Travel & Rambling Updates!
First, some light-hearted stuff:
Last week, I went out with a coworker for a few after-work drinks. It was her birthday. We ended up at Whiskey Ranch, which is a big country bar in downtown Akron. They have a mechanical bull. She wanted to ride it. I was not going to get on it. But, after a few shots and watching 3 other people in our group ride the bull, I was so ready. Yes. There is video (but I haven't seen it yet.) I still have a bruise on my knee. But I'm so glad I did it. It was super-fun.
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I have a Great-Great Aunt (my Great-Grandmother's sister) who lives in California. She was here in Ohio on a visit with my Grandmother last week. She got really sick and ended up in the hospital while she was here. The doctors said she needed to go home, but she wasn't well enough to fly alone. So, I got a call Friday afternoon, "You're a spur-of-the-moment kind of chick. What are you doing this weekend?"
And Saturday morning, I picked her up and at 6am we were on a flight out of CAK to Chicago. Chicago to LA. LA to Santa Barbara.
When we got off the plane in Santa Barbara, my GG Aunt's kids were waiting for us. We went straight to the hospital, where they admitted her. She's still there. She's stable and may be released next week.
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So, I had Saturday, Sunday, and part of Monday in Santa Barbara.
With a couple visits to the hospital mixed in, I made the most of my time in CA. I had a couple relatives who were close to my age (for simplicity's sake, I'm going to call them cousins) who showed me around town.
Saturday, we visited and toured the mission near my GG Aunt's house.
We went to Stearns Wharf and I got to pet sharks, rays, sea cucumbers, and starfish at the Ty Warner Sea Center. You know, Ty Warner, of Beanie Baby fame?
We drove past Oprah Winfrey's house in Montecito, CA. All we could see from the street was the big gates at the end of the driveway, but it was still impressive. We also drove up into the hills a bit to get a look at some of the damage from the fires over the summer. We did a little exploring on State Street.
Sunday, I went to the top of the tower at the courthouse, which is way prettier than the average courthouse. Plus - it has a tower! We also went to Yogurtland, which is like the best frozen yogurt chain, ever. We also went to the art museum and played grown-up for a couple of hours. It was a lovely art museum. While doing some more poking around on State Street, I saw a homeless guy (apparently, if you're going to be homeless, Santa Barbara is a great place to do it because it's beautiful, warm, and full of rich people) with a coffee can and a sign that said, "Old and Ugly - anything helps." Gotta give him credit for being creative/funny/not taking himself too seriously. Also saw a young cute skater/surfer guy with a big cardboard sign that said, "I just lost The Game!" And I had to stop and talk to him for a minute. Because of course, I play The Game. Sunday night - karaoke with family on State Street! It wasn't even my idea. Honest!
So, Monday: Santa Barbara to San Francisco to Chicago back home to CAK. Back to work Tuesday... Back to reality.
Last week, I went out with a coworker for a few after-work drinks. It was her birthday. We ended up at Whiskey Ranch, which is a big country bar in downtown Akron. They have a mechanical bull. She wanted to ride it. I was not going to get on it. But, after a few shots and watching 3 other people in our group ride the bull, I was so ready. Yes. There is video (but I haven't seen it yet.) I still have a bruise on my knee. But I'm so glad I did it. It was super-fun.
______________________________________________________________________________
I have a Great-Great Aunt (my Great-Grandmother's sister) who lives in California. She was here in Ohio on a visit with my Grandmother last week. She got really sick and ended up in the hospital while she was here. The doctors said she needed to go home, but she wasn't well enough to fly alone. So, I got a call Friday afternoon, "You're a spur-of-the-moment kind of chick. What are you doing this weekend?"
And Saturday morning, I picked her up and at 6am we were on a flight out of CAK to Chicago. Chicago to LA. LA to Santa Barbara.
When we got off the plane in Santa Barbara, my GG Aunt's kids were waiting for us. We went straight to the hospital, where they admitted her. She's still there. She's stable and may be released next week.
______________________________________________________________________________
So, I had Saturday, Sunday, and part of Monday in Santa Barbara.
With a couple visits to the hospital mixed in, I made the most of my time in CA. I had a couple relatives who were close to my age (for simplicity's sake, I'm going to call them cousins) who showed me around town.
Saturday, we visited and toured the mission near my GG Aunt's house.
We went to Stearns Wharf and I got to pet sharks, rays, sea cucumbers, and starfish at the Ty Warner Sea Center. You know, Ty Warner, of Beanie Baby fame?
We drove past Oprah Winfrey's house in Montecito, CA. All we could see from the street was the big gates at the end of the driveway, but it was still impressive. We also drove up into the hills a bit to get a look at some of the damage from the fires over the summer. We did a little exploring on State Street.
Sunday, I went to the top of the tower at the courthouse, which is way prettier than the average courthouse. Plus - it has a tower! We also went to Yogurtland, which is like the best frozen yogurt chain, ever. We also went to the art museum and played grown-up for a couple of hours. It was a lovely art museum. While doing some more poking around on State Street, I saw a homeless guy (apparently, if you're going to be homeless, Santa Barbara is a great place to do it because it's beautiful, warm, and full of rich people) with a coffee can and a sign that said, "Old and Ugly - anything helps." Gotta give him credit for being creative/funny/not taking himself too seriously. Also saw a young cute skater/surfer guy with a big cardboard sign that said, "I just lost The Game!" And I had to stop and talk to him for a minute. Because of course, I play The Game. Sunday night - karaoke with family on State Street! It wasn't even my idea. Honest!
So, Monday: Santa Barbara to San Francisco to Chicago back home to CAK. Back to work Tuesday... Back to reality.