Disneyland or Bust: A Mother-Daughter Coastal Road Trip

[lwanthony]

Clark W Griswald

National Lampoons Vacation!!!!

 

[lwanthony]

Darn you Jill!!!!!!!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Hmm, Prehistoric Gardens opened in January 1955. They just HAD to get open before Disneyland I bet.

It's cute how the dinos seem to have a very slight cartoon feel to them to make them a little less frightening to children.

HA Non-Disney Disney sighting!!! LOVE IT!!!! It's easy once you get started.

I don't even care, the moonwalk is still one of the coolest freakiest things ever.

 

[KatMark]

Darn, Jill....are you glued to this TR?

Dinosaurs dinosaurs dinosaurs. There is a big one like that first one in your picture somewhere on the road when you leave Disney World but can't remember exactly where or if it's some kind of dinosaur exhibit or what.

Lunch looks yummmy....and since I skipped lunch today my stomach is now grumbling.

Beautiful pictures of Willow by the water.

 

[jedijill]

Darn, Jill....are you glued to this TR?

Dinosaurs dinosaurs dinosaurs. There is a big one like that first one in your picture somewhere on the road when you leave Disney World but can't remember exactly where or if it's some kind of dinosaur exhibit or what.

Lunch looks yummmy....and since I skipped lunch today my stomach is now grumbling.

Beautiful pictures of Willow by the water.

Yes.

Don't worry....after Wednesday I'm checking out for 10 days.

Jill in Co

 

[courtneybelle]

Willow's pictures came out great! I am impressed

The Sea Lion Caves look so fun!! I love how they clump together on the rocks.

I totally approve of Willow's purchase. Penguins are my favorite!!!

The dinosaurs look awesome! Like Jurassic Park, only less terrifying.

That beach is gorgeous! The water is so blue.

 

[afwdwfan]

I was too stubborn to call the front desk to see if there was someone who could help us, so I made about 243 trips down the tiny, twisty outdoor stairs to haul all of our stuff back down to the car and shove it all back in there.

But at least gravity was on your side.

Wow - sorry - Willow got a lot of pics today, and some of them were quite good. I don’t think she’d forgive me if I didn’t share, so just keep scrolling for a couple secs, okay???

Works for me... Anything to keep me from having to start doing actual work yet.

Sea Lion Caves is a privately owned wildlife preserve and bird sanctuary, in existence since 1932. It is the country's largest sea cave and the year-round home to the Steller sea lion.

Cool! No zoo ever compares to getting to see animals in their natural habitat!

And then took the elevator back to the surface, where Willow RAN up the long hill to where we started. And I slogged my way up.

If she's so energetic, maybe you should have loaded her up with some luggage back at the hotel.

How can anyone pass up a visit to this place? This is America, folks!

Roadside attractions and tourist traps are the American way.

Who can ask for anything more????

Well, I remember watching a movie in my formative years that set the standard for any dinosaur park to ever be built...

At first we thought that maintenance had missed this toppled fish thing. Then we read the sign, which explained that these creatures were “helpless as a fish on land” and often got stranded “like this” in low tide. Who knew??

So what looks like a mistake, was actually an intentional detail. Kind of a like something you might find at a certain park we all know and love...

 

[pkondz]

No zoo ever compares to getting to see animals in their natural habitat!

 

[RGirl]

Clark Griswold in National Lampoon's Vacation

And another two points!

I love those family run roadside attractions! Every time I drive home to Missouri, I pass the world's largest prairie dog but I never stop.

You should stop!!! I too have driven by a lot of roadside attractions and never considered stopping - they were all so fun on this trip!

Those dinosaurs look really cool! The coast continues to be stunning. I love all those rocks out in the water.

Oh, I was just loving the coastal views.

I just love roadside attractions!!! this looks like a stop we would love in our family! I've already decided that the next time we need a weekend family trip, we're going down to see the world's largest rocking chair.

That's awesome! It's a total blast to stop at these places, isn't it???

willow--I think those dinos look so fun, but i'm glad they're not alive anymore too!! we just saw the world's largest ketchup bottle the other day. you'll have to look it up online. it's in Illinois.

Willow: Wow! We just looked it up, and I'm glad it isn't real or else we could be splatted with ketchup all over! Maybe I could climb it since it isn't real!

jedijill--we're in St Louis! a couple summers ago I took the kids I nanny on a roadside attraction vacation. we did a cave/underwater lake, world's largest fork, largest solo cup and a really fun drive through zoo. I've never heard about the world's largest prairie dog though. gonna have to find that one!

Wow - what a totally fun vacation idea!!!!

The Dinosaur yoke looks cool. Love Willow's necklace as well

The dinosaur stop was a total blast!

Willow: Thank you!

 

[RGirl]

And how did Willow handle that?

That was sleeping in for Willow. She definitely wasn't on "vacation time" yet.

Willow: I was pretty good at handling it, and I was kind of tired.

I would've done it in one.

And paid the price... again.

Well, as long as you were going to include cases of water and giant tutus.....

I did, but couldn't figure out why she kept walking backwards.
Back problems with her too?

Yes - I'm sure that's it.

I don't drink coffee... but I can't imagine ever putting that stuff in.

It was enough to make me not drink coffee as well.

I don't mind. I've never seen the west coast... well, I did see a tiny bit in Vancouver, but that's it.
My bucket list has a drive down Hwy 1/101 from Canada to California.

That would be an amazing trip! Hmm - I wouldn't mind doing that one myself. *Adds to lengthy list....*

That seems to be a very common complaint these days.

Very common.

Oh, yes. I'm happy to say it has tapered off a LOT around here.

I would so stop there! That looks so cool!

It is definitely worth visiting.

He's dead, Jim.

Very!

You should've said that it was real, but tame.
Who would've guessed differently?

Hmm, that would definitely have spiced up the TR entry. I need to start twisting my TR truths a little.....

Were there certain quiet mumblings about kids and surplus of energy?

There may have been....

It's because of two factors.
1. Obviously is the number of sea lions.
2. Lesser known fact, they're a little hard of hearing.

"Did you hear about Hank?"
"Huh?"
"Who?"
"Wha?"
"Huh?"
"Hunh?"
"Who?"
"Wha?"
"Huh?"..... you get the idea. Just multiply by the number of sea lions and keep repeating until everyone gives up and goes to sleep.

What's that you say???

So love that attitude.

Right? I hope she can maintain that attitude to at least some extent over the years.

Ah! I've never had one. As far as I know, we don't have any in Canada.

Willow: That is not fair!!

!!!

Clark Grisw.... oh, poop. She beat me to it again.

I believe Jill is on vacation now - maybe the next update will be your big chance.

You're absolutely right!

You're right. Because if they were real, you'd have to deal with dinosaur farts, which couldn't possibly be very good, now, could they?

Willow: So funny!!!!!!

Those suckers are huge! Each leaf is like an umbrella, at least that's the first thing that popped into my head.

Willow: I thought the same thing!

Who indeed. I wonder where they got those facts from?
Possibly the same people who advised them on their dino colour choices?

Their web site maintains that there were several visits to the Smithsonian to ensure the accuracy of their dinosaurs......

"pulled off"? Or skidded off?

Hmmmm????

Still one of the coolest things ever.

Couldn't agree more!

Can't wait! Thanks for all the updates!

Thanks for continuing to follow along and join in.

 

[RGirl]

Clark W Griswald

National Lampoons Vacation!!!!

Darn you Jill!!!!!!!

Hang in there, Lane! I'm pretty sure Jill is on vacation this week! There are points to be had!!!

Hmm, Prehistoric Gardens opened in January 1955. They just HAD to get open before Disneyland I bet.

It's cute how the dinos seem to have a very slight cartoon feel to them to make them a little less frightening to children.

They definitely have that look, don't they?

HA Non-Disney Disney sighting!!! LOVE IT!!!! It's easy once you get started.

I knew you would appreciate that.

I don't even care, the moonwalk is still one of the coolest freakiest things ever.

It is!

 

[RGirl]

Darn, Jill....are you glued to this TR?

Dinosaurs dinosaurs dinosaurs. There is a big one like that first one in your picture somewhere on the road when you leave Disney World but can't remember exactly where or if it's some kind of dinosaur exhibit or what.

Really? I had no idea! I wonder what it is.

Lunch looks yummmy....and since I skipped lunch today my stomach is now grumbling.

You know, we really enjoyed our little car buffets.

Beautiful pictures of Willow by the water.

Aww - thanks!

Yes.

Don't worry....after Wednesday I'm checking out for 10 days.

I better get to posting updates so someone else will have a chance of catching up to you!

Willow's pictures came out great! I am impressed

Willow: Thank you!

The Sea Lion Caves look so fun!! I love how they clump together on the rocks.

It was a really fun place to stop.

I totally approve of Willow's purchase. Penguins are my favorite!!!

Willow: Thank you! I like penguins too. And I gave this one to my friend we visited next - a little boy named Theo.

The dinosaurs look awesome! Like Jurassic Park, only less terrifying.

Definitely a lot less terrifying!

That beach is gorgeous! The water is so blue.

Oh, yeah, the Oregon coast is just gorgeous.

 

[RGirl]

But at least gravity was on your side.

See, that's the positive attitude I could really have used at the time.....

Works for me... Anything to keep me from having to start doing actual work yet.

Cool! No zoo ever compares to getting to see animals in their natural habitat!

Very true!

If she's so energetic, maybe you should have loaded her up with some luggage back at the hotel.

You make a good point - she was noticeably unhelpful with the luggage that morning.....

Roadside attractions and tourist traps are the American way.

It's true! We just couldn't resist them.

Well, I remember watching a movie in my formative years that set the standard for any dinosaur park to ever be built...

This one was definitely a little different from that one.....

So what looks like a mistake, was actually an intentional detail. Kind of a like something you might find at a certain park we all know and love...

 

[RGirl]

The Contest: First person to provide the movie title from which the chapter heading comes gets a point; two points if the character who utters the line is also identified. If the first person doesn't name the character, the first poster to do so will get a point.

Current Standings:
Courtney (courtneybelle): 2 points
Jill (jedijill): 10 points

"Heeeere's Brucie!"​

Day 3C - Sunday, 27 July 2014 - Coast of Oregon to Crescent City, CA

When I last left off, we were enjoying the beautiful coastal views as we made our way down the coast of Oregon and into California. Our destination today was Crescent City, CA. I had picked Crescent City because of its location - I really was making an effort to keep most of the drives short on the way down so that we could explore and see the country a bit - and because of our lodging choice here. We were going to stay at the Curly Redwood Lodge.

The Curly Redwood Lodge was built in 1957 from the wood of a single Redwood tree. The tree that gave its life for the lodge was felled in 1952 - it was just over 18 feet wide at the cut and produced 57,000 board feet of lumber. You can see the beauty of this Redwood tree throughout the Lodge. And, although the lodge is kept clean and carefully maintained, it has not been updated with any kind of modern look. The proprietors prefer to keep it a "blast from the past," and it is just that!

I will admit that, despite how excited I was about staying here, I was also a little nervous - I mean, this was a motel built in the 1950s that had not really been updated, and our room (before tax) was slated to cost only $78.

So it was with some slight anxiety that I pulled into the Curly Redwood Lodge parking lot at 2:20PM.

​

We checked in at the office.

​

Willow took one pic inside the office.

​

Good news! Our room was ready!

We moved our car and admired the beautiful redwood.

​

Elizabeth (our car - Willow named her) was quite pleased with her spot for the night right outside our window.

​

We were excited and nervous to get in and see our room. And it was adorable, hilarious and CLEAN - possibly the cleanest place we stayed in the two weeks we were traveling. As you can see, it was like stepping into another era.

​

And when was the last time you saw one of these "sanitized for your protection" strips???? Probably some of you have NEVER seen one.

​

Willow: If you saw the shower, when you stepped in it, it looked like a tunnel. But if you put your head sideways and you crawled through, it really looked like a tunnel. And you might find buried treasure!

(I have no idea…. )

Over all, we were very pleased with the Curly Redwood Lodge and would stay here again. And at the price, it is beyond a bargain. It had excellent wi-fi on top of the very functional amenities and cleanliness. It did not have AC or a refrigerator, but it was not overly warm in Crescent City, so the AC wasn't a big issue, and there was an ice machine a few steps from the room, so we were able to keep our food at an appropriate temperature even without a refrigerator.

Up Next: Day 3C (cont.)

 

[RGirl]

"Heeeere's Brucie!" (cont.)​

Day 3C (cont.) - Sunday, 27 July 2014 - Coast of Oregon to Crescent City, CA

We went back to the office after unloading to inquire about where they recommended for dinner. We got a recommendation for a restaurant and also a suggestion that we visit Ocean World along with a 10% coupon towards that. Well, another roadside attraction, you say? We don't mind if we do! We piled ourselves back into the car and drove the few minutes to Ocean World, which was a throw-back to another time as well.

​

Ocean World is a privately owned establishment and has been operating in Crescent City since 1964. It was originally known as the Under Seas Gardens and was actually a barge, which was built in Seattle as an aquarium and floated down to Crescent City. Visitors would descend below the surface of the water to observation windows. The barge was moved to land in 1985, and the establishment became Ocean World, featuring tanks holding over a million gallons of water and lots of sea life, including sharks, rays and eels.

Willow even took a pic of the flyer for you.

​

We purchased our tickets ($12.95 for adults and $7.95 for kids - I paid $18.81 total with our discount coupon) and then, surprise, surprise, checked out the enormous gift shop while we waited for our tour.

​

Obviously, we found a way to entertain ourselves.

​

This was a fun way to spend our afternoon. We got to see and touch some sea life, pet a shark, and watch a little seal-sea lion show (which was probably inhumane and wrong, but the whole experience really felt like we had stepped into a long-past time before we became conscious of such things, and I wasn't really going to stage a protest or something ).

The tour started with star fish and other creatures that we were allowed to touch.

​

Willow even got to hold something up to show everyone while the guide told us about it. I have no recollection what it was!

​

Willow: It was a starfish! A big, giant starfish. It was red too.

Willow's favorite part was petting the shark - interesting since, until this moment, she was terrified of sharks.

​

Willow: Yes, I was afraid of sharks until this. But this shark kind of liked me and kept going back and forth to me.

No really, she did pet a shark. I was surprised she was willing to do it though - I mean, some of you may remember that she refused to swim in the quiet pool at the BW last year because there might be sharks in it. Perhaps it helped that our guide explained to us that the only way these sharks would bite us is if we took a hand, shoved it into the shark's mouth and then squeezed its jaws shut.

​

Epcot???? Confusing…..

Looks like Willow took at least one pic of the aquarium tanks. Apparently, I took none.

​

A few shots of the non-PC seal/sea lion "show."

​

Anyway, this was pretty silly, but we had a lot of fun, and the price was right!

Willow: You know how I was afraid of sharks? It’s just that I feel like, since I’ve heard a lot about other people getting bit by sharks, I thought I don’t want to get one. That’s why I always say I don’t want to swim in the ocean. A lot of people say they won’t bite you if you don’t bother them, but I just don’t want to be chased by one.

Up Next: Day 3D

 

[pkondz]

Bruce! The shark from Finding Nemo!

OMG did I beat her? I don't care if she's on vacation.... she'll find a way!

Going back to actually read the post now....

 

[pkondz]

I had picked Crescent City because of its location - I really was making an effort to keep most of the drives short on the way down so that we could explore and see the country a bit

I so love that.
Usually, I'm pretty pressed for time and have to do long drives.
My Niagara Falls trip is the first time I stayed in one spot (Chicago) for more than one night.
Of course that meant the next driving day would be 12 hours or so...

Some day, some day...

The Curly Redwood Lodge was built in 1957 from the wood of a single Redwood tree. The tree that gave its life for the lodge was felled in 1952 - it was just over 18 feet tall from the cut to the tip and produced 57,000 board feet of lumber.

Something didn't quite add up when I read that.
Redwoods can grow taller than 300 feet! So an 18 footer didn't sound like that big a deal.
I was right, I looked up the Curly Redwood's website and the tree was 18'2'' wide at the base cut.

You can see the beauty of this Redwood tree throughout the Lodge. And, although the lodge is kept clean and carefully maintained, it has not been updated with any kind of modern look. The proprietors prefer to keep it a "blast from the past," and it is just that!

OMG, I so want to stay there! It looks terrific!
I think I'm in love.

Covered parking! Loading/unloading in the rain not a problem.

So awesome.

My folks used to have that same lamp!
Or one really similar.

Actually, I should take a look in their basement (last place I remember seeing it) they might still have it!

And when was the last time you saw one of these "sanitized for your protection" strips???? Probably some of you have NEVER seen one.

I've seen 'em... but you're right, not for a long time now.

Willow: If you saw the shower, when you stepped in it, it looked like a tunnel. But if you put your head sideways and you crawled through, it really looked like a tunnel. And you might find buried treasure!

(I have no idea…. )

I do.
Make's perfect sense.
Willow, see if I've got this right.
The shower was tall but narrow, right? So if you lay down and looked up, it looked like a tunnel.
Am I right?

We piled ourselves back into the car and drove the few minutes to Ocean World, which was a throw-back to another time as well.

Cool!

That 'stache looks like a very stylized soul patch on Willow.

Now that's hilarious.

Perhaps it helped that our guide explained to us that the only way these sharks would bite us is if we took a hand, shoved it into the shark's mouth and then squeezed its jaws shut.

I'm still not gonna test it by putting my hand near its mouth, thankyouverymuch.

A few shots of the non-PC seal/sea lion "show."

Nah. Not buying it. It's a statue. Fake!

And I'm not judging. I love those shows.
Frankly, I don't know how it's such a big deal.
"Those seals shouldn't be kept in captivity! It's cruel!"

Uh, huh. But instead of getting regular meals they get to be eaten by killer whales or great white sharks.

Whatever.

Willow: You know how I was afraid of sharks? It’s just that I feel like, since I’ve heard a lot about other people getting bit by sharks, I thought I don’t want to get one. That’s why I always say I don’t want to swim in the ocean. A lot of people say they won’t bite you if you don’t bother them, but I just don’t want to be chased by one.

Who does? I understand your fear, but you're really quite safe in the ocean by the beach. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

Up Next: Day 3D

Sweet! Thanks for the chapter!

 

[RGirl]

Bruce! The shark from Finding Nemo!

OMG did I beat her? I don't care if she's on vacation.... she'll find a way!

Going back to actually read the post now....

You did it! You did it!!!

Honestly, I'm kind of surprised that Jill didn't find a way to get the points despite being on a cruise.....

And thank you - I corrected my ridiculous height to width on the tree. Sheesh - anything seems tall when you're only 5'2".

 

[hstrickland]

Hi there! Finally catching up!


Ok...one word for ya...WOW!!!! I can't believe how gorgeous that Pacific Coast is!! Absolutely beautiful....so much different than what we have on the East Coast.


The cave pictures are great, too. Looks like lots of fun. Bill and I did something similar years ago in Nevada. Really cool to go underground, isn't it?!



Love how Willow is answering posts Precious!


Hope y'all have a great week!
Heather

 

[STLMickeyMom]

the hotel is so pretty! ok, dated, but clean and pretty nice for the price! i'd definitely stay there. plus, I love a place where you can park right in front of your room!

the sanitized for your protection strip!!! that's cracking me up. I didn't even know they made those any more!

when I saw the "large unique gift shop" sign, I knew you'd all have to stop in there!

I do remember willow being afraid of sharks in the pool, because I remember it reminded me of being afraid of the same thing on vacation one year! i'm glad she got over that and could enjoy her chance to touch a shark! that's pretty cool!