Disneyland or Bust: A Mother-Daughter Coastal Road Trip
- Thread starter RGirl
- Start date
dizneeat
DIS Legend
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2006
- Messages
- 20,847
OMG ...... that is some kind of a drive! I can only imagine what the road must have looked like.
We have often driven HW 1 between San Francisco and San Diego, but never ventured towards the north. Therefore all of your pics are so interesting. The road back to HW 1 not so much.
Love that you got to stay with family and friends and how sweet of Willow to give her new toy as a gift. What a wonderful young lady you are bringing up!
We have often driven HW 1 between San Francisco and San Diego, but never ventured towards the north. Therefore all of your pics are so interesting. The road back to HW 1 not so much.
Love that you got to stay with family and friends and how sweet of Willow to give her new toy as a gift. What a wonderful young lady you are bringing up!
hstrickland
Way Down South...
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2009
- Messages
- 3,406
Really, the non-Disney part of this trip was just as fun as the Disney part. I'm so glad that you are enjoying reading about it. When I first decided to do a report for this trip, I was a little uncertain about it because I didn't know if people would really want to hear about the non-Disney stuff, you know? But it's been so fun to write it, and so many of you have been supportive that I'm very happy I decided to do it!!!
Non-Disney stuff leading up to your Disney stuff is fabulous!!!
The TR wouldn't be the same without your journey TO Disneyland....seriously. 
kind of....
But then Elizabeth is part of the family. Turning her off would be like throwing her out of the car....wasn't gonna happen.FANTABULOUS photos of Highway 1!! OMG beautiful! We don't see things like that on the East Coast. Even though you had a very treacherous journey, at least you got a small glimpse of the West Coast terrain. And....just think...it will be great conversation starters for years to come
How sweet of Willow to give her souvenir to your friend's child.
As a mom, I know that made you proud. Ok....it's the weekend! So I'm ready for Day 6
RGirl
Change Is Good
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2010
- Messages
- 3,263
So I thought I would do a double update this weekend since it had been a while and last night's update was pretty short.
BTW, did you happen to notice my new ticker????????
That's right! This week, I took the plunge and went ahead and booked another trip to Disneyland for Willow's eighth birthday. I just HAD to use those APs one last time before they expire!
Okay, let's get going here!
The Contest: First person to provide the movie title from which the chapter heading comes get a point; two points if the character who utters the line is also identified. If the first person doesnt name the character, the first poster to do so will get a point.
Current Standing:
Courtney (courtneybelle): 4 points
Jill (jedijill): 12 points
pkondz: 4 points
Megan (MonsterWDWmom): 2 points
Shannon (shan23877): 2 points
Lori (STLMickeyMom): 2 points
Day 6 - Wednesday, 30 July 2014 - Oakland, California
Today, Willow and I enjoyed a leisurely morning at my friends' house after they had gone to work, taking our time getting ready since we were in no hurry to be anywhere before about 11:00. We ended up leaving the house at about 9:00AM, I think. We were heading to Alameda - this is where I used to live, so I wanted to show Willow my old house and around my old stomping grounds. We stopped for some Starbucks first and even did a little shopping at Trader Joe's. (Where we live now is woefully deficient in decent stores of any type, although you can easily purchase gourmet cupcakes and $100 bottles of wine just about anywhere. Children's shoes though? Or decent groceries? Nope So TJ's was like a mecca for us, and don't think for a second that Willow didn't return from this trip without a couple pairs of new shoes, although we did not buy those at TJ's.
)
And then we drove around the island of Alameda so that I could show Willow various things. We ended up on the street where my old house is located and parked there. We checked out my house and then walked to the near-by park so Willow could burn off a little energy.
It was totally bizarre being here. I became a parent at an older age (37, to be exact), so being here where I had lived quite a few years of an adult life without children felt strange - it was like I had had two completely separate adulthoods. They had really absolutely nothing to do with each other. Even the dog that I had (who was my only "child" for a long, long time) had passed just a few months before Willow came home, and by the time she came home, I was living in Washington State and had a new puppy. So there was no continuity at all. WEIRD!
Anyway, enough of that. At about 11:00AM, we went over to visit an old friend of mine and had a lovely time with her and her family, just catching up and introducing them to Willow. We left there at about 1:00PM and headed to the Oakland zoo to meet up with my brother and his family. Willow was super-excited to see her little cousin (3 and ½ years old). Willow and I checked out many of the animals while we waited for my brother to arrive.
And then, after my brother arrived, Willow and her cousin had a grand old time playing at the zoo, grooming goats, and then riding the little rides that they have set up just outside the zoo area. (No pics of Willow with her cousin (other than back of the head) - dont think her parents would appreciate it. )
After the zoo, we headed back to our friends' house, where we joined them for a Thai food dinner. I did some laundry - thank goodness for good friends! - and Willow played with their little boy until bedtime.
Up Next: Day 7A
BTW, did you happen to notice my new ticker????????
That's right! This week, I took the plunge and went ahead and booked another trip to Disneyland for Willow's eighth birthday. I just HAD to use those APs one last time before they expire! Okay, let's get going here!
The Contest: First person to provide the movie title from which the chapter heading comes get a point; two points if the character who utters the line is also identified. If the first person doesnt name the character, the first poster to do so will get a point.
Current Standing:
Courtney (courtneybelle): 4 points
Jill (jedijill): 12 points
pkondz: 4 points
Megan (MonsterWDWmom): 2 points
Shannon (shan23877): 2 points
Lori (STLMickeyMom): 2 points
And well always be friends forever, wont we?
Day 6 - Wednesday, 30 July 2014 - Oakland, California
Today, Willow and I enjoyed a leisurely morning at my friends' house after they had gone to work, taking our time getting ready since we were in no hurry to be anywhere before about 11:00. We ended up leaving the house at about 9:00AM, I think. We were heading to Alameda - this is where I used to live, so I wanted to show Willow my old house and around my old stomping grounds. We stopped for some Starbucks first and even did a little shopping at Trader Joe's. (Where we live now is woefully deficient in decent stores of any type, although you can easily purchase gourmet cupcakes and $100 bottles of wine just about anywhere. Children's shoes though? Or decent groceries? Nope So TJ's was like a mecca for us, and don't think for a second that Willow didn't return from this trip without a couple pairs of new shoes, although we did not buy those at TJ's.
)
And then we drove around the island of Alameda so that I could show Willow various things. We ended up on the street where my old house is located and parked there. We checked out my house and then walked to the near-by park so Willow could burn off a little energy.
It was totally bizarre being here. I became a parent at an older age (37, to be exact), so being here where I had lived quite a few years of an adult life without children felt strange - it was like I had had two completely separate adulthoods. They had really absolutely nothing to do with each other. Even the dog that I had (who was my only "child" for a long, long time) had passed just a few months before Willow came home, and by the time she came home, I was living in Washington State and had a new puppy. So there was no continuity at all. WEIRD!
Anyway, enough of that. At about 11:00AM, we went over to visit an old friend of mine and had a lovely time with her and her family, just catching up and introducing them to Willow. We left there at about 1:00PM and headed to the Oakland zoo to meet up with my brother and his family. Willow was super-excited to see her little cousin (3 and ½ years old). Willow and I checked out many of the animals while we waited for my brother to arrive.
And then, after my brother arrived, Willow and her cousin had a grand old time playing at the zoo, grooming goats, and then riding the little rides that they have set up just outside the zoo area. (No pics of Willow with her cousin (other than back of the head) - dont think her parents would appreciate it.
)
After the zoo, we headed back to our friends' house, where we joined them for a Thai food dinner. I did some laundry - thank goodness for good friends! - and Willow played with their little boy until bedtime.
Up Next: Day 7A
RGirl
Change Is Good
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2010
- Messages
- 3,263
Two more points for Courtney! Good effort, Lane!Second again!!!!!!
STLMickeyMom
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2013
- Messages
- 2,012
dang it! I knew this movie quote too!
that drive.....i'd be exhausted by the end of it, but I get why you wanted to go that way. it was the plan. doesn't Elizabeth understand the importance of THE PLAN? I do the same thing to myself all the time.
i'm glad you got to spend some time with family and friends! and how sweet was willow giving the baby a gift?!? so thoughtful!
that drive.....i'd be exhausted by the end of it, but I get why you wanted to go that way. it was the plan. doesn't Elizabeth understand the importance of THE PLAN? I do the same thing to myself all the time.
i'm glad you got to spend some time with family and friends! and how sweet was willow giving the baby a gift?!? so thoughtful!
STLMickeyMom
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2013
- Messages
- 2,012
wait--it's copper and tod from fox and the hound, I think
RGirl
Change Is Good
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2010
- Messages
- 3,263
It was so scary!!!
That road was AWFUL. And I was so mad at Elizabeth!We have often driven HW 1 between San Francisco and San Diego, but never ventured towards the north. Therefore all of your pics are so interesting. The road back to HW 1 not so much.
She is a very generous young lady - she has always been like that. I think it's just her nature.Love that you got to stay with family and friends and how sweet of Willow to give her new toy as a gift. What a wonderful young lady you are bringing up!
Thanks Heather! I'm so glad that you are enjoying it.Non-Disney stuff leading up to your Disney stuff is fabulous!!!
And we're actually getting close to the Disneyland portion of the trip now too!!!
I prefer your explanation to the fact that I just really never thought to turn her off. It really is a beautiful part of the country. I have had the great joyFANTABULOUS photos of Highway 1!! OMG beautiful! We don't see things like that on the East Coast. Even though you had a very treacherous journey, at least you got a small glimpse of the West Coast terrain. And....just think...it will be great conversation starters for years to come
of driving the East Coast a few times - definitely not as scenic. It was very sweet - she tends to do stuff like that, always has.How sweet of Willow to give her souvenir to your friend's child.
Your wish is my command - posted a second update just for you.Ok....it's the weekend! So I'm ready for Day 6
It was very sweet - she's a generous kid.
STLMickeyMom
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2013
- Messages
- 2,012
hey, you were sneaky this morning, getting another update in there while I was posting away, oblivious to my chance to get more points! 
that looks like a fun day spent out and about with family and friends! and you know they love you when they let you do your laundry!
that looks like a fun day spent out and about with family and friends! and you know they love you when they let you do your laundry!
RGirl
Change Is Good
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2010
- Messages
- 3,263
Ugh - I had such visions of that drive. I just couldn't let it go. I was SO MAD at Elizabeth!
We had such a lovely time visiting with good friends I hadn't seen in so many years. And it was very sweet when Willow immediately gave her new friend her first souvenir.
Ooooh, but which one????
RGirl
Change Is Good
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2010
- Messages
- 3,263
hey, you were sneaky this morning, getting another update in there while I was posting away, oblivious to my chance to get more points!
Well, you got 1 of the 2 points, lady!!! You're so right! And we were going to be at DISNEYLAND very soon - we needed clean clothes!
Edited because I completely forgot my own game and how many points are actually available for movie titles and characters.
STLMickeyMom
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2013
- Messages
- 2,012
ooooo, i'm not sure which one now....i'll guess copper, but maybe someone else will get the points for the right character....
DisneyKid4Life
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2013
- Messages
- 4,409
I can't go any further without saying... I LOVE "free" breakfast.
OMG too much. RONI, "Worst ,most scary and treacherous drive ever!!!!" WILLOW, "It was fun".
Hahahaha, my GPS also yells at me. They are so stuck up and set in their ways.
Oh Lord that drive does sound scary. But I will give you credit Roni. You had a goal and you did everything you could to fulfill it.
Aww that is so sweet of Willow to give away something she liked so much. Just precious.
Wow, so nice to be able to visit your old stomping grounds and especially to show that to your daughter.
OMG too much. RONI, "Worst ,most scary and treacherous drive ever!!!!" WILLOW, "It was fun". Hahahaha, my GPS also yells at me. They are so stuck up and set in their ways.
Oh Lord that drive does sound scary. But I will give you credit Roni. You had a goal and you did everything you could to fulfill it.
Aww that is so sweet of Willow to give away something she liked so much. Just precious.
Wow, so nice to be able to visit your old stomping grounds and especially to show that to your daughter.
hstrickland
Way Down South...
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2009
- Messages
- 3,406
Your wish is my command - posted a second update just for you.
Thank you so kindly. I knew it was just for me....
For a split second, I thought y'all were at Animal Kingdom
....beautiful animals! Love Thai food...especially a good peanut sauce!! Very nice of your friends to open up their house and provide "good" meals!
I guess a third installment this weekend may be asking too much
Y'all enjoy your weekend! We're off to a football game in a bit then some shopping for Stephen.
Heather
courtneybelle
What foolishness would you like to see?
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2013
- Messages
- 1,281
As promised, I'm back
A+ gif usage in the Pool Saga. And free wine? I'm sold.
You thought it was treacherous, Willow thought it was fun. I'm not even surprised at this point
Ugh we yell at our GPS a lot too. "Turn around when possible." Don't tell me how to live my life!
Oh my gosh that sounds terrifying but you seem like a driving pro and I'm glad you got to your destination safe and sound!
Awww that is so sweet and generous of Willow to give away her penguin.
YAY DISNEYLAND!!! So exciting! Though how is Willow eight years old already?? That can't be right.
The zoo looks super fun! Love those giraffes!!
A+ gif usage in the Pool Saga. And free wine? I'm sold.
You thought it was treacherous, Willow thought it was fun. I'm not even surprised at this point
Ugh we yell at our GPS a lot too. "Turn around when possible." Don't tell me how to live my life!
Oh my gosh that sounds terrifying
but you seem like a driving pro and I'm glad you got to your destination safe and sound!Awww that is so sweet and generous of Willow to give away her penguin.
YAY DISNEYLAND!!! So exciting! Though how is Willow eight years old already?? That can't be right.
The zoo looks super fun! Love those giraffes!!
queenbetsey
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 31, 2010
- Messages
- 727
Another great update as usual... Props for not bursting into tears. I might have evn with the kid in the car. Also glad to hear you are heading down to the House of Mouse again. I just need to be quicker on the chapter quote contest I so far have known them..... so sweet of Willow to give up her penguin.
-
New Jewelry Options Celebrate Our Disney Parks Food Love!
-
FIRST LOOK at Ginger, the Disney Treasure's New Halloween Tree
-
Disney Bounding 101: Planning Your First Bound
-
Downtown Disney's Jazz Kitchen Hosts New Event & Menu Items at Disneyland
-
Catch a Rare Sighting Of the Disney Merch Fail
-
How Easy Is It to Rent Out DVC Points?
-
Only FIVE Dates Remain for September Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Receive up to $1,000 in Onboard Credit and a Gift Basket!
That’s right — when you book your Disney Cruise with Dreams Unlimited Travel, you’ll receive incredible shipboard credits to spend during your vacation!
CLICK HERE
That’s right — when you book your Disney Cruise with Dreams Unlimited Travel, you’ll receive incredible shipboard credits to spend during your vacation!
CLICK HERE
