We began our trip at church, which is always a good way to begin a suppose. I actually think that it was under inspiration because one of the talks given by a 16 year old sister, was all about dating. Yep, I’m ready to find my eternal companion now.
Then came the long part, the drive to LA. It was pretty much your typical 12 hour drive. Thanks to one Miss Laura Burton, we were able to keep occupied by looking out the window, scrupulously searching for animal carcasses, hoping to the first to spot one without mistaking a carcass for a shredded tire. Another thing that kept me busy was the baffling realization that two of my best friends didn’t realize that “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” was from a movie. Hmm, that one kept me bewildered for hours. One other difference was the traffic coming out of Las Vegas. Apparently lots of Californians like to take a weekend trip to Vegas. Why? I don’t know. If Celine was performing in Vegas still (like she will be, come March 2011) I would understand the 2 hour long traffic jam all the way to Barstow, but without her I’m just a bit puzzled. In fact now that I’m thinking about it, I am positive I must have done something wrong recently and the traffic was just a way for the Universe to get back at me. How did it get back to me, you might ask? Well that 2 hour delay was perfect timing for us to reach the freeway next to Disneyland right during the fireworks display. Touche universe, touche. So as a single tear drops from my left eye we continue our journey to Huntington Beach towards the home of the Lockharts. When we arrive we get settled in and join Matt in his office for an hour long tutorial and explanation on the use of twitter. I’ll sum it up by saying @voldemort_7 is my hero.
Monday morning we woke up and made our way to Dana Point to see some tide pool action, unfortunately for us it was high tide (we think) thus making tide pools prettymuch non existent. So after a short hike through across the beach we made our way back to Huntington. I would like to point out that I have never wanted to stop and eat at so many restaurants on a single road in my life. California definitely has that on Utah.
So we spent a lot of time at the beach in Huntington and I ate the best fish taco in existence I’m sure. I could definitely use one of those right now. A few hours later we crashed a ward corn roast on the beach. Corn boiled in sea water, literally dipped into a can of melted butter, doused with salt...yes please. That was a blast, great food, great location and great people (Hi Quinn).
The next morning we wake up bright and early and head to LA for a session in the temple. It was fabulous, and afterwards we went through the visitors center. I’m amazed at what the church can put together. The displays and presentations are fantastic. So after our temple trip we took a drive to find a place called Tito’s Tacos that we were told was not to be missed. I don’t want to cause the second Utah War or anything so I will just say. They were good (but Cafe Rio’s better). Then we acted like real tourists and went to Hollywood and Highland to walk the walk of fame. It was kind of a bust, there was only one star I wanted to see, we even had an address and we couldn’t find her. Its okay, my heart will go on, and on. We drove back to Huntington and shopped around on main street where there was a big sidewalk sale/fair. Then we made our way back to *sigh* Anaheim for an Angels game. It was a blast and we met someone who basically keeps all Americans from being hit by an invading airstrike. So yeah, he was cool. That night, the Universe decided it hadn’t had enough with me, so of course right as we exit our portal of the stadium what is the first thing I see? The Maliboomer, along with California Screamin’ in Disney California Adventure. Sooo, soo close.
The next day was a long one. We woke up and made our way to Valencia for a day at the lesser park, also known as Six Flags Magic Mountain. We lathered ourselves in Sunscreen and then began the day. It was a blast. The rides were incredible, theming? Not so much, but when you pay 30 bucks, it doesn’t matter. The day did begin to wear on us as the heat continued to climb. It was extremely hot, and the little misters they had everywhere didn’t do much at all, except for make us moist. There were a few highlights of the day: X2 (the first time), Tatsu (2nd time?) If itS NOT one of the funnest rides, I don’t know what is, riding Goliath multiple times, fighting over which park is better with Nate. The low moment of the day is without a doubt, Scream. Do not under any circumstances stay on the ride for 4 rides in a row after you have been out in the heat that long. Its not pretty.
Anyways, we finished the day, the park closed at 6:00 (something that doesn’t happen at Disneyland :)) but its a good thing cause I really doubt we could have stayed much longer. We took quite a long drive trying to find what we can only assume is the only McDonalds in Valencia, just so we could get large drinks for 99 cents, only to find out that the 99 cent promotion is not available in California. So yeah, the Wendys right off the freeway would have been just as good.
We made our way back to Huntington to meet up with some of Nathans cousins on the pier to go to Ruby’s. That was a blast, excellent fries and excellent people. The most entertaining part of the conversation was describing our dream ways of dying inside Disneyland and later various theme parks. I can’t remember how this came up, but I’m kinda glad it did. Here were the top ways of dying inside Disneyland: being flown from a teacup and getting stuck inside the little groves that the cups move in, and being severed numerous times, flying as Tinkerbell during the fireworks and having a firework blow you up, drowning in Pirates, then bobbing to the surface next to the people eating at the Blue Bayou, being engulfed in flames in Indian Jones and being eaten by the Yeti on the Matterhorn. Like I said, this was a great night, it was a great end to a great trip.
The next day we woke up said our goodbyes to our awesome hosts and were back off to Utah, with sidetrips to Cafe Rio (good mexican food) and to get some cheese, because what kind of trip would be complete with out purchasing cheese.
I loved getting out just one more time before school started, and I loved being able to spend time with some of my best friends who I look up to so much. I’ll just end by saying, Disneyland is number 1! And don't call me Shirley.
