Further Down The Road---Legoland California Part I

   **Yet another amazing post first published in my newest and third blog series  Please check it out!!    At  http://exarizonagobensonbobcats.blogspot.com/ **

                     Way back in 2014 our youngest won a local coloring contest out of Tucson and received four tickets to LEGOLAND.   We of course thought this was beyond great.  Although at first I did not think this was such a big deal, until I attempted to buy the ticket for one of us.  Our family has five people.  Even buying a kids ticket to complete our package was not cheap.  On the day my wife and I picked up the prize package, we were late getting home to great our kiddos after school.  We had a special letter from the TV station claiming our son a winner and congratulating him--and once we got home, we pretended to be very angry at him and had him sit on the couch while we proceeded to tell him we were late getting home because we were at his school.  My wife than asked him if he had anything he would like to explain to us.   He seemed confused, maybe because this time he really was not in any trouble at all.  We than had him read the letter.   His expression slowly changed as he realized he was a winner not a trouble maker.  And than he jumped around the living room.  It was priceless.  We did not make this trip until last October.  We have so many pictures from the amazing trip that I have already labeled this post part one. 

 

At the time we had an older run down car.  So we had planned on getting a car rental for the long voyage.  We even had one reserved online.  But when we got to the rental company at the airport the key word quickly became planned.  Our credit rating was far from good enough to get a rental car it seemed.  Above is a picture of the rental car we could have afforded.

We decided to risk it and took off in our personal car.  It made for a stress full trip, but the car did make it both there and back.

 

 

I believe it rose to six old crabs while I was in town.

We try to avoid Phoenix every time possible   so our first major stop was in Gila Bend.

A moderate sized town full of things to take pictures of. 

And the home to several large and very nice truck stops. 

 

 

 

 

Including this beer/pop bottle  cap lizard.

 

 

 

Just beyond the Dollar General store we stopped at to get travel snacks

I spotted these old buildings. 

 

 

 

                                            We have been in Arizona nearly two years now
and have yet to see a real gila monster  but this one is pretty neat. 

 

 

 

 

Rest stop along the way with a nice view.

 

 

 

Finally into the state of California.

Notice how I in no way add great to that sentence.

 

 

Hours upon hours later we were attempting to enter San Diego.

A mere thirty miles from our motel.

We soon found ourselves in what I call a highway parking lot. 

With stop and go--but mostly stop driving for hours.

I often wonder in these situations, since no one is actually driving,

why these roads have posted speed limits, because no matter what time of day it is

you are not driving anywhere close to the limit.   And if you could get in trouble for texting and driving, since you are basically parked.

Maybe it was just all the gas fumes getting to my head.

 

 

We soon had great views of the ocean and the sunset to view

between cars.

 

 

 

Carlsbad in the lobby of our hotel.

My beautiful wife got us an amazing deal on a hotel that night and the next. 

In fact it cost us less than after LEGOLAND when we were starving and went out to eat

at a buffet restaurant. 

Long story short--after we all entered the buffet line, the host asked if we also wanted drinks with our meals.  Silly me, thought they would come with the meals. 

The drink prices cost an extra $25 some how, and

I than asked the host if we would also need to purchase plates with our meals. 

 

 

Just outside our room.  My wife enjoying the view!

 

 

Around the pool that we used a lot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just up from our motel was the ocean.  When I first ventured up to view

it was just getting dark.  Although I could not get any pictures, the view was still amazing.

On the trip home we discovered I had a little extra time from work and we could go slowly.

San Diego had so much to offer it seemed that we went a little to slow maybe. 

 

But got some great ocean time in and drove for miles down the coast line.

 

 

 

 

 

I have lots of pictures here  because well

there is not much water in Arizona!

I miss the ocean and such of Washington state, but not enough to move back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What a view!

I have some stories I have written in my past about an Indian named Pontos  so thought this sign was neat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Time to get down and dirty and Explore things a little closer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Time to get back in the car and drive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ANY time you can drive along the coast line 

Enjoy it!!

 

 

 

Road shot along the way.

 

 

 

 

 

 San Diego

Mission Beach

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                 A friend told me to visit this area and it was beyond neat  but he did not mention the large amusement park full of games and attractions.  After being in LEGOLAND the whole day before, we as parents were ready to Explore, but not spend more cash.  The kiddos did not house the same feelings for sure.

 

 

After first driving by, I did not think this was still a

full functioning roller coaster.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trust what the truck says!

Do I look like a full on tourist here?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                  A few more stops and photo ops along the
                                                           long journey home. 

 

 

 

 

Small town art.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long ago closed gas station.

Sadly while we where short on gas.

 

 

Part II takes us into the park!!

 

 

As always

 

 

**HAPPY TRAILS!!**

 

 

3/9/2015

      Hello all!  In hopes to make that all a much bigger number of people PLEASE share this page with everyone you know---if you like what you see here.  Heck even if you do not like what you see here--please share the link!  ;)  Today is national meat ball day---stated way back in 1812, coincidentally the same year our microwave was made, by a band of stereotypical Italians.  OK I might have made most of that last sentence up.  BUT it is national meat ball day.  I only know this, because the restaurant I work at is making a big fuss about the day with cheap meat balls, and because I saw a post about it all on this new thing called the world wide web.  I did not have to deal with balls of any kind today at work, because I had the day off work.  Something I am kind of happy about today, because it is turning into a real Monday--even with no commute to work, or actual work.  Although with only about half of the day off past--I am really starting to wonder how I was officially -unofficially not employed for so long in my past.   I am already really going stir crazy. 

        Another great sight of mine to check out---full of local pictures and Exploring.  Soon to have some major updates!  
Local pictures and Exploring http://exarizonagobensonbobcats.blogspot.com/


       I have strayed from this for a long while but today we start a new! Today's Exploring song of the day Where are you Exploring today?? http://youtu.be/6UdZIh8_xGc

 

 

It is always nice to get recognized!  ??

I will sign this and place it right next to the name badge I made

at Wally World that says "Prick"

 

     

         **"One of the best things about Arizona is that we never change the clocks forward or backward."**---I often "joke" about all of the things wrong about living in the hot hot desert--but this is one thing that is totally right!  Although after the rest of the US changes there clocks, I never know what time it is any time I call anyone that lives outside of the state. 


   **"Do you know what sexual position creates the ugliest children??   Go ask your mother!"**

  **"Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, --for you are crunchy and good with ketchup!"**

                **"I drink to make others more interesting!  ---Earnest Hemingway

     **"Because of one reason or another I "quit" my job almost every single day. Than I go home, look at our bank account, laugh, cry --and than return to work the next day."** True story.

r

   **"If you steal someone elses coffee---is it called mugging??"**-----What you thought I was going to sneak a post past y'all with not thoughts or mention of coffee!   Keep searching through alllll of my old posts for some great laughs--I believe you will be very hard pressed to find many posts with no mention of coffee.

 

I recently meet Golum -from the Lord of the rings.

I believe she had a different personal precious than coffee.

I am far from brave enough to post her real picture on here.

So this is kind of a personal joke that leads to this intro

 

I have meet The Devil and many other celebrities in my travels.

Heck after getting married I may or may not be related to some of them.

But I am still very disappointed to report that I have not yet meet Big Foot.

My buddy wants to travel around with me   just so he can get pictures of these spotting's.

Some because he does not believe me

and some because he needs to have the pictures to inform other non believers.

 

 

 

Speaking of marriage

my beautiful wife and I are about to celebrate three years of being married.

 

 

Above is a sock monkey rendering of what we might look like on any given' day.

Minus the  big smiles!

 

 

I mentioned a few days back about the newest, furry addition to our family.

Here she is more than ready for bed time.

She just turned 7 weeks old and now has a name---

Lucy.

And although I have not really spent much time around real babies-

I believe she is very similar to having a new born in the house.

 

The other dogs are not to impressed--yet.

 

 

So this is a super rare shot--that my wife got. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This mainly goes out to all of the busy bodies in this small town we call home. 

 

 

 

 

3/6/2015

       March made it's famous appearance--at least here in Arizona.  Coming in like a lion--with snow in the hills, and lots of rain and high winds in our neck of the woods.  Of course I was off work the first two blustery days of the month, so did not really want to venture on any Exploring hikes or even wish to leave the house really for the most part.  Since then of course I have gotten new pictures as I hope to do again today--if I ever get motivated enough to get off my butt.  So far the drinking coffee is holding my interest quite well.   Much more local Exploring can be found on my newest blog page at     http://exarizonagobensonbobcats.blogspot.com   Please check it out and share   if you enjoy what you see! 

As some of us morn Mr Spock today Dr Seuss would be 111 if still alive and amazing today. On another note--big storm moving into our area--yes it does storm in the desert---only 360 days of the year are complete full on sunshine here. So much for a long hike today. My daze in Oregon and Washington give me plenty of wet hikes to last a lifetime. Maybe tomorrow. ----This post was now a few daze back, but Dr Seuss is still amazing. 

   **"I always answer the front door naked, so I can give Jehovah's something to witness!"**

  **"My grandfather was one half Cherokee --when he danced it got partly cloudy."**

  I had a customer the other day ask me if I could find some chocolate milk. I replied -that I would have to look for the recipe but was sure I could pull it off. Cliff notes: he was not amused one bit.  ;)  -----  I work in a very busy restaurant  and am always all about customer service.  And not only because my tips are mainly what we survive on as a family.  But some times you can not please every customer and they are not always right.  I personally have yelled at a lot of service providers, but find yelling at anyone that has a part in preparing my food--a very bad idea, and do not do it.  Especially if they work in fast food.  They are probably very under paid and very close to losing it and snapping on a daily bases in the first place.  Where I work now  we have two dispensers that automatically dispense coffee --one regular and one decaff.  I have never done this--but often when faced by a very problematic, and or fussy customer that also enjoys coffee--wish to poor several cups at the same time, from both dispensers, and than play a version of coffee rollute with them.  Being a serious coffee lover--I find this beyond mean   and again will say I HAVE NEVER actually done this.  Although the thought crosses my mind many days.  I can also say many food providers are not as nice---so don't risk an extra spit filled lunch by yelling at your server.  No matter how stress relieving it may be.   If you can express your concerns with the server---he or she can probably fix them all in minutes.  If you can not find your server because they are talking in the corner--and feel  the complete service was a bust---don't yell---leave a bad tip.  This said--most customers do not realize that in many states, servers make far under minum wage, because they make tips--so they really should be trying to butter you up and have a great experience the whole time. 
     My worse tip ever came to me years ago.   NOW I find it amusing and can laugh about it, but the day it happened I about followed the customers into the parking lot.  The customers had been annoying from the start--and nothing I could do seemed to remedy there thoughts.  And I know annoying customers--I worked at Wally World for eight long years!  Anyways in the end instead of leaving a crummy tip or even a cash tip, they left the newspaper classifieds section.  And circled jobs they thought I should have  instead of being a server. 

    Some what related--but not really---it is talking about coffee!   Several years ago I moved back home to Wyoming for a little bit to figure out life.  For about a week I stayed at my parents house.  It was a very long week.   Mostly because our sleep schedules are basically complete opposites of each other.  One lazy probably very cold morning-because heck it is Wyoming--I found I had drank an entire pot of coffee by myself.  And was not feeling any of the regular wake up effects.  In fact I could have easily went back to bed.  This was more than a little alarming to me.  And I still had enough energy to vent about it all in the middle of the kitchen.   My mom listened through the whole rant, and than started to laugh!   She said she had to tell me something.   They had secretly switched my real coffee to -- decaff "coffee"  O the pain!   I than uttered a cry much like good ol Charlie Brown always does after missing kicking the football Lucy is holding.  And quickly decided they owed me lots of Starbucks coffee to start to make up for this extra cruel joke. 

   So it's only a little late, but we are celebrating our youngsters birthday with a sleepover on Friday the 13th. A bunch of 11 year olds not sleeping but over -- and full of sugar somehow the date seems fitting to me.------This one kind of explains itself---we had so many things going on that we could not have the party in the month his birthday way.  At this point we are only a little over a month late.  The party is this weeksend.
 

  I do not update my blog pages near as much as I would like too.  But I am on my Facebook page much to much.  For much more random rambling, coffee love, pictures, and jokes---please check it out.   https://www.facebook.com/WyomingJackBobbleHeadsBlogs

 

 

 

                              And lastly your moment of Zen!......

2/27/2015 As Another Month Is About To Bite The Dust

       Hello all!   After putting out so many blog posts at the beginning of this very month, I have been again been slacking at posts it seems.  Blah blah blah---this is nothing new---Thank you for sticking around as a reader!  For MANY more updates, jokes, coffee love, and just plain random rambling   please check out MY Facebook page on Facebook. 

  https://www.facebook.com/WyomingJackBobbleHeadsBlogs?fref=ts   If you scroll down quite a ways, you can also see some thoughts on VD day this year.  A day greatly altered in our minds forever by attending a funeral on that day.  As always my views are not shared by everyone.  Not even by everyone in my house hold.  ;)  Next month is my wife and my 3rd wedding anniversary.  This seems amazing to me.  Not as much that we have been married that long, but that she has not just smothered me with a pillow while I sleep by now.  Maybe it is because I rarely sleep well, and am a very light sleeper that hears everything.  So next month we will be sneaking off for a well deserved night on the town.  Not in this town of course.  A night out here, I believe involves cow tipping, much booze, and a police record.  But in nearby Tucson. 
I am heading there this morning for a dr's appointment and than some Exploring    so I am sure to have some more new pictures to display.   Some day I will have them all organized for my benefit, but not some day soon.    For much more local Exploring please check out and share my newest blog page  at:  http://exarizonagobensonbobcats.blogspot.com/     A really amazing sight if I do say so myself!

    So while my wife was visiting a dying family member several months ago---her puppy got out of the house, and we have yet to find her.  It seems locally in the last few months LOTS of pets are disappearing, so we are not sure how much of it was actually by accident.  I was at work when it happened, so really had no control over it all.  Anyways, even with my usually better judgement --I found and took my wife to visit a six week old pit bull puppy yesterday.  Amazingly she feel in love with it, and I called the new member to our family --an early anniversary present.   Possibly the best gift I have gotten her in a long while.  

Mr Butch is trying to figure out what the small black good smelling object is.

And why we would bring another pet into the house. 

Us sneaking away as a couple is hard with pets and three kiddos. 

So we usually attempt to do day activities we all can enjoy. 

I believe the above explains it all in a nut shell  or egg shell.

Do you recall the similar terrible TV adds about drugs  and your brain on drugs 

using eggs??

And NO I am not old because I recall the ads!

I don't believe we will have any trouble finding pet watchers for the new puppy though.

More on the above very soon.  

Arn't the things you can learn on the Discovery channel amazing!!

They say you can learn lots of new things by listing to the President speak to

like new words --if its President Bush

but I have not yet tried it. 

So as MANY of you have to deal with snow and snow related issues

this is what we have to deal with in the desert. 

I would say in Arizona, but near Flagstaff just days ago, saw a good deal of snow. 

Even what I would call a lot of snow. 

I grew up in Wyoming---so it takes a lot of snow to impress me.

Either was a school group had to be rescued from the evil white stuff.

Yes here in Arizona, last week. 

But so not an issue in this part of the state

Greetings Everyone.

                        Greetings everyone!  I have another rare day off work on a Saturday and got to sleep in--some what.  I don't know how much one can call it sleeping in, if you stay up increadalby late.  But it felt good either way.  Now I am drinking lots of coffee and thinking of all the things I should be doing with my time off.  I actually thought I was sneaking into work today--wanting the tips much more than the actual work.  But boss said that would put me over on my part time hours and would not allow it.  I am not sure how that registers since I am about to take many hours off work.    I still get paid for the time off, but it is at my wages---my low wages, meaning I lose out on tips each of those daze.  Anyways we are about to attend a funeral in Salem Oregon.  Actually a celebration of life--- not sure what that means exactly, but we were told we could not wear black to the funeral.  The most interesting part of it all is that this celebration is on Valentines Day.  So much for anyone attending doing anything remotely romantic during the rest of there Valtimes Day.  I am really not looking forward to the long drive---only about 1200 miles one way, but I really am looking forward to the time off work.  Things have become mostly annoying at work over the past few weeks.  And I really need some time off.   Although I am not sure how clear a head I can get while attending a funeral. 

            There are several reasons --mainly the current and ex wife, that I do not see everything for this celebration going smoothly.   I will provide video if it goes south fast for sure though!

How did they know I was going to be on a hike here......
More Exploring at http://exarizonagobensonbobcats.blogspot.com/

Ready to Explore!!?

**"This one time at band camp my flute tasted like Ben Gay"**
O the things you over hear at work.....

OK  maybe I am the one that stated this---but still I am sure someone over heard it.

Kind of sort of goes with the deep saying...

"Snap into a Slim Jim has a whole new meaning in a gay bar!"

**"Have you ever gotten into a pillow fight with memory foam pillows? Believe me that is something you will remember."**
**"Want to have some real fun?? Call in sick to places you do not work!"**
More deep quotes and thoughts in every blog post

Mmmmmmm bacon!

Exploring in Sierra Vista still not sure what this blimp is actually used for. Although I have had lots of people try and tell me there version of what it is for. None of the many answers match.

So for those of you that have not heard---many cases of the measles are breaking out.

Most of the cases are now confirmed to have started in Disney parks. 

A few daze back I rambled about how disappointed the Patriots where when they returned home to tons and tons of snow.   Well here is there parade!

Peace!

Look!   I see another Exploring blog post coming your way in the near future!

As always

**Happy Trails!!**