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Post by buzzard on Feb 9, 2008 21:06:55 GMT -6
Children's Bell Tower in Bodega Bay, CA This is a sad story and it could be a sad memorial, until you read the story the parents of Nicholas Greene wrote and realize the enormous impact he had on the lives of 7 strangers. I went to see this memorial and rather than sadness, I felt a sense of peace and tranquility. It's a special place, one that I think God holds closely to his heart.  www.nicholasgreen.org/articles.htmlHikes and walks in Bodega Bay, CA www.bodegabay.com/discover/hiking.htmlCamping in Bodega Bay, CA www.bodegabay.com/discover/camping.htmlBodega Bay Marine Laboratory - tours Really a great tour, kids loved it! www-bml.ucdavis.edu/events/index.htmlBodega Bay - Map and a little of it's history www.bodegabay.com/visitor_info/overviewmap.htmlBodega Bay was where parts of the Alfred Hitchcock film "The Birds" was filmed.   Sorry the photo's aren't mine, mine are at home somewhere. But it's beautiful coastline, makes for a nice drive and it's fun just driving around looking at the homes and such. And if you get lucky, you can see whales breeching the water, or sea otters playing in the tidal pools. Or just wander the beaches and see what you can find that's washed up. |
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Post by lilithb on Feb 11, 2008 12:14:34 GMT -6
We were in Bodega Bay for a brief period about a year an a half ago, did not see the Children's Bell Tower . Really pretty area. Too expensive for our blood but nice.
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Post by califgirl on Feb 11, 2008 14:04:15 GMT -6
I have seen a lot of places in Ca., but I don't think I have seen Bodega Bay. Beautiful place.
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Post by buzzard on Feb 11, 2008 14:19:29 GMT -6
I have seen a lot of places in Ca., but I don't think I have seen Bodega Bay. Beautiful place. If I remember right, one of it's claims to fame was from the "surfer dude" days, but it wasn't for the big waves. It's biggest claim to fame was the movie. Not a huge place, and yes pricey. But take a drive there from one of the other towns around it, take a picnic lunch and do the non-expensive things like picnic on the beach and stuff and it's great. The restaurants and hotels are pricey, but then so much along the coast over there is pricey. You just have to get in and dig for the out of the way things to do, and not have champagne tastes on a beer budget.  It's definitely doable, just for the sightseeing alone. All that costs is time and gas and a take along lunch. |
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Post by buzzard on Feb 12, 2008 11:33:17 GMT -6
CASTROVILLLE, CA - ARTICHOKE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD Castroville doesn't have a lot going on, but once a year it heats up with it's Artichoke Festival. Artichokes are pesky things to eat, but really good if you have the patience to eat one a leaf at a time. The artichoke heart, deep fried, is delicious. Located in Monterey County, the festival occurs in May and like the Gilroy Garlic Festival, you can definitely find some interesting things to see and eat. www.artichoke-festival.org/(Take a look at the AgroArt pics on the above link.)   |
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Post by califgirl on Feb 12, 2008 12:26:48 GMT -6
I love Artichokes. And have been to that festival.
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Post by buzzard on Feb 13, 2008 14:13:57 GMT -6
WINCHESTER MYSTERY HOUSE www.winchestermysteryhouse.com/press.htmlThis house belonged to the Winchesters of Winchester rifle fame. The house was built in a crazy, haphazard way the the widow, Sarah Winchester. She believed if she kept building, she was making amends for all the lives of those killed with the Winchester rifles. Staircases stop at blank walls, doors open onto nothing. Number of rooms: 160 Cost: $5,500,000 Date of Construction: 1884 - September 5, 1922 (38 continuous years!) Number of stories: Prior to 1906 Earthquake - 7; presently 4 Number of acres: Originally 161.919; presently 4 Number of basements: 2 Heating: Steam, forced air, fireplaces Number of windows: Frames 1,257; panes approx. 10,000 Number of doors: Doorways 467, doors approx. 950 not including cabinet doors. Number of fireplaces: 47 (gas, wood, or coal burning) Number of chimneys: Presently 17 with evidence of 2 others Number of cars at her death: 2 (a 1917 Pierce Arrow Limousine & a 1916 4 cyl. Buick truck) Number of bedrooms: Approx. 40 Number of kitchens: 5 or 6 Number of staircases: 40, total of stair steps - 367 Number of skylights: Approx. 52 Number of gallons of paint required to paint entire home: Over 20,000 Number of ballrooms: 2 (one nearly complete, and one under construction) Blueprints available: No, Mrs. Winchester never had a master set of blueprints, but did sketch out individual rooms on paper and even tablecloths! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winchester_Mystery_House   |
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Post by buzzard on Feb 13, 2008 14:41:32 GMT -6
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Post by CuPcAkE on Feb 13, 2008 18:38:22 GMT -6
Last summer a friend of mine traveled to San Francisco and they went out on a boat tour to Alcatrez (wow I know alot of traveling people!)
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Post by buzzard on Feb 14, 2008 11:37:00 GMT -6
San Francisco has so many sights to see, and a lot of them can be seen for the price of just driving around and looking around the city. Some cost money, but well worth the expense for a once in a lifetime experience. The city is rich with the history of early California. San Francisco Cable Car Museum - pictures and cable cars from the past. Very interesting and fun. Old cable cars on display, educational displays and old pictures from the past.  www.cablecarmuseum.org/index.htmlCOIT TOWER Coit Tower was built atop Telegraph Hill in 1933 at the bequest of Lillie Hitchcock Coit to beautify the City of San Francisco. The location offers fantastic views of San Francisco. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coit_Tower JAPANESE TEA GARDEN IN GOLDEN GATE PARK Absolutely beautiful botanicals and so peaceful and serene. You could wander for hours here. www.holymtn.com/garden/Gallery/index_teagarden.html   |
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Post by buzzard on Feb 14, 2008 12:43:34 GMT -6
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Post by califgirl on Feb 14, 2008 20:20:13 GMT -6
Buzzie, I love the Winchester House. I had never seen pictures of it before. That would be a great place to tour.
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Post by buzzard on Feb 14, 2008 21:35:49 GMT -6
Buzzie, I love the Winchester House. I had never seen pictures of it before. That would be a great place to tour. It's really cool, but huge, and kind of creepy. Kind of sad that she felt so haunted. |
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Post by CuPcAkE on Feb 14, 2008 23:13:06 GMT -6
I want to go to Lego land!
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Post by buzzard on Feb 15, 2008 10:44:48 GMT -6
I want to go to Lego land! They were talking at one point that they might build one in Kansas City, Kansas.  |
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Post by CuPcAkE on Feb 15, 2008 12:30:11 GMT -6
I want to go to Lego land! They were talking at one point that they might build one in Kansas City, Kansas. I had heard word of that and then they mentioned that they might use the big plot of land in Lee's Summit, MO...which is closer for me! Yahoo! |
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Post by buzzard on Feb 17, 2008 12:55:30 GMT -6
CAROUSELS IN CALIFORNIA All my life I've loved horses and by extension of that love, I've loved carousels. I can honestly say I have been on most of the carousels that can be found in California, and part of my collection of horses that I have contains carousel horse music boxes. The history or carousels is awesome and the styles of horses so varied, in addition to those that have other animals on them. One of my favorites is the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Carousel. It's inside, so you can ride on it in any weather. And you can also grab the brass ring as you go around, then toss it at the clown.  The carousel that I remember from the time I was little, and the one that I aggravated my parents most over is the King Arthur's Carousel at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA. I would only ride on the lead horse on that one, and would make them wait for that horse to be the one I could get to first. On this one, all the horses are white, and they all move, which is unusual. Many times the carousels outside line of horses are stationary, but Walt Disney specified that they all move.  www.beachboardwalk.com/03_press_carousel_facts.html |
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Post by buzzard on Feb 17, 2008 15:05:23 GMT -6
When I go over to the coast, one of my favorite places to stop on the way home is Casa de Fruta, in Hollister. And of course they have a carousel.  They also have a train ride and a petting zoo and host several events throughout the year, like a huge flea market, a crafts festival and many other things. There are a few shops, a restaurant and it's a rest stop too. The shops carry the dried fruits and fresh fruits that they have been noted for for years and other gifts too. A lot of truck drivers stop there for the restaurant and there's a huge RV park too. It's a great place to take a break from driving and relax and have fun. Casa de Carousel   www.casadefruta.com/www.casadefruta.com/visitus.aspx |
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Post by CuPcAkE on Feb 17, 2008 15:07:31 GMT -6
We have a mall in Overland Park, Kansas that has a carousel inside that you can ride for $1.
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Post by buzzard on Feb 17, 2008 15:20:03 GMT -6
SAN FRANCISCO - YERBA BUENA GARDENS This park is absolutely beautiful and there's so much to do there. There's a ice skating rink (both the grandkids have played hockey games or done competition figure skating here) and it's open to the public for skating. There's a small bowling alley, during the week there's a computer lab where kids can work and do homework, etc., there's a big playground with huge slides and stuff, and best of all.................... there's a huge, glassed in carousel!. So you can ride it anytime, in any weather and see out and enjoy the sights of the park and the city. There is also a large part of the park devoted to a botanical garden, and halls where they have different events, from plays to opera. The park takes up 3 city blocks, huge blocks (maybe more, I can't remember). There are restaurants in the park and a number of restaurants within walking distance too. We've always had a good time here. www.yerbabuenagardens.com/index.html    |
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They also have a train ride and a petting zoo and host several events throughout the year, like a huge flea market, a crafts festival and many other things. There are a few shops, a restaurant and it's a rest stop too. The shops carry the dried fruits and fresh fruits that they have been noted for for years and other gifts too. A lot of truck drivers stop there for the restaurant and there's a huge RV park too. It's a great place to take a break from driving and relax and have fun.