A helluva trip!!

Okay. We’re in the new house but I’ll write about that later – right now I want to tell the story of our family trip. When I say family I mean the California Gaughans. My Mom, Dad, brothers and offspring. This all started when Dennis, coming up on his 40th birthday decided he wanted a Kodak moment or several of them – where out of nowhere he wants the family to head up to the Russian River area in Northern California.

QUICK HISTORY NOTE: The Spanish, while exploring California, only got as far as the Monterey area. The Russians, settle the area north, following the furs of otters and beavers. When the area was harvested of nearly every available pelt, the Russians, who were not interested in land acquirement, abandoned the area and headed out.

This wouldn’t have been my first choice but I was game. Others, I would find out later, weren’t.

Two houses were rented on the banks of the Russian River – right next to each other. The plan was each group would meet there on Friday, August 13th. Yes, Friday the 13th – kinda see where this is going, huh? I didn’t think I could make a 10 hour drive with two babies (let alone Liana) and thought it would be cool to go to Monterey Bay and the Aquarium. I like to go to this aquarium every two years or so – and this was the place Liana and I had our first trip together. A month prior I made reservations at the Otter Inn – a cool quaint motel within walking distance of the Aquarium. The plan was we would leave our house a 6am and then spend the day at the Aquarium and around Monterey Bay. I laugh now, thinking that I could have been so naïve.

Skipping to Thursday, August 12th. This is where the moving comes in – nutshell: House painted on the weekend – we moved the major stuff on Monday, as the paint is still drying. The movers were late and only could move out the house and not the garage and the stuff in the rented storage unit. Tuesday, I get a late start on moving because the cable guy is there. Wednesday, I finish at midnight. Thursday, because we are all dragging we don’t get the early start and leave at 8:30am. This would be okay except I already bought the tickets to the Aquarium and didn’t want to be there for just one hour. This would be the least of my problems.

The trip started pretty easy, no traffic, great weather – me with my map and list of Costco Gas Stations along the way. I went through Bakersfield to hit a Costco Gas Station (about 10 – 20 cents cheaper than other stations) but got stuck in traffic on Highway 156 – a two lane highway that connects the 5 freeway with the 101. We hit a little traffic here but it was a quiet drive since Devin, at his suggestion, surrounded by his pillow and blanket feel asleep. Brianna is always a great traveler, as long as we are moving forward at a quick pace but as soon as we slow down – she gets fussy. Life was pretty good but it was going to take a minor rough turn.


“Turn off the lite!”

While stopping for a quick snack, I put the van in gear and the transmission clunked in position. At first my mind couldn’t fathom this happening to me but it was true- my transmission was slipping. But only from 1st to 2nd – while driving on the freeway I was fine – except the 101 is not all freeway and sometime you gotta drive through towns. Well, even with everything against us – and my stress level elevated – we made it to Monterey at 2:30pm, plenty of time to hit the high spots of the Aquarium. Met up with Dennis, Conner and Keaton and proceeded to have an incredible time. Devin was at once, fascinated and terrified of the fish in the tanks.


“Ooooooooo, 'chark'!”

Brianna seemed mesmerized by the fish in the tank – I would just hold her in front of the tanks and she would just stare with her little head jerking back and forth to follow the motion of the swimming fish. When I would move her away she would fuss until I put her back in front of the tank again.


“They’re as pretty as me!”

Monterey Bay Aquarium is one of the best Aquariums in the world if not the best. I have to see it at least every other year. Even though we brought Devin to see it when he was one, he seems to real appreciate it now that he understands the whole concept of fish and water. There is a tank that stands three stories high and just as wide. The fish in the tank are the size of humans – tuna, sharks, barracudas – all swimming in the dark blue representing the deep ocean. When you get close enough it feels like you are falling in. Of course, Devin was rather excited by this as well as the presence of his 11 year old cousin Conner. We left the Aquarium at closing and as Dennis and his clan went to their motel in Carmel-By-the-Sea, we walked back to our hotel room. Grabbed a bucket of Kentucky Fired Chicken and then I made myself scarce until Liana got Devin to sleep. I got in at about 10 where the five of us slept the best we’ve slept in months.

The next day we took our time and were ready to leave a noon. I visited my friend Ed Eyth, whose has just moved to Carmel-by-the-Sea a few weeks ago. He left his art design job at Jim Henson Productions to focus on his sculpting. I have no doubt he will be a success. He and his wife Jennifer are expecting their first child later this year.


“Can I have these now?”

Then we were off to Guerneville and the Russian River. We strapped a diaper onto Devin and headed off. Now realize that I have a little stress hoping that the car will stay together and that I don’t start dropping transmission pieces on the road like Hansel and Gretel dropping bread crumbs.

Even with my list of Costco Gas Stations, I didn’t pay attention so I got gas in Gilroy at a Shell station and right when I got on the freeway I passed a Costco with a gas station. Hey, I just want to get to the Russian River but now I know better.

Devin woke up and I decided to drive through San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge. Wouldn’t you know it – Devin likes bridges. I built up the bridge to him as we made the slow trek through the city around 3:30pm – “We gonna cross the briiiiiiiiiiiiiiidge.” “Yes, Devin we’re going to cross the bridge.” “We gonna cross the briiiiiiiiiiiiiiidge.” “Yes, Devin we’re going to cross the bridge.” “We gonna cross the briiiiiiiiiiiiiiidge.” Yes, Devin – there is the bridge.” As we approached it he saw the span the Orange Bridge and the wide water underneath – Devin paused in silence. “Oooo. That’s a good bridge!”

We took a little stop at the other end of the Golden Gate Bridge it was a little - okay, alot - windy and it was all we could do to not blow into the bay but we got some cool - or cold pictures and then headed the next 60 miles to the Russian River!


“Take picture, NOW!!”

NEXT – REACHING THE RUSSIAN RIVER AND COSTCO SHOPPING



Brian on 08.20.04 @ 11:24 PM CST [Read Comments] [No Comments]