DAY NINE, part one: Disneyland to Visalia, CA

DAY NINE, part one: Disneyland to Visalia, CA


Cleaning up a Christmas explosion in a hotel room takes an act of Congress. Or a very stern dad giving commands and obedient children carrying them out! : ) Slowly but surely the room came together, and dirty things got packed and clean things got worn and toys got placed where they needed to be to ensure playtime once in the RV.

Everyone showered. I’m not sure but I think the girls whimpered as the water was shut off for the last time. Or maybe that was me. The bell hop came and loaded the gross tonnage of things onto his cart, and John started his hike to get to the RV.

Kaylin and I waited with the bell hop on the curb. We started talking and he was amazed with the trip. He told me he’s not much of a traveller. He lives 5 miles from Disneyland, where he’s worked since the early 80’s. Other than a few trips to see his favorite baseball team play, he hasn’t left southern California. Now, I know I’m blessed with a job that has afforded me things in this stage of life that years ago were completely unattainable. But I just encourage people to go see and do things. This country is full of beauty and things to see and places to eat and people to talk to, and some of it is within an hour of your front door. I remember saving up my unemployment checks when Desirae was a baby, so that we could go on a scenic train ride in Maine. At the time it may have seemed like a foolish expense given our financial picture, but I don’t regret the memories of the beautiful fall foliage and scanning the woods hoping to see a moose. : )

Our northward drive on I-5 pushed us past the 3000-mile mark. This was only met with cheers from the kids when John said “We’re halfway through our trip!” I think the spaciousness of the hotel and the theme park dampened their spirit of adventure just a tad. The drive through the mountains meant wonderful scenery of fog rolling over valleys just before we’d dip into it like a ladle. It also meant more wind! Even 2 nights in the hotel didn’t do enough to convince my vestibular system that I’m not still in motion when standing still or sleeping! And my ears!! OUCH!

We exited Interstate 5 and headed toward Visalia. We were excited about eating at In-N-Out Burger. Thanks to my friends, we were informed of trying one “animal style.” The first thing that struck us was how simple the menu was! Just burgers, fries, drinks, and shakes! And was that place CROWDED! The kids ate at their own table, and John and I had to eat on our own. We shared the table with a mother and daughter. Mom was a local, her adult daughter was from LA. They shared their RV adventures with us from when the daughter was a teen, and it sounded eerily familiar. We ate and talked throughout the meal. We have really been fortunate to meet some wonderful people!

We were given a word of advice for our upcoming 2 night stay in Yosemite: don’t make any bacon! Good to know…I think I’ll save the bacon for another day. : )