Day 24: San Diego Chargers

Had to get up very early this morning to go down to Qualcomm Stadium, in San Diego, to watch the Chargers play Arizona. We were advised to make sure we were at the ground as early as possible for the tailgate party. At the party, amongst 60, 000 people, we managed to have a good yarn with people parked next to us. The game itself was awesome, the atmosphere was great. Go the Chargers!

Diane's View

Very early start to get to San Diego for Tail Gate Party before Chargers game.

Parked next to some great locals who do this regularly (boys day out), BBQ set up hacky sac game and they were happy to let us join in.

Savannah and I got spray on tattoos and some stickers for under our eyes played some hacky sac, while Darcy ate BBQ and Rocky drank.

Great day very loud and big crowd, left a bit earlier to miss traffic good advice stopped at Del Tacos for dinner.

Day 23: Back to HB

This morning we ate at a little place called BLT's. One again we were driving and by that afternoon we made it back to Huntington  Beach. After seeing friends and seeing wal-mart (again) it was apparent to go down to the beach, and get dad a beer. We spent the afternoon with friends, and later on  that night, watched the NRL grand final at a mates house.

Diane's View

Great brekky at BLT'S, then drove down road to buy a wood carving of a Bear then we were on our way to Newport Best Western Beach Inn. We stopped at Sport Authority on the way, after unpacking the car went to Ray's, Walmart then down to HB. Darcy and Rocky had a bit of catch with Rugby ball, then Darcy and I walk the Pier to Ruby's at the end seeing Dolphins and Seals playing everywhere. Rocky and Savannah went to Hurricanes where we met up with them then went down stairs to BJ's for dinner and drinks. 

Day 22: Big Bear Lake

Today we went for a drive to Lake Arrowhead, was there alot of great scenery or what? We drove around for at least half the day, but not without eating at maccas while dad found somewhere to drink. That arvo, the whole lot of us went bowling down the road from our hotel.

Diane's View

Rocky couldn't play Golf so we drove around Lake Arrowhead twice as Rocky couldn't find please he wanted to show us, but it was very picturesque.

Rocky had a drink at a saloon where parking was a bit scarce, kids ate lunch at McDonald's across road.

Drove around Big Bear Lake stopped at park it was raining most of the morning, sign at park said beware of Rattle Snakes. Rocky and I went across the road to Nottingham's Tavern where we met a Seattle girl had a drink and some dinner.

Day 21: Leaving Las Vegas

Today we finally  headed out of Vegas. Although, before hitting the road, it was important to eat something from Wendy's and stop at the coke shop for mum. Today we were on our way to big bear lake for a few days. On the way we stopped at calico ghost town for a visit. It was interesting because dad had infact been their many years before. That arvo we made it to big bear, and had dinner at Sandy's sports bar.

Diane's View

Sleep in then brunch at Wendy's, New Coke gear for me something for Savannah and MM shop.Drive to Big Bear Lake, stopped at Baker for pit stop where I had a Snicker Ice Cream Yum, Savannah and Darcy had biggest Drumstick ever.

USMC Logistics Base, and Solar Plant were left of Calico Ghost Town, where had a look around.

Rocky ah

had been there many years ago, grabbed a Aardvark for Christmas Tree.

I had a drive to Marina Lodge in Big Bear lots of winding and very high Mt.

Dinner at Sandy's sports bar.

Day 20: ...vegas again...

Today we hit more casinos and hotels that we had yet to visit. In particular Luxor and Excalibur. At Excalibur there was a virtual 3D game system. It was just a big ball and a pair of glasses. I found it hard to keep balance and fell over twice. After Which we headed down to the Nascar cafe. Dad and i went on Speed the ride before lunch. While eating we ran into some Aussies from Melbourne. we talked to them for a few hours before calling it quits at dusk.

Diane's View

More Casino's up the strip, Excalibur, Luxor, Stratosphere, Nascar Cafe for roller coaster ride where Savannah was 1 inch to small. We had lunch a sampler tray which took us not as long as Rocky did to drink the Tower of beer he ordered, (12 pints).

Melbourne Aussies stopped and joined our afternoon drink fest and helped Rocky a little also Rocky took Jo to a black jack table where he was called a very hard to believe word, Ha Ha.

I had a couple of tequlia's with mark while waiting Patron very smooth. Very long afternoon Cab home.

Day 19: ... yet another day in vegas...

Slept in today, and then made our way over to hoover dam. The place was awesome. Very big. It's a wonder someone actually built it.

Diane's View

9am start off to Hoover Dam, while driving Mt goat ran across in front of car big curly horns.

We did the Power Station walk through very big, could feel water shaking the floor under our feet.

Inside on the marble floor are Indian Symbols representing electricity and turbines.

Lake Mead is the water the Dam is holding back and gets feed through the intake columns to the turbines.

New bridge was being built Rocky was amazed how much was done since he was there last year because he said there was only a bit of steel sticking out at each side.

I wouldn't like the workers job very high very scary.

We headed back to Vegas checked out more Casino's Hooter's was one where Rocky and I went by ourselves for an hour.

Got a new Hooters singlet, then Rocky took Savannah to games room again.

Day 18: Another day in vegas...

This morning we went to La Salsa next door to the MGM for a Mexican themed breakfast. seeing hos there isn't much to do in Vegas during the day time, we just speant the day walking around some shops and  casinos. eg. walmart. I got a haircut and spent the arvo sleeping in the hotel room. That night we went  to treasure island to see the pirate show and headed up to old town for dinner.

DianeView's

$3.95 breaky at La Salsa, Walmart shop, wax and nails and check out local pet shop (wow) great shop.

Lunch in room followed by strawberries in Hershey's chocolate dipping sauce Yum.

Swim for all while I read mag in the shade, quite warm in Vegas.

Savannah and Rocky went to games room, won 282 tickets came back with a Margarita in a yard glass.

Walked the strip checking out Bellagio, water show at Treasure Island just finishing drink with Rocky's help 2-3 hours later.

Bus to Old Town, lots to see biggest light show ( Viva Vision ) at Freemont St, it's 1500 feet in length, and over 2500 people visit each day.

Kiss was what we got to see, then it chaged to Alice Cooper an Ozzyin Halloween effect lasts 6 min changing to different things each hour on the hour.

We had dinner at Binions Cafe and collected a chip from casino.

Day 17: Las Vegas

We left SD today, for LV. after an early wake up call, and another shop at walmart, we were hitting the road towards a desert in nevada. Around 8 hours later, we came to a hotel/casino right on the state line called buffalo bill. We only stopped because we were told to go on this huge rollercoaster called, the desperado. IT WAS HUGE. After the roller coaster, we hit the road again, and actually got to Las Vegas that arvo.

Diane's View

Las Vegas here we come but not before we hit Walmart again, Notebook Clothes water then onto

 I 15 N.

Past March A R Base on the way, had lunch at Barstow, went to outlet shops, through the Mojave Desert nothing but Joshua trees how good they look. We could see Calico on the Mt in big white letters stopped at Buffalo Bills Casino 5pm for a huge Rollercoaster ride, then onto Las Vegas.

Rested for a bit then dinner at La Salsa checked a little bit of the strip out but needed rest.

Savannah's Daily Highlight

Going on a huge rollercoaster at Buffalo Bills.

Day 16: Sea World

Today we made our way over to Sea World. The sea world over here in San Diego, first off, is much bigger and better than the one on the gold coast. It dosnt just have dolphins, it has sharks, whales etc. Enjoyed seeing shamu the most, although the Atlantis ride was also very fun.

Diane's View

San Diego Seaworld, lots of rides and kids playground for Savannah, but all I can say is Shamu Shamu Shamu, soak zone yeah we got wet, Savannah twice.

Dolphins were awesome as was the seal show.

Olive Garden for dinner all Pasta salad and soup you can eat, we had one of each Full Full Full, Erika the waitress was funny.

Cosmic Brownies again Yum.

Savannah's Daily Highlight

Getting splashed by Shamu.

Day 15: San Diego

After an early awakening, we all got up to go and get a new car for our drive to San Diego. Not a kia this time but a gmc. One short drive later, we were at San Diego zoo. The zoo we pretty cool itself, with alot of different animals, but i dont know whos idea it was to build it on a hill.

Diane's View

Rocky and I up early but waited for over hour and a half which we received an upgrade to a 4x4 GMC, going to be a great Tailgate Party car for our big game towards end of trip.

San Diego here we come, Zoo first lost to see even some we know well.

The kids found out how scared I am of heights (sky rail) very high big hill.

Shopped at Ralphs this time for groceries, after dinner we had Cosmic Brownies very yummy.

Savannah's Daily Highlight

Going to the zoo.

Day 13 and 14: More Disneyland

On days 13 and 14 we weant back to Disneyland. This time we got more ride photos, and weant on all the things, we had not actually been on yet. Highlight of the two days was probably scaring savannah on tom sawyer island

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Diane's View

Disneyland again how Halloween it's looking and what lovely gardens.

Halloween carvings being done, even popcorn machine turner is the Boogie man from Nightmare Before Christmas.

More rides, Tom Sawyer Island, Mark Twain and a few Aussies around.

Savannah made a Dog at Build A Bear $$$, met up with Lisa our travel agent and friend from Gold Coast, we had dinner and drinks at House of Blues.

I even had a drink so Darcy now has a souvenir glass or two.

Denny's was desert on walk home.

Magic Morning wasn't so magic, computers were down but will get it next time back also received fast passes for that day.

Great Log ride photo, Buzz Lightyear ride, Rock climbing for Savannah, Hill Billy's Show, lots of Signatures and photo's from Characters and the Haunted House very cool.

Darcy and I had afternoon tea at Rainforest Cafe while Savannah and Rocky did more Signatures, then we all met up at House of Blues which was a late afternoon relax for Rocky.

Celebration Street Party was something to see very lively, and then dinner at Captain Kidds.

Savannah's Daily Highlight

The street parade.

Making my build a bear Dog Marty.