12/29/07 Western - New Year's Eve

[birkner]

Ohh.. birkner, i might have to chat with you about seaworld san deigo! we are going to So.Ca. in Feb, and we might drive down to San Deigo. My dd has never been to sea world, and it's been about 20 years since i have been!! LOL

Will your whole cruising family be going with you or just your DD? My GK's have favorite rides, places to eat etc. that I would be happy to share with you our San Diego recommendations.

http://www.seaworld.com/SWC/default.aspx

Remember, there is also a Sea World in Orlando associated with Discovery Cove.
http://www.seaworld.com/SWF/default.aspx
http://www.discoverycove.com/default2.aspx

Some of the rides in both parks are too intense for a 5 year old but not the other members of your cruising family.

Let me know and I will be happy to help with San Diego or Orlando

Noel

 

[Caitsmama]

Just me and my dd will be going to San Deigo, along with my mom and sis (who are not cruising with us).. We have tons of family in CA, mostly Garden Grove / Anehiem, Venice Beach area... Can't wait to go back!

 

[birkner]

Just me and my dd will be going to San Diego, along with my mom and sis (who are not cruising with us).. We have tons of family in CA, mostly Garden Grove / Anaheim, Venice Beach area... Can't wait to go back!

Anal person that I am, I corrected your spelling of "Diego" and "Anaheim" Now back to the recommendations!!

I was born in Pasadena and my father was born in Alhambra so we are "native" southern Californians.

First off because of DD's age this time, I suggest you skip the Behind the Scenes Tour and the Animal Spotlight Tour until she is older.

You DD is really too young for the Dolphin Encounter and hopefully, when she is older, I suggest you go to Discovery Cove in Orlando versus Sea World San Diego. You can watch people in the Encounter but in my mind way too expensive for what you actually do.

Plenty of tidepools and feeding opportunities for her to pet dolphins, manta rays etc. Plus, there are all kinds of attractions like the Rocky Point Preserve, Shark Encounter tank, Forbidden Reef, Manatee Rescue exhibition, California tide pool and the various Aquariums.

My recommendations for rides that you can do with DD age 5 are to try Shipwreck Rapids (if it is a warm day), the Skyride and the Skytower.

I suggest doing a meal (either breakfast, lunch or dinner with Shamu) and book ahead of time as soon as you know when you are going. Afterward you can view Believe, the Shamu show. If you go for breakfast, you are let into the park before it opens.
Here is the breakfast menu:
Fluffy French Toast
Savory Scrambled Eggs
Machaca
Bacon
Sausage
Potatoes
Fresh Fruit
Orange and Apple Juice
Hot Chocolate
Assorted Pepsi® Products
Iced Tea
Hot Tea
Coffee

Cost for 1 adult and 1 child would be $40. Breakfast usually lasts one hour. We have gone between 10:00-11:00 AM. Children under three are free but must be registered. Food is all you can eat and you are checked into the park before the park opens. Something to do once.

Dine With Shamu Menu for lunch:
Beef Bourguignon
Seafood Creole
Chicken Dijon
Creamy Garlic Tortellini
Pecan Rice Pilaf
Fresh Garden Vegetable Medley
Caesar Salad
Oriental Salad
Freshly Baked Rolls & Butter
Assorted Fresh Baked Desserts
Assorted Pepsi® Products
Iced Tea, Hot Tea
Coffee
Hot Chocolate
Select Anheuser-Busch® Beverages

Children's Menu:
Macaroni and Cheese
Chicken Pieces
All Beef Hot Dogs
Fresh Fruit Salad
Shamu Cookies

Cost for 1 adult and 1 child is $54.00. Children under three are free but must be registered. Buffet is all you can eat. I have seen children eat from the adult menu without any problem. On a Saturday, they typically have three times, 12:30, 3:00 and 5:00 PM


Of course the shows are great. We love Pets Rule, Clyde and Seamon, the Dolphin Discovery and Cirque de la Mer (summer only). Be sure you watch where you seat as in the "splash zone" you can get really wet. The only show I suggest you avoid is the R.L. Stine Haunted House as the 4D scares most kids.

What we do when we enter the park is check all the daily show times and mark using a highlighter what times we are going to do what shows.

Of course, we make a daily lunch time trip to the beer tasting and the special Clydesdale horse viewing which is held at certain times during the day. Of course, you can just walk through the barn area and see the horses at any time during the day.

Shamu's Happy Harbour which is where you can play your way through a crazy water maze, splash down cool slides, climb a two-story net or create your own sand castle in more than 200 tons of sand is always good for running around and has bench areas for parents to just relax.

Hope this helps.

Noel

P.S. Here is a picture of Aspen at Discovery Cove during her Trainer for a Day experience:

 

[birkner]

Saga of a Sorority Mom's Weekend - LONG

Here is the latest on my San Diego Theta Mom's weekend.

I flew in early yesterday to wait for the DD who was still sleeping when I called. Ok, normal, so I wait 45 minutes for her to pick me.

Finally in the car, she takes me to the hotel Hyatt Islandia where I normally stay to discover the hotel in undergoing a MAJOR renovation. No concierge floor etc. even though I am booked in this now nonexistent room. Apologies are offered and rate is greatly reduced.

http://islandia.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp

After the front desk lowers the rate, I check in. I unpack and iron for a bit and since I am tired and want to relax, I decide to take a shower. NO HOT WATER!! Well, I am in a bit of a hurry as we have lunch ressies in La Jolla so I take quick cold shower and call the front desk. No problem, they tell me, will be fixed when I return.

Samantha picks me up and we go off to get her hair done in La Jolla while I stroll the streets. I am along for the bill paying at the end of the hair assignment. Once the bill is settled, we drive up the hill and pick up her HS best friend Shawn from her condo.

Back to downtown La Jolla, we have lunch at George's at the Cove in the Ocean Bistro. $80 lunch for 3 including tip for DD, myself and her HS best friend Shawna plus $8 for parking. Don't even ask about what we spent clothes shopping. Drop off Shawna back at her condo and off we go.

http://www.georgesatthecove.com/ocean.php

Next we are off to the car wash and to fill up her car with gas. Of course car is totally filthy and below empty. She proceeds to leave her Trish McEvoy makeup bag at the car wash so we have to rush back, grab makeup bag. She runs home after she takes me back to hotel room where water is still ICE COLD. I take a quick cold shower, change to cocktail attire, call front desk again and get profuse apologies and another promise that problem will be fixed.

Sam returns and we go to the cocktail party which is held on the terrace of the Joan Kroc (yes, as in McDonald's) Institute for Peace and Justice terrace. 100 Thetas mom and DD's gather to chat and eat a few veggies, a bit of cheese and drink punch for $15.00 each. However, we had to pick up our Theta Mom's race shirt so not a total loss. Needless to say by 7:30 PM DD and I are starving!!

http://www.sandiego.edu/about/virtualcampustour/

We drive to Old Town in San Diego, miraculously find a parking space and proceed to have another miracle, immediate seating at DD's favorite Mexican restaurant, Cafe Coyote. DD insists I take off my phone and Bluetooth and relax which I do putting both on the chair next to me. Then, DD convinces me since she is driving to have a Million Dollar Margarita made with Don Julio Repaado, Cointreau, Grand Marnier shaken with fresh orange juice, fresh lime juice and served on the rocks before dinner and a glass of Sangria with dinner. Both were JUMBO size. At this point, mommacita, is very happy. If you check the picture on the website, we were sitting right behind the lady making tortillas.
http://www.cafecoyoteoldtown.com/

Dinner costs about the same as lunch and we leave to go back to the hotel and to drop off DD. As soon as we arrive at DD's condo, I discover I have left Bluetooth and phone on chair. We immediately call restaurant and they say nothing has been found. DD says we are on our way!!! I have visions of $2K worth of calls to Mexico at this point. Arriving 10 minutes later at restaurant, DD jumps out of car and rushes inside. Two minutes later she comes back beaming with both items in her hand. It seems the hysteria in my voice had convinced the head waiter to go back to the table and sure enough on the chair is sitting both items. A HUGE SIGH.....

DD returns me to hotel and I surf the DIS boards briefly before falling asleep as I have a 6:30 AM wakeup call for the Breast Cancer Walk.

6:30 arrives and you guessed it, NO HOT WATER!! Another quick cold shower and a call to front desk who assures me that they are not going to charge me for last nights stay and offer me a free dinner in their restaurant. What am I going to say at this point? Fine, BUT FIX the water. I am stylishly dressed in Theta Mom's shirt, workout pants and tennies.

DD in the same attire picks me up at 7:00 AM and we are off to sign up. We meet the rest of the other stylish dressed mom's and DD's, take a group picture and chat before the race. DD runs the 5K and I walk the 3K. We are cheered at the finish and get our Pink Medals. Now back to the car to rush back and change for the mini meet at the Park.

http://www.cityofhope.org/walkforhope

Back to the hotel for a quick shower and of course, still no hot water. At this point, I call for the third time, get the manager and more apologies. However they do send someone from maintenance who tells me that all will be fixed by this evening. We shall see!!

Presidio Park is the location for the mini meet. Located above Old Town San Diego, it has a great museum. For us, we are directed to picnic benches to sample fresh fruit, orange juice and bagels. DD and I grab a bagel and some fruit and chat with the other moms. For this "meal", I have only had to pay $5.00 each.

http://www.sandiegohistory.org/mainpages/locate4.htm

After the "meal", we must dash to make our mani/pedi appointments in La Jolla. If you have ever been to La Jolla, you know there is tons of traffic going down Torrey Pines Blvd and parking is never easy. Luckily, the parking fairy is again looking down and sprinkles her pixie dust. We find a parking (free) space right across from the Salon which is above the Hard Rock Cafe.

Two blissful hours later and over $100 poorer, we emerge full rejuvenated but hungry!! Off to Zanzibar in Pacific Beach for a fabulous Asian Salad for me and a Mango Chicken Salad for Samantha.

http://media.www.thedailyaztec.com/m...-2764683.shtml

Reinvigorated, Sam drops me back at the hotel so I can rest up for a late Thai dinner with her and her friend Jocelyn. So here I am typing away and getting ready for a quick browse of the DIS before I take a short power nap.

My life as a Sorority Mom continues with a brunch tomorrow. Will their be hot water????

Stay tuned.

Noel

 

[birkner]

Where we last left off, I was taking a power nap before the Thai dinner.

Waking from the power nap, I dressed and was ready when Samantha and Jocelyn picked me up to go to Karinya on Garnet in Pacific Beach.

http://www.karinyathaicuisine.com/index.html

We had:

Tom Yum Goon with seafood


Tom Kung Calamari Salad with calamari with green onions, tomatoes, and cucumbers mixed with a special lime sauce.

Kang Kari with chicken which has a Mild, yellow coconut milk curry sauce with potato, carrots, and onions.

Goy Cee Mee with vegetables and tufu with rispy egg noodles with sauteed baby corn, mushrooms,celery, onions, and carrots topped with our chef's gravy.

(sorry could not find a pictures)


YUMMY DINNER!!

After dinner, we went out for a drink at the Pacific Beach Bar and Grill. A little too wild for me but the girls love it.

http://pbbarandgrill.com/

Two drinks and all the noise and I ready for bed!! Girls drop me off to go party into the night!!

Back at the hotel, I drop into bed and am also instantly asleep!!

Alarm goes off at 8AM which feels like 6AM.

HALLELUJAH...there is hot water!! I take a lovely long shower. How glorious!!
Afterward I repack and get ready to go to brunch. DD calls and I go downstairs to check out.

Most of the bill has been compted due to noises, inconvenices and no hot water. I am very happy but have cancelled ressies for all family and friends to stay at Hyatt during graduation.

Samantha picks me up at 10:15AM and off we go. Of course, the directions are completely wrong and we end up driving around in circles. Finally, I call the restaurant and we get correct directions, arriving 50 minutes LATE.

Since everyone else is seated and only one empty table is left. DD is very unhappy being seated by ourselves but low and behold, another Mom and her DD are even later than we are!! Deidra and her DD Elizabeth, a sophmore Theta are seated with us and it turns out they are from Palo Alto, a suburb right by our hometown.

Deidra turns out to be an attorney for the City of Palo Alto and DD Elizabeth and Sam have many friends in common. Perfect timing since DD is weighing going to law school.

Food is absolutely terrible!! We eat one or two bites. Waiter brings Deidra coffee in a water glass as he tells her they have "run" out of cups. The Boathouse has a great reputation but clearly can not handle group meals. Since we paid $20 each, I am not a happy camper.

http://www.boathouserestaurant.com/

DD and I leave to go what else, shopping. She needs a new straightener, groceries, and of course, more gas in her car. Considerably poorer, we head back to her condo.

Once back at the condo, it is time to do what I always do when I visit, help her clean the place. You can imagine what it is like with five girls who claim they have no time to clean. The microwave takes DD a half hour to clean while I clean the top of the counters and stove. DD also cleans out refrig ,takes down two huge yard garbage bags and then mops floor.

We then tackle the real disaster, her room and bathroom. DD has probably not hung up clothes since the last time I helped her clean room. I clean closet, organize shoes and fill up dirty clothes hamper. DD starts the first load of six loads of wash. We change sheets on the bed and DD cleans the bathroom disaster. Finally finish dusting and vaccuuming, I heat up leftovers from Thai dinner last night for lunch.

Finally at 6:30 PM, we are done!! DD has a Theta excutive meeting at 7:00 and I have an 8:55 flight. Off to the airport, where I collapse at the bar, have a gin and tonic and chat with a fellow who is also going back to the SF Bay area.

On the plane at 8:55, landing by 10:15, DH is circuling the wagons as I grab my bag. Perfect timing as he drives us, I walk out and off we go home. We are home and in bed by 11:00 PM.

I love traveling and visiting my DD. However, I always need a day or two to get caught up when I get home to read the DIS!!

Hope you guys enjoyed reading my Blog.

Noel

 

[Caitsmama]

birkner, thanks for your spelling corrections! LOL.. i must have been short on coffee that day! LOL..
BTW, my dd will be 7 when we travel, not 5.. i don't know if that makes any difference in your opinions or not..

I just picked up the copy of the unoffical guide to DLR today!

 

[birkner]

birkner, thanks for your spelling corrections! LOL.. i must have been short on coffee that day! LOL..
BTW, my dd will be 7 when we travel, not 5.. i don't know if that makes any difference in your opinions or not..

I just picked up the copy of the unoffical guide to DLR today!

Not really as the rides like Journey to Atlantis can be pretty intense even for a 7 year old unless she likes roller coasters!!

Very kewl you got the guide!!

My youngest GS will also be 7 on this cruise!!

Noel

 

[WiscBill]

Back to downtown La Jolla, we have lunch at George's at the Cove in the Ocean Bistro. $80 lunch for 3 including tip for DD, myself and her HS best friend Shawna plus $8 for parking. Don't even ask about what we spent clothes shopping. Drop off Shawna back at her condo and off we go.

[We drive to Old Town in San Diego, miraculously find a parking space and proceed to have another miracle, immediate seating at DD's favorite Mexican restaurant, Cafe Coyote. DD insists I take off my phone and Bluetooth and relax which I do putting both on the chair next to me. Then, DD convinces me since she is driving to have a Million Dollar Margarita made with Don Julio Repaado, Cointreau, Grand Marnier shaken with fresh orange juice, fresh lime juice and served on the rocks before dinner and a glass of Sangria with dinner. Both were JUMBO size. At this point, mommacita, is very happy. If you check the picture on the website, we were sitting right behind the lady making tortillas.
[


OK, I wasn't jealous with the whole Walt Suite thing or the 80 degrees by the pool thing, but eating at George's and Cafe Coyote is just too much!!! George's is one of the great restaurants in the world, if not just for its smoked chicken, black bean soup (which my wife will not let me make considering the two cups of heavy cream) alone. Cafe Coyote in Old Town is the place for margaritas. Sorry about the Hyatt. I never stayed in that one, only the one in LaJolla, which did have a great pool.

How many days left till we can drink by the adult pool?

 

[birkner]

Back to downtown La Jolla, we have lunch at George's at the Cove in the Ocean Bistro. $80 lunch for 3 including tip for DD, myself and her HS best friend Shawna plus $8 for parking. Don't even ask about what we spent clothes shopping. Drop off Shawna back at her condo and off we go.

[We drive to Old Town in San Diego, miraculously find a parking space and proceed to have another miracle, immediate seating at DD's favorite Mexican restaurant, Cafe Coyote. DD insists I take off my phone and Bluetooth and relax which I do putting both on the chair next to me. Then, DD convinces me since she is driving to have a Million Dollar Margarita made with Don Julio Repaado, Cointreau, Grand Marnier shaken with fresh orange juice, fresh lime juice and served on the rocks before dinner and a glass of Sangria with dinner. Both were JUMBO size. At this point, mommacita, is very happy. If you check the picture on the website, we were sitting right behind the lady making tortillas.
[


OK, I wasn't jealous with the whole Walt Suite thing or the 80 degrees by the pool thing, but eating at George's and Cafe Coyote is just too much!!! George's is one of the great restaurants in the world, if not just for its smoked chicken, black bean soup (which my wife will not let me make considering the two cups of heavy cream) alone. Cafe Coyote in Old Town is the place for margaritas. Sorry about the Hyatt. I never stayed in that one, only the one in LaJolla, which did have a great pool.

How many days left till we can drink by the adult pool?

We go often to Georges and Cafe Coyote as DD is in school there and also often stay the Del Coronado. Ever had brunch at the Del? We have a few other favorites. Plus, love to stroll the streets in La Jolla after DD gets her hair done.

As for hotels, the Hyatt Islandia is usually just fine, just under major renovations without any notice on website.

277 Days

= 6648 Hours
= 398880 Minutes
= 23932800 Seconds

Noel

 

[Caitsmama]

277 Days

= 6648 Hours
= 398880 Minutes
= 23932800 Seconds

Noel

I gotta tell my MIL this!

 

[birkner]

I gotta tell my MIL this!

Glad you enjoyed the information. I am called the "Goddess or Queen" of knowledge on my other trip board.

 

[JimV]

That's where I stay when I am in San Diego on business. Great place. I'm not there for weekend brunches, but my wife and I were there for one many years ago courtesy of Compaq -- they asked me to come and present at an executive event there. They covered the place, the plane (1st class), the meals, activities for DW during the day (massage, tableside chef meal prep in Oldtown, etc.). It was a very nice long weekend and my intro to the hotel. Visited or stayed there everytime since then.

-- JimV

Not counting down yet. Many things to do before then. This weekend, chaperoning a robotics team at competition (raising another generation of geeks, I am).

looking forward to meeting y'all!

 

[birkner]

That's where I stay when I am in San Diego on business. Great place. I'm not there for weekend brunches, but my wife and I were there for one many years ago courtesy of Compaq -- they asked me to come and present at an executive event there. They covered the place, the plane (1st class), the meals, activities for DW during the day (massage, tableside chef meal prep in Oldtown, etc.). It was a very nice long weekend and my intro to the hotel. Visited or stayed there everytime since then.

-- JimV

Not counting down yet. Many things to do before then. This weekend, chaperoning a robotics team at competition (raising another generation of geeks, I am).

looking forward to meeting y'all!

My DH and I absolutely love the Del also.

DH asked where is the robotic teams competition. He is a fellow geek but in chips not robotics.

 

[Caitsmama]

Guys... it's almost April 1!! That means another month closer!! Whoo hoo!

 

[birkner]

Guys... it's almost April 1!! That means another month closer!! Whoo hoo!

April 1 is DH's sister birthday!! We are taking her out for a nice brunch in San Francisco.

 

[JimV]

We were in Chicago two weeks ago, at our local meet this past weekend and at Nationals in Atlanta in two weeks. It can get pretty intense as these high schools compete to complete tasks with the robots that they design, build, program, etc. in only six weeks.

Here's a video that shows that kind of thing that we build...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiEkurF5uiA

Once we get through the season, then, I begin thinking about graduation open house for DD18...

-- JimV

 

[birkner]

We were in Chicago two weeks ago, at our local meet this past weekend and at Nationals in Atlanta in two weeks. It can get pretty intense as these high schools compete to complete tasks with the robots that they design, build, program, etc. in only six weeks.

Here's a video that shows that kind of thing that we build...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiEkurF5uiA

Once we get through the season, then, I begin thinking about graduation open house for DD18...

-- JimV

DH and I loved the video. DH wants to know what kind of remote control do you use? Is it DD that is building robots? What place did you take in the competitions?

We are planning our youngest DD's University graduation party for May with whole family.

Noel

 

[JimV]

Nope -- DS15 is involved in robotics. The controls are multichannel RF tied into their own programs, and control systems that they design. They also can attempt to program the robot to do the task independently without human control and they can get extra points if they can do that.

Our team hasn't done very well this year. But it is still a great experience for Alex to have. On to Nationals in Atlanta in two weeks.

-- JimV

DD18 is entirely different than my son. But that is another story for another thread. She is the one graduating this year.

 

[birkner]

Nope -- DS15 is involved in robotics. The controls are multichannel RF tied into their own programs, and control systems that they design. They also can attempt to program the robot to do the task independently without human control and they can get extra points if they can do that.

Our team hasn't done very well this year. But it is still a great experience for Alex to have. On to Nationals in Atlanta in two weeks.

-- JimV

DD18 is entirely different than my son. But that is another story for another thread. She is the one graduating this year.

My DH says that it sounds like a great experience for future technology wizards. Another question if you don't mind. What processor are you using? Intel, AMD,or ARM?

Can you tell DH is fellow geek? John wanted to be an EE starting at 7 years old reading the Boys Book of Electronics.

I also have a DD age 21 who is sailing today on a Spring Break Cruise with 40 other University friends on the Carnival Pride. As you said, another story with girls versus boys.

Noel

.

 

[iloveokw]

Hello again everyone! Just back from our WDW (Old Key West) and Vero Beach trip. Boy, the parks were so busy - worse than the week after X-Mas this year. Glad I am cruising in December