California coast...

Today we left Bakersfield and headed for the coast. None of us had ever seen the Pacific Ocean and we were excited. As we got close we noticed the fog. We stopped at a pullover area and took some pictures. It was slightly foggy. The next pullover was awesome. The fog seemed to back away from the beach area. Jacob was thrilled to see an Elephant Seal. We walked down the trail a little and found even more. We were pretty close the them but kind of on a ledge away from them. The rest of the drive was VERY foggy. This road was very twisty and seemed to go up the side of a mountain. A couple of times we were above the clouds. I tried to get a picture but they didn't turn out very well. I was kind of bummed because I planned this route to be able to see the ocean and we only got to see it at the very beginning of our 4 hour drive.

We got to our hotel at Marina and the fog was bad here too. Took the boys to the beach anyway and Michael and Jacob just had to get there toes in even though it was about 53 degrees. I wanted to get sunset pictures but it wasn't meant to be...maybe tomorrow in San Francisco :) The best part about San Fransisco is I get to see my friend Christy!!!!! Going to be now so we can get back on the road at a decent time.

The streets of Bakersfield.........

Joshua Trees

A wash in the desert.....beautiful!!!

Jacob exploring the wash.

Jacob with Hank Williams.....we took this picture for Uncle R.W.

We left Vegas this morning. We were all glad to get out of the city. We drove to the edge of the Mojave Desert and had a picnic lunch. The desert was beautiful! Its always more exciting to see things that are different from what we normally see. The most interesting thing I think was the Joshua Tree.

After we explored the desert we got back in the van and headed towards Bakersfield. When I was a child my dad religiously watched Hee Haw so I knew who Buck Owens was and the song that he sang about this town. We found a restaurant called Buck Owens Crystal Palace and we had to go there. It was quite interesting and we ended up getting a concert with our meal :)

We are all tired and I am trying to do laundry at the hotel but as always it is slow going.

Viva Las Vegas.......

Our second day in Vegas started out with souvenir shopping. I promised Jacob a shirt for his birthday and he wasn't going to let me forget :) After shopping we had an early lunch at the Flamingo. We are on pacific time but our bodies are still on eastern time. After lunch we walked across the street to Caesars Palace. That place is huge, it has a whole mall inside! After that we went to the Mirage to see the Secret Garden and Dolphin habitat. The white lion was beautiful and we watched the dolphins for a long time.

We then headed to the Bellagio to watch the fountain show. We got there right at the end so we decided to what 30 minutes for the next one. At one point Anthony said "are we waiting for the next show" in a very I want to leave voice. I told him YES, were where waiting. When it was over I asked him if that was worth waiting for, he said yes! He is very much a teenager and complains all the time that he is tired or sleepy or his feet hurt. I really hope the other two don't get like this. Anthony does seem to enjoy things after we force him to do them, just wish we didn't have to make him.

The boys really enjoyed the buffet at our hotel!!!

This was the best thing on the buffet!!! A banana crepe'.

The beautiful Caesars Palace.

Batman was just standing on the street!!!

One huge Chia Pet :)

White Lion