Day 3 - First visit with Uncle Jay
Friday morning we woke up pretty early and had a quiet breakfast of snacks we brought with us in our room. I took a long taxi back to the airport to get our rental car, then drove back to the hotel to pick my mom and Kara up so we could head out of the city. The first thing we do when we leave the city is take a picture with the Golden Gate bridge.
As you can see, it was much windier this year and the picture didn't turn out so well. Below are the pictures looking down where we took our picture, and back at the city.
Look at those gorgeous hills of California.
The rainbows painted at the tunnels have been a memory for my mom since her childhood. They are classic/vintage/whatever and should not be painted over without her permission.
Driving in California. There is this long grain-like wild grass that is wheat colored with random small trees dotting the hills. Very different from the east coast, but still lovely.
My mom told me about this. She said there's an old native american story about a woman who thought her husband was dead and she pulled a romeo and juliet and committed suicide off this cliff. It's so rocky and straight, I'd imagine she was successful. Sad story, but beautiful rocks.
Look at all the grapes! California grows grapes like Maryland grows corn. They're everywhere!
More grapes.
We got to Uncle Jay's house earlier than we planned. Kara felt sick to her stomach in the car and I freaked out, thinking she may be developing motion sickness - something that I have had my whole life and it is nasty....and inconvenient....and makes a huge mess. :-( I ran to the nearest gas station, bought her some dramamine, and we were still while fresh air came in, helping her feel better. We didn't let her play on the computer anymore, just in case, which made the trip long and boring for her. But she felt better and it turned out not to be motion sickness (whew!). We didn't want to go to a restaurant while she wasn't feeling so hot and make her smell all the food, so we went straight to Uncle Jay's for sandwiches.
We had a great visit. My mom's parents and sister are all gone, so it's just her brother left, which has brought them closer. Uncle Jay and his girlfriend Sue have been writing with Kara for years now, sending her awesome packages and cards and presents. Here Kara is teaching Uncle Jay how to play minecraft.
After the lesson, she headed out to play with the animals. Living in the country allows all sorts of pets - all of which can live outside. She loved them, of course, and they loved her too. That kept her busy all day! Unfortunately, she was still super tired (which is what brought on the nausea in the first place), so we headed to the hotel right after dinner.
The amazing views right near Uncle Jay's house. These lakes are absolutely stunning and still undiscovered by tourists. I feel like buying a house there now just so I'll be able to sell it for a fortune when people finally find it.
We went back to Ukiah for the hotel, which had no elevator, so that was fun carrying all our luggage upstairs. Then we went to sleep and were rudely awakened several times in the middle of the night by rude, loud, drunk people. Note to all those out there who will listen: every single person in the hotel can hear whatever is said in the hallways. Even if you're not speaking and just walking loudly. Apparently people with no concept of respecting others isn't limited to Maryland.
But, the rooms were large, and the sink was separate from the rest of the bathroom. With 3 girls getting ready for bed, I find this very convenient. Oh, and breakfast was delicious.
2009:
2013:
As you can see, it was much windier this year and the picture didn't turn out so well. Below are the pictures looking down where we took our picture, and back at the city.
Look at those gorgeous hills of California.
The rainbows painted at the tunnels have been a memory for my mom since her childhood. They are classic/vintage/whatever and should not be painted over without her permission.
Driving in California. There is this long grain-like wild grass that is wheat colored with random small trees dotting the hills. Very different from the east coast, but still lovely.
My mom told me about this. She said there's an old native american story about a woman who thought her husband was dead and she pulled a romeo and juliet and committed suicide off this cliff. It's so rocky and straight, I'd imagine she was successful. Sad story, but beautiful rocks.
Look at all the grapes! California grows grapes like Maryland grows corn. They're everywhere!
More grapes.
We got to Uncle Jay's house earlier than we planned. Kara felt sick to her stomach in the car and I freaked out, thinking she may be developing motion sickness - something that I have had my whole life and it is nasty....and inconvenient....and makes a huge mess. :-( I ran to the nearest gas station, bought her some dramamine, and we were still while fresh air came in, helping her feel better. We didn't let her play on the computer anymore, just in case, which made the trip long and boring for her. But she felt better and it turned out not to be motion sickness (whew!). We didn't want to go to a restaurant while she wasn't feeling so hot and make her smell all the food, so we went straight to Uncle Jay's for sandwiches.
We had a great visit. My mom's parents and sister are all gone, so it's just her brother left, which has brought them closer. Uncle Jay and his girlfriend Sue have been writing with Kara for years now, sending her awesome packages and cards and presents. Here Kara is teaching Uncle Jay how to play minecraft.
After the lesson, she headed out to play with the animals. Living in the country allows all sorts of pets - all of which can live outside. She loved them, of course, and they loved her too. That kept her busy all day! Unfortunately, she was still super tired (which is what brought on the nausea in the first place), so we headed to the hotel right after dinner.
The amazing views right near Uncle Jay's house. These lakes are absolutely stunning and still undiscovered by tourists. I feel like buying a house there now just so I'll be able to sell it for a fortune when people finally find it.
We went back to Ukiah for the hotel, which had no elevator, so that was fun carrying all our luggage upstairs. Then we went to sleep and were rudely awakened several times in the middle of the night by rude, loud, drunk people. Note to all those out there who will listen: every single person in the hotel can hear whatever is said in the hallways. Even if you're not speaking and just walking loudly. Apparently people with no concept of respecting others isn't limited to Maryland.
But, the rooms were large, and the sink was separate from the rest of the bathroom. With 3 girls getting ready for bed, I find this very convenient. Oh, and breakfast was delicious.
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