The Early Season Vacation

As appears to have become my custom, I took a week vacation in April. I didn't have anything in particular in mind when scheduling the time, but knew I'd find something. From a couple of years ago, my younger son had enjoyed the trip to Ventura, with the shot up to Solvang, so that's what we did for the first couple of days!!!

Once we got there, and checked into our lodging (also the same as last time, once again per my son's endorsement), we headed over to the restaurant we'd been past while walking around the harbor where they'd had the live music last time. I had called before we went, to see if they'd have a band during our time there. As I thought, nope, it's a weekend thing.

The place is called Margarita Villa (see what they did there???), and it's upstairs, with an indoor area, and outdoor patios to the front and back. We popped in, and the inside was pretty loud and echo-y, bad acoustics, so we opted to eat outside. Turns out, they're refurbishing the back patio where we'd heard the music last time, and for now when they do have the live band, they are inside. I can't imagine.

After we ate, the boy and I crossed the street to the beach, to check it out. I think the tide was out, and it had made a pretty dramatic, over 3 foot, drop off in the sand near the shore!!!

While we were walking along, we came across some shark or ray egg cases!!! (At least, I'm fairly sure that's what these were!!!)

We walked down a bit, to the breakwater area.

I'm pretty sure it wasn't the same area as where we had walked last time, and there were two rock jettys not far apart, which looked to have been designed to make a surfing area!!!

There were a lot of surfers out there. The surf wasn't huge, but it was OK, and better there than on the open beach. It was overcast most of the time we were in Ventura.

As we came back, and there was a shot of the calm harbor.

They added the new “I ♥ The Sea” illuminated selfie sign.

Last time we were there, the fire pit wasn't going, but it was this time!!! If we had been waiting long, it would have been a good place to hang out. Or, if we were sitting, listening to the live music, like last time!!!

The next day, we managed to get going in time to make it up to Solvang early enough to get in on the æbleskivers. First thing we did was find a place and get some.

They had an æbleskiver pan for their doorstop!!!

Afterwards, we wandered around, bought souvenirs and took in the sights. My son wanted to grow some tulips, and we were looking around for some, or some bulbs. We didn't find any, but we were near the visitors center, and they suggested going to the Ace Hardware, not far over, and checking there. They had them, and a bit after we got back, we picked up a couple of box planters and soil, and they're in there. Perhaps an update, if they come up. There seems to be a local critter that'll dig 'em up!!!

When my wife was talking to my mom prior to the trip, my mom told her about an ostrich farm in the area. I looked it up, and it was just a little past the main tourist area in Solvang, and an actual alternate way to get back to the 101 to head back!!!

We stopped in, and got bowls of ostrich chow, and fed those bad boys!!!

We didn't stay there that long at all, but it was something different, and pretty fun and cool!!!

Mid-week, the boy had a dentist's appointment that had been rescheduled twice already, with my wife's surgery and recovery, so we headed back for that, and a little breather in between.

The next day, the boy and I went to Knott's Berry Farm!!! They are having the Boysenberry Festival, but we didn't get in on any of that. It's been a while since I've been there, and there was a new coaster, Hang Time, that I've been wanting to go on.

It wasn't busy at all when we arrived, right after it opened, and we headed over and got on with almost no wait!!! It features a 95° first drop, and it takes you to the top of the hill, and holds you where you can't see the track for a few seconds, then drops you, and goes through several inversions. Great coaster!!! Oh, and there was my current Pokemon GO buddy, an Eevee with a flower crown, that I evolved into a Sylveon once he was to best buddy level.

We went on it twice, then the Coast Rider in the same area. One of the best there, the Accelerator, was closed, as was the classic log ride, and the entire Fiesta Village area. Got on the Silver Bullet and Ghost Rider before the lines started getting long.

We were in line for the Pony Express, and it broke down, so we crossed over to Calico River Rapids, formerly Bigfoot Rapids, which had probably the longest line of any ride we went on. I got fairly soaked, and the boy got slightly damp.

Went on Knott's Beary Tales, which has been redone yet again, and is a jelly-shooter 3D ride now, it was pretty low-key fun. Other low-key classics we went on were the Calico mine train, on the back side of the log ride mountain, and the train.

The train was changed up for the off season, instead of the steam locomotive with several cars, they had swapped in “The Galloping Goose”, an engine with the front end that looks like it's from a vintage car, followed by a single passenger car. Indeed, they said it's powered by a Cummings 4 cylinder diesel.

The last day, we went out for lunch to a sushi place that we've been frequenting, along with my son's friend. We got some ice cream afterwards, and then went to the movies.

We went to see Dungeons and Dragons, it was pretty good!!!

Ginger Foster

Last weekend was Memorial Day. On Monday we went to a picnic with a bunch of friends. Very shortly after we arrived, the sister of one of my son's friends calls us over, and bundled up in a blanket, she has this little ginger kitten!!!

There was a cargo storage container there, and apparently there was a litter of them under there, crying out. This was the only one they were able to get out, as it's eyes were gooped shut. She was able to get one cleaned and open. She also said that the others were spooky feral, but this one was glad to be rescued!!! When we first met him (she says he's a tomcat, but from previous experience, it can be tricky with kittens!!!) she had named him Frankincense, or Frank for short, which is also her brother's name. It was a rather cool day out, and the little guy was shivering. Later on, she'd changed his name to Colby. Colby Jack. I rather like that much better!!! Around the time everybody was getting ready to leave, she asks us if we could take him “for a few days, while I work on my mom”. I don't mind, even though, who knows, it could turn into a permanent situation.

He's a spooky little guy, but that's to be expected. We took him home wrapped in the blanket, and kept him like that for a while. We unwrapped him, and he pretty quick found the secluded area below the drawers on my desk. He did come out after a while for some food that we had laid out for him. The next day, he was still under there while I was working, and since he was somewhat trapped by me being there working, I eventually pulled the drawer out and extracted him, and put him in the kitchen. He's mostly taken up residence in the corner behind the refrigerator, but he's been getting out a little bit more as he's gotten used to it. I made up a box bed for him, and he got in it once. I left the blanket in the corner, thinking he may like it since he had some history with it. He logged on it, but has since figured out what a litter box is for. A couple of times (once, in the midst of writing this up), I've been able to get some pets in, and he does head snuggles, purrs, kneads a little, and rolls over on his back, I'm not sure if he's looking for belly rubs, or if he wants to play. Oh, and he's VERY vocal, especially when someone comes into the room. My wife and son have taken to calling him Gloopy, as his eyes still have some discharge, even though they are better. Now there's a unique name for a cat!!!