Summer '09 Family Road Trip! (MEGAPOST)
Several weeks ago we packed up the car and headed across the southwest to a magical place called California. What prompted us to go to Cali for our vacation was an event called Bro-Am. It’s a surf contest started by a band called Switchfoot to raise money for charity.
So it took the first day to get across half of Texas. Even us Texans can forget how big our state really is… Seven and a half hours worth of driving and you’re just hitting El Paso!
Here are some clouds that night.
We continued on through New Mexico and into Arizona.
It was at a rest stop about 70 miles from Yuma that I met this gentleman. Do not be alarmed by the appearance of him. (See handgun on hip?) The conversation started with me mentioning how great it is we live in a country where we have the right to keep and bear arms. We continued to talk about guns for a bit. Then the conversation just kinda went all over from there. He is a Marine and fought in Vietnam; was stationed at Yuma and liked it so much, that’s where he stayed. He decided to ride in the 108 degree heat today because he had to go to Tuscon for some dental work at the VA dentist. I’m so glad I went outside of my comfort zone to be friendly to this stranger. Ended up having an interesting conversation with this unique individual.
After spending a night in Yuma (Highly recommend the Clarion Hotel in Yuma for the price!) We headed straight for Coronado in San Diego!
Here is my sister Sarah.
Here is the amazing Hotel del Coronado. (No we didn’t stay there… I WISH!!!)
Let’s fast forward a bit hitting some highlights…
San Diego Zoo
My very first In-n-Out!!! So good!
Switchfoot at San Diego County Fair
Laguna Beach
Hollywood/LA
Check out these views from the Griffith Observatory!
A trip to LA isn’t complete without a picture of some traffic!
We had such a great time. I was really impressed with San Diego and the surrounding area. Hollywood was really great to see, but it seemed like any other urban city with all the filth.
I really really miss the weather… 74 degrees and sunny felt absolutely fantastic. I started realizing how perfect it was as we made our way back through the 107 degree desert to get back to Texas. I can definitely see the SoCal appeal!