I need to leave Denver for a few days, required to spend down my PTO at work. I wanted to do more genealogy research and after spending time at the family research center I figured that
California was the best choice for spring break. I will be with family, second cousins, for Saint Patrick's day, my spring break this year.
First stop, Denver Union station for tickets and then to DIA for an afternoon flight to San Diego.
Funny story about my choice of hotels, I knew to book direct and I picked Wyndham hotel, Bay Side, got home, logged on and ended up with two nights at Wyndham Beach front, a little more than I had intended to spend, close to Balboa Park, where I will be spending most time.
After having lunch at the Mesa Verde restaurant I took the train to my gate and boarded the plane , C8. Sat with a couple for the two hour flight, with good weather we touched down in San Diego at about 1:30, the Wyndham shuttle picked us up and delivered us to bayside. I walked the area, and bought entrance to the Marine time museum of San Diego, spent the after noon looking at sailing ship, and a Russian sub. Starting with the India, on to the H.M.S. Surprise, B-39 Soviet Sub, America, a Steam Ferry where I bought souvenirs then walked the last pier to see the California and the San Salvador. With photography and models the experience was nothing like that of the last trip, I was really impressed by the India's rigging all throughout.
First night and I had to get rest, I had walked a few miles site seeing and the night sails outside my balcony window were starting to make morning seem closer, as I showered and looked out at the India lit up in lights my fist day came to a close.
Next day a close walk I made my way to the Midway, standing close to the front of the line, I was greeted by a Mother and her daughter that flown in from Denver that morning. The recent air tragedy and bad weather were canceling SW flights out of Denver. We paid, and boarded, first stop the Hanger, then the flight deck with a tour to the tower, while in the tour we spent time on the bridge. Back to the flight deck, and then through the galley, birthing the engine room and the offices, with displays of uniforms, squadrons and history of helicopters and CIC which was the most incredible experience, three compartments all equipment , radar, visual all lit up and working. Good time and about 2.5 mile walk, large ship, mostly Navy commissioned 1943. Brought onto San Diego in 2003.
I did it again, with the last Lyft experience in Erie PA, I was sure that it would be worth trying again, within four minutes my driver found me and had me at Balboa park in 15. First stop, the famous San Diego Zoo,, and with 2.5 miles already that day I opted for the bus tour. Full circle round the park, through forests of trees, steep hills a great view of most of what the zoo had to offer. Till I started out on the paths, a whole new experience, bridges, sky gondolas and paths to walk for miles, the jungle animals and the bird atrium was great.
Alright, next a walking tour of Balboa park, left the zoo walked south to Spanish Village Art studios, a small village of Spanish architecture , and artists at work. I bought three small water colors, one of the flamingos one of the California building and a piece the artist had won some awards on, a water color of five bicycles. Small pieces, but very well done. Continuing through Balboa park I was at ahh at the architectural beauty of the park, for every building was so similar yet distinct in the detail. I didn't get to tour any museums although I did walk the stair way of the music conservatory, where young ballerinas were in class, the moment reminded me of a dream, wandering around looking at the statues and the arch ways, no other around except a few other tourists. A private event at the space museum, which is next to the gymnasium, a quick ride on the free bus to the veterans museum and I called a lift and was back at Wyndham for the night. A plate of shrimp and pasta good conversation with a tourist from Texas that had just had a 16 day tour at sea, .and was glad to be on land. A hot shower and a good movie and I was out for the night.
Hopped on the Surfliner to Northern California with stops at Ocean side, Capistrano, and San Jose, and Irvine the three hour train ride was comfy and the ocean and houses were beautiful.
I arrived in LA, just outside of Orange County where I will get off next time, so may stops, the LA Union Station is large, with underground walkways and lots of food courts, I got on the phone and was soon found by Linda, and her Mom was with her, we met at the car, after a short walk together through the station. Driving to the house I picked out on Air B&B, within walking distance from a shopping center and a few restaurants, the master bedroom is what I rented with a master bath. Nice house owned by an Asian man and I met his daughter who was staying in California during the summer, she and I and a couple others were there during the week. Full use of the house, with a large theatre living room and a very nice neighborhood. I walked mornings to the shopping center, and by mid day the cousins picked me up for site seeing, and the parade for St Patricks' day, we also went to the Hollywood part of town where we went to the Chinese Theatre, walk of the stars, and a view of the Hollywood on the hill.
The most memorable times are with the Cousins, we had a BBQ at Lisa's one night and Mike her brother and his new wife and baby were there. The Knotts Berry Farm took most the second day, we enjoyed rides and talking over lunch, tip: Linda knows KBF after working there for so many years, she got us around the park in record time with lunch and rides behind us we called it a day. The walking was to much after two days of only walking, we made plans to see a show next time I'm in town.
After doing some work with Dad's family genealogy, I had a good idea of the questions that I needed to ask to fill in some blanks on his mothers family line. I had quite a bit of help from the cousins and Sharon took us to some of the cemetery's so that I could get pictures. 
I followed up by mail, and see posts on face book. Linda is a new Grandma second time, and her daughter recently married. Wendy is now a Grandma and her daughter is in Boston. Laurie and Lisa's kids are still young. And Mike has his new wife and baby. We will be in touch again and this is some good records for the research I was able to do on the Clark family tree. Good Times.
