Hi Kids!

This going to be a combination of a couple of things...a kind of catch up blog if you will.

Saturday the 31st, we left, rather begrudgingly, the lovely village of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Sure do wish we could have spent more time there, lovely place. But, we had to make our way to Thousand Oaks, located just outside of LA and we had a bit of a drive ahead of us. But the question was quickly brought up...Should we take the highway to the T.O. and get there at a reasonable time, or do we opt for the scenic Pacific Coast highway and Big Sur? Well, I don't have to tell you that the vote was near unanimous for Big Sur. Soooooo totally worth it! The views are spectacular and it goes on for miles and miles. The mountain range goes right up to the ocean so most of the road is sliced right out of the side of the mountains. Many twisting turning roads to negotiate, and with the behemoth tour bus we have it's slow going for the most part. A bit precarious at times with just a teeny guardrail standing between you and a drop of a hundred feet straight down. We even stopped at a beach covered with Elephant seals...I guess it's family season for them..lots of little pups.But wow, so amazing. Check out the pictures!

We rolled into Thousand Oaks, enjoyed our Super Bowl Sunday and generally relaxed. Some of the kids headed off here or there to check out the sites...Hollywood, Malibu, Santa Monica, etc. And Monday most of us piled into the bus and headed down to Knott's Berry Farm...the boss's treat! Yeah, Mr. Prather was so pleased with how the tour has been going so far that he treated us all to Knott's for the day. Have to say, inside I was a little hesitant to go because I'm not really the amusment park kind of guy anymore, what with all the rides and everything. But I was ready to have some fun and it was such a gorgeous day, I just wasn't going to pass it up. And we no sooner walked thru the gate that I found myself in the front seat of the biggest, baddest roller-coaster in the place...and you know what? I enjoyed the hell out of it. Well that set the bar pretty high so for the rest of the day it was one ride after another...with a few stops in between.

I especially enjoyed the "Old West" village, a recreation of western buildings and activities originally designed by Mr.Knott as a way of keeping people occupied while they waited their turn to order Mrs. Knott's famous chicken dinner. This was, of course, back in the days before all the coasters and other rides. So, after sampling one of those chicken dinners I felt the need to walk around a bit, let my dinner settle and check out the village. They have a lot to see...blacksmith shop, undertaker, wagon wheel maker, gun museum... and the "Calico Saloon" complete with saloon singer and piano player. Very cute. And my favorite place of the day was a one room schoolhouse, from the 1800's, that was originally located in Kansas, bought and moved in it's entirety...desks, blackboards, maps and books...to the park. It had the listing of all the schoolmarms that had taught there and what they were paid. Average was about $20 a month! I just find this sort of stuff facinating...so I guess this part of the park really was more my speed. I couldn't help but notice while I was there...nobody else came in or out. I guess I'm the only one who likes this stuff.

So, we're all caught up. I hope you're enjoying this so far, I know I am. And if there is anything you'd like to know please ask me, I'd be more than happy to talk about things I may have missed. Now it's back to work.

Be back soon

Glenn