Cali Day 5

April 13 2010

Tuesday

11:03

Leaving Julie’s for Huntington Beach

12:09

Checked out the beach. It was great.

I got some sand for Grandma.

We stood in the waves and our shorts got a little wet. Too bad we didn’t bring more clothes so we could jump on in… it is a little cold though. I squished a paintball with my toe (on purpose) and got orange paint splattered all over me. (Not on purpose). They were all over the place, and I just couldn't resist popping another one too. I learned from the first one and only got paint splattered on part of me.

2:35

Back in the car after visiting Balboa.

Imitating the mannequin in the window.

We enjoyed a tasty lunch at Ruby’s at the end of a pier over the ocean at Balboa Island. Both the burgers and the fries are worthy of an honorable mention.

We rode the ferry over. It was a short ride. Only a couple minutes long. We could have swum (It sounds funny to me too, but that is how Word said it should be) across. Not even long enough to play “Titanic”. J

On the ferry.

Sam and I spotted a lemon tree. Sam thought that she wanted a lemon and I thought I wanted to pick a lemon. So I tried. I pulled and I pulled! It just wouldn’t come off. We took a picture instead (Before I disfigured the whole tree…).

5:24 pm

Just left San Juan Capistrano. It was incredible. My favorite was the chapel inside.

I even wrote a prayer in the prayer book. Heading back to Julie’s now. I hope ice cream is on the way. I got pretty good sunburn today L I’m red hot!

Lindsay and I showing off our hotness. ;)

About 8ish…

TACO TUESDAY!! I heart tacos! And these ones are authentic. Boo-yah!

After ordering, Sam told the guy, “Tengo Buen Dia.” She thought was telling the Mexican “Have a good day”. Later when we were talking with Julie she told Sam that she had actually said, “I have good day”. Hahhahaha! I laughed so hard about it I started crying.

We got home and played 5 crowns with all the girls (Lindsay, Kendra, Julie, Sam, and I).

And I got stuck to another popsicle.

Cali Day 4

April 12 2010

Monday

10:40 am

Another rainy day in sunny southern California.

Sam and I making our way to Los Angeles today. Woot!!

4:27 pm

Sam and I went to Hollywood today!

For Zach:

We got suckered into taking a tour of all the famous people’s homes in the area. The man said "Viper Room" and I knew Sam was instantly persuaded. Say no more! ... When in L.A…. right?

On the tour, Sam was not disappointed. We did see "The Viper Room" and a lot of other stuff.

We rode up into Beverly Hills.

"Beverly Hills! That's where I wanna be! {Beverly, Beverly}" Don't lie, you were singing it in your head too. (If not out loud) ;)

We saw a lot of rooftops....

(Brad Pitt's chimney)

And a lot of gates.

(Michael Jackson's ambulance entry)

{As I was taking pictures.} “Wrong gate, Kate. That one (pointing to another gate a hedge down)”. -Sam

Needless to say, we now have a lot of pictures of gates and rooftops and have long forgotten who's gate is who's and who's roof is who's... Which the exception of one:

Lucille Ball's last home! Hooray for Lucy!

We also walked on the walk of fame and saw the shoeprints/handprints at the Chinese Theater.

We also met Justin Timberlake! ;)

6:47 pm

Just left Venice Beach.

Right.... ;)

We waked on the boardwalk and got henna tattoos!

My first tat! No worries, Ma, it’s not permanent J We also ate ice cream and walked past the same restaurant like 6 times, and was therefore tempted by it 6 times. (What is it with us and walking past the same place time after time?) We also witnessed the cops trying to break up a fight…freaky.

Julie took us to dinner tonight at a place called “Kimera”. Her treat.

It was fabulous! Pretty much the most hoity toity place I’ve ever been too. They had cloth napkins and the main entrees cost over $20 for each place. It was so good though! And the waiter, Tommy, was pretty tasty himself... J

My dinner included lamb and some curry rice. Pretty much the best rice ever! Delicious. I wonder if I could make something similar?

9:13 pm

Singing along to “Loveshack” drving in Julie’s car down the freeway with the sunroof open. Life doesn’t get better than this!

Cali Day 3

11 April 2010

Sunday

7:50 am

The walls are thin here. I took my turn in the community shower. That…well, it was an experience… J I started taking off my clothes. Then I turned around and realized the window was open just a little. The window goes out to the breezeway, but still… I shut the window. I don’t want someone to see my crack (-kt) through the crack (Sam) J hahah. It's Sam’s turn now.

Me, reenacting my reaction to hearing voices in the bathroom when I was pretty sure I was in there all alone. I was, but there was about a one inch gap where the wall should have met the other wall, yet didn't. Turns out, I was hearing the people in the next room.

9:10 am

We checked out of our hotel this just now. It’s been raining this morning. As we walked back to Sam’s car, a random guy on the sidewalk insisted we we take his umbrella. “I’ve got more at home”. His name was is Noi. Wow. Some people in this city are fantastically nice and generous.

9:17 am

Leaving San Francisco for Julie’s place. San Francisco, it’s been grand. Thanks for the great time!

11:19 am

Stop for gas and food. About time we find tacos! Yay J Del Taco it is. Sam just about went through the drive through backwards. Haha! J

2:01 pm

Found some smooshed hohos in the snack bag. My mouth must of known what was coming in because as soon as the plastic chocolate and creamy filling came close, my salivating glands kicked into overdrive and I almost drooled on myself.

4:04 pm

Got to Julies! Yay!!! Julie isn’t home… L I wonder if she’s going to make us food. I’m hungry again.

4:38 pm

Yay!! Julie called! She’s at church, now on her way home. Pretty much excited to see her face. She asked Sam how long we’d been waiting. Sam said five minutes. Try 30. 4. 34 minutes. Sam said it was nice to say five minutes. I attempted to convince her it was nicer to tell the truth. Lying was mean. Telling Julie we didn’t mind the wait would also be nice, and genuine.

Julie!! I just love that face!

I got my lips stuck to a popsicle. Sam thought it was funny.

Cali Day 2

10 April 2010

Saturday

8:30 am

Sam and I left Kylie’s and now we are back on the wide open road. San Francisco… HERE WE COME!!!

Stopped for gas at a mini mart in Sonora. I paid. $40.25?! Sick. $3.05/gallon.

*** En route to San Francisco ***

The terrain is beautiful!! So lush and green! The perfect ratio of field, hill, rock. The long green grass, reddish rock, and trees growing throughout – not too thick, not too thin. = gorgeous! Once in awhile there’s cows grazing in the fields. We’ve passed millions of amazing picture opportunities. Shucks. Too bad there's no time for us to stop at all of them.

11:12 am

US – 101 N – about 25 minutes from S.F.

Driving on the freeway I’m staring out the window at all the other people here on the road as we pass them and they pass us. I sure am admiring the variety of nationalities I’m seeing J We're not in Rexburg anymore, Sam.

“That guy looked like he was driving with his eyes closed. He must be Asian.”

11:48 am

SAN FRANCISCO!!!!

We tried to check into our hotel. Can’t until three. We’ll explore and discover until then.

1:30 pm

Just got back in the car after admiring the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s windy and just started to rain. Welcome to the Sunshine state! ;)

[Sure was blustery!]

Now we are in search of food. In-N-Out Burger it’s you for lun lun. Yum yum!

2:18 pm

Cheeseburgers at In-N-Out totally awesome!! Well deserving of the hype. Probably the best burger I’ve ever eaten.

Fries… lacking. The price is good on the wallet too. Met a nice couple. (The place was packed!! They shared our table.) They gave us good touristie advice. He works for Apple. J

[Our new friends are in the middle of the frame, man with the bald head, cute girl in the black sweater.]

We went north on the Golden Gate Bridge. To go around would cost us an hour and a half. I don’t think so. We’ll pay $6 to drive back across.

5:17 pm

Checked into the Encore express. Right in the heart of S.F. It’s an old building. I like it! Our room is one room and we share a bathroom with the whole floor. This is an adventure…

Highlights from the day:

After our delicious animal style hamburgers we went to Ghirdelli square.

We walked into a couple of stores on the square and was given a complimentary square of chocolate filled with creamy caramel. J Mmm… now that’s what I’m talkin’ about !

We also walked over to Fisherman’s Wharf.

Tons of street vendors, people perfoming for a price,

people playing music for tips, and bums just plain asking for money to buy their next beer.

[At least he's honest, eh?]

Sam took a picture of a bum. He insisted it would be better if one of us were in it with him. So I jumped right in...I dunno, what do you think? :)

Then it was Sam's turn when we found the next one.

[No worries, Ma. We didn't contribute to their bad habits. :) But we didn't give them a passalong card either :( Next time. ]

After watching a bunch of boys break dancing, I’ve decided that they are the most fit people in the world. Ever. Their abs, arms, thighs, everything! Was super toned! Perhaps I should take up that sport.

We also passed a boy in front of a winery. He called to us and wanted us to come over to talk to him. Probably so that he could get us to try some wine. Gick! We got ice cream next door. On the way back we were going to pass the same place again, (For the 4th time that day...) but then spotted the boy and made a hasty 180. That wasn’t awkward…or cowardly…. ;)

There was also a guy who was holding bundles of branches who jumped out at Sam and I. (Come to find out, he's pretty much famous. Everybody who's been to S.F. [and some who haven't] know about this "Bush Guy") Terrified the both of us.

We got back into the parking garage. We found the car, just didn't know how to get to it... well we did know how to get to it... it's just not the route most people go.

11:30 pm

Just got back from Wicked!!!

It was totally wicked!!!! Oh my AMAZING!!! It was fantastic, brilliant, wonderful!! The talent on stage (and under the stage) was phenomenal.

I also got my first (and second) ever ride in a taxi!

The ride cost $6 one way for LESS than a mile. [Less than a mile, it's true. We could have walked. But we were recommended against it by our In-N-Out friends. They told us we would be walking through an area with homeless people. And while they might not harm us, it would be awkward. Plus, we got to hail a taxi!] Yikes! I’m glad I don’t need a taxi very often! Din din at Burger King. Gosh! I’m burgered out. Where’s my tacos?!

There was a guy in B.K. who was mumbling the whole time. “Turrets.” Sam said , matter of Factly ;) ) Not gonna lie, it kinda freaked me out. Also, while I was sitting there stuffing my face with the last burger of the day, the boys who played “Fiyero” and “Boq” walked past the window we were eating by. They were handsome. And I was... not ('member? Shoving a chicken burger into my mouth so we could leave the crazy man behind). Let's not talk about that part. ;)

Time for bed!