Knott's Berry Farm!!!

Owen and I met our friends Holly and Rory at Knott's Berry Farm today to scream our faces off in joy! We agreed to meet at 10 and stay as long as our stomachs could handle it. I was so excited driving into the theme park that I missed the turn for parking and we had to drive all the way around the park for attempt #2.    Once we were in, we wasted no time....

For all of you city folk, this is a real life cowboy strait out of the wild west. Ya' know how you can tell? It is all in the booty pop. Look at that thing, it is a beauty! Also, look at the intimidating gun handling and the delicate (but accurate) way this cowboy purses his lips to blow the smoke off of his gun.  

Holly and Rory on the raft ride

This tame looking structure is the "Supreme Scream"...it lives up to it's name. You strap yourself in, take a trip to the top and free fall to the bottom.  I was convinced I was going to die each and every time we went on it (why did I go more than once?  Voluntarily?).  I pride myself in my communication skills and try to be very transparent whenever I am having a conversation.   I didn't want to be alone in my own head, so I was sure to scream " THIS IS A BAD IDEA, WE ARE ALL GOING TO DIE!!!!" just so we were all on the same page before we went plummeting to the ground.

Owen and I on the raft ride, where the worst thing that can happen to you is your chuns can get a little soggy -from the water, not from fear :)

This beast is called the Silver Bullet

The Xcelerator! This puppy goes from 0-82 in 2.5 seconds!

The Calico ghost town

The fountain leading in to the Roaring 20's

The log ride!!

Montezuma's Revenge!!

A Week of Firsts!

This week has been a learning week for me! I experienced a lot of "firsts" like:

My first traffic jam... Everyone who knew me before I left MT knew that one of my biggest fears was to be stuck in traffic with no way to get out.  Today, I left home an hour early in hopes to get to my appointment early.  I made it two miles before I sat for 40 minutes without moving an inch.  Initially, when I saw the miles of cars in front of me and saw the swarms of cars behind me I panicked! What if  I have to go to the bathroom? What if I'm one of those dummies who didn't know they are pregnant and go into labor in traffic? What if I stay here so long, I run out of gas?  Needless to say, I made it out alive and did not give birth to a surprise baby just because I was sitting in traffic.

Encountered my first prostitute... Now, I am relying on stereotypes here, but I am fairly confident I saw a real-life prostitute.  I was very excited! Holy cow, a lady of the night! Except...this lady of the night looked rough!! She was older, bright orange hair, ripped fishnet stalkings, a skirt that was probably originally meant to be a headband, and sky high heels.  Obviously, I did not stop to ask her if she was a prostitute.  I had to clarify that for my mom too because apparently she thinks I would do something like that....

First space shuttle viewing... The Endeavor flew over Disneyland this morning as it made it's way to permanently rest in a museum!

This weekend we are going to the first of many amusement parks!!!  We are going to Knott's Berry Farm! (yep, the one that had a group of people stranded 400 feet above the ground for like 7 hours)  My inner child needs to get out and play! All of this working is making me too serious. 

Dana Point Pier

I have seen the ocean 3 times in my lifetime, got in an played once (springtime in Oregon...it was too cold, so that one doesn't really count). Today, I dipped my toes in the most beautiful Pacific water! I walked along the beach and picked seashells and sea glass at Dana Point. I didn't get ALL the way in though... I've seen Jaws and am still not convinced that a shark couldn't grab me in three feet of water.  Baby steps...

San Juan Capistrano

Today we took a visit to Mission San Juan Capistrano.  The mission is officially the oldest building (the chapel)  in CA that is still used on a daily basis.  Much of the structure was destroyed by an earthquake, but what is left behind is beautiful and haunting at the same time. The courtyard and gardens are so majestic!