Day one: We arrive in Bakersfield, Ca. via Denver AND LA
So the day we left finally arrived! When we had gone on my surprise-DH-with Vegas for his Bday weekend we didnt sleep before the early morning flight so I vowed to get even a few hours sleep. We got maybe 3 hours sleep and were up by 6am and out the door by 7am. DH was quite impressed that I actually got out of the house on time!!! First we flew to Denver, CO. We grabbed some Quiznos and Seattles Best Coffee in the airport during our 2 hour layover. We also checked out the
crocs stand they had and I ALMOST got DH to get himself a pair of the flip flop kind. But almost only counts in hand grenades and horse shoes. Then we flew to LAX. We had an hour or so layover. All I can say about LAX is that it was impossible to get a cold soda from anywhere. I ended up with some weird Tropicana juice thing when all I really wanted was a coke! Then we were off to Bakersfield, Ca. Luckily all our flights were uneventful and I spent most of them reading my latest Laurell K Hamilton book.
If you recall we are visiting one of my oldest and closest friends, Dori and her new husband Fred. We had met Fred only briefly for dinner at Christmas time so getting to know him was great. They were waiting for us when we got to the airport. We had an hour drive to their house but we filled it with chatter. It was really good to see her again, esp. to see her in her new element. Shes been in Cali for almost 5 years now, first for school then because she just liked it. We ended up having In and Out Burger for dinner because everyone we know told us to go there. It was good but nothing to get all nutso about, IMO. For the 2 of us it cost like 10 bucks so that was a plus! We spent the rest of the night chatting and heading to bed early so we could head to the mountains early the next day.
Day two: Sequoia and Bubbas BBQ
We got up at the crack of dawn (to us anyways) at around 6am. We handy bagels for breakfast that we had brought and were headed to the coolest grocery store ever, WinCo. We kept talking about it and how cheap it was. We live in an expensive area when it comes to supermarkets so this was crazy to us. We got some trail mix and some drinks to put in the cooler and were headed to Sequoia National Park. The drive was really nice and the scenery was something like I have never seen before.
Apparently Visalia is known for its Dairies. I had no idea.
Dori & I at the last rest stop before the mountains
DH
being DH.
We spent most of the afternoon driving around up there and doing a little bit of hiking. I had on flip flops because they assured me we wouldnt do too much hiking so my feet were kinda dirty, as were my new Capri crocs. I was also informed that I am not thought of as the camping type. HMPH! Ok Im a city girl and I accept that but I dont need to be told it!! LOL! We went out to Bubbas Bad to the Bone BBQ for dinner for my upcoming birthday. It was some tasty BBQ! We had some seriously good ribs and chicken. They even embarrassed me with one of those oh-so-annoying birthday songs. There was also a mechanical bull that DH ended up taking a spin on, so did Fred and he got what we later dubbed bull burn on his knees from wearing shorts on it! OUCH!
I had a picture on my phone that came out crappy. But suffice to say it was funny as heck watching these boys ride this thing! We spent the rest of the evening back at their house having a few drinks (some homemade strawberry vodka) and looking at old photo albums and having a merry old time!
Day Three: Swap Meet, Meeting an Old Friend and Shopping
We got up early again and went to something called a swap meet. I had no idea what we were in for. They called it little mexico and it was! It was like a big flea market type thing. Some new stuff some used, but al pretty cheap. DH needed some sunglasses and found some for 4 bucks. I got some headbands for a buck and Fred got a fishing pole for 20 bucks. We had a grand old time. If we lived there I would have taken advantage of the chilies and good fruits and stuff they had there. It was a neat experience. DH flipped out over the guy who had the booth with the swords and knives and things. He had these:Anyone a Final Fantasy Fan or Kingdom Hearts?
We then went to breakfast at The Black Bear Diner where we were meeting my old friend, Rob, who I hadnt seen in close to 10 years. We had good food and nice conversation and the Rob was headed back on the road for a 4 hour drive. The 4 of us decided to check out the outlets in Visalia. We all bought something. I got a few new shirts and DH got a pair of jeans and a pair of shorts. We passed by a movie theater and as a joke I said Movie? and somehow we ended up going to see Knocked Up. It was a very funny movie. We went back to the house and ate our leftovers for dinner and played Taboo which was a hilarious time! We said our goodbyes to Dori since she would be off to work before we woke up the next day and headed to bed.
Here are their 2 dogs, who we fell in love with while we were there!
This is Bailey
This is Brandy
Next up
Disneyland or Bust
and we almost Busted!
You're gonna love Goofy's Kitchen. I promise, it's to die for! 
Love the crafy bag and here's hoping you run into another Focker! 
ixiedust:
