Friends, Bugs and Disney Dreaming

Our last morning in Big Bear was all about finishing the rest of the food we had so that we didn't have to throw much away. I used the leftover potatoes and corn from the night before along with some onion and tomatoes from taco night so create some fried potatoes. Joe, Zach and I had breakfast burritos and David ate the last two pancakes from a previous breakfast. We packed up our stuff, cleaned the kitchen, and I attended one more short meeting while the trash was taken to a local site.

This is the first road trip with my new car Harvey, a Honda HRV. It is the bigger cousin to my red Fit and you would think we would have had plenty of space. It is surprising how 3 bags of games, a guitar, a Labo kit, and lots of suitcases will fill up the back in no time. It's crazy to remember that nine years ago we took a 14-day trip in the cutest little red car you ever did see with such a small amount of luggage and stuff.

Before leaving Big Bear, we took a quick drive up to Pine Summit, the camp where the two older sons attended AWANA camp for so many summers. It has different owners now and when the time came for David to attend, AWANA had changed their camp to a campground in Idyllwild. All we could do was peer through the closed gate before heading down the mountain and on to the next adventure.

On the way home, we stopped to visit our friends the Eastons who live in Running Springs, about 30 minutes from Big Bear. We were able to visit with the whole family and catch up on what everyone is doing. Wade and Judi have a cool house and are keeping busy with some renovation and doing ministry. Ashleigh and Alexander are working, but we still got to visit with both and see how they have grown into young adults. They have a handful of animals including a dog who doesn't like strangers (so we didn't get to meet him), chickens, ducks, and lizards. Everyone got a good laugh, when they saw my reaction after we were shown the cockroaches they were raising to feed the lizard. Yes, you read that correctly, they raise cockroaches! Not your average little brown roaches, these were big two inch black disgusting things. Just writing about it gives me the heebie jeebies all over again.

It so happens that Downtown Disney had re-opened on the very. same day we were headed home, so we had to take a detour and at least get close to Disneyland. We had our temperatures checked before we entered the security bubble and there were cue lines outside of the stores. World of Disney had the largest

line. Portable hand-washing stations were all over the place and cast members greeted us along the way with a cheery "Welcome Back." We walked the length of Downtown Disney and David and Joe went to the gates ensuring that the parks were still there. We've been a little sad not being able to go to the Happiest Place on Earth in a while. We had an early dinner outside at Earl of Sandwich except Zach who got a tofu pancake wrap at the Asian food truck across the way and then it was time to finish the drive home. 

We were back in San Diego by 6:00 with another road trip in the books. I am grateful that we had the chance to take this little trip. Every year is a gift and with Zach leaving for Germany some time this year and the other two back to work soon, this could be our last one. I remember when my boys were little guys and I would get sad thinking about my babies growing up, but one day I decided that if I could have my sons as friends, that would be pretty awesome. I am glad for the experiences I have with my adult children. I enjoy their company, their conversation, and their perspectives and I am honored to call them my friends and sons.

Go Take a Hike

Gotta stop and read the signs.

The majority of our time up here, I have been feeling a little off. At times a little nauseous from my medication and other times just adjusting to the altitude. Regardless, I wanted to do at least a little hiking (or in my case strolling). I searched for easy trails with views of the lake and found Pedal Path which is a paved path that goes around parts of Big Bear Lake. It is also a path for bike riders.

Zach and David

David

We walked along the path occasionally taking little trails down to the water's edge and walking closer to the lake. I had warned the boys that I might not be able to walk very long since I was feeling tired and not quite right. We walked for about an hour and a half and then got back in the car to drive around the lake.

There were a lot of people (mostly bike riders) on the path and several boats on the water. Big Bear Lake is very pretty with tree lined slopes surrounding it and a blue sky above.

Joe

When we returned to the cabin, I played The Logical Journey of the Zoombinis. This was a great little game that the boys and I played when they were younger. It has challenges that require you to use set theory to get your Zoombinis to Zooombiniville. So many years ago, it was on CD ROM and we played it on our desktop computer. Joe discovered that it had been re-released as an Android app and he installed it on his tablet. It was fun hearing the familiar music and narrator encouraging you through the challenges. I had forgotten how much fun and how educational Zoombinis is. I may try to get this game for my math students to play and learn. 

In the afternoon, we played several rounds of some goofy games that Zach brought. One was Unstable Unicorns and the other called Trash Pandas. Trash Pandas is really about raccoons digging through and stashing trash. It's amazing the different themes people use to create games.

I was determined to eat dinner early since the past two nights we didn't eat until after 8:00 p.m. We had grilled chicken and lots of carbs! David prepared macaroni and cheese and Zach heated up some baked beans on the one burner while I threw some baby red potatoes and corn on the cob on the grill. There were also some raw veggies and leftover lettuce and tomato from our tacos the night before for a salad.

We ended the night watching Hairspray, the musical. We considered watching Hamilton, but it was going to be too long for me to stay awake. I'm not sure what else the boys did, because I was fast asleep soon after my head hit the pillow.

This morning we will be packing up after breakfast, but we still have a few more stops on this little mini-road trip before the fun ends.

Heights, Speed and Greed

We woke up to a kitchen of ants. So after de-anting the place and a cup of tea, I made breakfast. Zach was the first to discover that only one burner on the stove worked. So feeling like I was on a cooking show (like Cutthroat Kitchen) that had surprise challenges, I got to work making pancakes and then scrambled eggs. Joe cooked some vegetarian sausage in the microwave and we were ready for breakfast.

After my Zoom meeting, we headed to The Alpine Slide, Big Bear's family recreation center. First we did Soaring Eagle, a ride that simulates a Zip Line (sort of), for the not so courageous. We were taken backwards about 500 feet to an elevation of 100 feet and then released to return to the base platform. 

Next was the original Alpine Slide. Joe and Zach used to attend Awana camp nearby every summer and this was a popular excursion for the campers. We took a chairlift to the top of the mountain/hill, grabbed a bobsled and then rode down a winding track to the bottom. You could control the speed and there were two tracks, one for the slowpokes (like me) and the other for the speed lovers.

Our final activity was miniature golf. Both David and Joe got a hole in one, but David had the lowest score (one below par), Mr. Horvath would be pleased to see that David's golfing experience with Pro Kids paid off.

After a few hours of fun, we headed to the Village to do some shopping. I bought a Christmas ornament and then waited in the air conditioned car while the others shopped. David found a gift for his friend DeRon and Joe bought some bear salt and pepper shakers.

I was feeling a little light-headed adjusting to the high altitude so I took a short nap when we got home. After the nap, I joined the boys in a rousing game of Monopoly using their Switches. They were busy buying up properties, but I wasn't landing on any properties to buy. When there were only a handful of properties left, the boys were willing to trade a few properties. I focused on the cheap side of the board and quickly built hotels. Every time the boys came around Go, I would say "Welcome to my neighborhood" as I collected money from them. Joe was the first to go bankrupt and he sold his property to Zach for $1. David was next. During the game, I was slowly making dinner using the one working burner. We finally stopped to eat our tacos and burritos and then Zach and I finished the game. It didn't take long for Zach who had 3/4 of the properties to drain me of my capital and I was forced to succumb to bankruptcy as well. All in all, it was a four hour game and I was ready for bed!

A Quick Trip to Big Bear

It has been two years since my sons and I have taken a road trip. It feels like forever. Last summer I was busy moving our school into a new building and there just wasn't time to get away for even a few days. I had been looking forward to planning a trip this summer, but then COVID-19 and a broken wrist became the priority and it seemed my hopes for a road trip were being shelved.

It was during one of my physical therapy appointments, that the Big Bear seed was planted. My physical therapist told me about a recent trip to Big Bear which reminded me that a longtime friend owned a cabin in Big Bear. The idea began to germinate as some of the restrictions were being lifted and I posed the question to my boys, "Anyone up for a mini-road trip to Big Bear?" All three responded affirmatively. I am always grateful that they are willing to join me on my adventures.

So we donned our face masks and here we are in Big Bear for four days of relaxation, hopefully, a little hiking, and just enjoying each others' company.

We left San Diego around 1:00 and after a stop at Taco Bell's drive-thru in Barstow, we headed up the mountain to arrive in Big Bear before 5:00. We are staying at Gretel's Log Cabin a mile or so from The Village. My friend's cabin was not available, and this was one of the more reasonable cabins (with four beds) that I could find. It's old and in need of some attention, but it will do.

After we checked in to the cabin, we headed to the local grocery store to buy food. Normally, we eat out a lot on our trips, but since we have a kitchen and the coronavirus is limiting restaurants, we decided we could eat at our home base most of the time. We loaded up the cart with more food than we could ever eat in four days while different sons waited in the long line to check out. On our way back to the cabin, we saw a Sizzler and considered taking a photo for Matt. You should have come with us, Matt!

Individual pizzas from Saucy Mama's Pizza was our dinner. It was an hour wait for pick up, so we didn't even start eating until 8:00 p.m. We played a round of Bang, a card game we haven't played in a while and then it was time for me to go to bed. The boys stayed up for three more hours watching Hulu before they too headed off to dreamland.

This morning the sun is out and the sky is blue. It looks like it will be a lovely day. I have a Zoom meeting with my colleagues mid-morning, but then we hope to go to the Alpine Slide. Zach has been up and about while I have been typing this. He completed his morning yoga routine, ate his "first breakfast" and is now playing Animal Crossing. The rest of the gang is starting to rouse, so I'm going to make brunch and then we'll get started on the day.

What Makes a Leader Great?

Today was another warm day as we left the house for the Reagan Presidential Library. It was about a 20-minute drive to Simi Valley from Newbury Park. We wanted to get there close to when it opened since once the parking lot fills, you have to park down the hill and walk up it. We spent around four hours exploring the 24 galleries about the life and career of our 40th president as well as Air Force One, and Marine One. The library was built and is maintained by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation which was started by the president himself to continue his legacy and to promote the principles he believed in.

The Reagan Library is larger than the Nixon Library. and the comparison between the two is interesting. Nixon was a president who lost the respect of his country and left the office in disgrace. Reagan was a beloved president who reestablished hope and confidence for many American people. So it is expected that the slant of the Reagan Library would be in strong favor of the president. It is interesting though that everything that I read presented a picture of a country in economic crisis and near collapse while the communist party was overtaking the world. And then Reagan arrived on his white horse and singlehandedly saved the country from complete devastation. The boys and I were in agreement that we actually preferred the Nixon Library because it seemed to have a more balanced perspective.

I did enjoy walking through Air Force One, the flying Whitehouse and Marine One, the president's helicopter. I also learned some facts about the Secret Service that I never knew. For example, the Secret Service was created by Abraham Lincoln just before he was assassinated to rectify a serious problem with counterfeit currency that was harming the economy. It wasn't until after McKinley's assassination in 1901 that Congress asked the Secret Service to provide protection to the President. Finally, the Library has an exhibit about Genghis Khan which was very fascinating. I've always thought of him as a brutal conqueror, but Mongolia reveres him and both China and Japan have claimed him as one of their own national heroes. Perspective is everythig when it comes to evaluating a leader.

Quote from Genghis Khan

After our visit to the Library, we spent the afternoon helping my nephew Alex and his wife Cata move to a different apartment in their complex. Zach had to return to San Diego a day early, so I dropped him off at the train station a little before 7:00 p.m. and then returned to help a bit more with the move. We ate dinner at Mouthful Eatery, a Peruvian sandwich shop and then went back to the house for a late movie. The movie, The Hundred-Foot Journey was a sweet movie about a young man from India who became a great chef in France. I had thought it might be based on true story, but alas it was only from a novel.  Once it ended, and everyone headed to bed. Tomorrow David and I will leave for home. It's been a nice four days, and we have started a new tradition of visiting Presidential Libraries. Texas, here we come!

It's Hot!

We were up early and out the door to Universal Studios for early arrival. We got into the park a little after 8:00 a.m. and headed straight to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. There wasn't much of a line, so we rode the ride, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey twice. This is an awesome ride. We also rode the Flight of the Hippogriff, a mini-rollercoaster. We spent a good amount of time walking through the world and exploring shops. By 10:30, the temperature was really heating up, so we bid adieu to Hogsmeade and headed to the world of Minions and the Despicable Me ride.

The wait said it was 25 minutes, but we waited about an hour to finally get on the ride. It was cute, but not worth the 60-minute wait especially since most of the time was spent outside as the mercury continued to rise. Next stop was Springfield, USA and the Simpson ride. This ride had a 50-minute wait, but we were happy to be inside with some air conditioning. In fact, our wait was only about 20 minutes, so Universal Studios has some difficulty determining their times. The boys really enjoyed the Simpson ride and the world of Springfield since they are big fans of the Simpsons T.V. show.

We decided to walk to the Lower Lot and after four sets of escalators down the side of the mountain, we arrived at the Jurassic Park, the only water ride in the park. The wait was 70 minutes, but the thought of getting doused with water was so inviting that we joined the thousands of others in line. 90 minutes later, we were on the boat enjoying delightful sprays of water. The final waterfall drop resulted in being sprayed in the face with a horizontal deluge. It was wonderful though a bit forceful.

By then, it was 2:00 p.m. and 112 degrees outside. We decided we had seen enough of Universal Studios and walked over to the City Walk to the movie theater. We got there just in time for the 2:30 showing of Antman and the Wasp. The theater had recliner seats, and I admit that I fell asleep during part of the movie. It was so cool and comfortable, I couldn't resist. After the movie, we drove to Santa Monica to eat at a restaurant Zach had heard about called Saved by the Max. The decor is from the old T.V. show Saved by the Bell. When we arrived, we found out it was going to cost us $51.00 per person, so a change in plans occurred and we ate at Baja Fresh instead.

It was about an hour drive to Newbury Park where Marc and Jackie live and that was our final destination. We arrived around 8:00 p.m. and visited for a few hours with the family. I was too tired to write last night which is why this post is a day late. Marc (with Jackie's assistance)
made us delicious lemon ricotta zucchini pancakes for breakfast that were divine. Today is the Reagan Library and hanging out with our family. Life is good.

To read, David's perspective go here: www.favoritesonsspiels.blogspot.com

"I am not a quitter"

We started our latest road trip on the evening of the 4th of July. We left San Diego around 8:00 p.m. with a destination of Orange County. As we approached our hotel for the night, we got to see about 10 different fireworks displays as we drove along the freeways. We spent the night in Anaheim just a few miles from our first stop, the Nixon Presidential Library in Yorba Linda.

We had a lazy morning since the library didn't open until 10:00 a.m., so after a yummy breakfast in the lobby, we headed over to the library. It was more interesting than I expected and gave me a more compassionate and perhaps a more balanced view of President Nixon. The library is located on the property that Nixon spent his early years growing up. The one-room house that his parents built in 1913 is still standing and it has been renovated. It is filled with the original furniture and items from so long ago. The house was a kit that was ordered and then assembled, but it was really cute. It was so interesting to see all of the items that were used by the family including the bed where Nixon's mother gave birth to him.

Of course, we all know a lot about the scandal of Watergate and the president's resignation. The museum gave a pretty good presentation of this part of Nixon's infamous legacy, but the part I found so much more interesting were the things I didn't know. For example, it was Nixon who started the Environmental Protection Agency, attempted to nominate the first female supreme court justice, signed Title IX prohibiting gender bias in colleges and universities, and was the first president to encourage tribal self-determination. I was impressed with his intelligence and his love for his wife The section of the museum about Pat Nixon was really inspirational and it was heartwrenching to see how devastated he was when she passed away. He lived less than 10 months after her death.

Over and over, President Nixon was the comeback kid. It is amazing how many times he failed, picked himself up and continued forward. Even after his resignation, his foreign policy advice was sought by a number of presidents.

We left the Nixon Library mid-day and drove to the California Science Center. This gigantic museum has three floors of exhibits and hands-on activities that we enjoyed. But we were there primarily to see the Space Shuttle Endeavor. The Endeavor was built after the Challenger tragedy as a replacement. We learned a lot about the
space shuttle including how the astronauts go to the bathroom. It was very interesting! We watched a short documentary on when the space shuttle was brought to the museum. I was spellbound. I couldn't believe that they moved this impressive spacecraft down the streets of Los Angeles. What an exciting event it must have been.

We left the museum and headed to our hotel in downtown Burbank. When David realized where we were staying, he strongly suggested we go find the Disney Animation Studios. The complex takes up nearly two blocks and is only about 2 miles from our hotel. It was fun to drive around it and see the many gates into the facility. We are now settled in for the night and The Seventies is playing on CNN while I write this blog. It seemed appropriate considering our journey through history today.

Tomorrow is a shift into pure entertainment as we head over to Universal Studios and Harry Potter World.

For a different perspective, read my son, David's blog at https://favoritesonsspiels.blogspot.com