El Mono, Day 3, Part 2

Well the day started out with a jolt....double non-fat latte. I made a new friend at the Latte Da. Her name is Cathy and guess what? She found Mt. Whitney and was kind enough to share a photo with me (careful not to miss the picture below). Anyway, I headed out to Bodie and found things pretty dead there. After walking around the ghost town, I went to Virginia Lake for an afternoon of horseback riding. My horse was named Sweetie and guess what she liked to do? Eat. Isn't it ironic that we were paired together? Every chance she got, she nibbled. We talked about discipline and counting points, but she just couldn't control herself. The guide even disciplined me for letting Sweetie nibble. The guide said, "just give her a kick, cuz it's not good for her to nibble. We watch the horses weight." But Sweetie was smart. Every time I would kick, she would start to gallop. That got old real fast. So I just let her nibble and told her, "Sweetie, I totally get where you're coming from." This evening, Cathy and I took a guided tour of the South Tufa at Mono Lake. Mono Lake is a geological masterpiece with an incredible eco system that is rapidly chnging.

Did I see Flat Stanley? No, but I did see Paul Simon (or a good imposter of him) at the South Tufu.

El Mono Motel and Latte Da Cafe, Day 2, part 1

I have arrived at my Day 2 & 3 destination, El Mono. It is located right off of Highway 395, literally. This place is in full bloom with an array of Cosmos, Coreopsis, Echinacea, Gallardia, Lupine, and of course, a ton of Sunflowers. With a direct view of Mono Lake, I am in heaven.
Just to close out Kernville...I hit the Sportsman Lounge at 9:00pm. As I entered the darkened room, a voice came over the loud speaker..."LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, STANLEY HAS LEFT THE BUILDING!" I asked a biker...."did Stanley say where he was headed?" The biker simply replied "North!" So after a quick bowl of oatmeal at the Cracked Egg, (Starbucks is still the best), I was on the road. My highlight for today was to have been Mt. Whitney in Lone Pine. I was so excited. But, I'm embarrased to say, I missed it. Yes, I missed Mt. Whitney, all 14,505 feet of it. It slipped by me. How? I don't know. I stopped in town at a coffee shop. There were tons of tourists who seemed to be frustrating the barrista. When it was my turn to get served, I began to run through my head various versions of "Did I miss Mt. Whitney?" I thought, "Have you seen Mt. Whitney?", or, "Where can I find Mt. Whitney?", or, "Can you direct me to Mt. Whitney, yes the highest peak in the contiguous United States," were all just a bit to ridiculous. So at the risk of seeming uncool and like a tourist, and having the entire cafe drop their jaws and gasp, I asked, "Can I please have a mango smoothie?" Reluctantly, I continued on the road. I stopped in Independence,visited the historic courthouse, and then Bishop. Schatz's Bakery is too crowded and I do not recommend their tuna sandwich.

Thursday: Bodie, and The South Tufa of Mono Lake

Kernville

Well, I made it to my first destination. The Kernville Inn. I arrived at 3:45pm and made great time.I left LB at 10:00am, Casey and Tyler were up, packed the car, and saw me off. After a quick Starbucks run, I headed to downtown L.A. to the Cathedral of Our Lady Queen of Angels. What an awesome place. The architecture hit me immediately. After entering the cathedral, I held my private, "Frances Takes A Vacation Candle Lighting Ceremony. Actually, there was nun peeking over my shoulder counting the candles I was lighting and making sure I paid accordingly. So I told her all about my angels. Immediately following the ceremony, I headed to the gift shop. Now this is a huge gift shop and what do you think immediately caught my eye? No, not the crucifix selection, not the rosary selection, not the multiple versions of Jesus in various poses (on the cross, bleeding heart...)hanging from every wall in the shop, but, the official, Our Lady Queen of Angels wine selection. I kid you not. I could not pass up making a small purchase.

I sat outside the gift shop, enjoying the sun, when at noon, the bells of the Campanella sounded...,ding, dong, ding. By 12;30, I was back on the road.

The drive to Kernville was memorable and a bit melancholy. I thought about my boys quite a bit and lots of happy times in days gone by. How much I had forgotten.

So, I am off to go visit the River. After that, I am headed to the Sportsman Lounge which has been calling my name. There is a buzz around town that a huge celebrity is visiting. Who is it? They call him Stanley, Flat Stanley. I better go check him out.

ps: I am having a heck of a time uploading pictures. Sorry, but I will figure this out.

Wednesday: Highway 395

All My Bags Are Packed, I'm Ready to Go......

.....and I am so excited. I have learned a lot about myself while planing this trip. I recall many years of wanting to do something for myself, but the demands or needs of others, a sudden migraine, or an out of the blue fever stepped in, (as they have somehow managed to do again this weekend), swaying me from doing something for myself. Well, enough of that! I'm simply choosing to ignore them. Thanks to my good friend John who gave me lots of Facebook support today. Thanks to Meg, my rock, for being so understanding as I canceled our afternoon outing today.

So, my car has been serviced, I've packed the emergency auto and the first aide kits, I have waterproof matches, glow sticks, insect repellent, lots of water, a reasonable amount of snacks, sunscreen, breath mints, excellent music thanks to all of your suggestions, a trashy novel, camera, Flip, Ipad, and a few pieces of clothing (Remember, Call of the Wild and all that!). I am feeling comfortable.

This will be my last pre-vacation blog. I leave the LBC on Tuesday morning. For those of you who are concerned (Santy), about me taking a solo road trip. Fear not, for I have a heavenly band of angels who will be accompanying me, keeping me safe and listening to me sing out loud. On my dash, my Mom (2008), praying a 9 day Novena; in the backseat, my Dad (2009) and my Father in-Law the Colonel (2002), sipping Portonics as we cruise; sitting like a Beauty Queen on the convertible is my Mother in-Law Lois (2010) saying "Oh honey go faster!"; and on the front bumper will be Aleen (2010), who knew Karen and I as teens, and Davey (2006) Karen's cute and cool musician brother who always got a kick out of our mischief. They both will sound the horn to Placerville, "Brace Yourselves"; and of course, riding shotgun will be Randy (2004), reading the map and saying "this trip is wonderful!" I am dedicating this trip to these angels who have gone on before me.

Thanks Casey and Tyler for being the children you are! I love you Muchachos!

Tuesday Destination: Kernville, Ca

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jig (R.R. Burt c.1986-2004)

Well, all good things must come to an end, so...after a bowl of oatmeal on the Boardwalk in Pismo, I'll start my journey home to Long Beach. I plan on visiting a few beaches on my way, arriving home by evening.

I have been thinking lots about my friends and family. I have wonderful friends and family. Heck yeah I do! I appreciate all of you taking the time to read my blog and listen to my stories of long ago. Everyone has been so tolerant of my constant nagging..."have you read my blog today?" I especially love the person who left the message on my office door..."Follow My Blog!"

This vacation is a life statement for many reasons as you all have come to understand. I lost my mojo six years ago, and just haven't been able to find it until now. You are my witnesses, and I am so blessed that I have you all to share it.

Destination: Long Beach....Home

Beach Therapy

Since I was a child, my favorite place to go was the Beach. Any Beach. I love the Beach. I especially love summers in Southern California. In Long Beach, the ocean scent breezes through my windows late at night. In the winter, I can hear the early morning calls of the cargo vessels sounding their horns as if they are playing a game of "last tag" with each other. As often as possible, I try to spend one day of my weekends at or out on the water. Once, while kayaking in the Bay with my friends Meg and Darlene, dolphins came and swam right next to us. It was magical and serene and we all felt one with nature.

Since my trip includes streams, rivers, lakes, mountains, forest and country, I find it appropriate that my last night be spent at the Beach. Early Wednesday morning after Mass at the Mission, I will head to Pismo Beach, spending the night on the Boardwalk (in a hotel, not under it).Once I arrive at Pismo, I will drop off my gear and head directly to Avila Beach for an evening at the Sycamore Mineral Hot Springs, an old favorite getaway for Randy and I. This will be a night that is all about me.

Thanks Jen for planting the Spa idea in my head!

Destination: Pismo Beach

Do You Know The Way to San Jose?

The drive from Angels Camp to San Jose was looking pretty complex, (and I must admit I have been a little nervous about this portion of my drive), so I decided to download a compass application to my IPad as one of the many tools that will be guiding me in the right direction. I am now certain that with the two GPS systems in my car, the binder of pre-printed Google maps I downloaded, and that California map I am convinced is printed in caveman hieroglyphics, I'll find my way there somehow.

My initial goal on this leg of the trip was to spend time with my nephew, however, work has made him unavailable. So my destination is now Mission San Juan Bautista (aka. St. John the Baptist), which has the largest Church of all the California missions. Along with experiencing the history of the Mission, I also have high hopes of catching a glimpse of the ghost of Carlotta Valdes. Carlotta is the elusive, beautiful woman who Jimmy Stewart tries so psychopathically to recreate via Kim Novak, in my favorite Hitchcock movie, Vertigo. Kim Novak falls from the Mission bell tower, not once, but twice. (Some chics never learn). I also was recently informed by one of Tyler's work buddies, that one of his favorite childhood memories with his Mom, was going to the San Juan Bakery, which is down the street from the Mission. Once at the bakery, I will have to experience a lemon danish to honor my co-workers who are addicted to the lemon danish at Katella Deli, in Los Alamitos. This will be...my lemon danish taste-off. I will not be counting these points!

Tuesday Destination: San Juan Bautista, Ca