Need Help And Advice.

[TexKan]

Have a good time grasshopper!!........... LOL

[WizardofOz]

Just remember to have a backup plan in case things go bad and keep your family updated on where you are.

[youngwhippersnapper]

The whipper snapper returns from a fantastic vacation in sunny SoCal. I guess i should go day by day with the up and downs to the trip.

Sunday: Day 1
I got up at 6am. I was super excited so I only slept about 5 hours. I had been laying in bed trying to sleep for about 4 hours before I fell asleep.

I got on the road around 830am. Smooth drive. Made great time. A little to great unfortunately. I ended up at the Denver Airport way to early. Got my ticket and checked in my baggage. But i still had 3 hours of waiting around time till my flight boarded.

The flight was fine. Coach is as cramped as everyone always says it is. Especially if you get the middle seat like I had. took about 40 minutes to get my luggage when I got to LA. The girlfriend was waiting right there, right by baggage claim.

We went and had a quick dinner and chilled out for the night.

Monday: Day 2

She woke me up early, around 9am or so. I got dressed and she took me to her favorite restaraunt for breakfast. Anyone who goes to Riverside, CA try a lil hole in the wall called Brandon's. It was outstanding food. Steak, eggs, hash browns, and a blueberry muffin for like 10 bucks.

Then on the raod to San Diego for Seaworld after breakfast and had a fun day taking photos of all the wonderful aquatic animals. Unfortunately we arrived to late for the early Shamu show and we had to leave to early for the later one. But I still got some great photos of Shamu.

Word to the wise about Seaworld. Everything is pricey. Admission was $60 a person. The medium sized Shamu toy I bougth for my neice was $17. All overpriced.

That night we had Teppen-yaki Japanese. Thats like the "Japanese Steakhouse" where you watch the cook make your food for you and he does allt eh flashy tricks with his knives and whatnot. I got to eat sushi for the first time in my life. Interesting texture but it tastes great. Little to pricey though. Definately not a place to frequent even if you love Japanese food.

Tuesday: Day 3

Breakfast burritos from a American/Greek/Mexican combo fast food place. They were massive and inexpensive.

Then on the road again. North this time to Six Flags Magic Mountain. Another $60/person admission. $4 bottles of water. $3.50 cans of soda. But damn I love thrill rides. Riddler's Revenge is the only one I would not recommend. Long lines and massively unconfortable ride for something so short.

We went to a neat steakhouse for dinner that night. It was called Roadhouse Grill. I don't wanna talk bad about the food of a local restaurent but none of our local steak places can make a ribeye like this place. Coupled with the mixed drinks in 32 oz. Mason Jars. This place was fun. On a side note. they give you a plate of shelled peanuts. When you crack them open and eat the nut you just throw the shell on the ground. You can't walk through the place without hearing a constant crunch.

Wednesday: Day 4

Went to a movie in Ontario. The Reaping. Kick ass movie. Nia got mad at me for grabbing her leg so hard every time I freaked out when something burst out. Went to Dave and Buster's after that. Had a few drinks and a sampler platter and played video games and a few other games to win tickets redeemable for prizes in their gift shop. D&B's is kinda like ChuckeCheeses for adults.

I can't remember dinner that night. I know it was good.

Thursday: Day 5

Breakfast at Brandon's again, my suggestion this time.

Back to San Diego to go to the world famous San Diego Zoo. Half the admission of the previous to road trips. Animals and Animals galore. Two rolls of film. Got my neice a stuffed panda from the gift shop.

Dinner at Macoroni Grill that night. Me, Nia, and her son. Tried Veal for the first time. It was ok. I guess the joke is that you can reall taste the suffering.

Friday: Day 6

Stayed in almost all day. We picked her son up at his daycare at 6pm and watched TV till pretty late.

I started packing and she cried a little bit.

Saturday: Day 7

Long bad day. Today is the day I came home. I will be honest. I was thinking about just not getting on the plane and staying.

Nia silently cried for most of the trip. She ended up sobbing in my arms at my terminal. I won't lie to you again. I was in tears. Being away from her is like having my heart ripped out step on my a stiletto heel doused in gasoline lit on fire and then tortured.

I got on my plane. Left LA and landed in Denver. I was constantly choking up on the plane and on the drive home.



Ok so 5 Unbelievably awesome days, 1 so-so day, and 1 sucky day. Good vacation I think. I'll post up some of my pics I took when i get them developed later on.

[jeezeweeze]

Fabulous

And some were so worried about you.... but thats understandable...
The truth is......You went with your heart and looks like it was well worth it...

I think we only hear about the horrible incidents of the internet ...and rarely hear the wonderful things that happen...

Thanks for sharing with us.....LIVE LIFE while you are young enough to enjoy it... Life without risk ....is no life ....in my book...

[K C Muffin]

Hey, youngster, glad you're back and it wasn't the horrible trip we (I) were thinking it might be. Sounds like you had a kick-butt vacation. Now, save (or get a second job) to bring her and the little one out to see your lifestyle. Maybe she'll stay!

[dustinwadams5]

LA isn't so bad I've been out that way a time or two and like Bubba said as long as you know which areas to avoid then you should be ok. Glad you had a good time and welcome back.

WoW Rules!

[Bubba]

Glad it was a good one! I would have hated paying those prices at Seaworld and Magic Mountain but, I guess since you're on vacation you can live a little, even if it costs a fortune. Can't wait to see the pictures.

[TexKan]

I am so glad it turned out like it did. Most us mama hens were just so worried bout you! Course ya realize they make lots more money in Ca so the prices to them don't really seem that bad. Your money exchange rate was on the wrong end. If she came out to dodge on her salary - she'd be in heaven! Course there wouldn't be any Shamu!! LOL Might find her a Trigger tho if ya look long enough!

Glad it was memorable and hope you have a nother encounter real soon! The "I told ya so" is well worth the safety to any parent!............. be kind to your Dad - he just loves ya - can't fault him for that!

[Army_of_One]

If you join the Army you can get into sea world for free and get many discounts on other tickets....

[The Drifter]

IF that's the case sign me up....i wish you guys woulda told me that two years ago cause that is a quite a perk.