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The Amazing Whitsett Family Adventure

Day 9: July 11th: San Jose-Ukiah, CA (Sunday)

What a day today has been! There are lots of pictures taken, and I couldn't decide just which ones to post. I probably posted too many (sorry Rick!). It was a day filled with activity.

The day started by Gina spreading a feast before us. My poor kids aren't used to much more than cereal on our busy Sunday mornings (if that!), and today they ate at a table with a linen tablecloth! It was SO good and tasty!

We had our sad goodbyes after breakfast, and went to the Central Christian Church off of Meridian Street in San Jose. This is not where I went to church growing up, but it is a good church. It made me miss G-town a bunch, but still was great to be among other Christians worshipping Our Lord. Whether in G-town or San Jose, we can still praise :-) They have a GREAT coffee station at the church. They were serving up latte's and chocolate steamers. I could get used to that (but wouldn't trade it for my family at G-town!!!)

From church we drove straight to San Francisco -- the town where I was born :-). I enjoyed showing off the sites to the family. It is such a huge city, and there was a lot to do. We parked down by the Wharf, and walked to Ghirardelli Square, Pier 39, the Cannery, and of course Fisherman's Wharf.

There were lots of people. Kelley would just laugh at some of the odd things that people did or how they looked there. She said she loved San Francisco. Korey liked the street music. There was one band that was from Peru that played near the Boudin Bread place that was particularly good. There were street mimes, musicians, drummers (not that they aren't musicians!), and just different kinds of street performers.

We did lots of shopping. We got souvenir t-shirts (Even Kevin bought one!). Kevin got me a San Francisco coffee mug for my morning cup of Joe. I had a great cup at the San Francisco Tea and Coffee Company. The kids and Kevin got some "Awesome!" chocolate from Ghirardelli Square (chocolate factory). Of course, I bought some Perisian Sourdough Bread that is in my opinion the best sourdough bread in the world. For lunch I had clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl. It was so very good. As you can tell, the diet is gone.

After many hours down by the Bay, we finally left. I actually read the map right (you should try to do that with all the one-way streets in San Francisco!!!) and got us to Lombard Street. Korey just thought that was really cool. Kevin just kept saying that he hoped his breaks wouldn't go out on all the steep hills. People around Lombard Street just don't know how to drive! It was a mess. Lombard, for those who may not know, is the most crooked street in San Francisco. If you ever watch a movie with a chase scene through San Francisco, they always seem to have to go down that street.

We turned around and went over the Golden Gate Bridge. Though it was a beautiful day, the fog was still over the bridge. The kids were amazed at how cold it was in San Francisco (it was 60 today). I tried to warn them about it, but I guess they thought since I am always cold that it wouldn't be as cold as it was. Good thing I had them bring long sleeved shirts! It was a windy day too (as you can see by the one picture in front of the bridge -- he he he). Kevin just thought the fog rolling over the mountains looked surreal. 

We decided not to stay in San Francisco, but go up the coast a bit. We are staying tonight in Ukiah, CA. It is in the wine country of California. There are so many beautiful vineyards here. We are in a nice hotel with a pool and laundry facilities (thankfully!). It's been a great day, but I'm tired and am going to sleep finally. 

I should be able to connect tomorrow, so I won't have to play catch-up again. We will be off to see the Giant Redwoods and the Pacific Coast. I'm not sure where we are going to spend the night -- but we are canceling the reservations we had and will stay somewhere in Oregon. This is a GREAT vacation. I couldn't ask for better behaved kids -- or husband :-) I'm glad we have this opportunity to make some good memories.

Until tomorrow!

~Cindy (and KSWx3)

Day 8: July 10th: SanJose, CA (Saturday)

It's Saturday and we traveled to San Jose, CA (yes, I do know the way!). San Jose is where I lived during part of Jr. High and all but my senior year of high school. It is located at the southern end of the San Francisco Bay area. We will be staying at Gina & Craig Thrower's house. Gina was my best friend in high school, and the maid of honor at our wedding. I haven't seen her since April 27, 1985 (the day Kevin and I were married!) We have a LOT of catching up to do!

When we left Needles, CA, at 8:30 a.m., it was already 95 degrees. That place is just so hot! Of course Kevin had the air conditioning on in the car so it was comfortable (although I did have a blanket over me as always!). Oh, by the way -- gas in Needles, CA is $2.89 a gallon!!!

We finally got through Barstow and the Mojave Desert. It is such a barren place. We could see long trains of in the distance every once in awhile. There was not much else to look at for quite some time.

When we were going over the Tehachapi Mountains just before Bakersfield, we went through a huge windmill field. They use enormous windmills for power out here. Korey was just fascinated and took windmill pictures that are posted. There were just hundreds of windmills.

Around Avenal we saw the largest stockyard we've come across so far. Actually, we could smell it before we got to it (maybe it was a fertilizer plant? he he he). They had the cattle pinned by breeds. It was very interesting for me.

In Bakersfield we ate at an El Pollo Loco (translation from Spanish is "the crazy chicken"). This was a great restaurant! They have caramel flan that tasted just like the pudim de leche we had in Brazil. Kelley absolutely adored the stuff. They found it interesting that they give you tortilla shells as a side item, just like we get biscuits as a side item in Ohio. 

On the other side of Bakersfield is the San Juoaquin Valley. This is where a LOT of produce and flowers are grown. We passed through many groves, orchards and vineyards. We even smelled the familiar smell of garlic in Gilroy. I showed them the California Aquaduct that helps irrigate the valley. Farming is a lot different in this part of the country.

We finally arrived in San Jose. I was surprised that I hardly remembered a thing about the place. I couldn't recognize much of anything until I found my old house. Then, directions and places came flooding back to me. Kevin took my picture in front of my old place. Across the street from my old house they have made a beautiful park. It used to be just brown grass under power lines. On the hill that was across from the power lines is now a gated community. Things sure have changed!

I drove by and saw two of the schools that I attended in San Jose. I couldn't find Liberty High School, but I did see the Jr. High and Pioneer High where I attended. They haven't changed much. 

We ate supper at the first place that I ever worked, The Burger Pit. It is a great steak house (Kelley loved the food!). I had my favorite, a guacamole burger! Boy was it good! The guacamole was chunky and thick just the way I like it. Kevin and Korey loved the food too. The restaurant has been at the same place since 1957. They have done some remodeling, but not a bunch.

I FINALLY saw Gina. We hugged and squealed when we saw each other. She lives in a BEAUTIFUL home just about 3 blocks from where I used to live (off of McAbee!). Gina has two adorable boys named Collin (age 7) and Aiden (age 3). As soon as Collin saw Korey they were off to play. I didn't see much of Korey the rest of the night -- he made a good friend.

We sat outside on her porch and reminisced and caught up the best we could for a long time. Gina and I sat in her hot tub (oh, did that feel good!) and laughed and talked until we were pruned. I hated to go to sleep, but I knew I needed to let every one else rest, and we would have church in the morning.

It was a good day. It felt weird being on my old stomping grounds. The grounds changed a bunch! New houses with young trees just planted became older homes with mature trees. I didn't get that old, I don't know how they did!

Day 6: July 9th: Phoenix -Grand Canyon- Needles, CA -Friday

Good Morning! We left Phoenix at 7:30 a.m. (Sorry Kevin, it was a half hour later than you had wanted!). Today is the Grand Canyon. It is a beautiful day. We are all VERY tired and sleepy. Kevin wanted to leave early so we would have more time to spend at the Grand Canyon and not get to the hotel too late. I'm glad Kevin is a morning person since he's driving!

How do you put into words the beauty and the majesty of the Grand Canyon??? It is just something that has to be experienced. My heart kept singing for God, "I Could Sing of Your Love Forever" and "God of Wonders." It just made me cry with joy to see His beauty. I especially liked seeing the Grand Canyon through the eyes of my children. They found it beautiful as well. 

We traved the entire South Rim of the Canyon. We spent around 4 or 5 hours here, and never got tired of looking at the emenceness of it. We took about 200 pictures. Kelley and Korey enjoyed taking pictures too! Korey commented that this had to be something God made, because man could never make anything that pretty.

We saw a Hopi House. We have learned a lot about our American Indians on this vacation. We also saw a family of elk. They are HUGE! We climbed up the Watch Tower and were able to see some beautiful views from the top of the tower on the edge of the rim. The weather was perfect (though Kelley and I had slight sunburns!), and it made it a great day. We were exhausted from all of the walking at each vantage point, but we couldn't wait to get out of the car to see it just one more time.

God granted us a wonderful sunset. The picture just doesn't quite capture how beautiful it was. We saw it just before we got to Needles, CA. I had always remembered this place as the hottest place in America. At 9:00 p.m. when we arrived, it was still 101 degrees! It lies on the edge of the Mojave Desert. They had a hot tub, and I was ready to get in and loosen up the muscles in my shoulder, but it was just too hot. Needles is out in the middle of no where, and I couldn't get an internet connection. I couldn't even get an 800 number! No cell signals were there either. Sorry for the delay in the posting!

Day 5: July 6-7th: Phoenix, AZ

I got to sleep in!!!  We have a very nice room at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Phoenix.  We are on the eleventh floor, while the Hennigs and Galleys are on the 21st floor with adjoining rooms.  We wished we could all be together.  Our room has a great view of the valley.  We can watch all the planes take off and land at the airport. 

Scott, Sharon, Jason, Kelly, Kevin and I all have matching denim shirts with the Georgetown Church of Christ on them, and wore our khaki pants.  I think we all looked pretty good!  Kelley and I went first to the teen session at the Wyndam Hotel next door.  Everyone else went to the Civic Center where the adult sessions were.  We met up with them at lunch.

After lunch "The Boys" put on their presentation.  I was so proud of all of them.  It was really great, and well attended.  They all did a fabulous job.   They spoke of the love of the Lord, and love for the Georgetown Church of Christ.  Kelley took pictures while "The Girls" were in the back with Joshua.  Korey went to the kids' session.  Some of those who attended the session came up afterwards and asked questions and complimented them on a job well done.

 After their workshop, we were able to walk around and see the different exhibits and ministries at the exhibit hall.  We were able to see some friends we hadn't seen in awhile, and share what great things the Lord has done in our lives. 

We picked up Korey from the kids' session and then piled into a rented van.  We drove about a half an hour to Pinnacle Pete's.  This was a very interesting restaurant.  It is supposed to be the oldest steak restaurant in Phoenix.  There were business cards for wallpaper, and ties hung from the ceiling.  They have a no-tie policy at the restaurant.  Scott bought Kevin a tie to wear to supper, and sure enough they took out a big pair of scissors and cut it right off of him.  Then they took a stapler and stapled it to the ceiling with Korey's convention badge on it.  

After supper on our way home, Kevin and Scott saw a golf course.  Well, it was just not any course.  It was the TPC in Scottsdale (for non-golfers, that's a very famous championship course.)  You should have seen the grin on Kevin's face!  They gave him a score card and players book.  We got our picture taken in front of the sign. 

We finally arrived back at the hotel.  We went to the Hennig's room and just talked a bit.  It was nice, since we don't get that opportunity as much as I'd like.  Kevin wanted to start out VERY early the next day, so we said our goodbyes and went to bed.