Spring Break version 3.0 I'm sure this wont be the last version as I've still got 8 days to plan. Haha!
Here's a better breakdown of what we'll be doing.....I know you're all excited. I'm at a stand still with our
Disney cruise planning and need to finish up my So Cal birthday trip as well as move on with the
DVC report but I thought, hey, let's start something else so I have more loose ends.
Thursday: PACK! I have turned into one of those last minute packers.
I don't know when or how it happened but it did and I'm ashamed. I didn't buy the kids any pins for this trip because a) we have one Disney day b)
Disneyland doesn't embrace pin trading the WDW and c) we have one Disney day.
Friday: I work, the kids have school, DH will pack the car, and drop Guinness at the kennel. If anyone from Northern Utah is reading this report,
http://www.paws4thought.net/ is the best kennel around. The owners live on the property and treat the animals so well. They'll bathe them too for just a few bucks before we pick them up. When Riley was really sick there was a chance we were going to have to kennel him for a night and they were more than willing to administer medications. These guys rocks.
The plan is to be in the car, fuel full, and on the road by 2:30 pm.
This is what we'll be driving, our semi new to us 2009 MDX. It's up in air as to whether we'll be able to have the third row in due to all of the crap we pack. We do have one of those tailgate things that hooks to the hitch but those always make me nervous. I have visions of someone hitting it and my underwear strewn all over the I15.
The kids are pretty much over the whole movies in the car thing and prefer to have their iPhones. I'll make sure they load some on them. Sharing and compromising have lost their luster.
Here are some of our travel favorite snacks. Road trips are my weakness when it comes to eating poorly so I'm trying really hard now to get it together before this road trip. I know I'll indulge on the vacation when it's actually worth it but eating in the car makes me feel gross and groggy so I'll try to refrain from most of it. I'm sure I'll drop a pretty penny at Trader Joe's though. Cheez n crackers, ya know with the spreadable *cheese* with the crackers and the little red stick are my weakness. Those and Slim Jim's. I sound like an episode of Cops. For this trip I'm sticking with apples and beef jerky.
We're staying at Sam's Town. We've passed it before and I always wondered what it was. It's on Boulder in Vegas, on the outskirts, away from the Strip and Fremont which are huge bonuses as it'll be the Friday during Spring Break. I don't want to scar my kids. I've been to Vegas for Spring Break and it can get fugly!
Above are some pics of Sam's Town that I pulled from the Internet. The first is of the exterior and the second appears to be the fountain/laser show inside the atrium. Its not the Bellagio but its also not costing $400 a night. They've also got a huge movie theater on the premises. The kids may want a movie but DH will want to roll the dice. Craps is his favorite and he's pretty good. For my 44th a week ago he kept calling me a hard 8. That's two 4s for all you non Craps players.
I'm sure we'll have some dinner when we arrive. They've got a steakhouse, Mexican, Subway, TGIFridays, McDonald's, and some other small place. I'm guessing my crew will want real food as we mostly snack while driving. The steakhouse is called Billy Bob's. Here's the menu. I see some split entrees in our future especially with it being late for dinner. Hopefully they have a kids' menu.
http://static.boydgaming.net/samstownlv10/media/downloads/BillyBobsMenu_3_11.pdf
I made a reservation just in case.
I'm hoping to be in bed by midnight. I'm one of those that wakes up between 5-6 am regardless of what time I went to sleep. Rarely I will sleep until 7 and I can't remember the last time I slept until 8 am. DH wants to be on the road by 10 and I don't foresee that as an issue.
Saturday: The drive from Vegas to So Cal is about 4.5 hours, 4 if I'm driving. I've got a lead foot. What can I say? Lol!
Barstow, Bakersfield, blah blah blah. But we always have to stop and say hi to Bun Boy and of course drive by the worlds largest never working thermometer. G-d how I love me some Bun Boy drive by. It's been closed forever but it makes me smile. Hope it's all still there.
We should pull in to So Cal about 2 pm at the latest. We'll head straight to Von's Pavilions for some groceries and wine and Hav'-A-Chips.
They're heaven. Plus we'll need a hostess gift for my friend. Nothing says thank you for letting all 5 of us invade you're very serene home like a couple bottles of vino.
I'm not sure what we'll do that afternoon but I'm guessing, regardless of the weather, it'll have something to do with the beach. We've got reservations that evening at Nick's on 2nd St. My friend and I tried to eat there when I went to CA for my cousin's funeral in Feb. but they were booked. I made us a reservation for Saturday night.
She said its so good. Here's the menu. It looks amazing especially the fried deviled eggs and grilled artichoke. Are the eggs deep fried or pan fried? I can only imagine!
http://www.thenickco.com/nickson2ndmenu.pdf
It'll be early to bed for sure as we have to be to be parked at the DLH by 6:30 am. Of course we'll use valet.
Sunday: Disneyland and DCA. Trust me, you do not want a total breakdown of today. It's going to include being to the gates of DCA by 6:50 am or so, a surprise stay at the DLH, a possible mini meet, an amazing dinner, and closing Disneyland down at midnight. I'm seriously beat just thinking about it.
Monday: I'm sure my crew will sleep in and I want to go to the DVC Royal Member Gathering at 8:00 am in the Sleeping Beauty Pavilion at the DLH. Not sure what it will entail but I've always wanted to do one of the DVC member gatherings. I hear there is free swag. I heart free swag.
Michael flies back home today so I'm guessing we'll do breakfast/lunch before he leaves, somewhere near the water.
Monday is up in the air and I'm happy about that.
Tuesday: It'll be a beach day if the weather is on our side. If not, we'll still have a beach day but in sweats. We'll see another of my girlfriends and shop I'm sure. We'll also see my dad and bring him an early dinner from Knott's Berry Farm. Mrs. Knott's fried chicken dinner is pure nostalgic goodness. He'll love that! Here are some photos I found on Google:
And I can't forget the pie, even if its a photo of someone else's half eaten boysenberry pie.
Wednesday: Visit with my father again. I miss my dad. He's in a SNF in Anaheim and its very hard to visit on so many levels. I won't go into massive detail but its a sad situation. We'll probably go to beach again. My dad can't handle more than an hour or so visit at a time. Here's my favorite picture of he and I:
I'll bring him something good for breakfast. He loves McDonald's pancakes and sausage. Who doesn't, be honest? Aside from the weird hotel bedspread in the photo, it looks good.
That night we're going to Johnny Rebs and meeting Alison and Fran for dinner. Johnny Rebs was our favorite BBQ place when we lived in Long Beach. Here's the menu:
http://johnnyrebs.com/food-drink/ Looking forward to another fun meal and for everyone, minus DH, to meet. Should be a good time.
We'll hit another beach, play in the water, eat, and shop. If we go to Huntington then Dwight's near lifeguard towers 3 is a must. They have the best strips and cheese.
The photo doesn't do them justice. I ate these daily as a teenager, hanging out at HB. Good times.
Thursday: We'll go to the beach again if the weather permits. We'll also eat at Taco Surf on one of these afternoons too. Menu:
http://www.tacosurf.com/menu.php
I'm also wanting to visit some of my cousins and family but I'll figure that out when I'm there. There's one cousin I'd really like to see. Fortunately she works for my uncle in a business they run out of their home so a stop by won't be difficult.
Our rabbi lives in LA so I'd also like to see him if feasible but really don't want to overload on plans.
That night will be dinner with my girlfriend who we're staying with. I have no idea where we'll go. Walt's Wharf is one of our favorites so I'm thinking there. I have to have their oak grilled artichoke. And no, I don't want to ever share.
I also love the Katella Deli. It's so good and another spot I grew up going to. They're bakery is insane. They have, hands down, the best coconut macaroons I've ever had. Ever.
Website:
http://www.katellabakery.com/ I've literally been going there my entire life. Here's a blurb:
Since 1964, Katella Deli has been serving the best sandwiches, soups and other delicacies in their world famous restaurant. Our matzoh ball soup and pastrami sandwiches have fed millions throughout the years and we continue to thrive serving traditional Jewish deli foods and other fantastic lunch and dinner items. Our menu is extensive, and from young to old, everyone can find something to satisfy their appetite.
It's fantastic! It's a straight shot down Katella, maybe 20 minutes from Disneyland tops and no freeway. If you ever go to Disneyland, have a car, and want great deli food, I'd suggest giving it a try.
Friday is our last day.
My friend only works until noon. I'll do some laundry, let the kids, sleep, and then spend the day with her. Beach, shop, eat, who knows. I'm just generally looking for some down time. These past few months have been insanely busy both personally and professionally so I'm really needing some downtime.
Saturday: the looooong drive home......we've decided that we'll be loaded in the car by 9:00 and heading out. Now that Gabby drives, I'll have some relief if I get too tired but in all honesty it's not like I can relax with a new driver on the road anyway.
So that's our Spring Break in a nut shell. Just praying for decent weather and I'd love just one unseasonably hot day.
That's me praying. My friend has a pool so even if its cooler by the beach, we can swim at her house.
Tonight I'll hopefully finish my bday celebration and have the move from the THV to Kidani ready to post.
Hi ya How are you? Any news on Scotty?
Im so sorry but I'm glad you've for a treatable diagnosis. At least you're not waiting and move forward with treatment options.
Sounds like a great plan, you're going to have a blast. I can't wait to hear how the surprise goes, I love a good surprise (although I'm not often the recipient of them, I guess that's how it goes when you've got kids..they are the fun ones to surprise.) I love a good road trip too. I have fantasies of hopping in the van and hitting the road, with no plan at all! I really have to "plan" on of those someday. I'd love to head south (Zion National Park is on my bucket list) or West to the mountains and Vancouver. Anyways back to your spring trip. I'm sure you'll have a great time and I can't wait for you update
I'm so excited. I rarely get surprised but DH tries. I'm just too nosy and know where to find the better deals so I can't help but butt in. 
Our 20th is this year and we really really wanted to go to Europe but unfortunately it isn't in the cards. The business is taking up so much time. It's worth it for sure but it leaves him with very little leave at his real job; he's a 
. He really needs to use leave for business travel. And with our oldest driving and her car, and insurance, and their summer camp, a time at the lake, and these *little* side trips I plan, well money doesn't grow on trees..... So instead we're going to go to Vegas for 3 nights this summer. 
I'm happy by a pool with my guy and a cool drink. 
He's planning it though. I only get to find the flights because he knows I'll find a great deal and/or use points etc....He gave me 3 choices: Caesar's Palace, the Venetian, or the Monte Carlo. I chose the Venetian. He did something similar last year and I knew it was Vegas but didn't know which hotel. He did very well last year and we had a wonderful trip. He reserved us those private pool loungers with a server and I'm hoping for something similar this year. He thought of everything. We went to Craft Steak and I swear, my DH's risotto was far better than theirs. He didn't like me telling him that though because his cost a fraction. 
OMG, hilarious! Billy Bob's looks great. Thank you for the hotel pictures too. It's good to know the rooms don't have them or a minifridge. We'll need a cooler for Chloe's Increlex then. Thank you for the info. I didn't even look when I booked. 
I've raised beasts! 
Hope the changes on your vacation go through smoothly.
