Now that we have returned from our mini-vacation to California, I’m ready for some snow. But before getting into that, here’s a recap on our trip out West. Warning: this post is long…
Just when we thought we were in the clear for not having to go to California at all this year, especially since we were out there 4 times in 2007, Noah’s brother decided to get married. As a result, up we were at 4am Thursday morning to head off to DIA (thank you Stan!!) to board a plane bound for Burbank. FYI – 6am is a very early flight.
Thursday was spent mostly sleeping and visiting local food establishments that really should open franchises out in Colorado…like Jim & Robs. Yum!
Friday was more bouncing around between restaurants meeting friends, more napping (man that time change is a killer — j/k 8) ) and finally heading up the hill to Noah’s brother’s rehearsal/rehearsal dinner. This is the 2nd of Noah’s three brothers to make it to the alter. The eldest, Joe (10 years older than Noah), who recently moved back to Colorado married 2 years before we did. Now Nate, the 3rd eldest (2 years older than Noah) got married 4 years after we did. We determined this now gives Jake (4 years older than Noah) 6 years to get married…in order to secure a pattern among the brothers. Anyway, Nate decided not to have any of his brothers involved in the wedding, which was fine by Noah. So we were able to spend the rehearsal behind the scenes helping Noah’s mom with the final touches.
Saturday was the wedding day. I do believe that was the shortest wedding I have ever been to and could not have lasted more than 10 minutes. The weather could not have been nicer in Ojai, however. Temperatures hovered around 80*, so it was nice to be able to sit outside in a dress without bundling up in layers of sweaters and jackets.
After the reception, Noah and I headed to Simi to spend time with my bff Erin and her hubby…eating sinful brownies (they’re only sinful because they encourage gluttony) and staying up until 2am playing RockBand. Man that game is addictive! Especially the drums!
Sunday we went to our home church in CA, to lunch with friends, then hit Mervyn’s for some good old fashioned shopping. Mervyn’s was one of my favorite clothing stores while living in CA, so everytime we go back I make it a point to do a little shopping. Unfortunately, Sunday the chain announced that they were closing all of their stores. So I had to make the most out of what will be my last chance to ever shop there again. I got many a new clothing item, but am still a little sad. I don’t know what I’ll do if Kohl’s ever closes! After shopping we headed to the ‘Nard to see a friend’s new house, then back home for Mom’s yummy pot roast followed by a rip roaring (Aaron, our scorekeeper “cheated”) game of Shanghai Rummy with friends.
Monday before we flew out, we headed downtown for some thrift store shopping (I’m on the search for cowboy boots, preferably black to match my hat). I was successful in finding boots but the prices have sky-rocketed since the days I went to horse camp. For what used to cost $5 the thrift stores were now asking $50-$80!!! Um, no thank you. I came back to Colorado without the addition of another pair of shoes.
Now for 10 random thoughts on the trip…
1) Apparently a direct flight to Southwest means it’s okay to stop in Vegas or Phoenix as long as you don’t have to get off of the plane.
2) Going through a plane de-icing is a new experience and interesting to watch.
3) Getting free jewelry cleaner is nice…but it’s nicer when you can take it on the plane. Sadly, my container of cleaner is still sitting on the piano at my parent’s house.
4) We have great friends willing to get up early and go to bed late to cart us to/from airports.
5) A TSA agent at Burbank noticed my USAR shirt and decided to chat me up about rugby.
6) I much prefer flying in/out of Burbank to LAX…except for that whole lugging your luggage up the stairs bit.
7) Every time I fly out of CO I’m reminded just how lax TSA is at DIA.
8 ) The male flight attendant on our return flight has a good singing voice (seriously, he sang us two songs about how great Southwest is. One was to the tune of Mr. Sandman and the other was to When You Wish Upon a Star), he also knows French…kinda
9) For some reason I cant help but think about how “Southwest has great low fares” (the female flight attendant whispered the aforementioned phrase subliminally throughout the flight)
10) Colorado is even prettier than when I left…although while we were gone someone decided to dump leaves all over our back yard.