HAERR TRIPPIN'

A Brief Trip to Tahoe...

We weren't planning on returning to our Happy Place until June but here we are for five glorious mountain days!

We are excited to report that both the lake level and water quality are exceptional. What a morning to be in the Sierras.

Coffee tastes better at 6,229 ft!

Spring is officially here. Mules Ear and Tulips added just the right color to an already brilliantly hued day.

I loved the way this mailbox was mounted. In South Lake Tahoe, we are not provided with a standard mailbox. Each resident is responsible for buying it and mounting it properly. There are guidelines that must be followed. This is probably acceptable, being it's on a power pole, though it doesn't follow the rule, "Mailbox supports should be stable but also designed to break or fall away if hit by a vehicle (meaning snowplows)".

We are so ready to embark on trail hikes and we are so ready to share any path our boots find us on. We 💙 Tahoe!

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Carlsbad for Coffee & Craftsmanship...

With an errand to do in Carlsbad, we all headed to this seaside town and had a fun, diverse day!

We found a wonderful barista at Shorehouse Kitchen. It is always a treat to discover a new place in which to relax and embrace the beach vibe.

After a Pizza Port dining experience, we visited the local skate shop where our younger son became a kid all over again when he rediscovered one of his favorite childhood toy. Tech Decks, miniature skateboarding replicas manipulated with fingers, were introduced in the late 1990s by X-Concepts, and quickly gained popularity, becoming a global sensation. They are a variation of fingerboarding, which has roots in the 1960s and 70s, where skateboarders would use keychains or miniature skateboards.

Our final destination was the Miniature Engineering Craftsmanship Museum (MECM).

MECM honors the work of craftsmen worldwide. It maintains a growing collection of excellent craftsmanship projects at their location. This amazing place was made possible through the Joe Martin Foundation. Joe wanted to encourage and reward fine craftsmanship, so he started the foundation in 1997 with a personal donation. He then began setting out a vision for what would become MECM. Over time the museum has only continued to grow, and today it boasts a mind-blowing range of exhibits. The facility also includes a well equipped machine shop manned by local craftsmen.

My main focus was the miniature architectural wonders. Being as we are heading to London soon, this Tower Bridge constructed entirely of toothpicks impressed me so much. Aerospace engineer, Ron Remsberg, used 5,836 to finish his masterpiece in three months. What's extra cool is the fact that the drawbridge actually works. Wow!

This Kitchen in a Box is really a specialty coffee tin. The attention to details in all the models is so exceptional. The place demands a much longer visit than we were able to do with two little ones in tow.

This was a first... a Tyrolean Band and Bavarian Folk Dancers nestled in an Ostrich egg!

This museum is a place where one discovers something new each visit. I look forward to what treasures we will find on a future explore. An added bonus is that's it completely free (with donations gratefully accepted)! Open Thursday through Saturday, 9 AM to 4 PM, at 3190 Lionshead Avenue, Carlsbad it is so worth the visit!

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Our Sea World Wonders...

We returned for our fourth visit since purchasing our annual Sea World Passes for Christmas. We were there for the Jellies and so much more!

The all new, highly anticipated Jewels of the Sea: The Jellyfish Experience did not disappoint. This attraction is the first of its kind at any SeaWorld park, offering guests a unique blend of unusual aquaria, diverse jelly species, and immersive media to create a one-of-a-kind experience never before encountered.

"This experience provides the opportunity for in-depth exploration of the unknown world of jellyfish, creatures that have existed since before the age of dinosaurs. It features educational components mixed with immersive fun. The jellyfish habitats allow visitors to learn, touch, and encounter these fascinating animals like never before. This journey of discovery takes guests through three unique galleries with several species of jellyfish, including moon, pacific sea nettles, and upside-down jellyfish, along with countless share-worthy moments for children and adults alike."

It introduced us to a unique jelly that is now one of my favorites. Upside-down jellyfish don't drift with the currents like other jellies do. Instead, they live a largely sedentary lifestyle resting along the bottom. While they receive some of their energy from the algae living inside of their tissues, they supplement their diet by using their stinging tentacles to capture planktonic life that drift over them. They are so interesting. Definitely one of those "you have to see it to believe it" kind of things.

"The Jewels of the Sea exhibit is not only a beautiful showcase of marine life but also a testament to SeaWorld’s commitment to conservation. SeaWorld’s jellyfish are cultured through a conservation-focused propagation program. This innovative program allows guests to learn about the fascinating biology and life cycle of jellyfish while also gaining insight into the importance of sustainable practices in marine conservation. Visitors will leave with a deeper understanding of how they can help protect the world’s oceans, making this exhibit an educational experience."

It's always a magical day when one meets new friends.

Who doesn't love puffins?

Over the course of our day we: walked 4½ miles; witnessed an incredible Orca show; fed and loved on mantra rays; went on every amusement ride our height limitations allowed (multiple times); threw fish at (fed) sea lions; had a picnic lunch; pet bamboo sharks; and even had our dry skin removed thanks to some fun, nibbling fish. What an unforgettable day in San Diego Bay!

Hashtag so dang fun!

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Grease is the Word at Moonlight!

My favorite movie, if I had to choose one, would be Grease. My favorite theater for live productions is Vista's Moonlight. One of my favorite things is an outing with friends and a daughter-in-law (under the stars makes it extra idyllic). Combine them all in one glorious night and you have an evening of musical magic. That was my Thursday!

We have been attending events here, with Karen and David for years. This was the perfect show for my DIL's introduction.

Prior to curtain call, some of the characters were mingling with the audience. I LOVE character photos. Both Eugene and Patty Simcox were game for photos. What fun.

How awesome to have one of the most popular musicals of all time come to town when we are actually here to see it! Written by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, this Brylcreem-heavy show charts the ups and downs of teenage couple Danny and Sandy as they navigate the social politics of 1950's Rydell High School. The score is packed with one hit number after another, including Beauty School Dropout, Greased Lightnin', We Go Together, Born to Hand Jive, and Summer Nights.

We were forewarned that this was not going to be an exact copy of the film version of Grease that I've loved since 1978. The original Grease musical premiered on Broadway in 1972, where it was nominated for seven Tonys. Its reputation was of course sealed by its iconic silver screen adaptation that arrived six years later, starring the fresh-faced John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, who were both on the cusp of superstardom. This slightly different version offered a couple unique songs and some favorites performed with a different spin. The talented cast, fantastic costuming, and great stage sets, made this Grease its own kind of wonderful.

While everyone was incredibly talented, Kyle Frattini as Doody blew us away with Those Magic Changes. WOW.

The theatrical production was described by The New York Times with the tagline, "Take a trip to a simpler time of poodle skirts, drive-ins, and T-birds. Bad boy Danny and the girl next door Sandy fall in love all over again to the tune of your favorite songs."

I loved it all. What a night. Magical indeed!

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Wear Sunscreen!

Before we left on our big adventure, I did my due diligence and went in for my biannual dermatological once-over. Long story short, a small basal cell carcinoma was discovered on my right eyelid, near enough to my tear duct to be a concern. This was all new to me.

The MOHS surgery revealed that it wasn't anything to be worried about and the doctor was able to get the cancerous cell removed in one cut.

So why am I sharing this with you? There are two reasons. 1. Over the next week or so, we are going to be having fun that will need to be documented with photos. Astute observers will notice a bandage and will have questions. 2. The location of the basal cell was one which I never covered with sunblock as it tended to get into my eye. So heed this cautionary tale and wear sunscreen. Better late than never!

"Let us dance in the sun,

wearing wild flowers in our hair..."

(and SPF50)

― Susan Polis Schutz

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Temecula's 37th Annual Rod Run

The Temecula Rod Run rolled into town and we were excited to be able to attend. This event draws classic car enthusiasts and thousands of visitors to Old Town for one of the city’s most beloved and iconic happenings.

It is a celebration of automotive history and craftsmanship and showcases over 550 pristine classics and under-construction projects, including Model A’s, T-Buckets, T-Birds, Roadsters, and so much more.

We began our day by ogling the talents of the Suicide Kings Car Club. This is a community for 1961-69 Lincoln Continental owners to get together, share the love of these classics, and enjoy the brotherhood that comes with the experience. What a bunch of nice guys. I think the club's name must be derived from the term suicide doors .These unique back doors got their name because of safety concerns. They were hinged at the rear, meaning if a vehicle was moving and the door suddenly opened, a person leaning out to close it could be flung out into traffic, essentially causing a self-inflicted accident. Yikes.

Every car was great but there was something extra special about this one. RMD Garage, based in Long Beach, is a custom shop known for their work on classic and custom vehicles, including this spectacular 1964 Lincoln Continental Convertible named Grey Pearl. Interestingly, the 1964 Lincoln Continental convertible was the first four-door convertible, from an American manufacturer, after WWII. It was a luxurious car with a simple, high-quality design that appealed to the elite. This car is rare. Only 3,330 convertibles were sold out of 32,000 Continentals in 1964. LBJ had a white-on-white one he used to drive around his Texas ranch. Gorgeous car!

How about this 3 Horse Power posse? I loved seeing them moseying through town.

I have a thing for hearses. This 1956 Miller Cadillac Hearse/Ambulance is the only one known to exist. With 550 HP it will get you where you need to go. This tagline made me smile, Ask Us How To Arrange Your Final Ride.

This very cool 1972 ambulance holds the Guinness Book of Records title of The Longest Journey by an Ambulance. It was recently earned by a team who drove from Hollywood, California to Hollywood, Florida, covering a distance of 3,233 miles. The journey took nine days and was completed by two doctors to raise awareness for first responders and the importance of emergency medical services education. Many vehicles in car shows have stories to tell and we delight in listening to them.

This beauty was created at Temecula's own Gotham Garage. Owner Mark Towle is a car mechanic, car and motorcycle restorer, and automotive designer. The shop has built props for movie studios and television shows. The shop itself starred in Car Masters: Rust to Riches, an American reality television series on Netflix whose premise revolved around the crew from Gotham Garage. I had no idea!

Okay, I loved this little car. I want one! The Fiat 1100 is a small, family-friendly sedan that was produced by Fiat from 1937 to 1969. The 1100 was known for its reliability, fuel efficiency, and comfortable ride, making it a popular choice for families and businesses during the 1950s and 1960s. I don't know how big one's family could be but oh my gosh... carina!