vacation - day 3

Went to California Adventure today.  Rode Tower of Terror twice, California Screamin' 3 times, rode the Swings and Ferris Wheel and Soaring over California.   Also, rode on the Toy Story ride and I beat Terry on that game the first time and he beat me on the 3rd time (the 2nd time we rode it the machine wouldn't work so none of our "guns" had any target to shoot at so they gave a re-ride).  The weather was windy and breezy and about 55 degrees.  We also went on the Ariel Mermaid ride and watched "A bug's life is tough" show.  I had my fitbit on which keeps track of how many steps I take and I walked 20, 409 steps which was the equivalent of 8 1/4 miles.  We have a 3 day hopper so have a couple of more days to go.  Having fun with the kids but also keeping on our toes trying to keep track of everyone!

2013 Vacation - Day 1 & 2

We had quite a trip travelling down to Disneyland.  We had to go to Portland first to do an errand.  We left Prineville Thursday afternoon at 4 p.m.  Before we got to Madras we had a  flat tire.   Terry finally got the tire changed (I held the flashlight ).  We made it to Madras before the Les Schwab closed and they fixed it for free.  I must have run over a nail because it went down pretty fast.  Went over Mt. Hood in the dark on mostly icy spots.  Got to Ryan & Julie's about 9 p.m. 

On Friday we left their house at 8 a.m.  Hit packed snow at Salem. Around Albany there were several cars that had slid off the road both on the right and left.  We called 511 (for road reports) and found that I-5 south of Eugene was closed with two different wrecks.  So we got off I-5 and went over Hwy 58 through Oakridge because 511 said the roads in Central Oregon were better.  We weaved around a wreck before Oakridge and headed across the mountain.  They closed that road behind us.  It was snowing hard and blowing and very poor visibility.  Took both of us watching for shadows ahead to make out cars or trucks in front of us as their taillights were covered in snow.  The windshield wipers kept freezing up especially on my side.  Terry's side was better which was good since he was driving.  But that made it very stressful for me because I wanted to be able to see better.  We got to Chemult on Hwy 97 and they said it was closed north and south.  But 511 said there was a wreck south that would be cleared within an hour.  We couldn't turn around so kept on going forward.  The road was open by the time we got to the wreck (a semi completely turned on its side).  We had poor visibility and packed snow clear until Red Bluff.  15 miles south of there we got a room at Corning.  Whew!  13 hours of driving, 12 of it in super lousy conditions.

Saturday, we headed out at 9 a.m. and had 2 hours of fog, then it lifted and was very nice but they closed the Grapevine.  So we started planning an alternate route to LA but 2 of the 3 ways were also closed.  However, by the time we got to Lost Hills where we would have to take the alternate route over to 101 on the coast, they had opened the Grapevine.  Another whew!!

Got to the motel by Disneyland at 5:30 p.m.  It is nice.  Had dinner with Holly and the crew.  Today they are going to Magic Mountain and we are going to visit Terry's cousin Patty who he has seen twice since we were married and I have never met.  Tomorrow, Tuesday, Wednesday is Disneyland.

Heard it was -14 at Prineville today.  So glad we drained our pipes before we left.  We are praising the Lord for his abundant protection and mercy to us.  Here are some pictures of the trip so far:

Hwy 58 in Oregon

Hwy 58

Hwy 97 in California

My side of the windshield (by Mt Shasta)

Central California

Snow on the Grapevine (I-5)

Snow on the Grapevine I-5

an Orange grove taken going at 75 mph

Our premo parking spot 10 feet from our motel room