WrightwoodCalif.com Forum
Public Forums => Outdoors => Topic started by: Hillbillies on Dec 02, 05, 04:56:15 PM
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Talk about anything you like about living in this awesome state.
I for one liked that I spent a perfectly warm, sunny day, with no crowds at beautiful Newport Beach with my kids. The air temp was in the high 70's and the water was refreshing. Not to mention that this was in mid NOVEMBER!
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That was today? It was cloudy and looked like it was going to rain in south Orange County.
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I loved living on the beach in San Clemente...waking up and surfing for a few hours. Jumping in my car only to be in WW 2-1/2 hours later and going night skiing.
Man do I miss the beach...love WW but I miss the beach. Hmmm why did I move back up here. OH YAH....I remember. At least now I have my house in the Mtns, I just need to work a little harder and get that house at the beach. :2thumbsup:.
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I love it all. I love the beach. I love the desert. I love the mountains. I love the lakes and the rivers and the oceans.
California is wonderful because of it's diversity.
One of my favorite things is to be at the beach when you can see Catalina and Mt. Baldy at the same time.
And the Eastern Sierra..my heaven on Earth :)
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Oh yeah, you did say mid-November. Duh!
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The moutains or the beach they are close to were ever you live
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-California has the #1 college football team in the entire nation! USC! USC!
-Calfiornia also produces some mighty fine world renowned wines.
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One more thing to add..
Hubby and I went down to then International Tamale Festival in lovely downtown Indio (not said sarcastically, a very cute little town).
It is a small town street fair with a parade and vendors and more tamales that anyone could ever eat. We ate all we were going to eat at one vendor (Maria's Authentic Tamales) because the lines were so long (we waited over a half an hour). We had traditional pork and a strawberry one. Both were yummy. I ate way too much and didn't prepare for the intensity of the sun, but it was still a great time to be had.
Based on line length, I am speculating that Grandma Lupe's was the hot ticket tamale. The line for those wrapped around a half block.
:thumbs:
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One surf spot I would NOT want to try is way up the coast of California. Can anyone guess the name of this spot where surfers ride waves at 20 + feet!
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Mavericks, next surf question....
The water is usually real cold when the swells come in, I prefered Todos Santos Island off Ensenada in my big wave days.
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Mavericks, next surf question.....
Who was the Hawaiin native that popularized the sport of surfing to the mainlanders?
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One thing I like about Caleefornia is that John Kerry doesn't live here.
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DUKE KAHANAMOKU
AKA The Duke
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Alright Surfer_Dude. Looks like we're moving on to double jeopardy!
Back in the 80's. What professional surfer was pioneering the "aerial" off the waves he was riding?
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Potter was real good at a young age, I can remember him in the line up at Trestles.
Back to Cali:
Trestles, Newport (the point) 15th st, Salt Creek, Newport 50s streets, Rjs, Swamis, Sunset Cliffs, South MissionJetty, Blacks, La Jolla: Big Rock, Windandsea...There are a lot of good surf spots that are pretty close. In the summertime who cares just warm water and getting sun.
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Yeah that was it! I didn't have much cajones back then...and for sure don't have much cajones now....
Could you look up and see if there are pictures on the web of that day/weekend at Newport?
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It was breaking far out, but I know at least one surf mag got some shots. Back then the mags took a long time to develop pics and go to print so I have no idea when it could have been.
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I know, I remember seeing the pictures way later. I wish I still had the copy. The fact that you said the OP pro was a few days later explains why the some of the pros were out that day....
I once saw Tom Carrol walking back up the path from Trestles as I was on my way down. Just missed seeing a free style session of a champ....
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DUKE KAHANAMOKU
AKA The Duke
A few days before my Mom died she mentioned that her Mother was coached in competitive swimming by The Duke, sometime between 1915 and 1929 I would guess. In Massachusetts or Connecticut somewhere. I was surprised and meant to get back to that conversation later but ran out of time. I wonder if there is anyway to confirm he was in the area during those years?
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I am sure he was. From what I read he was all over the place, surfer, actor, olympian.
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Sounds like fun Gypsywolf. Did you take pictures?
Here are a couple of colorful pics. We didn't get any tamale pictures. We didn't think about it until they were all gone. :P
Here is Santa and his helpers.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/onegypsywolf/SantaTamale.jpg)
And a freaky clown with his orangutan :o
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/onegypsywolf/TamaleClown.gif)
Tomorrow we are going to be in the beautiful bay area, probably sipping wine in Napa somewhere.
Yes..Yes..California is fun!! :elefant:
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Hubby and I were up in the Bay area for his company Christmas party and decided to have some fun before and after.
Went with friends to wine country. This is Silver Oaks Cellars. They only do Cabs..(and boy do they know how to make a good Cabernet Sauvignon)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/onegypsywolf/SilveOaks.jpg)
I went out to South Beach on Point Reyes while hubby went into the office on Monday.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/onegypsywolf/LookingSouth.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/onegypsywolf/Seagulls.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/onegypsywolf/IcePlant.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/onegypsywolf/SandDollar.jpg)
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With the high swells and the 80 deg. temps we've been having lately, I'm beginning to think we live in Hawaii! :)
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SANTA BARBRA!
We were fortunate enough to visit this city over Thanksgiving. My wifes aunt (who is 75) has lived there for over 40 years. I can't blame her. The place is beautiful! Her and her husband are retired, but do a lot of volunteer work for the community. They took us around to see some of the sights the city has to offer. The best part about taking this tour was that we were chauffeured around by her aunt in one of these mint condition Cadillacs http://www.calcruisingauctions.com/1978CadillacEldoradoBiarritzForSale.html
You should have seen the people turning their heads and giving thumbs up to the little old lady behind the wheel! ;D
I know Wrightwood is a great place to live, but if I happen to win the lotto, Santa Barbra just might be on the top of my list on places to move to. I don't think you can find a house for under a million dollars up there these days.... :P
P.S. The hippies aren't too bad up there either. Although, my wife's aunt did share with us that the hippies did burn down the "B of A" in the 60's, but they have not been too much of a nuisance since .... ;D
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Is that the town that Barbra Streisand founded? ;D
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Is that the town that Barbra Streisand founded? ;D
Barbara...Oopps...... Thanks hillokie! ;D
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SANTA BARBRA!
P.S. The hippies aren't too bad up there either. Although, my wife's aunt did share with us that the hippies did burn down the "B of A" in the 60's, but they have not been too much of a nuisance since .... ;D
I thought it was Isla Vista where the UCSB "students" burned down the BofA? ???
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DUKE KAHANAMOKU
AKA The Duke
i thought it was Duke Kummoniwannalayu.
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Those Isla Vista students are crazy. Been there many times... Barbara has a ranch in the hills above SB.
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Finally got a chance to hit the beach not too long ago.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v634/breezymtns/beachsunset2.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v634/breezymtns/beachsunset.jpg)
Trip in early November '06 to Bishop, Lake Sabrina
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v634/breezymtns/sabrina.jpg)
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WOW great pics!!!!!
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Is that the town that Barbra Streisand founded? ;D
Barbara...Oopps...... Thanks hillokie! ;D
Strangely enough, I think she spells it "Barbra"
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tyvm Angelwolf :)
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Stunning photos Breezymts. Gypsywolf, this is a year overdue but your pictures are outstanding. Love the sand dollar.
So many things that define California, hard to pick those things that I appreciate the most...........
The Rose Parade
Diversity (beach, desert, mountains)
Wine ;D
Weather
Palm trees
Orange blossoms
Avacados
popies
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Here is a link to Mrs. Hillbilly's quick travel video we did last weekend while over in Catalina.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzTuZOtI0Fg
I had no idea, but there is a surf break on the west side of the island where people surf! (Surfer_Dude have you ever surfed over there?) We went to Catalina years ago for a turn around day trip and we were not too impressed. The ocean was really rough that day and the boat ride took it's tole on on many of the passengers..... :-X This trip we stayed two nights which allowed more time to soak it in a bit. We thought is was a great place for a quick get away....
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Nicely done Mrs. Hillbilly.
How much burn damage did you see near Avalon?
Having made plenty of trips to Two Harbors by boat it's also a great place on the island to visit. Fishing, scuba & skin diving are also major attractions to the island that are highly recommended.
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Nicely done Mrs. Hillbilly.
How much burn damage did you see near Avalon?
Having made plenty of trips to Two Harbors by boat it's also a great place on the island to visit. Fishing, scuba & skin diving are also major attractions to the island that are highly recommended.
Thanks! I'm hard on myself, so I'm not really happy with the videos.
But to answer your question, there was quite a bit of burn damage that I noticed just as we began our drive above Avalon. Many native plants and cacti were destroyed, but some were already coming back. I really enjoyed the Inland Motor Tour. It showed a side of Catalina that most Avalon day-trippers don't get to see.
I'd really like to spend a weekend at Two Harbors. Did you camp or stay Banning House?
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We got a mooring and stayed on the boat. Took a water taxi to shore to go to the restaurant to eat then another to go back to the boat.
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Here is a quick history about the sleeping beauty castle at Disneyland.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhL4Su-feBM
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Very cool information!
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thank you so much for the link about the information on Sleeping Beauty's Castle. My daughter and I go to Disneyland all the time and there was a bit of stuff in there that neither of us knew/realized. We are usually just walking threw it and not really paying attention. We are definitely going to have to slow down and just soak everything in.
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thank you so much for the link about the information on Sleeping Beauty's Castle. My daughter and I go to Disneyland all the time and there was a bit of stuff in there that neither of us knew/realized. We are usually just walking threw it and not really paying attention. We are definitely going to have to slow down and just soak everything in.
You're welcome. Glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks!
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Here is a short video we did on Redondo Beach. This was my first time to the Redondo Pier/Beach. We had a great time checking out the sites.
If I am not mistaken, Redondon is BostonBob's old stomping grounds! 8)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16gxu9WKAHo
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True enough HB, that is where I met my bride and we spent many a times in most of the places you show in your video. My mom even use to have a shop in the Riviera Village and we both still have family there. Though I preferred the less crowded, less hectic and lower building density of the 70's in Redondo, thats probably just because I am an old fart now. I also just found your travel video of my hotel in Redondo today and I am glad you gave it such a nice review. ;)
You guys are doing great work with your travel and cooking videos and they keeping improving with each one you have under your belts. Keep up the good work!
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Thanks Bob! We really had a great weekend down there. The Hotel "Fino" was great! lol.... Veronica is working on the next video that focuses strictly on the pier.
One of the store owners from the Riviera Village gave us a tour. He mentioned that a lot of the high rise apartments were built in the '70s.... I thought he mentioned that they are not allowed to build them anymore... ???
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Here are two videos we did while in San Diego last weekend. Right now Sea World is a ghost town! If you hate fighting the crowds, get there before spring break!
Sea World
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_PM_l-zzvQ
San Diego Zoo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2Eard_prNY
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The last time I went to Sea World, I payed an extra $7.00 per ticket to have my family go on the guided tour. The tour included reserve seating at all the major stadium shows, including Shamu, the dolphin show, penquin show etc. The tour allowed my son to be picked to sit on top of Shamu's back-Wow! The tour also included other sights that we got into without having to wait in line.
I'm sure it is more costly now, but even still, I would highly recommend it. We saw most of the major Sea World event in well under two hours, and still had time to roam around without feeling so worn out standing in long lines.
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For all of you Disney junkies out there, here is a quick look inside the Disney Dream Suite. The only way a guest can stay here is if they are the lucky winner while visiting the Disneyland theme park.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jphjG3ATkto
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California coast trip!
Can't say enough about the beauty we have seen driving up the coast this past week. Seen a lot of great sites and shooting lots of video. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is something to see! We spent 4 hours there, and easily could have spent 2 days there. There is a lot of interactive things for the kids to do. We spent some time in San Francisco. After that it was up to Napa. I decided we should cross over the Golden Gate bridge and then head up to wine country. Once we crossed the bridge we stopped at the vista to gaze at one of mans greatest engineneering feats. During our stop, Mrs. Hillbilly looked at one of our crude road maps (tip: never go on a road trip without a good map) and decided we needed to go back across the bridge and head up through Oakland to get to wine country. We stopped at the toll booth after crossing the bridge a second time and the nice man in the booth told us it would be faster to back over the bridge and head up to wine country! So being the typical lost tourist in our station wagon with the luggage compartment on the roof rack, we crossed the Golden Gate Bridge a THIRD time.... "Hey kids look! There it is again... THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE!"
We finally made it to wine country. I was never able to find my favorite winery. Does anyone know where they make Boons Farm ???
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BostonBob, I too grew up in Redondo through the 70's and the Riviera Village was one of my favorite hangouts. Learned to surf at and through the Horseshoe (pier) but mostly surfed Topaz/Saphire, Ave C and El Porto and spent my days cruising the strand from Torrance Beach to MB pier. Lived a while on 2nd st. in Hermosa, best time of my life. Want to get back down there for a visit but will have to settle for pics for now.
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I have lived in So Cal for over 26 years, and I remember that this time of year the smell of orange blossoms was so strong, I loved that smell! It seems to have faded away...I guess because houses have replaced the orange groves :-\
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I have lived in So Cal for over 26 years, and I remember that this time of year the smell of orange blossoms was so strong, I loved that smell! It seems to have faded away...I guess because houses have replaced the orange groves :-\
http://www.fillmoreca.com/ (http://www.fillmoreca.com/)
Simply take a trip to the lovely town of Fillmore. The oranges are in bloom and the aroma will be great. You could take a ride on the historic train at this time. In fact, Hillbilly and Mrs. Hillbilly have possibly done a video about it. If they haven't, I feel sure they will.
While you are there, if there are small kidlets, you could take a small detour off the main highway and see the trout farm. It is truly a treat and the kids can feed the fish.
There is also a wine tasting shop there. Great for us older kids.
Nearby is the town of Santa Paula. Great little town, full of history. And just a short jaunt from there is Ventura and the Pacific Ocean. Many weekends I have taken the trip just to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
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Here is the sight you really want for Fillmore. The previous site I listed is a "city/government" site for locals... This is the site for visitors to the area known as "Heritage Valley"
http://www.heritagevalley.net/Fillmore.htm (http://www.heritagevalley.net/Fillmore.htm)
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Simply take a trip to the lovely town of Fillmore.
I was just thru there yesterday. With all the rain we've had this past winter, the mountains thru that whole area, are a Most Excellent shade of green. Lots of wildflowers blooming, too. Very pretty.
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We did not go to through Fillmore this time. We were near Fillmore last year in Santa Clarita for their Cowboy Days. It was pretty fun. We got to walk on the set of the HBO series Deadwood.
Here is a video we did on Alcatraz. One thing we did not mention in the video was how cool the head set tour was. You get to put on a set of head phones and listen to a very descriptive narration by former prison guards, and inmates.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Amw5iBEO1Ec
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With the price of gas, some may not want to venture too far this summer in their RV. The Newport Dunes is only about 85 miles from our area.
The Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort is celebrating it's 50th anniversary this year. Here is quick video we did featuring the resort. The audio is pretty bad. This was our first experience using our new sennheiser wireless microphone. I am still trying to get the best setting.
click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ymo3GKj364o
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We were down in Coronado last weekend for the Loews Coronado Bay Resort 3rd Annual Surfing Dogs Contest! I could not believe how many people brought out their dogs for this event. It was a lot of fun to watch. Here is our video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sT_3Rw_IZtw
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Gee, do they have body surfing competitions for dogs? My black lab Jett used to love to body surf at a beach north of Ventura. I'd wade out to chest deep water, call him to me, hold him until a wave came in and send him to the shore. He LOVED it!
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Gee, do they have body surfing competitions for dogs? My black lab Jett used to love to body surf at a beach north of Ventura. I'd wade out to chest deep water, call him to me, hold him until a wave came in and send him to the shore. He LOVED it!
That is a cool story about your dog K9. We are actually thinking about getting a black lab.
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That is a cool story about your dog K9. We are actually thinking about getting a black lab.
:offtopic: I strongly recommend Southern CA Labrador Retriever Rescue (sclrr.org) as a way to get a great lab for your family. You have kids and the group will work very hard to match the right dog to your family. Yes, they charge a fee but any dog you get from them will be up todate on all shots, spayed or neutered, etc. Plus, they have them in a home in a foster situation or may do an owner referral so you can see the dog and make sure it will be a good match. I was a volunteer for them for a few years. The big key is they want this to be the dog's LAST home so they work very hard to make sure the dog is right for the adoptee and vice versa.
If you do go the puppy route, PLEASE go to a reputable breeder that checks for hips (OFA) and eyes (CERT) and doesn't have more than one litter on the ground a year. That will cost you big bucks but a good breeder will interview you as much as you interview them.
O.K. I'll get off my :soap: ;D
Labs are the BEST!
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Sorry off topic.
That sounds good. We will check into this rescue. I know what you mean about breeders and the over littering they produce. Our friend who used to work for a the vet in Phelan just got a lab puppy that was brought into the vet by a breeder who couldn't get rid of it. The breeder wanted the vet to put it down! She has had the puppy for awhile now and it is doing great with their other little dog. We have a little shih tzu, so I am hoping a lab will be a good companion.
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Here is the first of a few videos we are going to do on Mammoth.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnZAiT6lKTc
This video hits upon a few things to do up there during the summer. Skierbob gave us some cool tips on what to do from a local's perspective while visiting the area during summer. Thanks again Skierbob. We are hoping to get back up there to shoot some of your tips!
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Highly polished...well done.
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Highly polished...well done.
Thank you! It's amazing how much time and effort goes into a cheesy 3 minute video.....
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Great work Hillbilly. Yes. It takes a long time to make it look so professional. Veronica looks great, as usual.
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Great work Hillbilly. Yes. It takes a long time to make it look so professional. Veronica looks great, as usual.
Thank you Stitches!
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If you haven't been to Temecula in a while, you are in for a surprise. The quality of the wines has really improved, and the tasting rooms are more on par with Napa and Sonoma. In fact, South Coast Winery beat out both Northern wine counties to win Winery of the Year at the California State Fair.
Here is a video of our trip last weekend. If you are in the mood to go grape stomping, several festivals are still going on this season!
(Be sure to click "Watch in High Quality" when you go to the link)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWcHYDma6rE
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If you haven't been to Temecula in a while, you are in for a surprise. The quality of the wines has really improved, and the tasting rooms are more on par with Napa and Sonoma. In fact, South Coast Winery beat out both Northern wine counties to win Winery of the Year at the California State Fair.
Here is a video of our trip last weekend. If you are in the mood to go grape stomping, several festivals are still going on this season!
(Be sure to click "Watch in High Quality" when you go to the link)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWcHYDma6rE
Funny timing...going there today.
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Have a great time!
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Hillbilly,
Do they charge for the tasting in Temecula area wineries?
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Hillbilly,
Do they charge for the tasting in Temecula area wineries?
Yes they do. We should have mentioned that. Each winery sets their own pay and standards. One thing I noticed in Temecula and Napa is that some wineries will cut out the tasting fee if you join their "wine of the month club." This means you pay each month to have selected wine/wines delivered by Kevin to your home. That gets pretty expensive.
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The reason for asking is that we recently traveled through Sonoma and stopped by 2 very nice wineries that did not charge. In Santa Barbara it was a different story!
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When I was in Sacramento in late May, my sisters and I went on a very nice drive up the Sacramento River Delta, to a place where there were 5 or 6 wineries in one large building, for tasting. We stopped at one other one on the way back. There was no charge for any of the tasting, I guess they just hope you will buy a bottle after you taste it. I did purchase 2 really nice ones, but I was limited cuz I had to bring them home on the plane.
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Here is our latest video on the Mission Inn in downtown Riverside. While we were there filming, they Inn was gearing up for its "Festival of Lights" attraction that runs November 28th through January 4th. It is a great place to check out and is only about a forty five minute drive from Wrightwood.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAYuGP_baZA
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Well here it is. Our bread and butter.
http://www.californiatravelexpert.com/
When I started this thread some years back, I remember thinking to myself that there is so much to show, and so much to talk about our beautiful state. We were in the dark back then on how to promote the idea. Thankfully we had a friend who helped us. And I just want to say thanks to John and Gus for allowing us to post this here. And thanks to a few other friends for helping us with this venture.
Everything is free, so enjoy the site, videos, photos and articles. They are the result of many weekend jaunts throughout the state with our family.
If you'd like to receive our free newsletter, just sign up on our Web site and we'll alert you to the latest travel deals, news and advice as they come in.
You can also follow us on Twitter at CaliforniaTips, join our Facebook pages, California Travel Tips and California Travel Expert or subscribe on YouTube at www.YouTube.com/CaliforniaTravelTips
Hope you enjoy, and feel free to send us comments, feedback or suggestions for future destinations.
We just finished up filming the tall ships, whale watching cruises and Ocean Institute in Dana Point, in addition to videos on the new zip line tours in San Diego, and the Roar and Snore adventures at San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park. We hope to have the videos up in the next week or so...
We hope you enjoy it!
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WOW. I am so impressed. The website looks great, and the content and images are excellent. Really, topflight work. Congratulations to you and Veronica. I've bookmarked the site and will come back often.
Honestly, great work!
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Thanks ChrisLynnet. We are pretty excited to be doing our own thing. It's going to be an on going process. The websites will be constantly updated with new content. In fact, Veronica is editing more videos as I type this.
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The San Diego Zoo Wild Animal park opened their zip line ride last May. We were invited down last weekend to take flight and to do a video. Veronica was little scared at first, but once in flight the fear was gone. It's a pretty amazing experience. It is also the longest zip line the Continental U.S. We just uploaded the video tonight. Check it out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yivQm9s7rmM
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fun!!!
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Well done!
Excellent look at LB.
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Thanks.
We were really happy that Wyland's mother invited us in. We were filming out front of the gallery before they were opened when she came out. At first I thought she was going to run us off. When we told her what we do, she was pleased, and invited us in for coffee and to film inside. They normally do not allow people to photograph in the gallery because of copy cats.
Laguna Beach
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4quHcjgECk
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Hi everyone! I regularly get up-to-the-minute travel deals from destinations around California, Hawaii, Mexico. I'm trying to share everything by posting a "deal of the day." Feel free to bookmark this page, or e-mail me and I can privately help you out with any travel packages that have come my way.
Take care, Veronica
http://www.californiatravelexpert.com/Pick_Of_The_Day.shtml
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Whale watching.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61W3CcL0YvA
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Whale watching.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61W3CcL0YvA
New link for this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePl9-Jw96pY
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Big Bear!
The kids had the most fun at the Big Bear Discovery Center!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTUmVM99qow
j-
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California! It's all about the cheese.... artisan cheese that is.
Here is a video about cheese pairing from a great fromagier. We learned a lot from Janice. When we told Janice about our local honey farms in West Cajon Valley, she lit up and said "I know them, I have been there!" Small world... :)
http://www.youtube.com/user/CaliforniaTravelTips#p/search/0/fshjrtkYY34
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Real Cheesy...in a good way. ;D
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Speaking of cheesy!
I get a few e-mails every now and again where people are telling me my cooking videos are cheesy. I responded with this video last week..... ;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JII1XIq1diY
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Nice, I like the two cameras.
However,
(http://www.motifake.com/demotivational-poster/0809/bacon-wrapped-twinkie-stonehenge-demotivational-poster-1222773370.jpg)
;)
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Here's a place I had never heard about. Veronica's long time friend Mary Hughes (mother of 1990's childhood actor Miko Hughes) did a story for CaliforniaTravelExpert.com
If you plan on checking this place out, I recommend wearing a foil hat! ;)
J-
click here for the story
http://www.californiatravelexpert.com/Integratron.shtml
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Here's a place I had never heard about. Veronica's long time friend Mary Hughes (mother of 1990's childhood actor Miko Hughes) did a story for CaliforniaTravelExpert.com
If you plan on checking this place out, I recommend wearing a foil hat! ;)
J-
click here for the story
http://www.californiatravelexpert.com/Integratron.shtml
Yes you have. ;)
http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/forum/index.php?topic=5315.0
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Oops! I remember posting on that foil hat thread, but I didn't remember the link to Integratron... D'oh! ;D
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Hawaii tips thanks to my brother!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raZ1UKP55Ms
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If anyone is looking for a nice, clean and quaint place to stay just steps from the beach this summer...I recommend this place.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFy_rTyBE7c
Fred, the owner, had us down to feature his home away from home hotel. He and his wife have had the place for over 25 years. It is currently rated number one on trip advisor for Newport Beach hotels. I like it because you can easily access the beach for the waves and/or access the waveless back bay. It is also very, very clean. Average room rates are about $150.00 per night which is pretty good price for Newport.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XPC3Ega6zU&feature=channel
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Here's our a quick guided tour down the south fork...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZoltXSoaqA&feature=emai
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I can remember meeting Veronica at her old office at US Magazine (now US Weekly) and not having very many close options for lunch. We took the kids to the La Brea Tar Pits last month, which is across the street from her old office, and we were amazed at all the gourmet food trucks that pepper Wilshire Blvd. Veronica decided to do a story on these trucks.
http://www.californiatravelexpert.com/Food_Trucks.shtml
They are becoming quite the new thing in LA and other big cities. In fact, the food network channel is doing a show on food trucks. Years ago, after eating at the shrimp truck in Oahu, I wanted to open up a food truck here in WW during the snow season and sell gourmet soups off the highway. SB county told me it would never happen... Maybe it's time set up shop this winter on the LA county side lol! Say bye-bye to the roach coach...
Another California eating topic:
Barb at Jensen's son Toby has two killer restaurants called Mahe's down at the beach. The original is in Seal Beach. The newest one is in Dana Point Harbor. We ate at the Dana Point restaurant this weekend and it was excellent! Cody's Nachos rule the appetizer world! Check out Veronica's pictures and article!
http://www.californiatravelexpert.com/Mahe_Restaurant_-_Dana_Point_Restaurants.shtml
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Great job Veronica & Jason!
We've enjoyed watching The Great Food Truck Race so far...
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Great job Veronica & Jason!
We've enjoyed watching The Great Food Truck Race so far...
Thanks John!
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Here are two videos we just put up on Yosemite and the Awahnee Hotel. Yosemite is so beautiful. This was our first fall visit. The colors were spectacular and the crowds were minimal.
Yosemite:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pb4BdU2txkM
Ahwahnee Hotel:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O53tDLEpE7o
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SSshhhhh!!!!!! Don't let people know how awesome/empty/beautiful Yosemite is in the Fall!!! They'll visit! >:(
;)
My first trip to Yosemite was in mid Oct during college. Stayed in a free campground just outside the park in the back of a rented Ford station wagon. Went over the backside to Mono Lake--awesome!!! Natch the ex boyfriend has all the pictures. . .
When I win the lottery, I want to do the Christmas celebration at the Ahwahnee Hotel!!!
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Oh yeah, the Ahwahnee Brace Bridge Dinner. We talked to a few people who attended this event. Nothing but good things to say about it. We're hoping to go next year....wishful thinking...lol!
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I don't mean to brag, but I certainly have to when it comes to my wonderful wife. Today she received an email by a producer from Oprah Winfrey. Oprah now has her OWN network. Veronica just might be one of the next travel expert guests on one of Oprah's new show!!!!!!
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Wow, congratulations Veronica and Jason! We hope Veronica's appearance on the new network Oprah show works out beautifully!
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Thank you esprit! We're working for the best...
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Veronica has been in contact with the Oprah OWN people and nothing has been finalized. Things are still in the works. We're hoping it happens.
We did get contacted by CNN yesterday and they are going to use our video footage from the "LA China Town" video we shot last year. It's going to appear this Saturday on their "Morning Passport" travel show and giving credit to our www.californiatravelexpert.com web site!
And Veronica just got off the phone with the producer and he's talking about having Veroncia actually appear on a future show... :2thumbsup:
We're keeping our hopes alive!
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Nothing yet from the Oprah gang.
But I must say 1 million views is purrty darn impressive...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sg9iXk7FDAw&feature=relmfu
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For those of you who are into Apps....
Veronica has been working feverishly with http://www.sutromedia.com/ on her new "CA Essentials" App. It should hit itunes in about a week.
She has over 550 entries in her App. It is truly amazing and will be the FIRST App of its kind. 8)
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Here is a link to the screen shots and features of the App....
http://www.californiatravelexpert.com/California_Travel_Guide.shtml
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I was wrong about it being up in a week. Sutro just shot Veronica an email saying it's up today!!!! :2thumbsup:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id428163062?mt=8
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One of the cool things about the CA Essentials App is that it's an interactive travel guide and it can continue to be updated unlike a hard cover/paper back travel guide.
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Here is the newsletter/press release describing the new App. Feel free to always leave suggestions here for places for us to cover.... it's never ending!
I apologize for the delay since my last newsletter. It's been a long, rough year. Our neighbor burned our house down last June, and we have spent the last 6 months rebuilding our home.
Despite the setback, we are now back on track, shooting new videos and traveling the state in search of hidden gems and great deals to post as our Pick of the Day. But what I'm most excited about is my new Universal iPhone/iPad app/iPod Touch app on iTunes. It sells for just $4.99 -- the price of a latte at Starbucks -- and is jam-packed with information, links and awesome finds.
The new app is titled CALIFORNIA ESSENTIAL GUIDE, published by Sutro Media. Whether you're a lifelong resident or first-time visitor, you're sure to find something exciting, fresh and new in this interactive mobile guide.
More than 6,900 full-color photos and 550 attractions are featured in app, along with off-line maps and filters sortable by region, distance and price. The app also includes our 100+ video guides from our YouTube series, CALIFORNIA TRAVEL TIPS, which have now been viewed by more than 6 million people!
Great white shark dives, human "nests," Bigfoot museums and haunted hotels are among the unusual sights you'll find in this app, along with my essential travel tips and city guides.
On each entry you can quickly check an attraction's current hours and admission, get driving directions, or call them direct with the touch of a button. There are also links to handy PDF maps, audio tours and brochures. To learn more, check out our preview in the iTunes App Store.
Here's a sneak peek at what you can expect in the CALIFORNIA ESSENTIAL GUIDE.
* Detailed guides for Northern and Southern California with descriptions, photos, admission prices, hours, phone numbers and off-line maps.
* More than 100 concise video guides produced by the author
* Top California attractions, zoos, museums, aquariums and theme parks
* Multiple entries for Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure, along with dining advice, restaurant/hotel information, and travel tips
* Mini guides to California National Parks including Yosemite, Death Valley and Joshua Tree
* Mini guides to California wine country (including Napa, Sonoma, Temecula and Santa Barbara)
* Individual entries for all 21 California missions and historic El Camino Real
* Essential California events, from the Oscars to the Rose Parade
* Guide to visiting the Channel Islands, including Catalina Island tours and tips
* Guides to popular (and forgotten) California ghost towns
* Route 66 California landmarks and diners
* Haunted California hotels (and houses) open to the public
* More than 10 scenic California driving tours
* California motorcycle tours and biker bars
* Quirky California roadside attractions
* Free California family day trips and activities
* Los Angeles travel guide with essential downtown and Hollywood attractions
* Unique overnights, from tree houses and human nests to luxury campgrounds and celebrity estates
* Historic California hotels and restaurants
* California adventure travel: hot air balloon rides, rock climbing, kayaking, hang gliding, motorcycle tours and surfing.
* California agritourism destinations, from the cheese-makers in Point Reyes to the oyster beds in Tomales Bay
* Dozens of insider California travel tips, discount links and travel advice
CALIFORNIA ESSENTIAL GUIDE can be used offline. After downloading the app, load the content using a WiFi connection (this may take some time on first launch) and you're good to go.
I sincerely hope you enjoy our new app. What's best is that once you download it, you'll receive free future updates! And if I missed something you love, just let me know and I'll try to add it on the next release.
Thanks so much everyone!
All the best,
Veronica
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We went to the Kern River for the first time and camped at Camp James. The place was nice and clean. The river rafting was a blast! From our camp we took an hour drive up the road to the Trail of 100 Giants to see the Giant Sequoias. They are really amazing.... Here's a quick video tour.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lB0naqCWiuQ
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Cool sculptures in the desert...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYAhV3rbKI8
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More on Borrego.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lix8GrUAR4Q
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And if you go to Borrego, you need to check out the town of Julian which is short 40 minute drive...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKfnB5EkQrU
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The Riverside Heritage House is offering a free Victorian Christmas Tour on December 11th.
http://www.riversideca.gov/museum/heritagehouse/christmas-open.asp
If you go, check out the Mission Inn on your way home.
Here's a quick video of the Mission Inn's Festival of Lights.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2c8dLecpV4
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And if you go to Borrego, you need to check out the town of Julian which is short 40 minute drive...
My son, I and the dog stayed in Julian a few years ago and really enjoyed it. My dog however was terrified of the cows we encountered on our walk -- standing safely behind fences mind you -- and kept hiding behind me!
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Knott's Berry Farm anyone?
Man, we have not been there in years. Veronica and I joke about the old "Studio K" and "Cloud 9" 80's dance days that Knott's once provided. No, we're not in this picture.... Thank goodness.... ::)
(http://ocresort.ocregister.com/files/2011/04/StudioK2.jpg)
I did take our youngest daughter to Knott's back in 06' for a quick toddler tour but had not been back to experience the rest of the park. Disneyland has always been our ticket. And now that our D-land annual passes have expired, coughing up another 1k plus is not an option. Although they now offer monthly payments.... ::)
We finally made the trip to Knott's on new years day and I have to say, we were more than satisfied. Knott's was inexpensive, clean and had a friendly staff. The thrill rides were insane! The one that we feared and enjoyed most was the Ghost Rider wooden coaster. I had not ridden a true wooden roller coaster since Magic Mountain's Colossus in the 80's. I forgot how thrilling and scary these big coasters are. The Ghost Rider coaster is currently the longest wooden coaster on the west coast.
(http://www.ultimaterollercoaster.com/coasters/pictures/ghostrider/img/ghostrider4.jpg)
(http://www.coastergallery.com/ga/Ghostrider1.jpg)
This coaster lives up to it's name, as we all turned ghost white after the ride. My kids have been on everything at D-land/Cal adventure, which have there fair share of thrill rides. But, they were not prepared for what this coaster had to offer. Nothing compares to the clickety-clack sound, steep drops and the rougher ride than a true wooden coaster provides.
There is also some good history between ol' Walter Knott and Walt Disney. Veronica will be sharing that in the video.
Bye bye small world :'(
Hello Knott's.... 8)
Less money, less crowds makes much more sense for us at this time.
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I have to agree Knott's is an under-rated place to have a lot of (relatively) affordable fun. We go annually because we get a sweet deal on tickets through my husband's work. If it weren't for gas prices, we'd get their very affordable passes. My niece used to practically live at their water park in the summer--another fun thing to consider.
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I totlly agree about the value of Knotts vs Disneyland. Sure, Disneyland has the "magic" but at what cost? You can pretrty much get an annual pass to Knotts for the price of a visit to Disneyland. And there is plenty of fun stuff to do. (and, anyway, that's where Chuck and I met each other - a few years ago).
Last weekend we went to Boomers in Upland and had a great time at a very reasonable cost.
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I remember Knott's when it was only a ghost town!
The last time I went on Montezuma's Revenge, I ended up in the hospital for 3 days. (My body does not like those rides - bummer, because I used to like roller coasters).
My heart is with Disneyland. I have pictures of me there when it first opened (yes, I am older than Disneyland, but not by much!) My father used to get us in free with his badge (a parole officer), and even though rides required tickets, it never failed that people handed us their unused tickets when leaving the park - even E tickets.
I went to D-land every day for 40 days in a row to collect their 40-year promotion trading cards. My kids actually said, "Do we have to go to Disneyland again?"
But then both kids ended up working there during and after graduating from high school. It was actually, in a round about way, thanks to Disneyland that we ended up moving to Wrightwood. (It really is - daughter was injured while working at D-land, she had to drop out of art school due to her injury, which moved our plan of moving out of Orange County up a few years. The timing was right in selling the house - sold in one day, and the rest is history.)
Their season passes are expensive, but if you look at their site, you can buy a pass and make monthly payments. There is an initial $80 down payment, but then for as low as $20 a month, you have a year of Disneyland. Just thought I'd pass that on.
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ChattyCathy I also remember Knott's as a ghost town and still have some E Tickets for Disneyland.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E_ticket
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Dang we're old!
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Well, I'm older than you! My first visit to Disneyland was for my birthday, December 1955, which was the year they opened.
I've been there many times since, and seen the improvements over the years. It's been 7 or 8 years now since my last visit there.
I've only been to Knott's and to Magic Mountain once each, and those trips were in I think 1976.
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I too went to Disneyland when they first opened. The Mouseketeers performed there. We set in bleachers to watch. I leaned forward on the seat and fell through the bleachers. My mom was able to catch my coat to break my fall, but I was taken to their medical center in some sort of "ambulance". Since we didn't get to watch all the performance, they invited us to come back again soon. We did and got special seats up front (I'm sure they didn't want me falling through again). We set next to Jimmy's mom (he was the adult leader of the group) and she bragged about him all through the performance. The Mouseketeers came up and talked to me too. I have very vague memories of this, kept alive by my parents telling of the story.
I always loved having lunch at the restaurant where we could watch the show with Wally Boag pulling things out of his bag and making balloon figures. Disneyland was a once-a-year treat. In high school Knott's was a favorite hang out because it was FREE.
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I remember Wally Boag! We'd go to the Golden Horseshoe Review all the time because it required no ticket, and I even shook Walt Disney's hand there.
Even though we could get in free, we only went once or twice a year with my dad's badge, but my best friend's mom worked there, so we went every year for her birthday. It was still a special place to go and I never got tired of it. We also lived much closer to D-land than Knott's.
Does anyone remember feeding the seals at Knott's?
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Does anyone remember feeding the seals at Knott's?
Now that brings back memories.
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KSC, this should bring back memories.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-YfnKA476o
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You Tube has some great old movie footage of Knott's:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSUSiPKQBJs
(http://www.image-archeology.com/The_Seal_Pool_Knott%27s_Berry_Farm_Buena_Park_California_W_26.jpg)
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if you like trains in general or knott's berry farm's train in particular, todays ( jan. 8) orange county register's local section, page 6 covers the historic train.
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We recently had a fun trip to San Diego. The USS Midway is a great tour for all. This ship is a city on water! :2thumbsup:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGXjT5KNGoI&feature=email&email=comment_received
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The wolf eel really creeps me out...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_WK4TuK4FE&feature=relmfu
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If you're driving through or staying in Santa Barbara, their little zoo is fun place to spend the day.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmT5vR7K6Cs
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With Mother's Day just around the corner, now's a great time to book a retreat for your mom/wife to a 7 day spa retreat at the historic Golden Door in Escondido!
Prices start at only seven grand for the seven day get away.... :o ::) Guests have included Oprah, Barbara Streisand and Martha Stewart.
It was nice of them to invite us to feature their grounds. We enjoyed talking with Chef Curtis Cook. He has a great gig going on. Not only does he have his own garden, he only has to cook for 40 guest a day! That's a cake walk in the culinary world...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bdfVW1f1sI&
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We were able to catch the ORIGINAL famous San Francisco "Bush Man" on our recent visit to Fisherman's Wharf....There have been mean copycats.
I was more than happy to fill his tip jar! ;D
Here's a really short video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZLycmdw4t0&feature=g-all-u
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Old Route 66 and Bikers from France!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCcjGZUZsLU&feature=plcp
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If you go up to Cambria this summer....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtxZyjonnng
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If you are heading up the 5 this summer, check out Burney Falls! Not sure how the water will be flowing this summer as our video here was done two years ago.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIV-FfvjvTQ
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my friends go camping there every year! Love it.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIV-FfvjvTQ