So far this month I've been to California and back. I had a FABULOUS 2 weeks with my boyfriend and daughter and have never had so much fun in my life as I did this summer. I was able to visit the San Diego Zoo, spend 2 days at Disneyland, went to Alcatraz, visited the Winchester Mystery House, and went to the Jelly Belly Factory. (^∇^) I also spent so much money on gifts and souvenirs while over there! (＞_＜) But I had a great time and have so many lovely memories. ♥
For Independence Day, the three of us drove an hour away to a celebration in Grass Valley. There were so many food stands, sale stands, activities for kids, and a neat fireworks display. My boyfriend bought this really neat drink with dry ice at the bottom. The effect made it look like the drink was smoking! Don't worry, it was non-alcoholic. ;)
We spent all day at the San Diego Zoo and took so many great pictures of all the animals we saw. I loved the cat and bear animals best.
I was so tired at the end of the day after all the walking we did. I think we walked for about 9 hours or so, only taking a break to eat once.
The day after visiting the zoo we went to Disneyland. I was very little the last time I went there, don't remember anything about it. We didn't go on any rides the first day we were there. haha All we did is see show after show. Oh, I did get to meet a lot of characters! I had my picture taken with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Pluto, and Chip & Dale. :D The World of Color show was sooooo beautiful, I nearly cried at it's marvelousness. :') The second day we were at the park we did lots more rides. Right away I wanted to go on The Pirates of the Caribbean ride and The Haunted Mansion. Both of those were so cool and we all agreed they were the best ones we rode on all day. Several people asked me how come I didn't go on the roller coasters and, really, I'm not a roller coaster type of person. :P Also, my daughter is only 6 and wouldn't have been tall enough for some of those more thrilling rides. I went on many more rides that day, but the first two I did were the best ones, the others don't compare to them. lol The parade and fireworks show were very exciting to see. My daughter had several princesses and Tinkerbell wave to her. :) She also got to participate in a Jedi Training Academy show. Kids from the audience were chosen to train and fight against Darth Maul or Darth Vader. I LOVE Star Wars and was probably more excited than my daughter was to see the show.
Before we left for home, we stopped by to see the Hollywood sign from a distance. :) The location we were at gave us a chance to get a great view of Los Angeles.
A few days later the three of us traveled to San Francisco to visit the old island prison of Alcatraz. Alcatraz was once an old military fort and then later used as a federal prison to house America's worst criminals. It was one of the most interesting places I've ever been to and was truly spooky, despite it being the day time. It was also very cold! I can't begin to imagine how it must've been for the prisoners there with the damp, ugly conditions they had to endure. But then again they should've have done anything that had taken them there in the first place. Later that day we went to San Jose to visit the Winchester Mystery House. The tour throughout the house was eerie, but also very mesmerizing. So many rooms built in such an unusual way with such fascinating details!
In this next picture were the cells used to house the prisoners that were in solitary confinement. Solitary confinement meant they weren't allowed outside with the other prisoners, were usually kept in the dark, and their food was very limited.
Next group of pics are from the Winchester Mystery House. These are only pics of the outside of the residence as pictures taken inside were not allowed. :(
Hope you enjoy looking at the pics. It took me forever to put them up! :P
For Independence Day, the three of us drove an hour away to a celebration in Grass Valley. There were so many food stands, sale stands, activities for kids, and a neat fireworks display. My boyfriend bought this really neat drink with dry ice at the bottom. The effect made it look like the drink was smoking! Don't worry, it was non-alcoholic. ;)
We spent all day at the San Diego Zoo and took so many great pictures of all the animals we saw. I loved the cat and bear animals best.
I was so tired at the end of the day after all the walking we did. I think we walked for about 9 hours or so, only taking a break to eat once.
The day after visiting the zoo we went to Disneyland. I was very little the last time I went there, don't remember anything about it. We didn't go on any rides the first day we were there. haha All we did is see show after show. Oh, I did get to meet a lot of characters! I had my picture taken with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Pluto, and Chip & Dale. :D The World of Color show was sooooo beautiful, I nearly cried at it's marvelousness. :') The second day we were at the park we did lots more rides. Right away I wanted to go on The Pirates of the Caribbean ride and The Haunted Mansion. Both of those were so cool and we all agreed they were the best ones we rode on all day. Several people asked me how come I didn't go on the roller coasters and, really, I'm not a roller coaster type of person. :P Also, my daughter is only 6 and wouldn't have been tall enough for some of those more thrilling rides. I went on many more rides that day, but the first two I did were the best ones, the others don't compare to them. lol The parade and fireworks show were very exciting to see. My daughter had several princesses and Tinkerbell wave to her. :) She also got to participate in a Jedi Training Academy show. Kids from the audience were chosen to train and fight against Darth Maul or Darth Vader. I LOVE Star Wars and was probably more excited than my daughter was to see the show.
Before we left for home, we stopped by to see the Hollywood sign from a distance. :) The location we were at gave us a chance to get a great view of Los Angeles.
A few days later the three of us traveled to San Francisco to visit the old island prison of Alcatraz. Alcatraz was once an old military fort and then later used as a federal prison to house America's worst criminals. It was one of the most interesting places I've ever been to and was truly spooky, despite it being the day time. It was also very cold! I can't begin to imagine how it must've been for the prisoners there with the damp, ugly conditions they had to endure. But then again they should've have done anything that had taken them there in the first place. Later that day we went to San Jose to visit the Winchester Mystery House. The tour throughout the house was eerie, but also very mesmerizing. So many rooms built in such an unusual way with such fascinating details!
In this next picture were the cells used to house the prisoners that were in solitary confinement. Solitary confinement meant they weren't allowed outside with the other prisoners, were usually kept in the dark, and their food was very limited.
Next group of pics are from the Winchester Mystery House. These are only pics of the outside of the residence as pictures taken inside were not allowed. :(
Hope you enjoy looking at the pics. It took me forever to put them up! :P
That last goal they scored was crazy lucky for them, I was on the edge of my seat when it was made. And then I was up and cheering. 
The rain was most needed down here where I live, we are in a drought and have not had rain in months. Hearing rain pelting against my window was a pleasant way for me to wake up this morning. I loved hearing the thunder and seeing the lightening, but didn't like the alerts to be on the look out for funnel (tornado) clouds. 
Our street got temporarily flooded and I wish I could've taken a picture to see how crazy it looked! Some areas of my city were so flooded, people were riding in their little canoes and boats, I saw pictures of them online. haha!
I'll be sure to take pictures of all the awesome things I'll be doing and seeing and I'll post a few on here. o(^-^)o