DAY SEVEN, part two: Calico Ghost Town, CA to Hollywood, CA

DAY SEVEN, part two: Calico Ghost Town, CA to Hollywood, CA


Pulling in to the ghost town it was impossible to tell whether it would be boom or bust. As we started to walk around I realized that had I drove hours specifically to see it, I would have been disappointed. But as a chance to stretch my legs and get some fresh air, it was a huge success.

The town of Calico came into existence as a silver mine. We looked at the old buildings, rode a train, and ate in the restaurant. One last vestige of peace before heading into the city and an overly crowded theme park.

Two small casualties occurred today. First, the camera was dropped inside the mine shaft. And it busted. While the majority of the pictures are safe on the memory card, a small funeral will be held for the camera, as it will no longer be with us on the trip. It is currently tied to the roof to be left on a porch. And at the next Target, the dropper of the camera will find her bank account debited the cost of its replacement. We are the meanest parents in the world, but responsibility means taking ownership for the costs incurred, even if its accidental.

Then, somewhere outside of Barstow, California, the Christmas tree fell off the wall. The irony that it waited until Christmas Eve is not wasted on me. I teared up a little only because Ava’s “baby’s first Christmas” ornament broke. John says he’ll super glue it, but it still hurts my heart a little.

Getting into Hollywood was easier than I thought it would be, with much less traffic. We got into the city 2 hours ahead of plan, and drove right passed Warner Brothers studios. Getting in early meant more time to walk around! We found a nice lot to park in that allowed for RV’s a block from Hollywood Blvd. Forty dollars to park! Holy cow! But, we’re in California, specifically Hollywood, so everything is going to be overpriced (and overrated I’m assuming!).

We walked to Hollywood Blvd and headed towards Mann’s Chinese theater. It was so cool to see it. For those of you who haven’t been to Disney World, there is a replica at MGM/Hollywood Studios where the Great Movie Ride entrance is. So Ava kept asking if we were going to ride the ride! : ) She’s too cute.

We took some pictures of famous stars on the walk of fame (ok…a lot of pictures with stars!) and walked all the way up to Hollywood and Vine. Not a great part of town, but I was having so much fun reading the names on the stars and thinking of friends and family who would love to see that particular star. We turned around at Vine and walked back on the opposite side of the street.

Then things fell apart rapidly. I had chosen a Russian restaurant for dinner tonight, not far from Mann’s Chinese theater. John is part Russian, and whether or not that has anything to do with it, he enjoys Russian food. So I picked it in the hopes of having a nice Christmas Eve dinner together. But he and the kids were getting hungry. And complaining. And looking at every crap restaurant we walked past with wide eyes. Then John brought up the idea of the Hard Rock, and the teens jumped on it. I convinced them to at least walk the 2 blocks to see what the Russian place had to offer, and they agreed. Then the criticism of the part of town began. And of Russian food began. And of “why can’t we just eat at the Hard Rock?” etc etc etc.

I concede that I am less flexible than most. I will even accept it if someone wants to call me inflexible. But I have TRIED very hard to not get upset. My tears tonight were not about the fact we did not eat at the damn Russian restaurant, but that I sat up til 2 and 3 am planning this trip to make sure everyone got to eat and experience and do and see. I searched countless websites and then spent hours entering everything into a computer program. And at every turn, when things go slightly awry I have been the butt of jokes and criticism. And I get it…make the situation funny and I’m an easy target. I can laugh at myself. But this just went too far and made me sad. I hate feeling unappreciated and I hate that my kids have no idea how much hard work went into making this seem easy.

So on Christmas Eve, I abandoned any hope of doing something nice or special and walked back to the Hard Rock. Where they left us sitting for 15 minutes without taking a drink order. So we abandoned that as well. The kids ate leftovers in the truck. John drove. I cried.

So we made it to Disneyland just fine. I have no idea what the night has in store other than Santa is coming. And I will soak in a hot bath until I feel like my old self again.