Accomodations

Well my last night in Burbank and I get to my hotel. I stayed at the Ramada Inn. I haven't stayed at a Ramada Inn before and it was givne a 4 star rating. I couldn't wait. The price was excellent as well helping to save on the budget.

I checked in and nothing special about check in. Not a friendly staff - and nothing special for sure. I was directed to my room on the second floor and was told that my room was just to the right of the elevator. Sincde I had left my luggage in my car I took the stairs next to the elevator. As soon as I reached the 2nd floor I saw this view.

The garden area was beautiful and the weather was perfect. So it would be nice to work with the hotel room door open overlooking the garden/pool area. So I headed to the right and my room was not right there. My room was at the very end of the hall overlooking this lovely sight!

I so wanted to go check out and pay more money to stay at the Holiday or Hampton Inn. So the surroundings were not great. Well I didn't have to have the window open. Or the door. It was just one night - right. So I set up my computer. Don't you just love the compouter desk. So inviting to the business traveler. The lighting was awful. I had to move the couch to find a plug. So now there is a tripping hazzard if you head to the bathroom. It's just one night, it's just one night...

And then the refrigerator. Unfortunately it didn't keep the beverages or grapes cold all night long.

And the room smelled so heavily of detergent. I decided to stick it out and not change hotels. It was just one night. It appeared clean. Or the detergent smell was so strong they were trying to cover something... I went to get my luggage from the car. This time I take the elevator up. I wait and wait and wait for the elevator. I heard it move it just took forever to get there. Well it turns out that is the maids elevator as well. She get's off the elevator - ever so slowly, gets her cart off - again ever so slowly and I watch the door close as she does not move to let me on.

I went to print my boarding pass later that evening. They charge you 75 cents a minute to use their internet.

This was my first and last time staying at a Ramada. It was more of a one star...

Day 2 - Lake Isabella

On my second day in Southern California - I got up and hit the road again. I needed to get to Lake Isabella. The tire sign did not come on so I forgot about it and headed towards Bakersfield. Well 30 miles down the road...

Yep the tire sign. I am hating this trip for that reason. I am hoping it is not something serious and that I can at least make it to Bakersfield. I got to say though - I loved the drive. I went through farm areas where the oranges were just falling off the trees. I was loving seeing the greenery again. Well I made it to the Bakersfield Airport without incident. The manager was to look at my car. So I am waiting inside the terminal by the rental car counters and notice that there is a neat exhibit over the bag claim area. These were amazing. Made out of Coke, Pepsi, Beer cans, toothpicks, wire... So I thought they would make great blog pictures. Enjoy!

So I never met the manager. The agent just told me my car was ready. At first I thought - how did he know which car was mine. But I guess there was only a couple Hertz slots out there so should not have been too hard to find. He put air in the tires as well. I figured it it happened again I wouldn't stress too much. I just needed it to last a little while longer and then I would be returning this car. On my way to Lake Isabella. 30 miles into the trip...

On a Mission

Today I flew into Burbank to visit my store in Simi Valley. They were having a cold spell in this area. It was in the 40's when I landed but warmed up into the 70's. I certainly wasn't going to complain. After my store visit I began my drive. I was on a mission as I had somewhere important to be.

I was leavng Simi Valley and drove by the Ron Regan Presidental Library. I so wanted to stop to see what it was like.

But I didn't have time to stop. So I just have to look at someone elses pictures for what I missed.

The next thing I noticed was that I was so close to the Channel Islands National Park. I love the national parks and have a passport to stamp at all the parks. And I had never been to this one.

But again time would not allow. I was already running late due to car problems. So again - I could only enjoy with someone else's pictures.

The car I had on this trip was a nice car - that is until the Service Tire Monitor came on.

This freaked me out. I quickly exited the freeway and pulled into a gas station. I walked around the car and it looked okay. Loting looked flat. I didn't have a tire gage to know what the pressure was. But realized that even if I did I wouldn't really know how to use it. So I was stressing aboout what to do with this car. Then I remember my GPS had phone numbers associated with it. So I looked up Hertz to find the closest one. I found one within 8 miles so I took the car over to them to have them check it out. Well one tire had too much air and two others didn't have enough so they filled the tires as needed. So I feel better and get back on the road. Now I am going to be really late. So I start driving again and 30 miles down the road the tire warning came on again. By now Hertz are closed. So I just kept driving and praying that I would get there okay and not have a flat. I finally made it to my final destination - picked up my niece ArieAnn and went to dinner. It was great to catch up with her again. I would deal with the tire tomorrow.

The Long and Winding Road

Today was the most beaufiful day. The weather was sunny and warm. It was the perfect day to take a drive up Hwy 1. Hwy 1 is the Costal Scenic Highway. My first stop was North Salmon Beach. Here I decided to take a walk along the beach. This picture is the view from the parking area.

Walking down the beach I first headed towards the rocky area. I was thinking there would be tide pools there with sea creatures like star fish and such.

The tide pools were there but there were no sea creatures. So I decided to continue further in the rocky area to see what lurked in there.

As I started moving forward I had to either climb on rock or on the seaweed tubing things. They were gross and flies were all over them. So I opted for neither and turned to go the other way down the beach.

The weather was beautiful. A light b reeze. Perfect kite flying weather.

There were several crab shells along the beach.

And tons of seagulls. All gathered waiting for the waves to bring them in lunch.

After I left the beach I started the long drive. It was so pretty. The road was long and winding. I was not comfortable driving fast on this road as you never knew what was around the bend. So I just drove slow and enjoyed my surroundings.

By the time I reached this point I had been driving for a couple of hours. And although I was enjoing it Nature was calling and I needed to find a restroom. So I thought there would be one at the lighthouse.

Nothing there. So heading back to the long and winding road.

Then I had to stop and look at the beautiful cliffs. Just a real quick stop cause I was now on a mission.

What a great place to watch the sun set. But had no time to wait for that. Hopefully would find a stop along Hwy 1.

An hour later I finally find what I have been looking for. Never so happy to see oneof these.

10 minutes later I was in my hotel room :)

Garlic Capital of the World

I flew into San Jose on Sunday to open a new store in Gilroy California. I love my territory. It is so beautiful here and I love the mild winter temperatures in California. It was 70 and sunny. Just love it. I really would love to come to the Garlic Festival here in July, but I don't think my travels will bring me here at that time.

The Mountains

While driving up to Chehalis WA the weather I looked out to the right and saw Mount St. Helens (I believe). Right below the mountain looked to be a lake, but getting closer it was a bunch of clouds. It was an amazing and beautiful sight. Then in the distance you could also see Mount Reineer all covered in snow. I love the beauty that is in my territory.