This is topic Vacation: December 17 - January 3 - Little money but lots of time; what do I do? in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.
I haven't gone many places or used my vacation much this year, and it means I have eight days for December. Between the official Christmas holidays and my vacation days, I'll have over two weeks off. I need to be in Utah to see my baby brother come home on the 22, and he speaks in church on the 26, so that means I spend Christmas at my dad's.
But there is tons of time after that. My friends from college are going on the annual road trip to Magic Mountain between Christmas and New Years - two cars, about eight people (all of whom are wonderful), and the empty Magic Mountain on New Years' Day. It will also be cheap. I could go on that, maybe... Anyone want to come?
So, suggestions. Give Katie ideas for play. Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Hmmm... We're going to Disneyland for Jeff's b-day on the 27th. Too bad that's cutting it a little close for you...
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Inrestingly enough, though, your trip dates coincide with the time we'll be in CA. We're driving out the 19th, will get to Phoenix by the 21st or 22nd, and CA by Christmas Eve, and are leaving the 3rd or so. Hmmm...
Anyone in CA want to meet us? I cook...
[ December 07, 2004, 12:48 PM: Message edited by: ketchupqueen ]
Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
I think you should come to Montana and we can play.
Besides, December ain't December if it ain't cold.
Posted by Papa Moose (Member # 1992) on :
Yoohoo! Californians here!
Depending on how timing all works out, we'd love to meet any and all Hatrackers coming to SoCal. Our plans are still up in the air -- Mama has to work partial days on the 27th and 28th, and we'll be heading down to San Diego for a part of the time, but we'll see what we can do.
--Pop
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Ooo...shinda? Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
*forgot to mention, it's the LA area she's going to*
Papa Moose, we should so do something!
Posted by Papa Moose (Member # 1992) on :
Shinda!
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Yay!
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
*thinks* I wonder if I could do both? I have TWO WEEKS! My friends are probably leaving for California on the 29th or 30th. Annie, how far away is Montana? I've only been to Montana once, and that was at the 4th of the July to Glacier. I can't remember how far the drive is.
Posted by Hobbes (Member # 433) on :
Two days of heavy driving I'd think could get it done. Very heavy driving.
Hobbes Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
I read that as heavy drinking.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
I'm looking at a map. That is a long drive for three days.
Hm...do we know anyone in Idaho Falls? *thinks* I think the ex-boyfriend of a friend of an old roommate of mine lives there.
Posted by Hobbes (Member # 433) on :
Wait.... yah. You're right, three days.
Sorry.
Hobbes Posted by Zan (Member # 4888) on :
You could come to Florida and actually ride the water rides at Universal. No frozen water around here, no sir.
Posted by raventh1 (Member # 3750) on :
Hey, I'll have to catch you while you're here in Utah, at least go have lunch or something. Maybe you could hang out with some other Utahn rackers too?
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Would y'all want to see me? That would be wonderful. Posted by Richard Gere (Member # 6534) on :
Go to Vegas. Let yourself do something you'll feel guilty for later.
Cause what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
YAHOO! SHINDA!
*dances* I get to see Katie! And meet ketchupqueen!
. . . at least, if it's not while I'm working or on a Saturday.
How is Sunday, January 2nd? Or if it needs to be a weekday, is the evening doable?
Posted by littlemissattitude (Member # 4514) on :
Well, I can't commit for sure to anything that requires driving to SoCal this time of year, since this is fog season - anyone who's ever tried to drive in tule fog knows what I mean. However, I'd like to be on record as being open to possibilities as the weather allows. Posted by unicornwhisperer (Member # 294) on :
My baby brother came home Novmeber 5th. Where did your brother go, mine went to Alabama. He came home with an accent, but denies it. Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
My brother went to Mexico City, speaking Spanish. Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
rivka, I think the 2nd is doable; I'll have to figure it out, though. Where are you at? My parents live in La Crescenta and Tujunga, and my aunt is in Pasadena, but we'll have our own car, so I just need to know how much time we'll need to meet you. (Same thing to Papa Moose; where do y'all want to meet?)
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
I don't think I can do the 2nd (I have to be in Dallas before work on the 4th, which means I have to drive back to Salt Lake and fly home...unless I get a ticket where I fly to SLC but come home from SC...hmmm...), but then, I don't even know if I'm going to SC yet.
Posted by unicornwhisperer (Member # 294) on :
Cool! He could probably get a job working at the MTC. They like RMs that speak Spanish. Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Katie, I can do any day between the 29th and the 3rd, so if rivka can do it and you decide to come, I can do it. rivka, even if she doesn't come out, I want to see you!
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
I live in L.A. proper, but I have a car. You tell me where (Pasadena, f'rinstance, is no problem), and I'll be there. If we want to do a restaurant, then I'd prefer to pick it -- that way i can eat.
Katie, do you have any evenings free the week you'd be out?
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
I love kosher delis, rivka (I've been to two or three in the LA area, I think), and there's also an Israeli restaurant I really enjoyed in West LA (although it's been 4 years, I'm not sure I'd really be able to find it). But I'm sure you know more about kosher restaurants than me, I'd be happy to let you choose if you want to do dinner. I'm also up for the Arboretum, the zoo, or whatever (but if it's Sunday we end up doing, I'd prefer something like the park and a picnic).
Posted by Papa Moose (Member # 1992) on :
Y'all plan what's happening, and we'll make it to what we can. I'm always good with meals, of course.... *pats big belly* Just be aware that the 2nd will probably have a lot of returning-from-vacation traffic, so it might be stickier for us long-distancers. Pasadena is probably better than more central-ish, since we can take 118 to 210 and avoid the worst.
Rivka, you should know how much I value your presence, because I think it almost ruins a deli sandwich to go without cheese, and yet I'd rather eat cheeseless and have you be there. I also dislike meat-substitutes, but will eat them happily if they're required for the restaurant to get your stamp of approval (only if you're there, though).
Off topic and out of curiosity, does preparation affect parve/pareve/whatever-it's-called? I mean, could you go to any restaurant and order a salad with no dressing and be safe (assuming they don't cut the lettuce on the meat-cutting surface or something)?
--Pop
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
I think you can eat in a vegetarian restaurant, can't you? Or raw fruits and veggies? But I'd like to eat somewhere where rivka can enjoy herself. I mean, I know there are some really good kosher restaurants, I'm sure she knows just where they are.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
What is WITH the forum software today? That post of mine looked like it never posted -- I had to run to class, and gave up -- but then showed up 3 times??? And the same thing just happened to me on another thread, although it seems to come and go.
quote: I think you can eat in a vegetarian restaurant, can't you?
Nope.
quote: Or raw fruits and veggies?
Yup.
Pop, while no kosher deli serves sandwiches with meat and cheese together (unless one had a soybean for a mother), they do serve all kinds of other stuff that's quite good. Rarely is the menu limited to sandwiches.
The only kosher place I know of in Pasadena is the kosher cafeteria at Caltech. I hear the food is very good. There are kosher restaurants outside of L.A. and the Valley, but the only one I can think of at the moment is a pizza (and other assorted dairy stuff) place in Agoura. I'm geographically impaired, but I think that means it's between where the Mooses live and where I do.
quote: Off topic and out of curiosity, does preparation affect parve/pareve/whatever-it's-called? I mean, could you go to any restaurant and order a salad with no dressing and be safe (assuming they don't cut the lettuce on the meat-cutting surface or something)?
Yes, raw fruit/vegetables are a dependable fall-back (mostly because the health department requires that fruits and veggies be cut with different knives than meat, fish, or poultry).
[ December 07, 2004, 09:04 PM: Message edited by: rivka ]
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Again, though, if we're doing it on Sunday, I'd prefer a picnic, and we can all bring our own food. If that's okay with you all.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Agoura is halfway? Where, exactly is he coming from?
There might be somewhere else that's more in the middle, and we could find a kosher restaurant for you, rivka.
[ December 07, 2004, 10:07 PM: Message edited by: ketchupqueen ]
Posted by Papa Moose (Member # 1992) on :
Agoura is between, but not halfway. It's much closer to me -- maybe 20 minutes, versus bare minimum an hour to get to rivka's old place or to Pasadena. Dunno about rivka's new place.
It's possible that we'll be on our way home from San Diego, so it might not make any difference in the least how close it is to our home anyway. As I said, make the plans and we'll be there if we can. Planning around us more than a week in advance generally turns out somewhat futile, rather disappointing, and occasionally painful.
--Pop
Posted by King of Men (Member # 6684) on :
Um, what's wrong with staying indoors all day and playing computer games? That's what I plan to do.
Posted by Ralphie (Member # 1565) on :
quote: Cause what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.
That redness and chaffing didn't stay in Vegas.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
On a Sunday, Agoura's more like 40 minutes from here, I think.
I like the picnic idea! Haven't done that in AGES! I just recommend we have a backup plan -- it does rain here sometimes. Posted by Papa Moose (Member # 1992) on :
Even when it doesn't, December/January can get just a little cold for a one-year-old (and his mother). On occasion.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
*nod* Also true.
Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
Montana is far from Texas, but close to Utah!
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Hey, thanks for the advice, guys, but I did grow up in the LA area, you know.
I don't know what part of LA you're in, rivka; how far are you from Griffith Park? (If it rains, we can figure something out; there are plenty of covered places there. If it's too cold, we should be able to find somewhere nearby to go inside. But please remember that it generally gets colder in Dallas than it does in LA, so I'm prepared to dress the baby warmly and come ahead anyway.)
If you don't like Griffith Park, do you have any suggestions?
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Griffith Park is fairly convenient to me; less so to the Meese and other L.A. area types, like the saxons.
Pop, how bad would getting to Griffith be for y'all? Or can you suggest a park more in your neck of the woods?
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
*jealeous*
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
*helpful* You and your wife could join us, Dags. Posted by imogen (Member # 5485) on :
*jealous* also, but without the extra e Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
Magic Mountain is empty January first? (Or was this the "sarchasm"?) WDW is freaking mobbed on any holiday! (GAH!)
Posted by Papa Moose (Member # 1992) on :
Where's Griffith Park? I mean -- where exactly, like nearest freeway interchange? I've never been there.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
<-- geographically impaired
Um, hang on, I'll ask my mom.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
. . . or maybe I'll just find a map. Looks like it's near the intersection of the 134 and the 5.
Posted by Papa Moose (Member # 1992) on :
That's about where I thought it was. It will depend on where exactly the traffic is. There will likely be heavy 101 traffic in that direction most of the day, but there will also be 5 south traffic all day, too. I might be best going 118->5->170->134, or even 118->210->2->134 to avoid it. Kinda sad, since 101->134 is such a straight shot. Still, shouldn't be much more than an hour if it's just heavy volume and no real problems. If weather is good, that's a reasonable spot.
--Pop
Posted by Frisco (Member # 3765) on :
I think a good, fair place for all the Utah, Montana, and Portland people to have an event is in Boise.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
[*snort* This was directed to Pop.] Did you want to suggest any place closer to you, as an alternative? There must be parks out that'a'way too.
[ December 08, 2004, 12:11 AM: Message edited by: rivka ]
Posted by Papa Moose (Member # 1992) on :
I think the next international Hatrack event should be in Ames, IA.
Posted by Papa Moose (Member # 1992) on :
There's this park about six blocks from home. Cool play equipment and swings....
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Well, if everyone's okay with Griffith Park, it's far enough I feel like we'd be doing our share of commuting, central enough that everyone could find it, and close enough we could make it after church, no problem.
But if anyone else wants to come, speak up. We can move it. Or do it a different day (weeknight, right?). Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Pop, does it have a picnic area?
[ December 08, 2004, 12:12 AM: Message edited by: rivka ]
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
And where is "home"? Malibu area?
Posted by Papa Moose (Member # 1992) on :
Yeah -- a few of them. BBQs and everything. Big grass area for croquet or ultimate, though golfing is prohibited. And there's a hospital only a few blocks away in case of major injury. Always nice in a pinch. And a Domino's across the street, I think.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Papa, I really need to know how far we'd be going...
Posted by Papa Moose (Member # 1992) on :
It's entirely unreasonable for me to think that people would come to the park six blocks from my house. I assumed we were joking.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
But it sounds so nice...
I used to drive out to see my friend in Pacific Palisades; it was about a 1 1/2 to 2 hour drive, but gorgeous.
But if it's that far, are you okay with Griffith Park (if you're home)?
[ December 08, 2004, 12:30 AM: Message edited by: ketchupqueen ]
Posted by Papa Moose (Member # 1992) on :
Absolutely.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Shall we plan for that, then? What time? And shall we meet by the carousel, or what?
Posted by Papa Moose (Member # 1992) on :
There's a carousel?
If we're at home, we can hit the early church service and be done by 10:30, so any time around noon or later is good. Just let us know, and make sure I have someone's cell number so I can call to tell you we'll be late but we're on the way. That's important.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
It's been a LONG time since I was at Griffith for anything other than the zoo or a museum. I'm going to need to be reminded where "near the carousel" IS, please.
As for time, maybe early afternoon? I'm not sure if I'll have th kids that weekend (schedule currently in flux due to ex's multiple work-trips in the next month), and if I do, we'll be coming from gymnastics . . . oh, no, I bet they don't have that on that particular weekend.
Um, but either way, early afternoon seems likely to work to me. One-ish, maybe?
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
We don't have cells right now, but we could borrow my dad's or step-mom's or mom's or whatever. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
Yes, there's a carousel. And pony rides. Not that we'll be doing that on Sunday, probably, but still beautiful and fun. (I think it's one of those famous carousels, I forget who by.)
Our church goes from 11 to 1, so we couldn't be there earlier than 1:30 or 1:45, depending on traffic. Is that too late for you all? If you had kids that needed feeding, you could start eating without us.
I forget where the carousel is exactly; shall I get directions from my dad and post them? He gives excellent directions. (Please tell me which freeway you're coming in on and from which direction.)
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Ah . . . and now I even figured out how to get the map (which clearly is marked "merry-go-round") to link properly.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Okay, we're set then: around 1:30 pm or so, Jan. 2, somewhere by the carousel (maybe we should have a sign or something? or rivka can just stake out a spot and everyone else can go around asking people if they're her), bring a lunch or snacks, anyone who will be in the LA area is invited. In case of foul weather, I guess we'll work something out and post it in case anyone else wants to show up.
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
*jealous too*
Although I'm still laughing at Ralphie's post on the previous page. Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Sorry we hijacked your thread to plan our own get-together, Katie... Are you going to go see Annie?
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Nah, she should come here, and we can do something with her the week before. Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Yes. Yes, she should. But I think she was worrying about the long trip for a short stay.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
*goes to shorten roads*
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
quote:Magic Mountain is empty January first? (Or was this the "sarchasm"?) WDW is freaking mobbed on any holiday! (GAH!)
Icky, it's empty. This will be the fifth annual trip to Magic Mountain, because on January 1st, it's EMPTY. *dances* It's empty for two reasons: 1. The season passes for the previous year expired the day before, so no season pass holders, and...
2. It's Pasadena, CA on New Year's Day. The tourists are all at the Rose Parade. When you don't care a filip for watching flowers march by, it's the perfect day to ride the Batman four times in a row without getting off.
---------
Okay. I have to be in Utah on January 2nd. I don't know how I can swing that with being in the park on January 1st.
I need to talk to my college friends. But, but, but...a shinda!!
Montana and Boise are indeed very close to Utah...
[ December 08, 2004, 11:11 AM: Message edited by: katharina ]
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Can't you just teleport yourself from one place to another to be with everybody? Posted by littlemissattitude (Member # 4514) on :
January 2 at Griffith Park is duly noted. Will try to get there if the weather is cooperative. Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
*pout*
Lots of time, but still not enough. Stupid VacationDaysDon'tCarryOverIntoTheNewYear.
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
Magic Mountain on Dec 26th is also extremely empty. Or did we go on the 24th?
AJ
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Does anyone know if Disneyland is crowded right around Christmas? Like, the 27th?
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
I believe it tends to be pretty crowded then, yes.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Well, that's the only day we can go with my step-sister and -brother-in-law, so that's when we're going. Just wondering.
Maybe we'll get lucky and it'll rain.
[ December 09, 2004, 12:08 AM: Message edited by: ketchupqueen ]
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
LOL! Could happen. Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
So, this thread prompted a shinda in Southern California? On the 2nd? That's going to be fabulous and include rivka and the Meese and KQ and there's going to be sunshine and possibly those animal face plates again?
*sniff* I loathe you all.
I can't come. I need to be in SLC on January 2, so I don't think I'll be going to SoCal at all this break. Have fun without me, though.
*goes off to send some e-mails*
[ December 10, 2004, 01:15 PM: Message edited by: katharina ]
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Well, we'd love to see you too, Katie. If not on the 2nd, then on some other date.
But I do understand that it is a LONG drive. So maybe another time? Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Aww, Katie, if you can make it earlier in the week, we'll reschedule, or have two, or something. *likes Katie*
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
KQ, you are darling. Thank you. I don't think I can come to SoCal at all, because I'd be traveling with a group from Salt Lake, and the key to the trip is being at Magic Mountain on January 1st. I've missed the MM trip for the past few years, but can I tell how much I love that I know it will happen again next year?
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Okay. *feels less guilty about hijacking thread to plan own stuff*
*still likes Katie and wishes she could make it*
[ December 10, 2004, 04:09 PM: Message edited by: ketchupqueen ]
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
You should come here.
*wants to meet Kat!!!!!*
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
rivka, I thought of you and our discussion about restaurants-- we're looking for somewhere to go tonight, and I found a kosher Indian vegetarian place. If you ever come out here, I'll take you there...
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
*drools* Sadly, we haven't had one of those around here in ages. Where do you live again?
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Right outside Dallas proper. In Texas. Come see us sometime!
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
*smacks forehead* Right! You're part of kat's clump.
*finds relevant list* So . . . let's see, you went to Madras Pavilion, in Richardson?
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
That's the name of it, but we didn't end up going there. My husband wanted Italian instead. I'm thinking next time I want Indian, though, we'll go there so I can review it for you. Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Mmmm, good kosher Italian restaurants we do have around here. Looks like there's one in your neck of the woods, too. Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Yeah, Campbell's not too far. Shall we try that one out for you, too? We want to make sure that if you come out to visit Katie (since she wants to see you) and Catherine and me, you'll have plenty of places to eat.
[ December 11, 2004, 11:22 PM: Message edited by: ketchupqueen ]
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
*giggle* Katie and I have met. It's hard not to, when you share a hotel room.
Hmm, Dallas. I think I know other people there . . . maybe I'll come out and visit, sometime. Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
And I knew that... I meant it in the sense of "get together to see each other", and should have said "see", but I am kinda tired, I guess, having been out all afternoon-- with Katie and Catherine.
There, it's fixed to make more sense.
And you should totally come out, it's so much fun to visit different places.
[ December 11, 2004, 11:24 PM: Message edited by: ketchupqueen ]
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
*jealous* Sounds like fun.
Too bad it's such a long drive . . . but I'll definitely put it on my list of places-I-should-totally-visit. Posted by Papa Moose (Member # 1992) on :
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