by laura beth

Today we biked the beach again with Brett and Cathi. This time we went to the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve wetlands. It was a beautiful day. We saw quite a few birds and there were several people with huge cameras taking photos of them. It seemed just a little odd to me because when I drive along PCH, I'm always looking for dolphins. They would be my first photographic choice. You don't see a lot of dolphins in Eastern Oregon, however herons, egrets and ducks are not altogether uncommon. Nor are cows. I really do love birds though, especially herons and egrets. I guess I'm just used to them more than dolphins. All in all, another great day of biking, beachy goodness, and nature.

by kenny

My cousin Nathan casually mentioned that Fullerton's Maverick Theatere was doing a performance of "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians". He thought that was strange. Laura and I looked at each other with jaws dropped. SCCM has been a bit of an obsession with me since college and this little bit of information was almost enough to make me cry. When I first called, they were sold out. I told them about my love for this film and they opened up some seats. Apparently there were quite a few people who expressed their love, because they added another date. our good and beautiful friend Heather Kelly came along. I loved most of the whole production, some of it got a little too slapstick and corny. I thought it might be something that only fans of the movie would like, but Heather said she wants to go again next year. It was quite simply a wonderful experience that most people would shy away from. I highly recommend watching the movie at least once. "S-A-N-T-A C-L-A-U-S, Hooray for Santy Claus!!!"

by kenny

Since Ratface lives across the street from Knott's Berry Farm, she was given two free tickets to Knott's Merry Farm (Knott's at Christmas), not to be confused with Knott's Scary Farm (Knott's at Halloween). We were all too happy to take advantage of those tickets and had a great time. I think we only went on one ride, the rest of the time was enjoying the shows and the atmosphere. Dickens characters walking around singing carols, theatrical production of A Christmas Carol and The Gift of the Magi, Snoopy on Ice (which was surprisingly good), a huge Christmas tree lighting, and Linus quoting the true meaning of Christmas re-enacting the scene from "A Charlie Brown Christmas". They also let in about 100 artisans selling home made crafts for the Christmas season. If I lived in the Orange County area, I would make it annual tradition to get the Christmas spirit flowing.


For the first time ever, we bought a Christmas tree from a parking lot. Well, Grandma paid for it. We just helped her pick it out and get it home. Christmas day was wonderful, spent at Grandma's with lots of family over-Aunt Laurie, Chase, Chase, Caleb, Emma, & Sarah, Nathan and Christina, and Uncle Brett & Aunt Cathi.

by kenny

Uncle Brett and his wife Cathi gave us an early Christmas present-bikin' and boozin'. They live in Huntington Beach, and we spent the day riding beach cruisers down the beach, stopping here and there in bars for drinks, and into Newport Beach for the annual Christmas Boat Parade. For you Grant County folks, it's just like the Timber Trucker's Light Parade only it's on yachts (instead of logtrucks) in the Newport Beach harbor, and it's not as cold outside.

by kenny

As we crossed into California, the wind picked up, and we were unable to keep the motorhome in our lane. We stopped at the nearest rest stop and played Scrabble while waiting out the storm. 70 mph gusts. It should have only been about a 5 hour drive from Erica's to Ratface's, but because of the crazy wind, we ended up spending the night at a Love's truck stop in Coachella.

The next morning we stopped by the dinosaurs, Dinny and Mr. Rex, in Cabazon, Ca, which has always been a favorite stop of mine. These are the dinosaurs that are seen at the end of "The Wizard" with Fred Savage and that other kid, and "Pee Wee's Big Adventure". You can go in the apatosaurus (what used to be a brontosaurus) and the t-rex sometimes based on the season. FYI, inside the dinos are a gift shop and creation museum.



We arrived safely at Grandma Ratface's house. We came here to spend Christmas with my family in California and will be here for the next few months. Tonight I'm taking Laura to see David Bazan for a late birthday present. She loves him almost as much as she loves me.