Things to see in CA

A few things that I have learned while being in CA for a month and not able to visit amusement parks.

There are going to be three parts to this post.  The first section is on General parts of California, and the second section is on the Southern part of California. And the third is the Northern part of California.

General California
National Park Annual Pass is totally worth it. This gives great places to hike, walk, and just plain enjoy nature. You can use it almost every where you go.
If you have the time, it is well worth the drive down the coast. We saw lots of old bridges, a huge beach with many Sea Lions sun bathing, and just enjoyed the sites to see.  If you do this, plan to pack a lunch as there isn't many places to eat.  Places to stop are far and few in between, but watch for them as they are there.  It is windy, but not cold.

Southern California
The science museum in LA is amazing! It's free to get in, but parking is $10. Plan to spend the entire day there in hopes to see it all.  The kids meals are not bad ($5) and plenty for an adult to eat (which we did). It's hands on and good for all ages.

The following website was an awesome tool to find other free things to do in LA.

http://www.welikela.com/handy-list-free-museum-days-los-angeles/

We also spent a lot of time at Griffith Park.  You have the Observatory that has a lot of great programs, there are hikes, the Zoo (not free), parks, and Train Museums (is free, except the train ride for small fee)

We also learned that the San Diego Zoo and Sea World during the month of October, kids are free.



Northern California
Downtown San Francisco.  I am not a huge fan of driving downtown.  Hyrum loves trains of any kind. So we looked up the nearest BART stop and rode it into the bay.  When we got there we purchased an all day mini and trolley pass. We then hopped onto a trolley heading to Fisherman's Wharf.
First know that food is expensive at the wharf.  I was surprised that the clothing was not expensive.  Take a windbreaker (not a coat) unless it's under 60 degrees.
 Plan ahead.  The Alcatraz tour was booked out a week.  This worked in our favor because Hyrum was not (surprisingly) interested in getting on a moving boat.
 There is a National Park on the west side with boats to get onto...Hyrum loved those!
Because we went to the Science Museum in LA, we didn't go to the one in San Francisco (and it's expensive). But the Aquarium would be worth going to. I took my older kids there a few years ago and they loved it, but we have an aquarium back home that is less expensive, so we didn't take advantage of this one.
Pier 39 is where you will find the Sea Lions and a lot of the fun window shopping kind of things.  We actually found more Sea Lions driving down HWY 1 than we did at the Pier.
We found the Ghirardelli square thinking that we would get to see how Chocolate was made, and instead found three different stores that you could buy their chocolate or buy an ice cream with lots of chocolate on it for $5 plus.  Least to say, we stuck with our granola bars and moved on.
We didn't make it to China Town or any of the other parks or stops as Hyrum's energy was done by the time we had walked the Pier's. We could have definitely used another day in downtown. We also missed the Trolley Car Museum.

Yosemite is close by Northern California and make for great hikes and site seeing. Unless you do some advance planning for camping or hotel's and food, you will want to get there early, and stay late.  Where to go in Yosemite depends on the time of year.  I would talk to the visitor center for which waterfalls are still going.

Big Basin Redwood State Park has a couple of great hikes that aren't too bad.  Again plan ahead for food as the closest restaurant is 45 min down the mountain.  They have 2 main hikes.  One to the top of the mountain, giving you a nice view of the Ocean and is about 7 miles round trip and the second is a 12 mile hike down the mountain to the beach.  Which you would need someone to either drop you off at the top, or pick you up at the bottom. We did the top of the mountain hike in October, we were in the shade most of the time, we took our time but still hiked for about 4 hours. It was up hill most of the way there and of course, down hill most of the way down! There was many options going up and down, but by the time we got there, and got to the top, we realized that darkness was approaching, so we went the fastest way down (which was the most up hill, and the one we took), but down hill wasn't bad.

We also went to Jamestown Railtown 1897 State Historical Park. Again bring a lunch, but it was a great site to tour with free guided tours for both kids and adults. We had a train ride (that went too slow for Hyrum) and many road stops along the way for Fruit Stands and Antique Stands.    

Sacramento has an "Old Town" with many shops and museums (and of course a train museum) that was fun to wander around. The Train museum does give rides but only on weekends.

Heading Home

Hyrum loved California, but when it came to time to go home, he was ready to go home! So right after the Dr's appointment, we left town heading home. After Hyrum made his Man Cave!

We had thought about spending the night, but Hyrum refused to do that, he wanted his bed. So on we drove until we got home at 11:30 pm.  We figured that since he was WIDE awake we would get his flush done, so by the time we got to bed it was closer to 1:00 am

He did allow me to sleep until 9 am before he informed he was ready to go to school.  He was dressed in his uniform and backpack ready to go. I stalled him enough that we didn't get there until 10 am.  Hyrum was very happy to get back to his trains, to put into action all that he has learned!

He had a great reunion with his class mates and got a play date set up with a friend for the next day.  He has been in the swing of it all since and has loved his new ear and being able to hear on both sides.  He keeps telling us that he is symmetrical and how cool that is!

Hyrum's Final Appointment

We had to leave very early in the morning to make the Dr's appointment one time. The night before we packed all our belongings into the van to be ready to go. 

We enjoyed the drive and time with the Dr.  Hyrum got his ear cleaned out again.  Dr. Roberson told us that though Hyrum could hear, he would not have directional hearing for another few months.  He was surprised that when we informed him that Hyrum already had directional hearing. We are officially 2 months ahead of schedule.

Old Sacramento Railroad Museum

Hyrum loves trains. When asked what he would like to do, all he would say was look at trains. 
 
He loves learning all he can.  He enjoyed seeing all the big trains and was glad that he didn't have to listen to their big engines.
 
For some reason getting near the big engines frightened him. But he would go with his Dad by his side.
 
He loves looking at them and playing with them, but not while they are running.
His favorite ones where the very old ones.

Oakland Temple

The LDS Oakland Temple is built on a hill overseeing the valley. It has stairs that you can go up on the outside of the building to go around to the backside of the temple and see that awesome view.
 
Hyrum loved seeing the view of the city.


He also loved the art on the walls

And the water fountains, even without the water was pretty cool

San Francisco

Hyrum wanted to ride trains and trolleys. So off to San Francisco by BART

Least to say he was pretty excited. He loved looking out the window

From there we got on the trolley heading toward the pier. 

We even figured out how to do a group selfie. 

Hyrum liked the uphill fun. 

From there we walked the pier. And found old cars. 

And the old hwy 101

Hyrum tried steering a large ship

And got some cool city pictures 

Hyrum refused to get into a tour boat or any of the military boats. 

Jamestown Railroad Town 1897 State Historic Park

Talk about Hyrum Heaven.  This is what it would look like. He loved riding the trains and seeing all of the old train parts. He did finally admit that the train ride was too slow. But he loved every minute and did not want to leave. We stayed way past lunch time.

Hyrum loved riding with both mom and dad.  He road with one on the way out. 
 
And the other on the way back..

He loved seeing the old parts

And the old train cars.

Plug Removed

Hyrum wasn't so sure what to expect, but with some great care from the Dr's

Hyrum was able to calm down enough for everything to be removed.  Now it's time for drying out his ear.

Trees should have Internet

Conversation with Hyrum on the way down the mountain. 

Hyrum: Mom, can I watch YouTube on Dads phone?

Me: No, Dads phone doesn't have any service. 

Hyrum: Can I watch on your phone. 

Me: No because mine doesn't have internet either. 

Hyrum: Wait the trees don't have Internet?

Me: No the trees don't have Internet. 

Hyrum: not even any network. 

Me: no, not even any network. 

Hyrum: well the trees should have internet all over. 

Head Lights

As we were heading down the mountain from Yosemite it was starting to get dark. Hyrum asked quizzed his Dad:

Hyrum: Dad make sure your front head lights are on. 

Dad: yes their on. 

Hyrum: Good. Are your back lights on?

Dad: yes their on too

Hyrum: Good

Week 3 follow up

Today was our final follow up with Dr Reinisch.

Dr Reinisch was a little late, so Hyrum got to watch the movie Cars with a little bit of treats. 

His ear is healing very well. 

On the way home, Hyrum very concerned told me to be careful to not hit the stray dog. I told him I would be careful not to hit any stray dogs, but what makes you think there are stray dogs in the area. His response "I saw the lost dog sign"

Temple trip

Before Hyrum's appointment, we decided to take him to the LDS Los Angeles Temple. It was very beautiful.

And had some fun lighting to play with 

We also enjoyed the visitors center across the way

Hyrum was surprised to see a Christus there also

On the road again

We left to head back early Monday morning.

On the way we found a cool car that Hyrum said no way to driving in it. The picture doesn't do it justice as it glitters from top to bottom

When we got to James house we found another package dos Hyrum. This time from Grandma and Grandpa Smith who are currently serving an LDS mission in England.

Some of the funny things that Hyrum commented on the way to California.  As we were driving along the freeway, Hyrum noticed some animals on the side of the road.  And proclaimed, "Look mom a bunch of Deer, I mean Bison, Oh Never mind their just a bunch of Cows"

As we passed through St. George, we looked off to the Left and noticed the Big "D" on the side of the mountain.  He asked what it stood for, I told him "Dixie" he said "No it stands for Destination"

At home

The first thing Hyrum did when he got home was pull out his trains.

He had way too much fun with them.

And didn't leave the house for too many things.

Rachel was a good sport and tried to sleep with him, thinking she would help us out.

But we took too much pity on her and her twin bed and took him back to our bed to sleep.

While we were at home, we took the opportunity to fix our van so we could bring it back to CA with us.  John lost my key and key fob and we had to spend about 2 hours at Lowe's while they tried to make us a key...it took them 2 keys and it still doesn't work very well...but at least it unlocks and starts the van.  I am, of course, still giving John a hard time, because I am usually the one loosing the keys, but at least when I loose them, we don't have to replace them after 2 days of searching!

Made up words

Hyrum is notorious for making up words for things. It makes more sense right?

As I was ticking him into bed he told me "mom my choker is hurting". I couldn't figure out what he was talking about. Finally he points to his throat. 

I said that's your throat buddy. He said, "no it's my choker and it hurts" I told him to go to sleep and his "choker" will feel better in the morning. 

Sure enough. It was fine in the morning. 

Space Bubbles

John and I are always talking about person space and the imaginary "bubble" we need to respect of others. 

Hyrum wears a "breany" hat to bed in order to protect his ear. 

He usually likes it to be over his eyes, like in the above picture. 

Last night as we placed it on his head and was adjusting it he told me "mom the beany is in my eyebrows space bubble"

IVs

Look mom, I see an IV (we are driving down the street)

John finally figured out he was talking about an I Beam under the bridge we just went under

Change of pace

At the doctors appointment on Wednesday, we were asked if we drove or flew. We told him we drove, he said, "good go home for the weekend, but be back on Tuesday (our next appointment)"

So we surprised the kids and came home. 

It started by us sending this picture of Hyrum and telling the kids he has a secret to share with them tomorrow.

Hyrum helped us pack...or more...I packed as fast as I could to stay on top of his packing. He wanted to leave right after his flush. We convinced him to let us sleep a few hours first. 

So 3:30 am, we left for home 

 

We started to send text's to Rachel to let at least someone know we were coming. Especially since she was sick the week prior, and we wanted the house clean before Hyrum got there.

By this time Rachel had started to get the hint of what Hyrum's secret was.

When asked who he wanted to see first, it was "Karl"

I'm not sure that Hyrum could get enough of his big brother.

 

Rachel finally made her way to Grandma's house to see Hyrum. 

Karl only came home one night...