This was one quick trip! Jayne and Chris planned the trip and we were just along for the ride! Thanks for planning everything! We were only gone for 4 days. That's a lot of driving, but it was fun!
Before we left we made a thank you not for Uncle mark with the kids' hand prints. That's Cannon getting his hand painted green! I also made a trip to Dollar Tree to get a few car prizes to keep the girls occupied. That's Kasidy kissing her Hello Kitty Pez. The Pez candy was a huge hit! I hope I remember that next time we take a long drive. I also made a pillow for McKinley. McKinley's car seat isn't as luxurious as Kasidy's, and she often pulls the head bob and doesn't sleep well so I made a pillow to keep her head steady. We slept a lot in the car and I am SO glad we had that pillow!!! After all that we were ready for our journey.
Greg and I packed up the girls bright and early (4:50 am) Thursday, September 8th for a long trip in the car!
We didn't make a ton of stops, which is great, and made it to Reno by 3 pm! Amazing! What's even more amazing than that? We only watched one signing time! The girls loved their activities and it kept them busy for a long time! Good job girls!
We originally planned to stay the night in Reno, but Greg thought it would be fun to spend the night in Tahoe. I am so glad we did! That's were Greg and I went on our honey moon seven years ago! It was so fun to reminisce. We swam in Lake Tahoe, went window shopping, and ate ice cream. Our hotel was the biggest hit of all...It had an atrium/fish pond in the lobby. The girls had to stop and see the fish every time we passed it. They also liked the elevator rides. It was just one big window on the side and they pressed their faces against the glass while going up and down. It was funny! I wish I would have taken a picture of it.
Here we are at the lake. It was fun so beautiful there! The girls loved swimming in the lake. Kaysen didn't bring his suit to the lake, but loved swimming in his shorts, then diaper, then nothings:) So funny!
The next day was Friday the 9th. We took our time getting out...no one wanted to get in the car:) We made our way to Uncle Marks house. The drive wasn't as successful as the day before. The girls were a little more restless, but we made it through and got to Uncle Marks and Lezli's around 3. We took a tour of their home and yard. I had no idea that he was such a farmer. He has sheep, geese, and a duck. It was fun to see where they live. Then we drove over to the beach house were we were staying and unpacked all our stuff. Then...we got in the car again! I know, I know, what were we thinking, but it's such a quick trip we had to get everything in!
We drove down Highway 1 to Big Sur. We stopped at Julia Phipher State Park and saw a gorgeous waterfall! We hiked down the path and the view was amazing! Turns out the place where you see the falls used to be someones back yard! Who'd a thought it! The people who used to live there would climb into a coal cart and ride a track down the cliff to their house! CRAZY! But once you are there...I might do it to for a view like that. They have since torn down the house, but the place you stand was their patio! So cool!
After, we walked to our cars and had dinner. While we were eating we enjoyed the wildlife/crazy birds that were terrifying the children. Seriously they would swoop so close trying to get the food it was a little unnerving. We obviously survived, but it was a little creepy:)
Also while we were driving McKinley said she wasn't feeling well. GREAT...I told her to just relax and try not to think about it. A little minute later she announced..."I am going to throw up." I grabbed the only thing available (A teeny tiny bowl, why we had it, I'm not sure) and I caught the spew! Only problem...the spew wouldn't stop!
Now you have to picture the pandemonium that is happening! There is nowhere to pull over, McKinley is sitting directly behind me so I have to reach clear around my seat to make the bowl reach, our kid is throwing up, and I am asking Greg to open the window so I can dump spew to catch more! Poor Greg is trying to drive, watch what's happening, and roll down a window! Anyway he gets the window down so I can dump the waste. Just as I dump it, I barely make it in time to catch another upchuck!
By this time we have found a place to pull over and Greg races over to McKinley's side of the car, opens the door and takes over. He dumps the bowl 3 times! Ya that's a total of 4 dumps we had to throw out! There is throw-up all over the car, inside and out (the road was twisty and the bowl was full:) from when I dumped it, there are bits and pieces on McKinley and we are worried that she is supper sick! Great we are on this trip and now we are going to have to deal with a sick little girl. Poor thing!
After we cleaned her up she looked at us like, "What's the big deal" and says..."K lets go, I feel better!" Greg and I look at each other and laugh! Okay McKinley let's go! We have decided that she gets car sick. This isn't the first time she's thrown up in the car for random reasons, and felt better after she throws up. We just have to be more prepared with a bigger bowl:) We are also relieved that she isn't sick! That would've put a damper on the trip!:)
So here we are at the amazingly beautiful waterfall! McKinley feels great! We are a happy family!
The next day September 10 we were all excited to spend the day OUT OF THE CAR!!! HOORAY!!! We went to a darling little seaside restaurant for breakfast and then headed to the Monterey Aquarium. On the walk there we experienced Cherri Jubilee Days, a very popular car show. We lucked out and got to see some very amazing looking cars! It was so fun! The atmosphere was amazing! I love seeing other places and feeling the differences.
When we got to the giant fish tank the kids were mesmerized! They would press their faces to the glass and just stare! It was a lot of fun to see them full of wonder!
The aquarium also hosted a fun little kid yard. McKinley loved dressing up, and they all loved the slide. Even though Kasidy doesn't look excited...don't even think of taking her off that fish:)
The touch pools there were amazing! McKinley didn't like it at first, she has issues with getting wet, but after she warmed up to the idea we couldn't keep her out! McKinley loved the sea horses the best, but really wanted to see a dolphin. They didn't have any dolphins so she settled for the fake ones. After the aquarium we loaded the girls in the strollers. After being there all day it took only 5 min for both of them to be out! It was a great busy day!
Later that evening after dinner we headed to the beach! It was fun to see how much McKinley loved it! From the picture below you can see that she was singing the whole time! Just making up random songs, like she does, about the ocean. She'd run and chase the waves, then run away when the waves chased her! It was also fun for her to imagine all the fish we saw at the aquarium in the ocean! A world of discovery for little people:) Kasidy also loved the ocean, but preferred to play in the sand and stay out of the freezing water:)
I wish we could have spend more time at the beach, but I am just glad we got to fit it in at all! I love the ocean!
The next day September 11th we got in the car at 4:40 am and started the long non-stop drive home! We made it home safe at 7 p.m. Not bad time if you ask me:) The girls did pretty good on the way home! and I finished my granny square blankets! What a fun trip! Thanks Uncle Mark and Lezli for the free place to stay!
I do recommend that if you are ever going on a long car ride...plan it out to have more than one day out of the car:)
