California Dreaming

Preparing My Palate for California Wineries

On such a winter’s day, I am packing for our 18 day trip to California and America’s Southwest.  We’re flying this time so my packing must be more organized and concise than our other two big getaways this year.  I certainly don’t want a “Canadian Gestapo”-like experience at the airport.  Attempting to learn from my mistakes, I have planned better and actually have reservations for all of our stops.

Here’s Our Itinerary:

February 8- Arrive LAX @ 12:40 via Air Tran and check-in Embassy Suites in El Segundo, CA.  See Marina del Ray and Pacific Ocean.

February 9- Warner Brothers Studio Tour and Hop on/ Hop off Hollywood Tour.

February 10- Pick up SUV from Alamo, Tour Griffiths Observatory then head up Pacific Coast Highway 1 towards Monterey, CA.  Check-in The Lighthouse Inn at Pacific Grove, CA.

February 11- Tour Monterey’s Cannery Row, Fisherman’s Wharf and Aquarium.  Cruise 17 Mile Drive; visit Pebble Beach Golf Course.

February 12- Drive to San Francisco, drop off SUV and check-in Sheraton at Fisherman’s Wharf.

February 13- Sightseeing in San Francisco: Alcatraz, Pier 39, Giradelli Square, Nob Hill, Cable Cars, Chinatown, etc.

February 14- Fly to Las Vegas, NV and check-in New York New York Hotel and Casino.  Valentine’s Day Special Performance of The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil.

February 15- Sightseeing in Las Vegas: Bellagio Fountains, Venetian, crazy roller-coasters and, of course, visit Pawn Stars pawn shop.

February 16- Pick up another SUV and head to the Grand Canyon’s Southern Rim via the Hoover Dam.  Maybe tour it?  Check-in Maswik Lodge in the Grand Canyon National Park.

February 17- Watch sunrise over Canyon and hike some trails.

February 18- Head south to Phoenix via Flagstaff, AZ.  Meet our friends, Jackson and Anne, and collapse for a week at her parents’ vacation home.... Spa, anyone?

February 25- Head back to Fripp via Atlanta and home.

Honestly, I’m exhausted after just typing this trip!  If we accomplish half, it will be a miracle.  I guess it’s yet another reason to be glad we didn’t wait for retirement to travel!

Back to packing... Did I forget anything?  

The Witty Poet

I think Greg’s Facebook page poetry answers that question:

Twas’ the night before travel and all through the house

EVERYONE”S stirring especially my spouse.

The suitcases are packed more than we’ll be needing

Just caught one on the shin and now it is bleeding

Better hit the sack now; we’ll be headed out soon.

With enough of our crap to get up to the moon...

If the airlines didn't charge per bag and weight, I might be tempted to bring it all, but I can only get so much into five carry-ons.