Sometimes You Need To Visit A Castle

I had been a Disneyland annual passholder since I had moved down to Southern California. Disney had raised the prices in recent years and I don't go as often to justify the $650 per year. I do miss it and thankfully a very kind friend of mine was able to get me in. 

The cast of characters;

Me - In line for my favorite ride (yay) 

M & I waiting for our group. 

T & M

A doing.. well, only he knows. 

Know for some pictures of why I love Disney parks.

Welcome to details. 

In the car of Radiator Springs Racers.   

Above the line for a Mexican food take-and-go place. 

An entrance to the hotel. 

Sign outside of Pirates of the Caribbean (my favorite ride)  

In line for Haunted Mansion

They had a special exhibit on Iron Man 

He has a very cute... suit. 

Autopia looking at the Matterhorn. 

Being in my happy place. A very sincere smile after a happy day with some great people.   

How could you not be happy with this person by your side? 

Good-bye for now Mr. Disney and thank you for creating this park. 

The one souvenir I brought home was this little beauty.

It is the Mad Hatter's hat! I use it one the weekends only and I look forward to the weekends even more now. 

This One...

This is the post that I have been putting off. I knew when I finished with my vacation post I would then need to move on to the major event that happened in my.

That is right, heart break. Heart break or broken still does not seem like enough of a word to explain what it was. This person was my world. This person was thing that would make you smile in the middle of a bad day. He was it for me.

For a long while I had felt that when they were handing out relationships, I got in the wrong line and ended up with a cheap flashlight (or whatever useless junk they hand out for free at conventions). It is not to say that men did not find me attractive, but I did not get flirted with by anyone that was worthwhile. Sorry homeless guy, thank you for the comment on my booty, but I like men that shower on at least a monthly basis.

After a round of internet dating (a whole other story I will get to later) I was about to say no to everyone, it had gotten that bad. The last message I ever looked at was from this guy and he seemed to be interesting, maybe a little forward, but sometimes you have to push to get what you want. After some messages back and forth he asked if he could call me. When he called it was one of the best conversations I have ever had. I still remember that nervous and excited feeling. We ended up talking all night and stayed on the phone until I had to get ready for work the next morning. 

 

He lived about 40 minutes away (in LA that is not crazy, but in traffic it could be hours) so the weekend after the long phone conversation I met him in person. I still remember him outside waiting for me and when I pulled up "Phew, he is cuter in person." I ended up staying the weekend with him and it was the first time I had actually slept with a guy. I mean actual sleep. It was the first time I had even really cuddled with someone (unless you count the time I did it for 2 minutes and kept thinking where I should have my hand, and my head, and my leg, and...). 

 

From the start of the relationship with him I felt comfortable and for me that was amazing. In our relationship he would catch me staring at his body, but I also felt like I had known him forever. 

 

We had problems. He did not work for about 90% of our 3 1/2 year relationship and he moved in pretty quickly so everything fell on me. It was a stress that I still don't know how I survived. I became resentful and hurt knowing he would not even quit things that would help us financially. He wanted so many things and I felt horrid that I could not provide those things. 

 

One day last year he told me that he needed to help his dad back where he was from (2,000+ miles away). He was gone for 3 weeks, came home for a week, went back for 5 months, came back for less than a week this time and when he said he had to go again, I told him it was over. The relationship part was just gone. It was a struggle for him to even communicate with me when he was back there even though he wanted me to still pay the phone bill and send him money. I would have done anything for that man. 

 

Cut to now and it being Valentine's Day does make me think of the past.... Where he always made sure I had the largest box of chocolates that he could find. Where he always tucked me into bed, even if he stayed up later than me. Where I never had to ask to get me something to drink or a blanket, he just knew and was there in a flash. When I looked at him I knew he loved me, but was struggling with demons. 

 

This past year, from my birthday to New Years, I spent by myself (I did get a lovely Thanksgiving invitation) and at 34 years-old I never expected to feel that lonely again in my life. Now is the time to become something that I want to be. I have no idea what it is, but right now I have all this free time to figure it out. 

 

I still talk to him because at the end of the day I do love him. Being in love with someone is different and I deserve to feel like I am the person that someone cannot wait to see at the end of the day. Isn't that what we all deserve? 

 

Happy Valentine's Day and please let the one that you love know how much they mean to you.       

 

Good-Bye Paradise - Part 2. Hello home.

That start of the trip report starts way back here.

On the way out of Yosemite (via 41) we had to pass the overlook again and this time even though it was Memorial Day we found parking very easily.   

Looking down at the road (highway 140/120). 

The lady in red pants was taking pictures with an iPad and honestly people I understand it, but geesh... you are being noticed and make me giggle. Enough with that nonsense. On to the beauty. 

5 days earlier we were sweating and the sun was shining and I could not pick what I think is more breathtaking. I find this place amazing. Yes, the word amazing is over used, but Yosemite you own the word amazing. 

The tunnel to the Wawona and the south exit. 

See the small streaks, by this point it was hailing. 

(Insert blurry picture of hail. I promise there is something on my finger) 

Back in the car and hoping that when we climbed elevation that no chains were required. 

We passed the storm and stopped at Wawona. #1 priority was the bathroom and your reward is...  

A selfie. Are you happy? Are you entertained? - Too many quotes live in my head. 

Wawona is the pioneer village and you can see how transportation has evolved and if you cross the bridge over the river you can see the old village. 

All the trash cans are the same. Welcome to bear country. 

As you can see, the weather had cleared up by this point, but it was still chilly. We explored the store which had 99% of the same souvenirs that we just had seen in the Village Store. There is a beautiful hotel at Wawona that is very historical and dramatic looking in this landscape. Click here to check it out.

I still like to think that the valley was sad to see me go so it of course cried. Yes, it had nothing to do with it, but just go with me on it.

On the way out of the park you have to show your receipt to show that you paid the entrance fee (that is good for 7 days), but they were so busy that bypassed the entrance / exit and headed out. We stopped for lunch at The 'Ol Kettle  in Oakhurst which is the only major town on highway 41. I remembered not caring about what I got just as long as it was fried! I got a sandwich with french fries. They were wonderful, but that might have been because I did not have to make it.   

The door into the restaurant. It says "In a world where you can be anything.. Be Yourself." 

Yes, I like the quote. So much that I already had this exact quote / cling on my wall at home.  

Back on Highway 99

So many bugs lost their lives. R.I.P. bugs that decided to dive bomb the windshield. 

Around the time we got to Bakersfield (which is the last major town before you reach the hills that you climb that drop you down into LA). A friend who lives in Bakersfield and I were trying to meet up, but it did not work out. I did know where I wanted to go for dinner.

Sonic! 

The closest one is about 40 minutes away (near Disneyland so that is a bonus) and then I found out that my dad had never tried them and realized it was a must do! He ended up having a burger combo (with fries and not tots. Mistake!)

This was my dinner. I was not crazy hungry because I don't always eat 3 meals a day and with all the traveling and stress of things I did not even finish this. 

That cherry on top is the perfect ending to this vacation. Was I sad that the person that I planned the trip for ended up bailing on me? Of course, but I had a good time and was able to breathe and feel relaxed for the first time in a long time. 

Find a place you love and take a moment to drink it all in. Appreciate that you get to see the beauty in the place.

Good-bye Paradise - Part 1

Our last day in Yosemite had finally arrived. When I woke-up I was task oriented because I knew that I had to make breakfast, do the dishes, get myself ready, pack-up the car to check-out by 11 a.m. I did sleep in a little later than I had been, but luckily the shower house still had stalls open.

 

I cannot recommend this type of product enough (this is a sample size). When you are traveling or knowing that you will work up a sweat it is such a great resource. If you want your eye make-up to still be there at the end of the day, purchase it. 

Because I was dragging my feet on packing up because I was happy to get home to my own bed, but I was sad that I was leaving a place that makes me smile and my worries disappear. I was sitting on the bed and one of the squirrels that seemed to live at this cabin came closer than he had all week. 

Then he run back to the tree or the holes that he made under the patio.

 

There are many reasons that you are not supposed to feed them, one of the milder reasons is that they lose hair. See below.

See the piece of apple. Dropped a piece and he ran over to it, he was at first interested in it and was eating it, but then noticed the chips that we were packing up. He was not a fan of the healthy food anymore and kept jumping up to the table or into other things (see below). I picked-up the rest of the apple piece and kept having to tell him no and to get out of things (he did mind well...eventually).

This picture makes me laugh every time I see it because it is such a look of "Give me chips or I will give this bag rabbies!" 

We had zero problems with them, but on this last day he was all over us. I think they have learned that when people are packing up they tend to leave things unattended and time to swoop in. 

I have never seen this type of mattress in the store. It was comfortable enough, but that maybe because I am used to a cushy pillow top mattress (spoiled American, I know).

Hi Dad.

The bunk beds where I always slept growing up. Oh that ladder, I know you well.

Good-bye fire pit. You gave me heat on those chilly nights, you were a version of tv - just watch and relax, and most important you made me S'mores and how could I not love you for that? 

Good-bye backyard for the last (almost) week. You were the best backyard I have ever yard. Stay the same. See next fall (sorry, yearbook reference).

Adios kitchen table and prep area. Had some wonderful food on you. You helped me recharge after long days and chilly nights.

I will see you again. I personally loved this location. I could see the river from the table, close to showers, bathrooms, close to bridge. As I am writing this (in January) I still wish I was there right now. It would be awful right now (for me) because I am chilly in Los Angeles and it is supposed to be 60 degrees. Right now there is snow in Yosemite see, but I would still like to try.

If you noticed my dad wearing a jacket and the guy in the red jacket, you might have figured out something. The day before we were on the river where I got a slight sunburn, but on this day, I don't think people will be on the river.

This is the Friday of Memorial Day. The unofficial beginning of summer, yet it was chilly and windy. Remember that when you are in the mountains you never know what the weather is going to be like so pack layers, it helps.

We packed the car, said good-bye to our cabin and since there was no key to turn-in, there is no real check-out process, you just leave. The next area in the valley is Curry Village and this is also the area (in the back corner of the parking lot - close to the main road) where you can get different passes like the senior pass that my dad was trying to get. Between the crowd in there (start of Memorial day) getting their camping reservations in order and the inexperience of the person helping us, let's just say that the pass was not obtained that day and were told we could get it at the park entrance / exit. 

We did not have to be in LA by a certain time so we made our way around Curry Village again and then drove (on the way out) to the Village Store. This is the place to buy any souvenir that you wanted which is why I spent about $60.00 on stuff that I love, but do they really serve a purpose? Really? No. 

The Village Store has always had a parking lot behind the building, but on a weekend like this it would never do. My dad decided to not even try and park there and go to the lost across the way. Smart choice. It was chaotic and it even the over flow lot was busy, but it has a nice view. You can pick-up a shuttle bus that will take up to the visitor's center (and not just the mini version in the dome tent), but we just made the walk - easy enough. The park had definitely gotten busier since we had arrived on the previous Sunday.

This is the point that I realized that I was sad to be leaving, but with the amount of people coming into the park I was ok with leaving. It was taking a lot longer to get to things that were a snap to get to.

I kept having to remind myself that it was late May because the weather was changing fast and since our travels causes us to go up to even higher elevations than the valley floor (at 3,000+ feet) maybe we should get going. You never know.

On the way out of the valley, I had realized that we never got pictures of El Captain up close. In these conditions we were not going to get the best photos, but I liked the way the valley looked. All a mater of opinion. We walked into the meadow along the path and it started to rain. 

Hard to explain how massive this monolith is. You just have to look up in awe. Just have to.

Oh hoodie, you kept me warm, but not the best fashion statement. Warmth > looks.

"Are we done Laurie? It is raining you know." Yes, I knew, but I also knew I was saying good-bye to the valley that seems to be a part of my soul.

I will not be seeing drives like this anytime soon.

Part 2 soon... and then the reason I have taken such a long break from blogging.