We are back--o my (quite the adventure)--not sure how much is interesting but family of 5 California Trip report --3 girls ages 12, 9, and 6 :

We flew to Vegas from Alabama Tuesday the 19th--2 hour delay--slots/girls loved watching (guy hit a thousand on quarter slots next to me)--Southwest was having some party so Elvis lookalikes everywhere and showgirls--got some neat video-- phone rang and friend of my Dad's (his daughter a Coke executive) had us luxury suite tics to SBC to see Giants/Braves--

We got in at 4 and drove straight to Coit Tower--nice foggy views then did the Lombard crooked road ride -checked into Hotel in Cow Hollow--Cow Hollow Motor Inn--we were on floor one at the Steiner/Lombard sign--windows opened (but a tad loud at nite but COOL area neat shops)--big rooms----we ate Mexican at Andale on Chestnutt first nite--really good---(kids loved All star donuts for breakfast)

Next day we went to the Wharf--LORD a tourist trap--rode Carousel/looked at sea lions--junky places always a hassle as little ones have breakdown over not buying some goofy t-shirt---then we got to ballpark via old trolley--O my beautiful--picked up tics at will call---sold out--I asked some policeman and he said legal to sell my extra 5 at cost across street so I held up and guys about tackled me--sold for cost--into the SUITES --o my --leather couches third base line--waiters--internet tv's--anything you wanted--we were alone--! Crazy nice--beyond belief nice--girls conned EDS guys next suite into giving them Giants hats--little one watched Nickelodeon on tv in suite during game-- a blast--heaven--gorgeous view of water--

That nite me and 2 older girls did sushi bar near hotel--Ace Wasabi--nice place----we then took bus and walked across Golden gate Bridge--fun kinda scary--COLD

Next day we rode trolleys to Union Square--12 year old wanted to hit Paul Frank store--then Urban Outfitters then Forever 21 --O my Lord I got mad at Forever 21 while my girls shopped an hour-we then went to Chinatown for Dim Sum--place I had heard about here --Mirawa?----they kept piling food up and I had no idea cost--12's and 10's on check----i thought be a fortune--food all over--we could not finish /some good some odd--bill was $14.56---ha--we then took taxi (only time) to Haight Asbury--Ben and Jerry's--street shopping girls bought more junk--then took bus to room with help (direction re buses) of people--folks are way way nice there--we collapsed a few hours--got kids a cheese pizza and locked in room -wife and I walked to California wine bar on Chestnutt-wine bar was open air and full of nice folks---stayed an hour got kids did Alcatraz tour--stopped in wharf for boudin bowl with clam chowder and Anchor steams--saw that Bush guy ---tour was superb--doors slamming (sound used in star wars movies) was cool---view at nite (boat back at 9:30 was stunning) -very warm nite

Friday we got up and drove to Yosemite--we never touched car from parking Tuesday at 6 to Friday morning but free parking at Cow Hollow and not much price break to pick up Friday so really ($60 extra) worth it to have ready to roll---187 miles--we were in no hurry--thru vegetable stands like you would not belive--had "in and out burger" (I got a t shirt) in some small town--supplies at Long Drugs--(shoulda got floats)--last hour into Yosemite Valley freaked me out--windy desolate--no Dollywood Hillbilly golf etc like you see entering Smokies here----got to Valley at 2 ish---tent cabin was RUFF---swam in cold Merced river--2 youngest loved--wife and oldest hated---pizza at Curry Pavilion--views were stunning --place exceeded my expectations for beauty--i was amazed at beauty--we went to nite park ranger deal--maybe 200 there in amphitheater--my middle daughter volunetered to be a bear in safety deal--

We got up Saturday and drove 35 miles across park to (only one road) Mariposa Grove--worlds largest diamater tree---we then drove to Glacier Point--WOW--more impressive than tree stop--the falls and view of valley--not as long a drive there as they make ya think--most beautiful view I have ever seen (top 10)--top view of falls into valley--we stopped for a picnic on way--just side of road in woods --deer bounded over us--

That nite we swam and then ventured to public showers--almost a mutiny (2 nites all my crew would do)--pretty darn nasty--all the lodges were booked so were were in the tent cabins--valley was 93 in day but zero humidity--nite 56 cold--

Wife got her cell phone stolen that nite she took to bathroom and sat down --we cancelled at lodge --we reported immediately but still working apparently--(as on return to Alabama last nite message is still a 13 year old sounding girl) o well

Sunday we got outta Yosemite --oldest daughter started packing nite before--6:30 am and she is dying to leave--I am loading car and 3 bears rumble by--! man she and wife wanted out--youngest loved--we were gone by 7 am Sunday!! They would not have stayed a third nite at Curry Village--but great family bonding--(PS other couple checking out were very upset too-we said nothing but not clean enuff for 80 bucks a nite)

Breakfast just outside park on southside --all entrances are very upscale to us --no hillbilly golf etc--we were in Paso Robles wine country--HOT HOT by 11ish --we hit 3 or so--wow--fun --Tobin James free video games--girls even liked--Eberle nice--at these unlike Napa the owner chats (u do sorta seem emabarased not to buy a bottle at small ones)--we then hit Mexican in Paso Robles--sancho's? Man good--then hit maybe 5 other wineries--funky to beyond belief nice--Windwood gorgeous--Bonny Doon fun (goats chickens)--one with horses was gorgeous-- I got 3 wine glasses given to us--we bought 4 bottles --

We got to our room at San Simeon Pines Resort--folks great place --like a 50's motel--nice folks--10 miles from wineries and tempertarure drops 30 degrees! Ate at Linn's in Cambria--pretty good---neat sea town (Cambria)--5 miles from Hearst Castle--wife and I opened a red--walked on beach rocky with these odd green sea thingys that close round your finger----kids played wine tasting in room with plastic cups and water--they would say this "has hints of apples or chese"--a hoot---slightly tipsy day--

Up Monday to Hearst Castle--man kids liked--tour guide was great--he was sad because some guide was run over in his bike and killed day before--but he was honest re Hearst--place was beyond belief-I bought a bio of him at bookstore later--I never realized he was so progressive in some ways--

We then drove up 1 to Big Sur--foggy but some nice vistas--kids in back seat playing damn gameboys till I made them stop--at Big Sur we ate at our motel (Big Sur River Inn) -NICE--wife and I napped in creek--had chairs in creek--wow so quite empty gorgeous--we went to Pffeier beach and kids went wild COLD and so gorgeous--

Ate at a funky Fernwood Bar place -Lou Reed had just left bar-- breakfast at Big Sur Bakery--on to to Carmel area and back to Oakland Tuesday morning --bad traffic--took longer--we did stop in Castro where they grow all the garlic and artichokes--I got us fried artichokes--

We passed A's place on way in so stopped got tics--football stadium---walk up great tics for 70 bucks--

Stayed in Almeda across from downtown Oakland----had great Chinese (East Ocean near Hawthorne Suites on Webster) --then hit game--easy very relaxing very diff crowd than Giants---Cold cold nite--

We got up Wed--and went to Berkley--one child's favorite taeacher went there--we hit Cal student store--got Cal shirts all the way around---Berkely like Haight only better really--street jewelry --wish we had more time there--2.5 hours to plane lift so I herd us to car--O MY GOD--the 880 south at 11:30 am is blocked--(we flew in and outta Oakland) took us 1 hour to go 6 or 10 miles or so--were fine but in airport it was all shoes off and all---got to gate with 25 minutes to go--
Home--! Great trip--
af
PS for a joke I put these underoos in oldest daughter's suitcase--a friends little boy left his underwear here (playing in hose at our house awhile back) --we took digital pictures all over California of the underwear--have 30 or 40--Williams underpants with a hippy in Haight-on Golden Gate bridge alcatraz etc wineries Big Sur --girls wanna do a book and give to him--was fun--

What a great report alanf… the underoos are hysterical!

We found the people in SF to be extremely friendly and helpful also. Glad you had a good time!

Hi alan. Great report - we did a similar trip to yours just a few weeks ago!

When we were waiting in line to rent a raft at Yosemite I was eavesdropping on the people ahead of us in line. A man was telling another that he just could not handle the Curry tents, and the other person said that you just can't stay at these. After one night, this guy went to the Ahwahnee to get a room - at $425/night! I wonder how much business the Ahwahnee gets this way?!

It was funny to read about your impressions on the entrance to Yosemite - you are in the middle of nowhere! I was just talking to a friend today who went to visit a friend down in Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg last week. His description of the area was hystical. He said his favorite was the store that thought it's most important inventory (as advertised in it's window) was "Fudge/Knives/Bathing Suits/Leather". I told him I didn't even want to THINK about the 4 of those things combined together!!

yea 32 Underoo shots--Dim Sum lunch, James Dean Crash site on 46/41, and on and on --

Big Sur River Inn and San Simeon Pines Resort are top notch stops--and I loved Paso Robles Wine drive--

o well
af

OK, I laughed my way through your report, now the public demands to see the pictures. Are you going to post them?

A fun report alanf! You and your family sound like a happy and great group.

Am glad you enjoyed California. Thanks for sharing your vacation. And oh yes - lets see those travelling underroos! Take care.

O gosh I'd post the underwear pics if I knew how--I'm not a web site guy--some are darn funny--

yea re Curry Village---i was ok for 2 nites but wife and oldest bathe twice a day--hard flying in to be fully prepared--for instance you need a light bulb converter to make light socket useful for a fan or radio--and we shoulda got floats---checked rentals but opted to just swim and tour (I did not find Yosemite oppressively crowded as I had feared--man try Smokies folks--jammed)

we said zilch--but guy checking out near us was "this is a disgrace for national park" "we've been coming 20 years" on and on (really my thing nothing to do with cell phone theft--wife should not have left on sink) but damn gone quick--bum luck--

We had fun---9 nites --pushed it with 6 year old she was tired (I left out her breakdowns-over/under was 3--it was over)--a quote at Mariposa Grove "I am not even putting my feet on ground"--but minutes later she led charge up hill--she did well--

travel is great--money well spent--kids need to see more than their own home town
af

Great trip report.

I agree with your assessment of Curry Village. We always stay at Housekeeping Camp, which isn't luxurious by any means, but at least you have more space, the bathroom and shower facilties are nicer, and you can have your own campfire And like you said, "camping out" is tough when you fly in and don't have all the equipment. We show up at Yosemite with a truck load of stuff when we go.

I left you a message that Yosemite Lodge had last minute cancellations the week before -- you should have been reading Fodors! I was able to get a room, piecemeal, for three nights (Sat., Sun. and Mon.) and they had an opening for Friday as well. It was great, because husband and I stayed at the Ahwahnee and son and friend stayed at the Lodge (what peace!).

Because of the late winter, Yosemite Falls was spectacular! We went river rafting on Monday and had the best time. We also had the choice of two pools -- the Lodge and the Ahwahnee. Yes, the tent cabins are pretty basic -- about 1 night is all you can take. Frankly, we'd much rather camp.

I can't believe you saw Lou Reed -- I am totally stoked! He's usually doing a European tour around this time of year. We saw him play in Salzburg at the Music Festival about 10 years ago; pretty amazing sitting in the courtyard of the Church there, listening to Walk on the Wild Side . . . .

O my gosh--I am so bummed I missed your message before we left! I had checked pretty regularly the board but we had "dropped off the charts" so last weekend before trip I was outta town with girls---wife busy--working to prepare--

I don't regret re lodging so much--great family lore built--but woulda loved the Ahawannee meeting--I never mentioned this to wife (she read some of your Cow Hollow comments I cut/pasted)--but man I woulda been there had I read--! I am tax atty so on time and all

We ate sat. nite at Yosemite Lodge food Court which beat Curry buffet--then wandered back to Curry for ice cream--shoot---

My wife (imagine this in a politician) is a charmer--chatted with folks at California WIne Merchant on Chestnutt--all over--you woulda enjoyed her--she makes travel fun--(she charmed Braves tics off some local businessman on flight home--long story)

I really regret that--
see below post--Bama girls woulda enjoyed!
af

Link I think/ I hope to UNDEROOS PICS
af http://community.webshots.com/album/407558977bSBTTx

PS Lou Reed girlfriend per some guy at bar (Laurie Anderson?) media artist was at Henry Miller library was why he was in town
af

Nice trip report. Enjoyed the pictures, you may have started a new trend ala Flat Stanley. The Michelangelo one was a hoot!

Your pictures are too funny! Thanks for posting them.

I relate to your sentiments about traveling with kids. It's so much fun, but can be exasperating, too. When we were in Yellowstone last year, my boys decided they were sick of taking short hikes, so when we got to the Old Faithful Parking lot, they told me they wanted to "wait in the car". I told them there is NO WAY they are not going to see Old Faithful, and my oldest admitted afterwards that it was "cool". When we returned home and someone asked my younger son what he saw in Yellowstone, he replied "hot water". It's fun to see stuff through their eyes.

Pics were great. None of you. I was thinking what my son would do or say to me if I insisted he whip out underwear in a public place to have his photo taken with it. I probably would not be here to write this. Girls have a much better sense of humor.

FOR SUFERGIRL!
Hey I added one of whole family--only one with me and the underoos is bad pic

I E-mailed a lawyer buddy and he rec. webshots--this is not an ad--but yea sure was easy and free to upload pics--(took 30 minutes at lunch to register and do-)(Only problem was it made me use IE but when I just went back in to add pic I did it with Firefox--) whatever

af
sorry we missed ya--I imagine at the Ahwahnee they migha run as out as too dirty!

How old were your boys? No underoos shots to share I guess??--In a few years might like girls better--

Pictures were hilarious!

Great report! Lovely family!

Thanks so much for sharing!

Hi alanf, I so enjoyed your family vacation pictures. The underroos were a hoot!!! And you have such a beautiful family. I agree, a good competion to FlatStanley! Bet those four females spoil the heck out of you. Take care and thanks again for sharing your vacation and family fun.

My son will turn 16 next week (driving age -- watch out!). Nope, no underoo shots -- I'll post a link to those we did take. Never heard the word underoo before now. Must be a Bama thing or I live a sheltered life. We do have photos of every squirrel in the park, however.

Here you go:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/BrowsePh...122744701050&&