crowded on Saturday and the young ones were running around in costumes. Too cute. I'd avoid the weekends if I could, but I can't.... sadly.

California Adventure is working hard to get that place Disney-fied. I can't wait for the Cars Land to open and see how their vision of Old Hollywood Glamour beautifies everything throughout the park. This is a long time coming in my humble opinion and Disney should have capitalized on their brand rather than competing with local amusement parks that just don't measure up anyway! That's just me.



Seek out those adventures that you adore with someone that you love. I do.
Until next time,
Deb :)