Fun on the Road

We took a little road trip this past weekend and renewed our love of Dutch Bros Coffee as well as our friendships with two great couples. We also learned that whipped cream on a straw is the most novel thing ever. 

We wandered into the best little used bookstore we have seen, in Corvallis, Oregon. There were books piled up everywhere - down aisles, on top of shelves, on top of books on top of shelves. It was great. All three of our kids got that glossy eyed look that I know that Aaron and I both get when we walk into a bookstore. Then I got that glossy eyed look of pride that moms get.

As we were checking out Tyler says to me and sighed, "Mmmm bookstores smell sooooooo GOOD", to which Lily immediately breathed "Yeah", and my mommy heart exploded.

Also, my son valiantly fought to get us to buy him six books, but Aaron negotiated him down to three. I, under the ruse of getting them for my daughter, bought all seven Ramona books by Beverly Cleary. I know I didn't fool my husband, and I very much appreciate that he bought me Lily the books anyway.

I showed my husband and kids the Rail Road Park Resort, which is a place I had visited when travelling in Northern California before we had kids. As soon as I saw it, I knew it was a place that I wanted to take my future family.. We didn't get to stay there this time, but now the kids want to just as badly as I do, so it's just a matter of time.

A million thanks to our friends the Ramsay's and they Reynolds' who let us visit with them for a few days. It was truly a blessing!

Pannikin Coffee & Tea; Luecadia, CA

If you ever find yourself in the small seaside community of Luecadia I hope you find time to stop in at Pannikin Coffee & Tea. It's housed in an old rail station from the Santa Fe line. The thresholds still have brass plates reading "Santa Fe" which I regrettably did not get pictures of. There's nothing like an old building to get me googling for info. built in 1888 it used to be the Encinitas station and was closed in 1969; purchased for a $1 and moved to it's current location.

In all honesty the draw here for me wasn't the coffee or tea or treats, none of which I really remember. It's the visions of Victorian ladies with parasols and trunks coming and going from seaside vacations that won me over. Apparently there are similar stations in Del Mar and Carlsbad, which clearly means we need to go on vacation again soon so I can see them.

Las Olsas and the Nature Center

Las Olsas, Cardiff

Our first full day in Encinitas we did so much! Besides walking downtown Encinitas, we also drove over to Leucadia and Cardiff to have lunch at Las Olsas. The restaurant was perched on the edge of a lagoon nature reserve, which we decided to check out even though Tyler objected. He felt it was too much like school to go "learn about nature".

Shells in the sidewalk. Hmm this nature center thing might not be too shabby...

San Elijo Lagoon Nature Reserve

We walked a very short trail, which was beautiful even in the grey weather. I can't imagine how magical it must be when the sun is shining. The preserve map cited several small trails and a larger loop accessible from the nature center and nearby neighborhoods and even a vista point on I-5.

Stuffed quail inside the nature center.  The kids were impressed even though they didn't want to be.

Watershed in action. Uncle Gus explains how the watershed works to Tyler. He was interested for .25 seconds, one shouldn't actually learn something in vacation, you know.. Seeing how it works in action was pretty cool though. Tyler liked it in spite of himself, though he'll deny it if you ask him.

Always Magical

Disney certainly gives cynics plenty to be cynical about: market over-saturation, mediocre movies, high prices, large crowds, crappy pay and benefits for those who work there, etc, etc. Regardless, I still find it magical, even though I probably shouldn't. No place on earth can make our kids speechless and grin till it hurts quite like Disney. Charlotte has never been to the parks and even though we couldn't do a full Disney trip the character breakfast was perfect for her to get her first taste of the crazy delight that is Disney.

The obligatory family picture that they then tried to sell to us for $30. Insert cynical statement here _____. This is the crappy one from my camera. Naturally we all looked tan and gorgeous and thin in their version.

 

Pluto hugs

Can you tell Charlotte was a bit freaked by Captain Hook?

Kisses for Chip (or Dale)

Baloo. Lily enjoyed this more than anyone. She grinned the whole time and I don't think she actually ate anything!

My favorite picture of Lily. Best smile ever.

For weeks leading up to this Tyler declared he was waaaay too old and that we had to tell the characters NOT to speak to him. You can see how that turned out.

This is the part that I think overwhelmed Charlotte. Actually she was probably less overwhelmed and more confused as to why strangers were singing to her.

The cupcake makes up for the singing awkwardness.

The highlight for my daughters. Lily was adorable. Charlotte was happy to see Cinderella but maybe a little over it at this point.

Hi 5'in Mickey Michael Jordan style.

Can you totally tell my husband was humoring me at this point?

While the Sacramento Valley has scenery by the buckets and is beautiful in its own right, it doesn't have sandy beaches for miles and deep blue water as far as the eye can see. As much as I love the foothills, my soul finds rest and peace at the ocean. Since my brother and his family moved back to Sacramento from Southern California two years ago, I haven't visited or glimpsed the ocean except for the occasional trip to the Bay Area, which just isn't the same.

It was time, people. I suspect Tyler is wired the same way I am. He has been talking about missing the beach about as long as I have. He even recently said he'd rather go to the beach than Disneyland which for a kid is pretty impressive. It's also mighty convenient given our current survival mode on the job/finance front. We were blessed with the means to travel down south to visit my aunt and uncle in their new hometown of Encinitas last weekend.

My uncle recently moved there to be the City Manager (yay Gus!) and earlier this summer he strongly encouraged us to come visit him. You don't have to ask me twice to come visit you at your house less than two miles from some of the prettiest beaches in the state. We were only there for a few nights; with three kids the whole household guest/fish stinking rule definitely holds fast. You know, "after three days house-guests and fish start to stink." I think we left just in time. At least my aunt kept saying "Next time we'll have to see such and such sight/building/beach/park." So I'd say that's a good sign. Or she's really polite, it could really go either way.

 

Charlotte loves her Uncle Gus!

Aunt Tee and the kiddies at the Fellowship Gardens

As a blogger I always wonder if I should share vacation photos. I know for some people look at someone else's vacation photos is torture, but I figure if you follow blogs in the first place perhaps that isn't your issue, right? If it is this week will likely be a good one to skip, I'll be talkin up the vacay a bit.