BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: jacqui.c
Date: 23 Jul 10 - 12:23 PM

I've got some photos on to flickr now.

You can see them here.

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: open mike
Date: 21 Jul 10 - 05:21 PM

welcomehome!! glad
you got back alive!

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: Mary Katherine
Date: 21 Jul 10 - 10:22 AM

Don't forget to post the photos!

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: jacqui.c
Date: 21 Jul 10 - 09:11 AM

Las Vegas was a case of been there, seen it, got Kendall the tee shirt. I have had my curiousity satisfied but have no need to go back. To me the place is mostly a monument to greed and excess - I can't understand a mindset that can start drinking and gambling at breakfast time, but then, different folks.... It was all too noisy, too crowded and too brash for me.

If it had been practical I think that I would have liked to have got outside the city, to get an idea of the desert and mountains surrounding Las Vegas. However, with the heat that built up, that would not have been particularly sensible.

Back home now and rested up. My lovely husband is taking me out to breakfast this morning.

I thoroughly enjoyed this trip. It was good to spend time with my family and to visit parts of the USA, previously unseen. It was also great to meet up with more Mudacatters, all of whom added to the whole family's enjoyment of the trip. Lewis now wants to go live with Mary Katherine and her daughter in LA, and has his eye on a lightsabre for his birthday. Sharon and Steve found that the 'Catters we met added a lot of enjoyment to the trip.

Now, a few days at home and then I meet the kids in New York, on August 1st, for a few days and then on to Washington, with a short road trip back to Maine in time for Kendall's appointment with Dr Z on the 11th of August.

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: SINSULL
Date: 20 Jul 10 - 04:45 PM

Spaw,
Take yourself quietly down to the CELLAR!. You know the way.
SIGH
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: catspaw49
Date: 20 Jul 10 - 02:12 PM

Congratulations, Kendall. We have proof you are more entertaining than Las Vegas.

Yeah, Jacqui pulled his handle, his eyes spun around, and he paid off.................

Welcome Home Jacko!

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: Mary Katherine
Date: 20 Jul 10 - 01:27 PM

Glad to know you're safely home. It was great to meet you and (some of) your family; hope Kendall survived your absence. Next trip: Less Las Vegas, more Los Angeles!

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: ClaireBear
Date: 20 Jul 10 - 12:15 PM

Hope all your ramblin's brought you joy.

We're glad you're safe at anchor, but we sure had fun getting to know you better out here in the wild, wild west.

Love,
Your West Coast Sister Claire

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: maeve
Date: 20 Jul 10 - 12:01 PM

Welcome home, Jacqui. Congratulations, Kendall. We have proof you are more entertaining than Las Vegas.

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: SINSULL
Date: 20 Jul 10 - 11:56 AM

She's back.
And not likely to visit Las Vegas again. LOL
Welcome back, Jacqui.

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: catspaw49
Date: 20 Jul 10 - 10:48 AM

It would cause explosions.........

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: SINSULL
Date: 20 Jul 10 - 10:38 AM

Home again Home again
Jiggety Jig?????



It's a guitar not a banjo, Kendall. Now if it were a banjo glass with music - SIGH!

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: kendall
Date: 20 Jul 10 - 08:50 AM

Does it have its own teeth? A Job?

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: SINSULL
Date: 20 Jul 10 - 08:11 AM

A drink guitar?????????? Tell me you got me one. Please. I am begging you...
And it plays music??????

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: jacqui.c
Date: 19 Jul 10 - 07:25 PM

Only in Las Vegas (I hope) can one be sitting in Macdonalds and watch Elvis walk in accompanied by Marilyn Monroe. I was able to utter the immortal words 'Elvis has left the building' as they walked out through the rear door.

We explored New York today - for my money a much better set up than Excalibur and a lot quieter. The New York scenes were very good. We sat in air conditioned comfort in the posh part of Aria looking at the shopfronts of Gucchi, Dior and other high priced stores.

Lewis got his drink guitar (empty) from the Harley Davidson shop today. We found out, after purchase, that it plays a tune. I'm glad I'm flying out tonight!

We stayed in last night - the daytime heat really sucked the energy out of all of us. We may try for the mono rail for a while before I head for the airport and an overnight flight home.

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: kendall
Date: 19 Jul 10 - 07:21 PM

Spaw, I didn't know all that, but I know who signed the Webster/Ashburton treaty of 1842.

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: SINSULL
Date: 19 Jul 10 - 08:34 AM

AND??????
What has happened with my $20 investment? Can I quit my job? Get the plumbing fixed? Afford a pizza?
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: Joe Offer
Date: 19 Jul 10 - 12:24 AM

I gotta admit, Jacqui - I really like Las Vegas. I even enjoy it when it's hot there. I keep thinking that I ought to be more high-class and that I shouldn't be impressed by all that glitz - but then I walk down the Strip, and all I can say is, "Oh, wow."

Don't ask me about when I got cajoled into going to see the topless dancers at the Crazy Horse Saloon.....
Hmmmm. I wonder if it's still there.
I made sure that the guys who took me to the Crazy Horse, went with me to church in North Las Vegas (the poor section) the next day.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: catspaw49
Date: 18 Jul 10 - 11:45 PM

Geez Kendall.....no big deal, Lee's horse? Everyone knows that! But did you know Phil Sheridan's horse was named "Rienzi" or that Stonewall Jackson's last horse was named "Little Sorrel? Did you know that both Rienzi and Little Sorrel were stuffed after their deaths whereas Stonewall Jackson's mother was buried in Ansted, Virginia which is now Ansted, West Virginia? And did you know Ansted is on the New River (at the gorge) and you can sing "New River Train" as long as you can make dumb rhymes to simple words?

Now THAT is deep and totally wasted and useless crap of the lowest order!


Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: jacqui.c
Date: 18 Jul 10 - 07:26 PM

When I get back home I'll put photos on flickr. This laptop is OK but not quite as easy to use as my desktop.

Just back from a bus ride the length of the strip and into Downtown. We got the local bus $7 for 24 hours travel - a lot cheaper than the tour bus. We wimped out at 3.00pm - it is just too hot out there.

The various hotels are incredible - we've seen a mini Statue of Liberty (and one made out of jellybeans) and an Eiffel Tower that looks to be 'normal' size as opposed to the monstrous original in Paris. Gondoliers on a very small canal and a circus big top. We went past The Gold and Silver Pawn Shop - featured on 'Pawn Stars' - a programme that Kendall enjoys. I may go back there tomorrow to takes photos.

Back in the room now for some quiet and cool before going to eat and then a nightime bus ride to see the strip lit up.

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: kendall
Date: 18 Jul 10 - 07:25 PM

Would you believe it was 90 degrees here late this afternoon? This is MAINE for Pete's sake!

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: Alice
Date: 18 Jul 10 - 06:28 PM

Will there be photos of this trip posted online for Mudcatters to see? - A.

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: Ebbie
Date: 18 Jul 10 - 06:18 PM

His uncle's maiden name? I must've forgotten it too so don't feel bad, Cap'n.

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: gnu
Date: 18 Jul 10 - 05:47 PM

Pussy.

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: Bobert
Date: 18 Jul 10 - 05:16 PM

Well, Capt'n, do you know Robert E. Lee's uncle's maiden name???

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: Amos
Date: 18 Jul 10 - 04:59 PM

He knows these things because he has lived them. He probably broke Traveler into the saddle as a kid, and I think he used to farm in Vegas when he knew all the other 29 folks out there, while he was waiting for Maine to cool down enough to let him back in.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: kendall
Date: 18 Jul 10 - 04:46 PM

I know more useless crap than anyone else I know.
Robert E. Lee's horse was named Traveler.

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: gnu
Date: 18 Jul 10 - 03:17 PM

I did not know that Kendall.

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: Alice
Date: 18 Jul 10 - 03:12 PM

I have a 90 year old aunt who has lived in Las Vegas since long before it became what it is today. I've had to work souvenir trade shows there and design t-shirt designs for the Mirage... I'll say no more.

I'm glad you had a pool to enjoy in that heat!!


A.

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: kendall
Date: 18 Jul 10 - 02:29 PM

Did you know (or care) that in 1910 Las Vegas had a population of 30?

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: jacqui.c
Date: 18 Jul 10 - 01:30 PM

The slots hold no attractions for me whatsoever. I'm not lucky that way so I stay away.

Had a great time in the pool this morning though - the spa was lovely.

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: Bobert
Date: 18 Jul 10 - 12:43 PM

I was hopin' fir San Diego, too, 'cause she could get me a bag of weed at any of the corner pot shops there in Amos's neigborhood...

Hey, Jacqui... Don't go hittin' them slots too hard... The Capt'n ain't in the mood to go back to work to pay off gamblin' debts...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: Alice
Date: 18 Jul 10 - 12:35 PM

Well, I guess Amos may be right, that you have to see Las Vegas once just to know what it is.

I was really wishing you could go to SAN DIEGO instead of Las Vegas while reading your travel thread. San Diego is a lovely city. Las Vegas... well, I better not post my opinion.

I am enjoying reading this travel log!

Alice

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: Amos
Date: 18 Jul 10 - 12:08 PM

Wal, no-one ever said you'd find peace and quiet in Vegas... ;>)

But if you have never been there, you got to do it once before you move on.



A

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: Leadfingers
Date: 18 Jul 10 - 05:18 AM

Blackpool On Steroids !! GAWD !!!

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: jacqui.c
Date: 18 Jul 10 - 01:29 AM

Las Vegas

Even the airport has slot machines. To check in at the desk we had to plough our way through the crowds at the slot machines and gaming tables, and then again to the elevators to our rooms. We're staying at the Excalibur - Sharon's choice for Lewis. The rooms are fine, quiet and cool, but the public areas are jumping - very crowded and noisy.

We found the children's area - so far Lewis has collected three SpongeBob Squarepants toys and has his sights set on more. Sharon is concerned that his collection may put them over the top on baggage when they fly to Colorado!

It is HOT. It got to 108 today and there were still people out sunbathing by the pool. The heat hits you like a blanket - a few minutes out there were more than enough. We will be getting to the pool first thing, hopefully before the heat builds up too much.

This evening, after dinner, we went a little way out from the hotel, still very hot, but slightly more bearable and the sun was a lot lower. This place is like Blackpool on steroids. Totally crazy, but amazing. Tomorrow we're hoping to get tickets for the hop on hop off buses and go exploring the wonders of the strip and then, in the evening just take a ride along the strip to see the lights.

Right now peace and quiet and a glass of wine are very relaxing.

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: Janie
Date: 17 Jul 10 - 09:04 PM

Rumor has it that Herself and entourage has hit Las Vegas. Hope Sin City is braced and ready!

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: Mary Katherine
Date: 17 Jul 10 - 12:36 PM

Oh, Jacqui beat me to it! Well, yes, what she said; we had a lovely day together, and by the way, Kendall, Jacqui is bringing you home a small prezzie from my place. Now they're off to Las Vegas (whatever for? says I) and then on with their adventures!
You should have seen Lewis last night, playing with one of my daughter Jennifer's Star Wars light sabers; the kid was in hog heaven!

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: jacqui.c
Date: 17 Jul 10 - 01:37 AM

What a day. The tar pits were amazing - you don't quite believe it until you see the stuff bubbling up out of the ground. The exhibits were great - lots of skeletons of extinct creatures and a garden with a stream, home to carp and turtles.

We managed, after some trying, to get to the Walk of Fame and spent time looking for the necessary stars with which to have photos taken. I came across William Shatner's star and took a photo for Little Hawk.

The best part of the day was visiting Mary Katherine, who has a veritable cornucopia of musical memorabilia, posters, photographs, music and books. I spent the first ten minutes just looking around, open mouthed, at the treasures she has, including a signed photo of all four Beatles with Peter, Paul and Mary, which Mary Katherine took. There isn't an inch of wall space that hasn't been used for posters and photos for Folk, Bluegrass and Blues stuff.

MK was kind enough to give us the use of her laundry facilities and then took us up the hill to get a good view of the Hollywood sign. She even took photos of all of us in front of the sign. We went back to her place and were introduced to her daughter, a real Star Wars fanatic, who has the most amazing collection of Star Wars stuff that I've ever seen. This time it was Lewis who was speechless and ended up leaving with a few treasures. MK generously treated us to dinner in a local diner, terrific food, and refused to allow us to pay for the meal. (I WILL get my own back, lady, just wait and see!)

We drove back to the motel along the freeways, passing the lighted city buildings, which looked almost like a science fiction backdrop.

Right now Lewis has just gone to sleep - it took a while for him to come down off his high - and our bags are part packed for the flight to Las Vegas in the morning. I'm just finishing a glass of wine before hitting the sack myself.

Night all.

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: Janie
Date: 16 Jul 10 - 06:58 PM

Really enjoying keeping up with your travels, Jacqui, and hearing about all your meet-ups with assorted Mudcatters.

In my next life, I'm gonna be an extravert!

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: maeve
Date: 16 Jul 10 - 05:21 PM

That explains a lot, Spaw.

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: catspaw49
Date: 16 Jul 10 - 05:11 PM

"A family member worked on the exhibit."

Really? Me too. It appears that way, way, back I had an Uncle who was a Giant Ground Sloth...................

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: maeve
Date: 16 Jul 10 - 04:25 PM

I'd like to see the tar pits, too. A family member worked on the exhibit.

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: SINSULL
Date: 16 Jul 10 - 04:15 PM

I prefer boysenberry more than any ordinary jam. I'm a citizen for boysenberry jam fan...
If I became a first lieutenant, would you keep my photo on your piano? "To Mary Jane. Best Wishes, Martin."
Wish I could visit the tar pits.
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: catspaw49
Date: 16 Jul 10 - 03:24 PM

"The air coming to the surface in the occasional bubbles in the pits themselves has been buried for tens of millions of years...."

Shouldn't be too much for Jacqui to handle as the same has been said of Kendall's flatulence................

Love the updates Jacqui and tell Lewis to try the Boysenberry!

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: gnu
Date: 16 Jul 10 - 02:14 PM

What a marvellous trip for the young man... for anyone. Still enjoying the updates.

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: Amos
Date: 16 Jul 10 - 11:48 AM

Mind where you put your feet around those tar pits, dear! The lawns are pitted with little tar-seep spots where your sneakers can get stuck. The air coming to the surface in the occasional bubbles in the pits themselves has been buried for tens of millions of years, an amazing thought IMHO.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: jacqui.c
Date: 16 Jul 10 - 11:40 AM

Another day in LA. Outside the sky is grey and there is a little rain falling. We're sightseeing today so perfect weather isn't quite so important.

Yesterday was beautiful. We went to the beach at Santa Monica, close to where Mary Katherine works. On her recommendation we found day parking for $8! We spent the morning on the pier - Lewis heaven - and then were treated to an excellent lunch, at a Mexican restaurant at the end of the pier, by Mary Katherine - yet another old friend that we have just met. She works in a building looking on to the beach - with such a lovely view it's surprising that she can get any work done!

It was rather comforting to find out that, contrary to all the scenes of beach life in LA, the place is not totally peopled with ultra fit bronzed beauties. After lunch we went to the beach. Sand so hot that it burned the feet and waves that did not allow for swimming. Lewis and I had great fun standing in the water and almost being knocked down by the incoming waves. The undertow was very strong and we really had to struggle sometimes to keep our feet, but it was lovely to share that with the little boy.

A bit of shopping (avoid taking a child to Toy'R'Us to make a decision about what to buy!) and then we came back to the motel to chill for the evening, watching Wolverine on HBO.

Today it's the La Brea Tar Pits and museum, the Walk of Fame and the Hollywood sign and then meet up with Mary Katherine to go eat. That's after taking Lewis to IHOP for his new food love, pancakes with maple syrup.

To be continued..........

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: Mary Katherine
Date: 15 Jul 10 - 11:40 PM

Had a terrific lunch with Jacqui and her family today in a Mexican restaurant out at the far end of the Santa Monica Pier. Dolphins were frolicking out in the water as we were eating, but we didn't throw them any food. They're all doing well and enjoying their visit here, though I hope that the heat (it will be at least 100 tomorrow, perhaps higher) won't cause them any problems. If all goes well we will meet up again tomorrow in Hollywood.

Subject: RE: BS: Jacqui.c visiting California this July
From: Dave Swan
Date: 15 Jul 10 - 05:31 PM

Also Scottish humour. The first time I heard that line was from my uncle in Perthshire re my aunt. "It's everything I can do not to tell her I love her"