Balboa Lake and Park in CA

We packed and cleaned up our room preparing for our flight home.  We cleaned the van and then went to Audy's house to help pack the kids.  

After some talking and trying to decide what we can do today the decision was made to go to Balboa Park/lake.  I loved the park from the minute I got out of the van.  The park was filled with a variety of ducks and birds.  I took some great photos.  

 KINGFISHER

Audy and I sat in a gaxebo and watched the ducks catch fish, enjoying their lunch.

Walking towards the bike rental there was a guy sitting in a chair down by the water.  He had a toy boat in the lake and was having fun using it to chase some ducks and  race it around the water.

This boat moves pretty fast across the water.  Looks like a neat toy to have.

Mason and BB had wanted to ride bikes from the minute we got out of the car.  We are almost to the rental area.

This bike rental place had a variety of bikes to choose from.  We ended up getting one bike where 5 people could sit in it but only 4 could pedal.  Greg took Seamus for a walk while we took a bike ride.

Mason and JL took turns riding the single seated bike.

OK its Greg's turn to ride and Audy and I got out.  Love the expressions on there faces.

Dancing in the park........let the good times roll.

Setting under the gazebo watching the ducks catch fish.  The kids had some graham crackers and broke them up in small pieces to feed the ducks.

 Its time to head back to the van and go eat at IN AND OUT burger.. we are all dreading today as today we are leaving CA.

 IN AND OUT BURGERS one last time before we leave for the airport.

 A hill was behind where we ate.  Audy and the kids went up there to play and spend time together.

 We have the RED EYE flight out of LA and going  3 hours early. We have to return the van and get some shopping done.

 On the plane and ready for some shut eye on the red eye.

Griffin Observatory in Hollywood CA

Today we are going to Griffin Observatory in Hollywood. The road to the observatory was filled with traffic and the closer we got the more traffic we endured.

Marlon let us all out and we started walking up to the observatory which was a long walk straight up. My knee felt like it was going to explode before we got to the top of the hill.  At the top there was free wi fi and Audy called her Dad to see where he had to park.  He parked so far away that the observatory was not even visible to him.

I told Audy there was no way I could walk back down that hill then walk all the way to where Marlon had to park.  She contacted the security guy who gave Marlon permission to park right outside the observatory.  Thank goodness.  While we waited on his arrival it was picture taking  time.  

 The Griffin Observatory Hollywood CA was a great place to see the Hollywood sign.

Marlon has made it to the top and found a place to park.   Audy and the kids took off one way and Marlon and I set off in another direction.

 Inside the observatory was very interesting.

 After a quick look around in the inside, we went to the top of the observatory for a great view.  Huge telescopes are also located up on the roof and I sure hope we get a chance to look at them.  Today its so windy, I kept my hat up the entire time we were on the roof.

We barely made it in time to see the telescope........we were the last ones to go inside and to see this amazing instrument, it was huge.  I would love to see that big door open and actually get to look through it.

Good times with Aunt Audy at the observatory.......

I spotted them on top of the roof.......they seemed so far away.  No matter how sick they are when they are with their Aunt Audy life is good. :-)

 One last time to look out at the Hollywood sign before we go home.

New Years Eve........Audy wanted to stop on the way home and  get some sparkling apple cider to bring in the New Years with.  Marlon stopped again and bought them some of Mason's favorite  burgers at  IN AND OUT BURGER>

 
Audy told us about Greg going out with some friends and where he was going to be.  Marlon and I left and went to find him at a British pub called the White Harte.  Greg introduced us to all his friends that were there.  He didn't stay long he wanted to go back and be with Audy.  Marlon and I enjoyed there company.
When they left we moved up to the bar and ordered some dinner.  We were given party hats and ordered a drink to toast the New Years in.  The pub had the NEW YORK ball drop on TV.   so its 9pm here in CA time which would be midnight in Ohio.  We toasted in the new year of 2015 and finished eating our dinner.  We met a musician while we were sitting at the bar.  He sometimes plays in Ohio at Natalie's Coal Fired Pizza.  He gave us his card  and said when he comes to Ohio please come and see him.  Super excited to have met Todd Wolfe.  Let the good times roll........

Pointe Dume was a blast.......!!! Happy Birthday Marlon............

Marlon and I took a morning walk after breakfast. I love meeting new people everyday at breakfast.  Its nice to hear what there plans are for the day and what there doing today.  Its nice sharing places you have been and inform others about the experience you had at different places. 

I loved seeing this huge news stand.  I honestly have never seen a news stand on the streets big or small.  Marlon ended up looking around and got a newspaper.  

 Time to move on down the street where a lady was standing on the side of the street waving a sign showing the store was closing and had a big sale going on.  The maniquin looked so real until we got closer and noticed the bolt through the sign went into her belly LOL.  Marlon got some looks from cars passing by when he stood there smiling with his hand on her boobs........so funny.

 Time to head back to the hotel where we picked up things we needed for the day and went and got the van cleaned up from the day before.   We have arrived at Audy's house and are waiting for them to finish getting ready.  Mason looks well and ready to go......he's sporting his new LA hat and awesome shirt........and to top off his CALI outfit he has some mirrowed sunglasses.

 
  Today we are going to Pointe Dume.  This is our first time to travel down Topanga Canyon.  The road takes you up the side of the mountain and has beautiful scenery but if you get car sick this would not be a road you would like.  There are so many twists and turns on this road.  BB had a hard time with car sickness and sitting in the back of the van was not a good location for her to sit.   Audy told Marlon to pull into this lookout location where we could look at the San Fernando valley below and the Santa Monica Mountains.

 Spectacular views ............

 Audy and the kids found a trail to hike up......the trail was so steep.  I did manage to get to the top.  The trail was pretty rough.

  Kids went to the top and said they had a great view but I did not climb up that far as it looked to scary.

We are getting back in the van and making our way up the mountain to Pointe Dume.

Took us a couple trips around the block to get a place to park.  There was no parking lot just a pull off area.  Finally a spot opened up and we got parked.  

 Audy and the kids went up the hill and Marlon and I went down towards the ocean to find some tide pools.

2 flights of steps to get to the ocean, the view is beautiful from the top of the hill.

 I enjoyed spending some time by the ocean listening to the waves crash against the rocks.  I could tell Marlon enjoyed it, he sat down on a rock and just admired all the beauty around him and the nice calming sound of the ocean.  As I look up the stairs I could see JL coming down the 2 flights of stairs.

 Theres BB making her way down to the ocean.  I'm sure Mason and Audy are close behind.

JL and Mason are skipping rocks across the ocean....... its so nice to watch them all play and enjoy the ocean and all it has to offer.

 JL found a tide pool and wanted everyone to come and look at it.

 We each took a rock and placed one upon another to show how many in our group was there, starting with oldest first.   :-)

 Time to get back to Audy's and have a birthday celebration with Marlon.

We went to the grocery and Audy did some shopping  on the first day we arrived.  She had got her dad cupcakes for his birthday today.  We got back to Audys and the boys played with the dart guns shooting them at post it notes they had placed on the railings.

 Audy lit the candle and her and the kids walked in singing happy birthday to Marlon.  He is a lucky man to have so many people love him like they do.  

Marlon and I went to Pickwick's Pub for his birthday...........Happy Birthday to the man of my dreams.