Fall Break California Trip 2017

For fall break this year, we were planning on flying for the first time ever with the family.  We flew one time right before Logan was one and it was similar to the Home Alone scene when they overslept and ran through the airport barely making their flight.  This happened to us, with Logan being a baby...with all the baby supplies.  I said after that trip I wouldn't ever fly again unless our kids could carry their own luggage.  This was the first attempt and the boys were so excited.  Logan was the only one that has flown and he was too young to remember it.  

Our original trip was planned to fly to Miami, rent a car, and drive through and stay in the Keys.  That trip was messed up because of a major hurricane that slammed into our destination of choice.  We had a family meeting and let the boys help decide an alternative.  Logan and Lucas wanted to go the beach, but I wanted to go somewhere different.  I suggested NYC because I knew they would love it, and there is a beach close by.  Lane chimed in and said he wanted to go to California.  We all started talking about that possibility with all the places we could visit, including a beach!  When Landon said that we could go there I almost burst with excitement.  

We landed in Los Angeles after a little over a four hour flight.  We went to get a rental car right after, and Lane wanted to get a Porshe.  We got a bronze Kia instead....close.  We were famished after poor planning on meals and we stopped at a burger joint in Pasadena before Logan puked from a headache.

We didn't really have the trip planned out, which was a fun adventure.  We just got in the car and headed toward the Grand Canyon along Route 66.  We made it the first night to Victorville to spend the night.  The next day we continued all day to our destination at the Grand Canyon.  We found some cool stops along the way.

This was a neat stop along the way called Elmer's Bottle Tree Park.  

We stopped at a car show in Barstow, CA. 

We pulled over for a view of Amboy Crater National Park.

This was a really neat little Ghost town called Oatman.  On the other side of this town was an amazing pass through the mountain. 

Landon made reservations at an incredible place!!!  This was a jackpot for us!  We stayed at Hualapai Ranch, which is an Indian Reserve.  The town that the ranch is located is the inspiration for Radiator Springs from the movie Cars.  When we drove into the ranch it was completely dark and we could not see what was all around us.  When I stepped outside of our little cabin the next morning, it literally took my breath away.  I was completely overwhelmed by the beauty and grandeur.  We had breakfast and loaded up on a bus to go see the Grand Canyon.  When I caught the first glimpse of it, it made me cry.  Pictures will never do the Grand Canyon justice.  I recommend everyone trying to see it for themselves because it is absolutely amazing and cannot be described. 

This was a little scary!!!  I'm not going to lie.  I was trying not to show my emotions because Lane was terrified, but I didn't do a very good job.  Landon told me to stop because Lane would never go once it was our turn.  This photo makes me laugh because this how I really felt too!

Back to the Ranch.

The next morning we loaded up and headed back to California stopping at Hoover Dam, Las Vegas, and a few other places along the way.

Of course Landon made some dam tour jokes.  

We ate lunch at Top of the World in the Stratosphere where we were rotating 950 feet in the air.   Lane ordered spaghetti, and it didn't go well with the white tablecloths.  

This was a memorial for the victims in the recent shooting. 

Not far out of Las Vegas there is an art display called Seven Magic Mountains.  I thought it was such a colorful contrast out in a sea of brown.  

I was SOOO pumped to be able to stay here at the Wigwam Village in San Bernardino along historic Route 66.

We got up the next morning and headed to the beach.  We weren't sure which beach to go to since there are so many choices, but we picked Corona Del Mar.  Lane is really into super cars right now and I wish I had videoed the squeals when we drove by these dealerships.  We had to turn around for them to get a closer look.  After touring the Ferrari dealership and we got back in the car to go to the beach, Lane said this was the best day of his life.  

Our first look at the Pacific Ocean.  The waves were HUGE!!!  

HOLLYWOOD DAY!!  We went to see Griffith Observatory and they took a tour through Hollywood Hills and some other sights.  

Church from the Sister Act movies.

Hotel from Pretty Woman.

This was a home purchased for a mere $7 million from the writer of the song I Like to Move It from Madagascar.  It's amazing what one hit can do!

Beverly Hills Hotel

This was the home of Dr. Seuss. 

We spent two days at Disneyland.  This was a highlight!!