Back to California

I've been traveling a lot this summer. Planes, trains, cars, just short of boats. Which has kinda made my final summer trip destination very unreal. It was a two day trip but it's just dawning on me that this isn't another quick trip. Next weekend I can't just run up to Ogden for some Farr's ice cream.

Long story short: Ross and I were unable to secure a car before we left. Lucky for us, my grandparents were up in Utah for my second cousin's wedding (you know, the one we couldn't go to because of car problems?!). And they just so happened to be willing to give us a ride back to California. The plan is to secure an apartment first, then Ross will fly back to Utah, load up the moving truck, then drive it down. The timing is all fairly precarious.

But for the time being, we have a couple days to hang out with my grandparents. I don't blog about my grandparents nearly enough. They are my favorite people. When I was living in Palmdale I would visit them about once a week. Everyone in my family was super jealous that I got to go on a road trip with them!

It was a pretty luxurious trip. My grandparents like to break up the drive and stay the night in Mesquite. Traveling in their jaguar was really really nice. I have never been more comfortable on a road trip.

We took our time and my grandma wanted to make a couple stops before we got to Mesquite.

We took a tour of a couple places of Church history interest. When I was younger I was really into historic fiction. I think my creative mind allows me to really be interested in history, because I can see it in my mind.

We took the of the Brigham Young Summer Home with one other couple. The guide would ask us if we knew what certain contraptions were in the home. And my grandparents, being avid antique collectors, knew everyone and could answer right away. I was pretty proud of that. The guide would mention how "back in the day" this is how they would iron their clothes this way... So I wanted to laugh out loud when my grandpa said, "Yeah, that is what my mom used to iron when I was a kid!"

My grandparents are pretty funny.



Yes, historic stairs, must be steep to be historic. Also, did someone just get done sleeping in that bed? Why is it so disheveled? Yes. That concerns me.

Before too long we were back on the road headed to Mesquite. the casino we stayed at was pretty cool. Old, but not dingy. It was called Casablanca and had a huge rock waterfall out in front. My grandparents were pretty impressed that it had a valet too. I wasn't impressed with the hallway from The Shinning replica.





Before dinner my grandma and I hit up the $10 and Under! store. You know, the things that cost about ten cents to make in China?

I found this funny cheapo ring. My grandma looks over and goes, "It looks like someone took a poop!" Haha. So great. She also gave me some good advice on buying cheap jewelry. She advised me to buy one that is believable. If they are fake diamonds you can't go over the top. Here are two examples. Make wise choices kids!

We went out to dinner at the restaurant in the casino there. My grandparents were pretty beat so they headed up to their room. But right before they left my grandma grabbed my hand and said, rather sternly, "GO HAVE FUN." I laughed a little.
"I mean it!  Don't let us old people slow you down! Have fun."

My grandma is the best. Who else has a grandma that encourages them to run wild in a casino?

Didn't think so.

Ross and I wandered around a little, mostly out of boredom, but also because we needed to stretch our legs. The hotel has a cool lighted pool area with a rock waterfall. We found out that we would be horrible gamblers. Not because we don't have good sense, but because we have no clue how to play the slots. I didn't know there was an art. Apparently I need to read some directions somewhere because I had no clue what was going on.



Another thing I learned, Mesquite is pretty much Vegas for the 70+ crowd. It isn't as far as Vegas, and is a lot cheaper. You know you are hardcore if you are playing the slots in Mesquite on a Monday night. There were lots of older people just zoned out with their game card around their neck, and a cigarette in the other, poised over ashtrays already filled with butts. Classy place.

Ross and I got hot chocolate before going to bed, because there wasn't much else to do in that place.

The next day we hit the road pretty early. We pretty much went straight through. Ross even got the opportunity to drive the Jag! Favorite status immediately granted.

Whole lotta nothing on the road.

We headed to my grandparent's cabin to check on a few things. My grandpa doing the rounds with Ross, and me chilling with my grandma checking out the critters hanging around.

After that we headed to my parent's house. It was fun to be able to see them again. I hadn't been home since I surprised my mom for her birthday, though in fairness, they came up for the Fourth of July. 

And of course I can't forget how much I missed this lovable lump of fur. 

The road trip is over, and apartment hunting starts tomorrow!