Califia

As Soon As I Fix My Folders

2011-04-12T19:33:00.000-07:00

I've been having some problems uploading photos to my computer. I have also added a new hard drive so there are pictures in maore than one place. This is going to make it a challenge to catch up. I have taken pictures the last two years, and I have my stories written. I will start with my most recent adventures and work backwards. I'm working on it, so you'll see new blog entries soon!

XO,
Califia

PS - No bears were harmed in the making of this entry.

Coming soon...

2010-07-22T15:39:00.000-07:00

Hello friends, fans, and followers!

I have been pretty busy for quite some time. Lots of new activities have been taking up a lot of my time. But I have still taken plenty of time for road trips, vacations, movies, holidays and events. Each have been documented with photos and notes and I will add them as I have time. Please "bear" with me while I get things going!

XO,
Califia

The End of the Trip

2009-02-23T19:25:00.000-08:00

Before I hit the road I stopped at the gift shop at the Schulz Museum. I didn't know there was a gallery of sorts upstairs so I had a last-minute treat.

This statue had signs asking to please not touch. It was very tempting as it looked like it was covered in fruit roll-ups. I resisted and took some photos. I really want to know the materials used to color the statue.

It was a really nice weekend. I needed a chance to get away and just be by myself, with a lot of time to just explore. I was able to see many California sights I have never seen before.

Famous Faces

2009-02-23T18:58:00.000-08:00

Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen.

The Pig Palace at JLSHP.

There is a redwood "forest" in the park and a hill for a good hike.

There is a vineyard in the park.

State Historical Marker

The House of Happy Walls

The Wolf House. It was destoryed before Jack and his wife moved in. There were no items in the house and no one was injured. The house was never repaired.

Luther Burbank was a famous horticulturist who made many of his own flower hybrids.

The grounds are pretty, but as it was February most plants and flowers were not in bloom.

After a ten mile hike and a casual stroll, it was time to return to the hotel for my last evening in Wine Country.

Calistoga of Sarafornia

2009-02-23T18:38:00.000-08:00

When Sam Brannan came to California to open a resort, he found a hot springs area in Napa County. At the dedication of the town, he was drunk from all of his wine tasting. Wanting to name the town "The Saratoga of California" he mixed his words and dedicated "The Calistoga of Sarafornia."

Old Faithful in Calistoga is one of only three regular erupting geysers in the world. On this morning the geyser was erupting about every ten to twenty minutes.

I'm glad I got to experience this wonder of nature.

Also in the area is the National Petrified Forest.

A sign explaining petrification.

A petrified bear?

There is a candy store in Calistoga that has delicious fudge and the best variety of taffy I have ever seen. I would have purchased a big variety bag but there were many flavors I wouldn't want to try like black licorice, maple, buttered popcorn, and jalapeno. The flavors I did try, like chocolate, peanut butter, coffee, and watermelon were fabulous.

Sam Brannan's cottage

After a long day of hiking, walking, driving and adventuring, it was time to return to the hotel. I sipped a bottle of White Zinfandel and watched a movie. I had to relax before my next adventure in the morning.

A Weekend in Wine Country

2009-02-23T18:15:00.000-08:00

Over the weekend I visited the Napa-Sonoma area for a winter break.

My first stop was at the Charles Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa. There are many items on display. In addition to the comics, there are statues, classic toys, hockey jerseys and scrapbooks in a rest area.

In the courtyard are character statues and a hologram birdbath. It's a nice place to people watch.

Charlie Brown and Snoopy can be found all over Santa Rosa.

At the Schulz Museum is the Redwood Empire Ice Arena, also known as Snoopy's home ice.

Skaters can warm up in the Warm Puppy Cafe. There are some delicious hot drinks, including the popular Peppermint Patty. It's a hot chocolate with mint, topped with whipped cream and peppermint sprinkles. It was really good.

I brought my skates with me, knowing I would hit the ice.

I certainly had my fill of Peanuts. After a night of skating and a day of exploring Santa Rosa, it was time to chill at the hotel. The next day would be abother one for exploring.

Yes We Did!

2009-01-22T17:01:00.000-08:00

What an exciting time to be alive. To be part of not only an historic event, but of a time when we will see some real positive change. When I think of our 44th President, I am filled with pride, excitement, and patriotism. Obama is going to heal a lot of hearts and inspire a lot of dreams.

3...2...1... Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T00:55:00.000-08:00

New Year's Eve was failry quiet. December was so chaotic and busy I wanted to have a low-key celebration. Faramir joined me for a New Year's Kiss to welcome 2009.

I don't have any resolutions, just one main goal which is to read 150 or more pages a day. This would be mostly fiction, or non-fiction novels. I won't count magazine pages, instruction books, newspaper articles or any other media. This is a pretty reasonable goal. I want to see average number of pages read in a day, week, month, and see if I can make my goal of 54,750 pages by January 1st of 2010.

Enjoy 2009!

Yes, Califia, There Is A Santa Claus

2008-12-25T20:29:00.000-08:00

I woke up Christmas morning to a stack of presents. I was thrilled!

I wanted to sleep in, but I was too anxious.

I love these new snazzy outfits. Now I just need a place to wear them.

I must have been a good bear this year! 2009 will be beary fashionable for me.

Disneyland Hotel

2008-12-13T23:48:00.000-08:00

I thought this was a nut cracker, not a bear cracker!

This is one of the trees on the hotel property.

This is not a comfortable place to rest your legs but it's a great photo opportunity.

I wonder how easy it is to shape a topiary. I would love a Mickey or other character in my yard. Time to get out the yard shears...

"Fish are friends, not food." There is a nice koi pond at the back of the hotel.

I have seen a number of waterfalls but these are by far the most impressive.

This whole area is beautiful with the waterfalls and the landscaping.

You don't scare me.

Exploring the hotel is just as fun as exploring the Park. I can't wait for my next Disneyland vacation!

Happy Place, Part 2

2008-12-13T21:00:00.000-08:00

This is a weekend for firsts. Today I took my first ride in the Nemo Submarine Voyage. It's cute, but I hear it's nothing like the classic ride. It's still neat to go on an underwater ride.

I was hoping to see more sea creatures but I guess they were being shy today.

One of my favorite things about going to Disneyland in December is seeing it's a small world all decorated for Christmas. The Peace on Earth segment brings tears to my eyes.

Other than the Christmas, it's a small world has a new look. You'll have to see yourself.

"Holy peppermint, Batman!" Have you ever seen a candy cane so giant? That would ease my sore throat for sure.

I love the bold, bright colors of the ornaments on the ToonTown tree.

I found this chair in a store in Frontierland. It is the perfect size for me! Unfortunately, it's a prop and not for sale.

If I weren't in Disneyland, why would I be wearin' this hat?

One thing that surprised me was that Sleeping Beauty's Castle was open for guests to walk through. My goodnes!!! I was so excited, it was such fun to read Sleeping Beauty's story and look at the dioramas. How exciting to be inside her castle!

You really can have a happily ever after in Disneyland.

I found this suit of armor in the Heraldry Shoppe. Aragorn was not in it to my disappointment.

"The time! The time! Who's got the time?"

I got to ride in a new Monorail car. The seats have changed. I don't know what else is different, maybe the cars aren't as shaky.

I'm riding the Monorail to the Disneyland Hotel.

Back At My Happy Place

2008-12-12T23:24:00.000-08:00

I'm back in Disneyland for the weekend. One of my best friends got engaged and I'm here for her surprise engagement party.

Today was my first ride on Thunder Mountain. It sure is a wild ride, but a lot of fun, too.

I think I have taken a picture next to these Tiki masks every time I have been to Disneyland.

This was also my first ride on Indiana Jones. Now this one certainly made my fur stand on end! A basilisk, bugs, fire... and no Mutt.

Do you know where this is? I don't... ha! I don't remember where in Disneyland it is, but I'm pretty sure it's in Adventureland.

I love sweet treats. If it's shaped like Mickey, and is vegetarian, I will try it.

When I am craving a sweet treat, the candy store on Main Street surely works.

Tinker Bell is the popular character right now with the new Fairies movie. This is in the Emporium, above a display of Fairies dolls.

Just monkeying around.

I'm neither rare or exotic, so I'm safe.

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T22:17:00.000-08:00

There is a lot to be thankful for this year. I am in reasonable health, I have my friends and family close by, and the future of this country - and the world - is looking bright.

My dinner was mostly vegan this year. The main attraction was a Tofurky roast. The gravy is so good! I also enjoyed mashed potatoes, corn, stuffing, green bean casserole, bread, and the favorite cranberry jelly in its can shape. It was all very good and I have lots of leftovers for the weekend!

What team? WILDCATS!

2008-11-11T18:33:00.000-08:00

As a fan of the first two High School Musical movies I went to see HSM 3: Senior Year. I really enjoyed it. The music was great and the story was impressive.

As always, I love dressing the part. Imagine my excitement when I found High School Musical items at Build-A-Bear! I'm hoping they will also have Jonas Brothers items soon. That would rock!

Ah, the salty popcorn that tastes great with a Diet Coke. Another favorite part of watching movies in a theatre. I have Twilight coming up next week, so more popcorn!

Rock The Vote

2008-11-04T21:46:00.000-08:00

The best man one. God Bless America!

Happy Halloween

2008-10-31T17:29:00.000-07:00

I saw this pink rock star costume and just had to have it. I love the wig. When can I wear it again?

I hope by showing some fur, I'll get some extra candy.

Here come the holidays

2008-10-30T20:36:00.000-07:00

What do people consider the "holidays?" Thanksgiving and Christmas? Halloween to New Year's Day? I'll go with the latter. I enjoy decorating for many holidays and I participate in the tradition of decorating with pumpkins on Halloween. I like to roast the seeds and then I compost the rest of the gourd.

One of the things I love most about holidays... the candy!

Hibernating Early

2008-10-28T22:56:00.000-07:00

The rain has started and what a better way to spend a stormy afternoon than sitting in a comfy chair with a good book. Reading is one of the most important parts of my day. I read fiction every day and occasionally throw in some nonfiction. I do enjoy just about every genre. Romance, fantasy, mystery, adventure, teen, and much more.

I say any weather is perfect for reading. When there is a scorching heatwave, stretch out inside with a glass of iced tea and put on the air conditioning. In the spring when it warms up, put a blanket outside and bask in the longer days and smell the perfumes radiating from the blossoming flowers. In the fall sit on the front porch with a blanket and a warm espresso drink. And in the winter, cuddle in cozy pajamas, grab a blanket and read til the reindeer come home.

My mystery shelf has been growing rapidly over the last few weeks. It's all because of Harry Potter. "Bear" with me. It is because of Harry Potter that I read Twilight what with Robert Pattinson playing Edward in the movie. The vampire series was so great I read Dead After Dark by Charlaine Harris, which lead to her Aurora Teagarden mystery series. It all comes back to Harry Potter. What is so fun about the mysteries I have been reading is all of my hobbies are represented in different series. There is a scrapbooking series by Laura Childs, a coffee series by Cleo Coyle, a bookstore series by Alice Kimberly, and a teddy bear series by John J Lamb. There are others as well such as holidays, food, candy, and rubber stamping. I better step away from the computer, I have a lot to read.

Fall Is Here

2008-10-14T18:09:00.000-07:00

I love this time of year. The weather is much cooler, the air smells fresher, and the harvest goodies are excellent. It's a great time to make butternut squash bisque, baked apples, corn chowder, pumpkin pie... oh, I am getting hungry just thinking of all the tastes of this time of year.

It isn't all about the sweets and treats, though. While the apples with honey, raisins, and nuts help maintain my teddy figure, I do like to enjoy outdoor activities like jumping in leaves and taking walks to see all the beautiful colors of nature.

They look too happy. I don't think they will scare a hummingbird away, much less a crow.

All this blogging has made me tired. I think I will relax and enjoy an apple. Or two, or three.

Celebrate Intellectual Freedom. Read A Banned Book.

2008-09-27T20:09:00.000-07:00

First they burn books. Eventually they'll burn people.

Today marks the beginning on Banned Books Week. Books are banned, burned, or censored mostly because the content is offensive to an individual or group and these people believe that no one should read them.

"To forbid us anything is to make us have a mind for it." That is a quote by Michel de Montaigne. It is certainly true for me. When I hear a book is banned, I immediately look for the synopsis. If the story sounds appealing, I buy and read it.

I ordered some Banned Books Week materials from www.alastore.ala.org. I wanted the list of the books challenged or banned in 2007-2008. I have read many on the list, and purchased more to be read from the list.

"It's not just the books under fire now that worry me. It is the books that will never be written. The books that will never be read. And all due to the fear of censorship. As always, young readers will be the real losers." That is a quote by Judy Blume, a famous childrens author who comes under fire many times for her controversial stories. Most of the books challnged, banned, or burned are children's books. Books shouldn't be burned. They should be used as tools to open discussions between parent and child about real issues that will ptherwise be discussed on the playground.

John Steinbeck is one of the all-time banned authors. Of Mice and Men is #6 on the Top 100 list fpr the "Concerns of profanity and the portrayal of Jesus." The Grapes of Wrath was banned for foul language and the portrayal of dust bowl immigrants. The people of Bakersfield, CA objected to the book's content for the way residents were represented.

"The books that the world calls immoral are the books that show the world its own shame." -Oscar Wilde. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger makes the Banned Books list every year. It is one of the most banned and challenged books of all time. I didn't find it offensive. It was a bit dark at times, but it didn't make me want to hurt myself. It really didn't. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee is #41 on the list, banned for the way blacks are depicted.

What My Mother Doesn't Know and Forever are two very fun reads that deal with real teenager issues. They are very tame compared to what young adults watch on television.

Catch 22 by Joseph Heller is my favorite single book. While it does have follow-up stories, they aren't necessary reads to "find out what happens." This is the funniest book I have ever read. I'm sure the explicit languange and vulgarity are what appealed to me, the very reasons why the book was banned.

Is this irony? A book that depicts the evils of book burning, was in fact, burned? Sure, the book was so boring that by the time I finished reading it I wanted to set myself on fire. But it does have a good storyline and shows what would happen in a society where books were routinely destroyed.

The Lord of the Rings was first published in 1954. The books were not challenged and burned until 2001 when the movies came out. Makes me wonder if these books burners are actually reading the books and making up their own minds, or are relying on the movies. Lord of the Rings was banned for being "satanic."

The Greatest Story Ever Told. The story has everything. Love, hate, fear, strength, adventure, frustration, sadness, excitement... completely engaging from page 1 all the way through 4,100. Harry Potter is a fantasy. Make-believe. Though it is so well-written I have found myself thinking how great it would be if Quidditch were a real sport. And I have to remind myself it is played on broomsticks. With enchanted equipment. So why, why, WHY are all seven books #7 on the top 100 Banned Books of ALL TIME? Because it "Promotes the Wicca religion," "Encourages interracial relationships," and "Advocates homosexuality."

Most people can read fiction and take away a good lesson or just be entertained for hours. If someone commits a crime or becomes something unacceptable to society, the book is not to blame. The action was going to occur anyway, with or without the influence of a book.

"There are worse crimes than burning books. One is not reading them." -Joseph Brodsky

"All these people talk so eloquently about getting back to old-fashioned values. Well, as an old poop I can remember back to when we had those old-fashioned values, and I say let's get back to the good old-fashioned First Amendment of the good old-fashioned Constitution of the United States - and to hell with the censors! Give me knowledge or give me death!" -Kurt Vonnegut

Hitchcock: The Birds

2008-09-22T19:54:00.000-07:00

Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds was filmed in Bodega, CA. The schoolhouse still stands. It is the Potter Street School that is now a gift shop.

I have not seen the movie, but I have been to Bodega Bay so many times I think I should watch it.

BIRDS!!! Bird attack!!!

Santa Rosa

2008-09-20T19:47:00.000-07:00

I spent another fabulous weekend scrapbooking in Bodega Bay. Before my arrival I stopped in Santa Rosa to visit the California Welcome Center.

The Schulz Museum is in Santa Rosa and there are many Peanuts characters around the city. I found this Snoopy near the CWC.

The California Welcome Center is a fun place for me to visit. I like to pick up brochures for ideas of where to visit. I also like to pick up postcards of local places and maybe a magnet or pin from the area. There is a lot to do in Sonoma County that I have yet to see and hope to visit again very soon.

Jelly Belly Factory

2008-09-01T19:31:00.000-07:00

I spent Labor Day Weekend in Sacramento, and on the way home I felt a detour through Fairfield would be a good idea.

This is where Jelly Belly candies are made. There is a tour of the factory and samples galore are given out.

In the cafe, the pizza and burgers are shaped like jelly beans. There is an ice cream counter and every dessert has jelly beans. The gift shop has lots of candies, shirts, and other souvenirs available for sale. I grabbed a bunch of pomegranate beans, my favorite Jelly Belly flavor.

2008 Summer Games

2008-08-20T20:21:00.000-07:00

I went to the Olympic Committee to ask for an entry to the contests. They asked me why I was interested. "To win a gold medal," I said.

"What sport are you good at?" they asked.

"Ice skating," I replied.

"That would be the winter games. What kind of summer sports can you play?"

"I think I can do some gymnastics."

I had to show them a sample of my skill. They said they were sorry and that I should try the "Alternate Games."

"Can I still win gold?"

"Yes," they assured me. They said the competition would take place in the Caribbean. Sounded fun.

When I arrived in the Caribbean, the only sport with an opening was Pirate Fighting. Uh-oh, this couldn't be good. The only swords I have ever dealt with are the little ones spearing fruit in cocktails.

I met my opponent, William Turner. He looked very strong and was quite handsome. All my confidence melted away when I saw his smile. I was in big trouble. So much for the gold.

It was a long fight. I think Will practiced sword fighting three hours a day. He must also be a blacksmith, he really knows how to handle a sword.

After a lot of near misses, I finally got the winning swing. Wearing full gear, no one was really hurt. I think he let me win, after all the boy has a sense of propriety.

I was very happy to win the gold medal. When it was presented to me I was informed that it was cursed Aztec Gold, one of 882 pieces. This is not what I had in mind when I wanted to win a gold medal.

Sure, I may be cursed now but all was not lost. I made a date with Will. I don't expect too much involvement, he does live far away and I'm not good at long distance relationships. At least this will be a nice way to ease the pain of ending things with James Norrington.

The Nut Tree

2008-08-10T20:19:00.001-07:00

The Nut Tree was once a popular roadside attraction for people driving on I-80. It closed for some time and has reopened.

The present-day Nut Tree is no more than an outdoor mall with a few rides. It is new and clean and there are great stores and restaurants, but it's not worth a 90 mile drive just for the sake of checking it out. It is still a great place to stop and stretch your legs while on a road trip.

There is a Borders store which works for me since I love books so much. There is also a Jelly Belly which is the pride of Fairfield, just a few miles south of Vacaville. I tasted the new ice cream flavors of beans and bought a bag of pomegranate flavored beans. They were so good!

I was excited to see a bead store in the mall. I had no idea there was one there, and since I have been making a lot of jewelry lately, a visit was expected. It was a cute store with a lot of supplies.

This store is "Made In California." Is there any reason to think I wouldn't stop in? It was mostly wine, cheese, and some candy. I sampled some chardonnay artichoke salsa and it was delicious! I bought a jar of it and will happily snack on some later. I also bought a wood carved California shaped magnet to add to my collection.

I decided to check out the theme park area. The classic train is still there as well as the hobby horses from way back.

I took a ride on a train...

Drove a bumper car...

And rode a carousel.

Gilroy

2008-08-07T19:47:00.000-07:00

Today I found myself in Gilroy. The weather hasn't been hot which is unusual for San Jose in August. So I went to Gilroy knowing I wouldn't roast.

I visited Gilroy Gardens pretty much to eat some garlic fries and look at flowers. It's nice to see the flowers that bloom at different times throughout the year.

Also in Gilroy is the Black Bear Diner. If anything says "bear" I want to check it out.

The food is mediocre. It is diner fare, probably meant for feeding travelers as they are on the way to or from Southern California.

There are bear touches throughout the whole restaurant.

Just about any souvenir you can think of is available for purchase. Lots of stuffed bears, of course, along with salt & pepper shakers, stationery, puzzles, statues, socks, neckties, hats, backpacks, magnets, keychains... anything a touristy gift shop would sell.

The food is not very good so I wouldn't suggest it as a plce to stop and eat. I couldn't even suggest to just order a soda because they sell Pepsi products. But it is a lot of fun to look at the photos, statues, souvenirs, and all the bear elements around the place, inside and outside.

Saratoga Springs

2008-08-03T00:37:00.000-07:00

My eyes were burning and I wanted to read Breaking Dawn, but I was invited to a party and I did attend as promised.

It was at Saratoga Springs which is a park in Saratoga. It has camping areas and a lot of trails for hiking. There is a creek that runs through the park, and lots of rocks and areas to explore.

In the park is an historic site where an old mill operated. There is a plaque there but it is not a California Historical Landmark.

From TWILIGHT until BREAKING DAWN

2008-08-02T23:53:00.000-07:00

Stephenie Meyers' Twilight Saga is one of my favorite stories. I only learned about it while searching for Harry Potter Flair. I kept seeing crossover references between the two stories and decided to check it out. Since it is about vampires, I didn't think I would be interested in the stories. But I also didn't think I would like stories about wizards, either.

Bookstores had release parties on August 1st so fans could purchase the book at midnight. I went to Barnes and Noble and had a nice time. There were a lot of fun decorations and they even renamed the drinks and desserts in the cafe to the Twilight theme. Godiva also had a Twilight chocolate bar available for purchase.

I made a special "Team Jacob" shirt for the party. If you know the story, then you would know why. And even though it isn't a spolier, I still don't like to read and tell.

I was second in line and had my book at 12:01. I was home by 12:10 and started reading the book at 12:16. At 5:45 I forced myself to go to sleep. I didn't want to, but knew if I wanted to function that a nap would be enough to get me through the day. It took me about eight or nine hours to read the books. I finished reading the book in one day. I really did enjoy it a lot. There were so many twists and turns, unexpected plots, and big surprises. Twilight has helped ease my post-Potter depression, but now I need a new series to help me through my days.

Summer Slump

2008-07-24T16:01:00.000-07:00

I have post-vacation blues. Maybe it's because my ten days were so full of places to go and things to do. Maybe I feel like I don't have anywhere else to go. Luckily summer isn't yet half over so I still have plenty of time to experience the outdoors.

I thought maybe a small way to transition from no activity to something would be to go somewhere close enough that I could listen to only one CD on my drive, but far away enough where the sights aren't completely familiar.

Felton sounded like a good idea at the time. Maybe the town's name would cheer me up, but it only reminded me that Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince movie is still four months away.

At least this time I found the historical marker. Only about 900 left to go!

While I was in Scott's Valley I stopped at Surf City Coffee for a blended drink. I quite enjoy Santa Cruz and the area, but I must stress that Huntington Beach is Surf City.

After I had a Cowabunga I felt a bit better. Now I need to hit the travel books and plan my next great adventure.

San Luis Obispo

2008-07-13T20:24:00.000-07:00

Bubblegum Alley. The first time I heard about this was in the book "Weird California." As I love the bizarre and eccentric I added it to my list of things to see.

It started with Cal Poly students in the 60's that wanted to write messages of rivalry on the wall. They used gum and before anyone knew it, the walls were covered. SLO tried to remove the gum three times but each time many pieces ended up on the walls again. The residents finally embraced it and have voted to leave it there as a bizarre landmark. The local merchants also like Bubblegum Alley and even sell bubblegum in their shops so people can contribute to the wall.

Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa.

At Mission San Luis Obispo I was able to check off another California Historical Landmark.

I also stopped in the SLO County Historical Museum. They are proud of their Farmer's Market and have a display about the local growers.

For lunch I stopped at the Apple Farm for some apple cider baked beans. That is so delicious!

Apples are their specialty, obviously, which is apparent in their food products and gifts. They have a lot of apple-themed kitchen items and apple flavored candies and treats. Their apple jam is very good.

I enjoyed some fresh apple cider and some apple candy before my long drive home. It was very refreshing and now I am in the mood for more apple cider.

The vacation was a lot of fun and I am happy with all the new things I got to see and do. I love Southern California and I love Disneyland and vacations, but it's good to be home. And now I can start planning for my next trip.

Wrapping Up Vacation

2008-07-12T22:06:00.000-07:00

On Saturday I did some last minute shopping in Downtown Disney. I stopped in Build-A-Bear to make sure I didn't miss out on any Disney outfits. I also went into the World of Disney to find any postcards I didn't pick up earlier in the week.

I went to Compass Books for an iced caramel macchiato to pump myself with caffeine so I would be alert for the drive. It's about a 250 mile drive to San Luis Obispo.

Solvang is a place I have always wanted to visit but never got the chance. Since I was driving in that direction I decided to stop and look around. I saw the basic stuff like a couple of windmills and a few cute buildings. It would probably take a whole day to really explore the town and I will probably get back there again one day to visit.

I saw a number of bakeries in the town and wondered if any sold danish. I wondered if there was a candy store in town but didn't look for one.

Solvang is very proud of Hans Christian Andersen and they have a memorial to him in the park.

This is a very cute town and worth a visit.

Day 5 in Disneyland

2008-07-11T23:22:00.000-07:00

I couldn't go the whole week without eating a Mickey Mouse pancake. I really enjoy the River Belle Terrace, they have the best breakfast potatoes.

"C" is for Califia.

My first stop was at the Burr-Bank ice cream shop for a giant mint chocolate chip ice cream.

I love all the references to bears in DCA, but after all, this is a park devoted to California.

At the Mission Tortilla Factory there is a video of the history of the tortilla, and when you step inside the machines are there showing how they are made. At the end of the tour everyone is given a tortilla. Some days they give corn and some days they give flour. I was lucky to be there on flour day, that is my favorite type. If only I had some cheese...

I went back to the SS Rustworthy, the interactive boat in Paradise Pier.

I caught a wave!

I went to Pizza Omm Mow Wow for dinner. I wanted to eat pizza, but instead was eaten by a giant tiki.

How rude!

Disneyland Day 4

2008-07-10T22:08:00.000-07:00

More refernces to the "Pirates of the Caribbean" trilogy have been added to Pirate's Lair. If only Will Turner were really there...

The cage would be a lot more fun if it really swung.

Found me treasure!

I took it easy this day, I was now on day eight of my trip and wanted to rest. I didn't really feel tired but thought it best to gear up for my last few days which included two long drives.

Day 3

2008-07-09T23:49:00.000-07:00

I went on the Haunted Mansion which isn't scary at all. Getting there first thing in the morning has an advantage of getting right on with no wait, but it also bypasses all the fun tombstones. I enjoy puns and these jokes are not grave.

The Sailing Ship Columbia is a relaxing ride around the Rivers of America, except for when it's taken over by pirates. Unless it's Captain Jack which would make it very enjoyable...

This is one of those obscure, lesser-known sites. This is behind Harbour Galley where the Columbia is docked.

From New Orleans Square I was able to smell the honey down in Critter Country. I stuck my hands in it, but alas, it was made of resin. I needed something sweet to satisfy my sudden craving.

The answer was close at hand as there is a candy store at the end of Critter Country. Now my problem was to decide what to buy. Caramel apples, chocolate covered pretzels, turtles, chocolates... a very difficult decision.

I was hoping for a fresh batch of honey, but again, resin. Good thing, I could have been stung.

The Hungry Bear Restaurant has the usual fare of burgers and lunch foods. It was closed when I went, but since I don't eat burgers it was just as well. I know where to get vegetarian food in the Park.

A great thing happened while I was walking towards Fantasyland. A Cast Member stopped me and told me I was the winner of Magical Fast Passes. This was great and I went on the big rides. I started with Autopia for a nice drive around Tomorrowland. I spent the rest of the day riding the big rides. I got such an addiction for that adrenaline rush and just had to ride everything. To me, the most thrilling is the Maliboomer. I think this is moreso because I can see the whole way, which is different from the other dark rides. When I don't know a drop is coming I don't live through the anticipation.

Disneyland Day 2

2008-07-08T23:33:00.000-07:00

"N" is for Norrington! The letters weren't very crowded so we took the opportunity to pose on them.

One of my favorite things about California Adventure is the Malibu Mocha. Coffee and ice cream are some of my other dietary staples. All that sugar gave us some quick energy for the challenge we were about to take.

On our way to Redwood Creek we stopped for a pose with this classic plane. Good thing the propeller didn't start or there would be stuffing everywhere!

We arrived at the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail where we did a lot of climbing, sliding, and exploring. We felt right at home among all the redwoods. They didn't even seem unnatural in the land of palm trees.

We made it all the way to the top and back down of the rope bridges. By now I am able to just run right up and across. It's just a bit hard wearing rubber clogs, though.

The "real" Califia. This is the spirit of California, the queen for whom I was named. In the Palace of Fine Arts - the DCA version - is a 20 minute, inspirational history of California. Though I have seen it many times, it still makes me cry.

In the Paradise Pier area is an interactive boat with water play. There are a lot of bells to ring and even some surf boards to ride.

After watching the new Pixar parade we went to Disneyland for some dinner. We decided on pizza in ToonTown and wanted to play while we were there.

ToonTown is a fun place to play and even more fun for photos. All the sets are great to climb, and there is a play area at Goofy's House that is fun for climbing or relaxing.

Disneyland Day 1

2008-07-07T23:12:00.000-07:00

Norrington met me in Disneyland for a couple of days. The first day I was surprised by the lack of crowds. I thought maybe most people left by then since the holiday weekend was over. The crowds did pick up as the day progressed so maybe most people were sleepin in. It still was not as packed as I have seen on some previous visits.

We spent a lot of the morning in Fantasyland. I enjoy the calliope music on King Arthur's Carousel and Alice In Wonderland is one of my favorite rides.

The weather was perfect. It was low 70's in the mornings and evenings and low 80's during the day. It still felt nice to get in the air conditioned shops, but it wasn't so hot that it was un-bear-able.

I love all the scenery in Disneyland. It is my very favorite place in all the world to photograph. And not only the big landmarks like Thunder Mountain, but all the obscure overlooked things as well.

We took an afternoon break then went into California Adventure for the evening. We ate dinner at Boudins, my favorite place for sourdough bread.

Paradise Pier is beautiful, and especially lovely at night. We were dressed for the new Toy Story ride, but when we went to check out the line, it was already closed due to all the people waiting to ride. We'll have to wait until the next trip to give a review.

We did get on the Monsters, Inc ride. Like some of the other DCA rides, this one has a coordinating scent to enhance the ride.

When I got back to my room I munched on a Mickey Mouse cupcake. Then it was time to rest to start all over again the next day.

Hooray for Hollywood!

2008-07-06T22:34:00.000-07:00

I have been wanting to tour the Walk of Fame for quite a while and I was able to do so this trip. I started at Hollywood and Highland, the most famous section of Hollywood. In the Highland Center is a Build-A-Bear Workshop. I had to stop in and add to my wardrobe.

On the Walk of Fame I did see a lot of names I recognized and whose work I admire.

I did take many more photos but this is just a small sampling.

I couldn't get Elvis to sing the Teddy Bear song to me. That's probably due to his being made of resin. A lot of shops and restaurants have kitschy statues and memorabilia, no doubt trying to lure in unsuspecting tourists.

Next to the El Capitan Theatre is a Disney soda shop and a studio store. I didn't know such a place existed! I would have loved a Disney ice cream sundae but the line was so long, it would have taken less time for me to drive to Disneyland and buy an ice cream there. And that's precisely what I did. (The next day, anyway.)

There was a lot I didn't see and would love to visit the museums and other attractions. I also want to go to the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel which supposedly houses the ghosts of Marilyn Monroe and Montgomery Clift.

Day 2: Long Beach

2008-07-05T22:13:00.000-07:00

I had a combo Aquarium and Queen Mary pass. The Aquarium of the Pacific has added a new exhibit, it is all water play with giant ocean animals that squirt water at unsuspecting guests and a large fishing boat that can be climbed and explored.

In my past life it would have been hard for me to sit by open water without grabbing a fish and eating it. Now I know about ocean conservation and have eliminated many animal products from my diet, including those that live under the sea.

I have been hearing about the Queen Mary for years and have wanted to visit and I finally got the chance to do so. What I really wanted was to ghost hunt on this supposed haunted ship.

I went on the Ghosts and Legends tour. I was really looking forward to seeing apparitions, hearing ghostly sounds, and feeling cold spots. I have read so many stories about tragic deaths that have occurred on board and wanted to feel the paranormal activity for myself. I figured the tour would give me some insight to the ghostly history. We did go to the boiler room, the interior pool, the bow... and it was all staged. Bummer. It was all sound effects and story telling. One thing that was kind of creepy, though: there are rumors that photos don't come out while in the jaunted areas. Even with the use of flash or high speeds, all one gets is a black photo. I found that to be true in my experience. I used two cameras and none of the pictures came out. Supposedly the ghosts don't like to be photographed by tourists!

I wasn't disappointed with the attraction as a whole. It is a very nice ship and there is a lot to explore. Guests are given the freedom to wander around all the decks and various rooms on board. I climbed to the topmost deck for a great view of Long Beach.

The Queen Mary was originally a passenger transatlantic cruise line and lost its popularity when commercial air flights picked up. The ship was then used in the war and after it was a warship it was permanently docked in Long beach. It is now a hotel with shops, restauarants and entertainment. I would visit again but not in the immediate future.

Day 1: Anaheim and Buena Park

2008-07-04T21:59:00.000-07:00

I went to Knott's Village in Buena Park. I was not going to Knott's Berry Farm. I'm not a fan of the place, but I do like the shops and restaurants just outside.

I like the assortment of Peanuts merchandise available in the area. It's too bad they didn't have a Charlie Brown shirt in my size.

I wasn't too chicken to climb up on this statue.

One good thing about Knotts is the jam. Boysenberry is one of my favorites and this is the place to get it.

After I left Buena Park I was hungry and went to the new Garden Walk in Anaheim. There I ate at the Cheesecake Factory. I ate avocado rolls and turtle cheesecake. Avocado and caramel are two of my main food groups so that worked out.

I was still a bit tired from the long drive so I turned in early Friday night. I picked up a bottle of sarsaparilla from Knott's and enjoyed it as I read Twilight for the second time. I needed rest to prepare for my next day.

Happy 4th!

2008-07-04T21:56:00.000-07:00

I was fortunate to watch two fireworks displays. One was from Angels Stadium in Anaheim. The other was the Disneyland fireworks spectacular. I watched from my hotel balcony and was pleased to not be stuck in traffic. I think my favorite part of the fireworks show was watching an LAPD helicopter chasing a car down the freeway while shining its spotlight on the driver. That's Southern California for you.

Headin' Out West Where I Belong...

2008-07-03T23:45:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm already west, so I guess it's technically south.

It's that time again, my big summer trip to Southern California.

"Getting There Is Half The Fun" (Sure, if you're not stuck on 152 for two blasted hours!) When I saw the sign for Casa de Fruta stating it was three miles away, I figured I would be there in an hour, since traffic was moving about that fast. Sometimes it was six miles an hour, sometimes it was stopped for minutes at a time.

I arrived at Casa de Fruta behind schedule, but my spirits recovered when I saw this old truck parked in the back. With the Twilight series as my latest obsession I had to take a photo of the Cullen truck.

I knew I was headed for a long night what with holiday traffic. I wasn't surprised by the amount of people going out on holiday, but I was impressed with the traffic despite the high gas prices. I decided to hang out at Casa de Fruta for a couple of hours. I ate dinner, hung out on the playground reading, shopped a bit and geared up for the trek to I5.

Wine sure would have relaxed me, though I skipped a taste since I was driving. I might be crazy but I'm not stupid...

After I picked up my first batch of postcards I left Hollister and got on the road. 75 miles to my first Starbucks stop.

History San Jose

2008-06-30T21:10:00.000-07:00

History San Jose is part of Kelley Park containing historical buildings, an old trolley, an art museum, and more. O'Briens was the first place to sell ice cream in the West.

Most of these buildings were in the downtown area and moved to HPSJ because they were in danger of demolition.

Docents demonstrate the printing press in the Print Store. It's hard to know what life was like before computers did all the work.

Outside of the Trolley Barn is a small model trolley with a bell that rings. The chairs are small, perfect size for bears. Inside the barn are many different trains from models and toys, to a full scale car and some smaller scale replicas. There are train machines and tools showing the mechanics and workings of trains.

A covered wagon sits adjacent to the stables.

The Portugese Historical Museum.

It's a nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon, and the price is right. Free admission!

Camp Grizzly

2008-06-28T20:38:00.000-07:00

June 28th was National Backyard Campout Day. Eating premade smores and sitting outside doesn't cut it in my book. When I celebrate I take it to the limit. I started by making a sign for my "park." I invited my BFFs to join me.

Eureka is a good guitar player so she provided the music for our campfire songs. Our favorite to sing was "The Saga Begins" by Weird Al. It works as a group campfire song. Trust me.

James is the chef in our group so he handled the grill. He makes a mean veggie burger. When you open the frozen package on stick it on the grill, how hard could it be? I can't really give him a hard time, he did make some good food. It was quite impressive to see him make quesadillas on an open flame.

While the others went to set up their sleeping bags and decide on ghost stories, James and I stayed by the fire to eat more smores. I found you could make smores "vegetarian" by using marshmallow creme. Marshmallows contain gelatin which is made from animal innerds and bones. Marshmallow creme is made from egg whites. Yes, still an animal product but the lesser of two evils.

I don't know how it happened. One minute I was making vacation plans, the next minute I had a mouth full of fur. No complaints, though, James is very gentle.

It was getting late and everyone was ready for ghost stories. Minerva asked for me to not tell any too spooky as she didn't have a date she could cling on to. Beckett tried to act tough for Eureka, but I could tell he was going to sleep with his flashlight on. James has heard these stories so many times he could recite them without the book.

Some of my favorite California ghost stories are La Llorona (Trabuco Creek); Kate Morgan, the Hotel del Coronado; The ghost of the Brookdale Lodge; Sarah Winchester of the Winchester Mystery House; and more. I also enjoy stories of Bigfoot sightings and El Chupacabra.

The campout was a lot of fun. I still have smores ingredients so will be munching on those for a few days.

Booksmart

2008-06-26T20:24:00.000-07:00

While out running errands, I happened upon an independent bookstore that I had not ever visited. I had some time so I decided to check it out. In the back is a large toy area. This little guy was sitting in a wagon, waiting for a photo.

I thought this piano was just a propr, so imagine my surprise when I posed for a photo and startled everyone in the toy section. I am not very musical, mostly I just make a lot of noise.

In one corner of the store there were many models set up. There was a big dollhouse with a lot of very cute furniture. This pirate ship was also set up. I really wanted to buy one, but I am sure one more piece of pirate anything wouldn't be a welcome item in this house which could now be mistaken for the Caribbean.

There is even a section to do some "mining" of colorful rocks. Looking at the pictures now I realize - I didn't take any pictures of books! That opportunity will present itself again, I'm quite sure.

Sonoma Train Town

2008-06-21T20:29:00.000-07:00

Sonoma Train Town is a park I saw on my way into Sonoma. It's on Broadway/Hwy112/12. It is very cute, a great place for families or bears.

I wonder of the conductor will let me drive...

Halfway through the ride, the train stops in a 1/2 scale town where you can get off the train and explore.

I think they built this town just for me. I would love a bench like this for home, it would be great for reading or just lounging on.

They have a school, jail, church, and other buildings found in most towns.

The firehouse has a fire engine parked inside. It was so hot I was hoping to find a hydrant, but no luck. They probably would not have liked me to tilt it over anyway and that would be a waste of water.

Do you like my caboose?

The conductor was happy to pose for a photo.

This was a fun stop, I am glad I decided to check it out. Admission is free, however if you wish to take the train or go on any of the rides there is a fee for tickets.

Sonoma Plaza

2008-06-21T19:52:00.000-07:00

Sonoma is where "California" began. In this plaza the Bear Flag Revolt took place on June 14, 1846. John C. Fremont ordered his men to proclaim independence from Mexican rule and started the California Republic.

This is the Bear Flag Monument in the plaza. It was so overly emotional standing in this spot, it's hard to put into words my love and devotion to the place I call home.

At the Sonoma Barracks at the Toscana Hotel is a museum highlighting the revolt and history.

Mission San Francisco Solano is the last of the 21 California missions.

The mission is not an active church but is open for tours and has a few historical artifacts and paintings.

The famous mission bells that mark the El Camino, the road linking (or following) the twenty-one missions. When first they were built the missions were planned to be one day's horseback ride from each other.

If you think you can gently lean against a cactus and not get your butt poked, think again.

Most of the buildings in the Sonoma Plaza have historical significance. Most are now used for shops and restaurants, but each have a plaque outside with a blurb about what the building's name is and when it was built. In the visitor's center maps are provided with the names and locations of the historical sites, and maps are also available in the SHP gift shop.

If you have driven anywhere in California, chances are very good you have seen a California Historical Marker and/or a sign indicating an historical site. Whenever I see one I stop if time permits. My goal is to see all of the more than 1,070 sites. I have always seen signs announcing one landmark. Imagine my excitement when I saw this sign. I was brought to tears standing in such historical greatness.

I love you, California.

Fifth Mission

2008-06-21T19:46:00.000-07:00

As I was driving home I saw one of those California Historical Landmark signs. I didn't have anywhere else to be and as it was for a mission, it was a golden opportunity.

Mission San Rafael is the smallest I have visited. It shares property with a church and a school which could have possibly been a part of the original mission.

We're Going on a Trip...

2008-06-19T19:42:00.000-07:00

While we were out for tea I suggested to James that we plan a road trip. He has never been north of San Francisco so we looked at the Northern California books.

I have been all up the California coast. It's all so beautiful. I told James he should consider one of the Marin or Sonoma County beaches to start. Mendocino would be another great place to go, with the wine tasting and the Stanford Inn, very animal friendly with a great vegan/vegetarian restaurant. Of course we would not go without asking a very close, personal friend that loves Mendocino. There is also the possibility of going northeast. I have not really seen much of the eastern part of the state so that's a lot more road trips to plan.

While at the bookstore James found this little Corduroy doll. That is one of my favorite books, he is a cute bear that goes on adventures. James thought it would be a nice treat for me. Isn't he sweet?

National Iced Tea Month

2008-06-19T19:36:00.000-07:00

June is National Iced Tea month. My guess is because it's the first month of summer, and what better way to celebrate than to have a thirst-quenching glass of iced tea.

James and I went for some cold tea. He likes green tea, but with his sweet tooth he needed lemonade and sweetener to make it palatable. That bear sure does like his sweets. I sipped a Green Tea Frappuccino. I guess neither one of those drinks is technically "iced tea" though they are both cold and both have tea hidden in there somewhere. That's good enough for me.

Shoreline

2008-06-17T19:25:00.000-07:00

It was another hot day today so I thought I would go to Shoreline Park to cool off. Last time I thought going to the water would cool me off I was wrong. At least this time if it was roasting by the water at least it wouldn't be a long drive. Luckily it was breezy and cool.

Shoreline Park is in Mountain View. This is a great place to go windsurfing or kayaking. It is secluded therefore not always crowded. There is a park designated for kite flying.

An air jumper was set up and it looked so tempting. I had to bounce.

Attack of the killer geese! Just kidding, these geese are not killers. Mostly they just honked.

Historical Park

2008-06-14T23:42:00.000-07:00

While in Fremont I had a fortuitious circumstance. While purusing a shopping area I happened upon W Burdett Williams Historical Park. I don't know who that was but I will be looking it up.

This is a cute little house inside the park.

There are pretty flower beds in the park. It's not a big park, it is in a square nestled between two chain restaurants and in a big shopping center with a Target and Borders. It's a good spot for a break, maybe to sip a drink while reading a book or to have a chat before or after a meal.

The Mission Continues

2008-06-14T22:26:00.000-07:00

Today I visited Mission San Jose in Fremont. This is the third mission I have visited and now have 18 left to go.

The church on Mission Blvd.

Photography is not allowed anywhere inside the museum or church. I didn't mind so much as shots of the exterior and one of this California Historical Landmark sign are enough to document my trip.

National Candy Month

2008-06-12T21:30:00.000-07:00

June is National Candy Month. What a sweet way to start the summer. I love candy and not so much eating it. It's just so pretty! I love seeing jars of candies like jelly beans and M&Ms, bowls of tiny candy bars, gingerbread houses, heart shaped boxes of chocolates... I also love the way candy smells. I don't like cotton candy but the smell is so pleasurable. Don't get me wrong, while I prefer looking at candy moreso than eating it, I do have my fair share of favorites.

Is it hard to tell which candy I like best? I love Toostie Roll Pops, Mambas, Bit-O-Honey, caramels, red hots, fruit flavord Tootsie Rolls, and a myriad chocolates with Toblerone as my favorite.

Find yourself in a candy store and stock up for a sweet month of candy eating!

Gilroy Gardens

2008-06-10T18:13:00.000-07:00

I spent the day in Gilroy Gardens. I wanted a nice, leisurely day looking at the plant life and enjoying the rides.

There is a playground there that is covered by overhangs and surrounded by trees. It's a nice place for mama bears to relax while cubs blow off extra energy.

The highlight of my trip: Fried Castroville artichokes and Gilroy garlic fries. They aren't as spicy as I like. Maybe next time I will ask for extra garlic.

Gil, the Gilroy garlic mascot.

One of the attractions here is the waterfall area. There are three different falls. There is a tunnel under the big fall, and for anyone brave enough to walk through, a splashy treat awaits on the other side. It's great for a very hot day.

Gilroy Gardens isn't a large park and many of the attractions are aimed at families with young cubs. But if you want to experience it for the trees, plants, waterfalls, and garlic fries, it would be nice to stroll through for a few hours.

A Major Food Group

2008-06-08T21:48:00.000-07:00

June 8th is Banana Split Day. You get protein, calcium, and vitamins in the dessert. Ice cream is healthy - that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

The best flavor of ice cream to use in a split is vanilla. This way the banana and other toppings can be tasted better. Add some nuts for crunch and some sprinkles for color!

World Ocean Day

2008-06-07T20:42:00.000-07:00

June 7th is World Ocean Day. It's a day to learn about conservation, which seafood is better for the environment, keeping the beaches clean, and learning about responsible bahaviors regarding the oceans.

When you visit the beach, be sure to clean up your area. If you see garbage, clean it up. Leave the tidal animals alone and don't pour anything into the water. And wear sunscreen!

East of Eden

2008-06-07T19:18:00.000-07:00

After reading classics such as "Of Mice and Men" and "The Grapes of Wrath," I wanted to visit the Steinbeck National Center in Salinas. I didn't have high expectations of the museum, but I was very impressed and had a lot of fun.

The museum is very interactive, guests are welcome to touch all the exhibits and flash photography is allowed.

Salinas has two claims to fame. John Steinbeck is one, and farming is the other. The first room in the center is devoted to the farming industry and shows the process of how food starts as a seed and ends up on your table.

A tractor is on display. These small machines can haul a lot of produce at once.

There is a booth where you can create your own produce label. I wanted to call my product "Califia's Cauliflower" because I feel like those words flow, but that was too many letters.

Yummy, grapes.

I got a kick out of this custom Monopoly board.

If you took a little of each fruit and vegetable grown in Salinas, you could fill up an empty refrigerator. Imagine the delicious soup I can make from all these! I would just have to drive a few miles north for some Gilroy garlic.

That is why Salinas is called the "Salad Bowl of the World."

Next it was into the Steinbeck section.

A Dust Bowl family from "The Grapes of Wrath"

There is a section devoted to where Steinbeck grew up and lived. This is the coastal area, not far from his Pacific Grove home.

His bust in Cannery Row, the place he made famous in his novel of the same name.

At Cannery Row is Beach Bear & Co which is a fun store for bears (and other precious lovies.) They have a great variety of clothes and accessories for bears. There are many cute outfits. The shoes are so cute! Joane is so nice, very friendly. This store is worth the visit. When you go, tell them Califia sent you!

Mmm, Donuts.

2008-06-06T21:08:00.000-07:00

June 6th is National Donut Day. Of course I had to cele-bear-ate by indulging in a donut (or two or three.)

I don't have a favorite donut. I love the cake ones, old fashioned, glazed, jelly, powdered, chocolate, bars, holes, sprinkles, sugared... almost any will do. Any, that is, except for maple.

Great America

2008-06-05T22:59:00.000-07:00

Summer is here and that means endless trips to theme parks. Today I visited California's Great America in Santa Clara.

There is a Nickelodeon section for youngsters to enjoy. Nick Jr characters walk around to green fans and there are attractions with other show themes.

Where's Califia among these Hannah Barberra characters?

The Nicktoons Cafe has the usual amusement park fare: burgers, pizza, fries, and way overpriced desserts. But they also play cartoons, have giant character murals, and bear-sized tables and chairs.

This place is "great" because it welcomes all people to enjoy their rides and attractions. It's a place li-bear-als can enjoy.

Sequioa Station

2008-06-01T20:15:00.000-07:00

I had some free time today so I took a train ride to Redwood City. There isn't anything spectacular there, but Sequoia Station is a shopping area adjacent to the train station. I first ate a bagel sandwich at Noah's. I ate a veggie sandwich, yummy!

I then went to Starbucks where I sipped a Caramel Frappuccino. I can't get enough sticky stuff!

On the way home I looked at the train schedule, planning my next adventure.

Stanford Winery

2008-05-30T17:10:00.000-07:00

Leland Stanford's had a vineyard in Fremont, California. Today remains a small building and a California Historical Landmark with a description. It is landmark #642.

Folsom Zoo

2008-05-28T17:13:00.000-07:00

I had my second date with Norrington. We went to the Folsom City Zoo and Sanctuary. This is not a conventional zoo, it is a place where sick, captured, and injured animals come to recover and live out their days in peace and comfort.

The zoo teaches people to really care for animals, and stresses that wild animals do not make pets. (I wonder how a person can think, "Gee, I think this mountain lion would be fun to keep.") Some of the animals here were rescued because they were shot but tossed aside because their fur was not good enough to be profitable. The tigers living here were found, each tethered to a 4 foot chain and trapped inside a 3 foot by 3 foot cage. These are no kitties, these are full-grown tigers needing acres of land to roam happily.

In the exhibit behind us is Emma, a raccoon that was found half alive on a road. She was hit by a car and luckily was found and sent to the sanctuary. Zookeepers nursed her back to health. She is celebrating her 13th birthday this month in a plce where she romps and plays and never has to worry about cars again.

Guess which exhibit was our favorite...

There are six California black bears living in the Folsom Zoo. I don't know if they are full-grown; but they are bigger than most humans for sure. They have a lot of places to hide, play, swim, rest, and climb.

It's okay, this is just a large plush toy. Our day at the zoo was educational and fun, and it was nice to go to a place where the animals are treated with love and care. This is the place I would go if I became sick or injured.

Geek Pride

2008-05-25T20:30:00.000-07:00

Sunday, may 25th was National Geek and Nerd Pride Day. I'm a geek every day so it was just another day for me. I read some books, not only fiction, but also reference and history for fun. I also did some blogging and web surfing. The only problem is, I wasn't geeky enough to use the correct setting on my camera. I'll just have to restage the photo, I guess. But I don't have to pretend to be a geek, that happens every day.

Tiara Day

2008-05-24T17:07:00.000-07:00

May 24th was National Tiara Day. I found my best tiara and my princess shirt for the occasion. Because of the rain I didn't go out, but if I did I would have worn my crown!

Eureka!

2008-05-24T16:44:00.000-07:00

On January 24th, 1848, James Marshall found gold in the American River at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California.

When word got out about their discovery, people from all over the United States, and the world, came to California searching for gold.

I visited the Gold Discover Museum in Marshall State Park. There were many artifacts and historical documents in the museum. One of my favorite displays was the stagecoach, and the tips for those travelling by stagecoach. I like the tip, "If you jump, nine times out of ten you will get hurt."

Many miners caught fatal diseases, many got hurt. Most didn't find any gold. But most of them stayed in California to start a new life.

This is the American River where to this day, people still pan for gold. It was a rainy day so those panning went all the way into the water. I would have participated, but I wasn't prepared for all the water. I will get back to Coloma one day.

Crystal Skull

2008-05-22T16:15:00.000-07:00

I went to the midnight showing of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. It is an awesome movie! (No spoilers) It is not as violent or gross as The Temple of Doom, but still has a lot of action. Harrison Ford is still brilliant, a great hero and a looker, too. And though I know some won't agree, Shia LaBeouf is quite handsome, too. I just can't get over that he was the kid on Even Stevens! There were a lot of great action scenes and one of my favorites reminded me very much of a similar scene from another one of my favorite movies. I can't say any more than that because it will give something away.

Part of the fun of going to the first screening of a movie, particularly one where fans wait for hours beforehand is seeing all the people getting into the spirit by dressing up. Check out my cool archaeologist "digs." Yes, another awful pun, I know.

First Date

2008-05-22T16:06:00.000-07:00

I went on my first date with James. We went to Starbucks for coffee. It didn't feel like a real date, more like an audition for a real date. We talked about books, movies, music, and hobbies. It turns out we have very similar tastes in those things. He prefers the film version and I prefer the book version of stories. He has seen the Harry Potter movies but not read any of the books. I have a lot of work ahead of me there. He has six months to read six books, I think he can manage.

James seems to have a severe honey addiction. He put it in his hot chocolate. Now I can't judge because I have never tried that, but it doesn't sound too appealing. I should get him to try agave nectar.

We hit it off quite nicely. It was good to have that one-on-one time to get to know each other a bit better without the distractions from a party. We made another date for the weekend. I'm looking forward to it. The heatwave is over but now it is very windy. I hope the wind settles down because we will be outdoors.

Happy Birthday, Califia

2008-05-19T14:18:00.000-07:00

My friends came over to help me celebrate my birthday. Back row, boys, left to right: Adam, Neville, Monk, James, and Beary. Girls, front row, left to right: Julia, Elizabeth, Minerva, Califia, and Eureka.

If it weren't my birthday, why would I be wearing this hat?

My friend Elizabeth has been trying to get me to find a boyfriend. I have been telling her that my travels and blogging keep me too busy. Well, she brought her friend James Norrington to my party. He is a nice bear, friendly, funny, and quite nice looking.

My birthday cake was a Boston Cream cake with a frosted cookie on top. It was so good! The frosting was thick and rich but not too sugary.

I sure do have generous friends. They spoiled me with all the gifts!

My friends gave me clothes, books, candy, a beach chair, a new purse, and even a surf board! I'm all set for the summer.

James is a lot of fun. We made a date for coffee, that should be fun! This was an awesome birthday.

Coffee Break

2008-05-17T14:13:00.000-07:00

Eureka, Minerva, and I stayed up late and needed some caffeine to wake us up. We went to Starbucks to get some cold drinks and air conditioning. Temperatures were in the high 90's for much of the day.

I ordered a green tea lemonade and made the mistake of having it sweetened. It was so sweet it made me queasy and sick. I had to get on the floor under a fan and rest. It's a good drink, but too much sugar makes me feel yucky.

BFF: Bear Friends Forever

2008-05-16T23:44:00.000-07:00

My two best friends came to visit me for the weekend. On the lft is Minerva, I'm in the middle, and Eureka is to my left.

We all have significant California names. Minerva is the goddess on the California State Seal. Eureka is the state's motto. Eureka means "I have found it!" Gold miners shouted this when gold was first discovered in the foothills.

May 16th is National Pizza Party Day and this was the perfect day. We ate cheese pizza and pizza bagels for dinner. It was really tasty. I wanted to also serve pizza rolls but I couldn't find any vegetarian or vegan ones.

Since we were having a slumber party, we got into our jammies and ate some ice cream.

After a lot of talking and laughing we got ready for bed. We had a full weekend planned!

Chocolate Chips

2008-05-15T18:36:00.000-07:00

May 15th is National Chocolate Chip Day.

I always have a good supply of chocolate chips on hand. I love to bake but I don't get enough time to make cookies. It's a good thing today was a day devoted to chocolate chips. I took my supply out of the cupboard and moved them to the refrigerator. I would hate to open a bag to find a big glob of melted chips. Anyway, they taste great cold by the pawful.

Escaping the Heat

2008-05-15T18:09:00.000-07:00

Temperatures around here have reached or exceed 100° and I thought I had a great plan: I would visit the coast. I checked the weather online and it posted weather in Monterey would be high 70's. That is very comfortable. Too bad they were wrong and it was 95°. Since I was there I thought I would make a day of it anyway.

The Splash Zone in the Monterey Bay Aquarium has been remodeled. Many things are still the same, but there are some newer tanks with different species of fish. Behind me is a tropical tank with the breeds of those in "Finding Nemo."

Apparently this shark thinks I'm lunch.

I "otter" be in pictures. I know, a terrible joke but it had to be told.

Mmm, I know what I'm having for lunch.

I make friends wherever I go. I met this very nice fisherman at Fisherman's Wharf. It was very hot, but occasionally a sea breeze would bring a cool wind to give momentary relief.

At the end of the day I stopped at Dennis the Menace Park to have a bit of fun. It was so hot that only four children were in this usually packed playground, and were lethargically sitting under the trees for shade. I was really tempted to jump in the lake for a swim to cool my fur off.

I was expecting to have relief of about 25 degrees but didn't save any more than ten. Maybe next heatwave I'll just hide out inside Starbucks.

National Children's Book Week

2008-05-12T17:58:00.000-07:00

May 12th to May 17th is National Children's Book Week.

Corduroy is a cute book about a very sweet bear.

Visit a library or a bookstore and read a book today!

Oh Fudge

2008-05-12T12:22:00.000-07:00

May 12th is National Nutty Fudge Day. I could only think of one local shop that sells fresh fudge. For a bigger variety I would have to drive to the coastal tourist areas. I went to a favorite candy store to pick up a chunk of chocolate walnut fudge.

I couldn't go all the way to the candy store and only buy a piece of fudge. I also picked up some teddy bear lollipops, a nut goodie, an Oh Henry bar and a Harry Potter Chocolate Frog. I'm not so much into the chocolate frogs as I am into the Wizard cards. I still need a Snape.

Bigfoot Sighting

2008-05-11T22:23:00.001-07:00

No, I didn't really see Bigfoot. I did go to the Bigfoot Discovery Museum, my real reason for going to Felton today. The museum is small but full of information. There are many souvenirs, display items, newspaper clippings and other items related to Sasquatch, as he is also known.

In what seems to be the norm for redwood attractions in California, this roadside stop had bears carved out of redwood, and of course, a bigfoot statue to welcome visitors.

Plaster casts footprints can be found all over the museum and outside as well.

Do you believe that Bogfoot exists? I do, and there is plenty of convincing evidence at the museum. Maybe one day I will go to Willow Creek which claims to be the Bigfoot Capital.

A Small Town With A Big Name

2008-05-11T21:34:00.000-07:00

Anyone who has talked to me recently knows my favorite book is Harry Potter. I love all seven books. I love the Gryffindor kids, of course, Neville being my favorite. But good girls like bad boys... and there are plenty of those in the HP books as well. There is sexy Snape. Evil and greasy... but sexy. Lucious Lucius with that snarl and the way he swings his cane... And there's Draco... ah, Draco Malfoy. No, he isn't a hot bad boy. He's a wanna-be wussy Death Eater Junior. Take away Draco, and what is left is Tom Felton, a sizzling beauty.

Nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains is a town named Felton. There are some interesting places to see such as the Bigfoot Museum and the Felton Covered Bridge. Also in Felton is Roaring Camp which is a train ride through the redwoods and to the Santa Cruz beach area.

I had to park at the Post Office and hike down Highway 9 to get the photo of the city sign. And while at the PO I thought a photo of that sign would be fun, too.

The Felton Covered Bridge is a California Historical Landmark and is one of the few remaining covered bridges in the state.

The bridge is open to predestrians. It's a short bridge not too high above the creek it crosses. The bridge is part of the Felton Covered Bridge Park and there is a big playground and plenty of grass space for a picnic.

When I first arrived I wanted to take pictures of anything with "Felton" on it. That town is big when it comes to the name, it's just about everywhere!

I have talked about Felton many times with people when I talked about my experience riding the train at Roaring Camp, and about the Bigfoot Museum that is located in the town. Every time I have mentioned it I could not remember the name, I would say "That town by Scott's Valley" or "The place on the way to Santa Cruz." You can bet I won't forget the name of THAT town now.

And with this entry, I have made it to post #100!

The Big Salad

2008-05-11T21:04:00.000-07:00

Elaine on Seinfeld would be impressed. I love salad, it is one of my favorite foods. Made with the right toppings a salad can be very healthy. May is National Salad Month. Is there a better way to celebrate than to make an eat a "big salad?"

I love to load my salad full of vegetables. Kidney beans for protein, corn for fiber, beets for iron, avocados for monounsaturated fat, and peas just because they taste so good! Topped with croutons and a light dressing and it's a meal fit for a grizzly.

Do You Know The Way To San Jose

2008-05-10T19:15:00.000-07:00

Today I went exploring downtown San Jose. There is so much history in this 231-year-old city, including being the site of the first State Capitol.

Saint Joseph Cathedral Basilica

The fountains in Plaza de Cesar Chavez

"First State Capitol" This California Historical Landmark sits in front of the Fairmont Hotel.

San Jose: Where the redwood trees meet the palm trees. Northern California is full of millions of redwood trees for hundreds of miles. Tall palm trees accentuate the skyline of southern California. Here in San Jose, the two trees meet happily in the middle.

San Jose Museum of Art

After a day of walking around the city, I stopped in Chipotle for a vegetarian burrito. That lime cilantro rice is so good!

And because it was such a nice day, a stop for ice cream was on my list.

I ended my day playing in a city park.

I played in the sand for a bit before heading home. What a busy day!

Postcards

2008-05-06T13:35:00.000-07:00

May 4th to May 10th is National Postcard Week. I love postcards. I buy them as souvenirs from every place I visit, whether it's a big tourist attraction, or just a plain city. They are very inexpensive and offer great views of the area usually in an angle I couldn't get from my camera.

If you forget to pick up postcards or an area is crowded and you don't want to fight the crowds, there are other places to pick up some postcards: book stores, convenience stores, and drug stores usually offer a good selection. Pick one up today and send it along. You can make someone smile with a nice thought.

National Scrapbook Day

2008-05-06T13:31:00.000-07:00

The first Saturday in May is National Scrapbook Day. It's a great day to get together with friends, enjoy some good snacks, listen to fun music, and enjoy each other while working on scrapbooks.

While at the NSD crop I worked on my Disneyland Pirates page. I put photos of me on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, photos of me sailing on the Sailing Ship Columbia, and a painting of Captain Jack Sparrow.

Be Kind To Animals

2008-05-04T19:05:00.000-07:00

May 4th to May 10th is Be Kind To Animals Week.

There are many ways to take care of animals. "Don't Feed The Birds." Animals were meant to eat things from nature like seeds and fruit. French fries are not found in nature.

Visit a farm sanctuary rather than a conventional zoo.

Spay and neuter your pets. Don't breed them, don't buy any. Adoption is the loving option!

Be a vegetarian if health allows. Buy cage-free, non-hormone, organic dairy. Keep beaches, forests, and streets clean. Buy cruelty-free products and avoid products tested on animals.

There are many easy and simple ways to make even a small change. Most of all, give animals your love!

Read

2008-05-01T16:53:00.001-07:00

May is National Get Caught Reading Month. Every month should be devoted to reading.

Some of my favorite books about bears: Teddy Bears, Teddy Bears by William Winburn
Alphabears by Kathleen Hague
Big Smelly Bear by Britta Teckentrup
Bears! by Paul Stickland
Everybody Has a Teddy by Virginia Kroll

Books about bears are a lot of fun, but my most favorite books are the Harry Potter ones. There aren't any bear characters, but there is a character named Teddy!

Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo

2008-05-01T15:12:00.000-07:00

It's National Fairy Godmother Week (May 1st to May 7th.) Do you have a fairy godmother, or someone like an angel that helps you or shares magic with you? Fairy godmothers aren't exclusive to fairy tales. Special angels are everywhere, even if you don't see them.

World Market

2008-04-30T20:22:00.000-07:00

Cost Plus World Market is one of my favorite stores. I like looking at the furniture and decor, but mostly I like the imported candy and other goods.

They have their own brand of chocolate hazelnut spread. I bought a jar but have not tasted it yet. If it's good I will continue to buy from them.

Mmm, Toblerone...

Panda bear cookies. I hope they aren't made from real panda bears.

National Dance Day - April 29th

2008-04-29T22:59:00.000-07:00

Do you like to dance? I do. Whether at a party or at home, I like to move. I make it all up as I go along. I don't have any formal training, but one night I did take a swing dance lesson.

I'm not a ballerina, I just play one on the internet.

Heading Home

2008-04-27T20:18:00.000-07:00

Before leaving the hotel I wanted to take some photos on the property. I love that southern California has so many palm trees.

I really like where I stay and the location. The room is big and has a microwave and a refrigerator. I need to keep all my soda cold and don't like to constantly have to refill my ice chest. The bed is comfy, too, but the blankets aren't thick enough. I need to bring my own from home.

I ate some Cheerios in the room before heading home. I needed the quick energy for the long drive, or at least until I could stop at Starbucks.

I stretched my legs at the rest stop in Buttonwillow. They had a lot of California information like where all the state parks and points of interest are. The also had a mileage chart which was fun to look at.

Just hanging around for a bit, getting the circulation going before I drive hundreds of more miles!

It was not a very long weekend at all. It was too hot - about 90° on the drive. I checked the weather report and it says weather is supposed to be in the high seventies which is so much more comfortable. Now that I am home it is time to plan for my next great adventure.

Third Day At Disneyland

2008-04-27T19:40:00.001-07:00

King Arthur's Carousel is an enjoyable ride. I like the calliope music and feeling the breeze run through my fur.

My mid-morning snack was a fresh, juicy fruit salad. I washed it down with an ice cold Diet Coke.

The wildest and craziest hats can be found at the Disneyland Resort.

I went to the Build-A-Bear Workshop in Downtown Disney to add to my wardrobe. I wasn't looking for anything in particular other than the Disney exclusive items only available at this location.

They did have some new Princess dresses and outfits. I also bought some pink "ears" and some sequin handbags.

Holy cow! These ladies graze in the Farmer's Market area at the back of California Adventure.

There are lots of new things to be discovered on every Disney trip. Until July...

Day Two

2008-04-27T19:09:00.000-07:00

The Princesses are my favorite. I dream of being a Disney Princess. Until that day comes, I will just dress like one and make believe I live in a big castle.

Just thinking about Dumbo makes me cry. That is one of the saddest, sweetest movies ever.

The Mad Tea Party is a lot of fun, as long as I don't spin too fast. I have the song stuck in my head, which is not such a bad thing. I enjoy the sounds of the tea kettles piping.

HONEY!!! If there is a place to find honey it's where Winnie the Pooh lives, in Critter Country. The glass cases are full of things I love like fudge, things covered in chocolate, things covered in caramel, things dipped in peanut butter... anything that is sticky and sweet I want a piece of. Anything except maple.

Anyone can play a game of checkers in the Market House on Main Street. It's a good idea to play against someone, though.

I had another snoozle at the hotel then went into California Adventure in the evening. This is in the Engine Ears toy store, a giant train as the centerpiece for the shop.

I met a celebrity - Pooh! He is so sweet and cuddly.

I ran into another celebrity - Hopper in A Bug's Land. He wasn't too happy when I climbed up on him for a photo.

First Day

2008-04-27T18:43:00.000-07:00

I went on the Astro Blasters and scored 21,000 points. After the ride I went in the shop.

A trip to Disneyland is not complete unless I have a pineapple float from the Tiki Juice Bar. Frothed pineapple swirled on top of fresh cold pineapple juice is the best treat - not just on a hot day, but on any day.

I found this great hiding spot in a tree in a Frontierland store. It would be great to hibernate there.

ATTACK OF THE GIANT BUFFALO!!!

The Indian is one of the most photographed items in the park.

Look at this neat tshirt I found in the World of Disney! I just wish they had one in my size.

I can't travel somewhere and not buy a caramel apple. This month's special apple in Marceline's is a peanut butter cup apple. It is dipped in caramel, then chocolate, then drizzled in chocolate and peanut butter, then chopped peanut butter cups cover the top, and again is drizzled in peanut butter and chocolate.

After a good nap at the hotel I went to California Adventure. I really enjoy the Redwood Creek area. I feel right at home with the snow-capped mountains, redwood trees, and rivers. Climbing and walking across the rope bridges is such fun!

All the walking and playing made me hungry. I went to the new Cheesecake Factory at the Anaheim Garden Walk. I had the Evelyn's pasta, it was pasta with a mixture of veggies and pine nuts. It didn't have cheese and also no tomato sauce which I am not really used to as far as pasta dishes go. But it did have delicious artichoke pieces on it that were awesome.

Dinner was so filling I had to bring my cheesecake back to the room. I got settled in, put on my pajamas and ate my dessert. I had a caramel turtle cheesecake. Not to worry, it was not made with actual turtles.

Going Back To Disneyland

2008-04-24T00:39:00.000-07:00

Disnyland is one of my favorite places to visit. I love the long drive on I5, I know where all the Starbucks stops are and I plug in my iPod and go. I have already planned my next trip!

Happy Jelly Bean Day

2008-04-22T21:25:00.000-07:00

Today is National Jelly Bean Day. It's not one of my more favorite candies, but I thought I would celebrate the day anyway. I found some vegan beans, ones without gelatin, resinous glaze, beeswax, or mysterious ingredients. I don't like the black, white, green or purple ones. I much prefer pink, red, and orange.

I am looking forward to the next national sweet day.

Happy Earth Day

2008-04-22T13:24:00.001-07:00

Do you have environmentality?

This is my recycle bin. Anything that can be recycled should be. Check with your local recycle center for a list of things that can be recycled. It's amazing all the items they will take! Not just cans and bottles, newspaper and plastic, some cities will recycle fabric like old clothes and sheets, hangers, styrofoam peanuts, juice bags and more! You should aim to have no more garbage than what could fit in your shoe box.

Using green cleaners is not only earth friendly, but also safer and healthier for people and animals. Citrus in place of harsh chemicals is a great alternative. These environmental cleaners are becoming mainstream and are carried in regular grocery and discount stores. They are also a lot more affordable than in the past.

Growing your own produce gives off oxygen, cleans the air, and saves money. Imagine going into your backyard and plucking a fresh lemon off the tree when you want one. Growing an avocado tree is one of the best choices of going green. In addition to growing your own fruits and vegetables, buying locally grown and shopping farmer's markets are excellent choices.

Composting is a great way to help the Earth. Even if you don't grow your own produce, many cities will accept donations to help grow city trees and flowers. Some things that can composted include:
*Fruit and vegetable skins, peels, seeds, cored, pits, stems - any part of the fruit or veggie you don't eat (and even parts you do)
*Egg shells
*Coffee grounds. Many Starbucks locations offer free bags of used coffee grounds to add to your home compost
*Dried flowers - after you enjoy a lovely boquet you may have received as a gift or simply bought yourself to enjoy, adding these to the compost will give the soil variety
*Grass mowings and other yard clippings
*Newspaper and cardboard. First shred and add a bit of water before mixing in
*Waste from vegetarian pets.

For a bigger list, check out some green websites.

Be a vegetarian or vegan. It not only saves the earth, it saves animals. With so many delicious vegetarian items and an endless amount of veg cookbooks it is easy once you get the hang of it. many restaurants are now offering vegetarian and vegan options now. Getting all the protein, vitamins and very little cholesterol, if any, it can also save YOUR life.

Using canvas bags instead of plastic will help save money and all the production and fuels needed to make new bags. Using totes made of canvas or bamboo to haul groceries and other purchases is an easy way to contribute. Most stores have cnavas bags and a lot of those stores offer incentives for using them, such as a bag credit or other chances at prizes or discounts.

There are so many ways to do your part to save the world we share. Wearing layers when it is cold instead of using the heater; using energy-efficient appliances and lightbulbs; turning off electronics when not in use and turning off lights when you leave the room; using rechargable batteries; taking your own cup to the coffee shop and use it instead of paper cups; buy from second hand shops; and so much more!

Reduce-Reuse-Recycle-Repair-Repurpose

San Francisco Part 2

2008-04-20T15:41:00.000-07:00

I like to travel by train, even when gas prices aren't high. Caltrain is a fun way to travel. I really enjoy sitting upstairs and watch the Peninsula pass me by.

Today I wanted to do "tourist" San Francisco. Behind me is "hook and cook" which is a pirate-themed restaurant. It would be a fun place to go, but "Fish are friends. Not food."

I chose a vegetarian sandwich on sourdough bread at Boudin, a San Francisco original. You can't go wrong with sourdough!

I visited the California Welcome Center. Why would I not? The lady working in there was such a sweetheart! She asked my name and was impressed when I told her "Califia, named for California." She gave me a Pier 39 totebag, maps, and some coupons and other fun things. She told me to have a great day, she complimented my flair and said that I was really cute. She is exactly the kind of person I want to represent California to out-of-state travelers.

After the 1989 earthquake, sea lions moved to Pier 39 for comfort. They have been there ever since and remain all year long.

Alcatraz, also known as "The Rock." Every time I see it, I always think of Phil Hartman in So I Married an Axe Murderer. That is a fantastic San Francisco comedy.

A friendly greeter I met in front of a souvenir ship.

After I saw everything at Pier 39 I walked to Fisherman's Wharf. There is a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory there. Of course I stopped in to pick up some treats. Bet you can't guess what I bought...

A caramel apple, of course! This one had a variety of nuts, so good!

I stopped in the Rainforest Cafe. Not for lunch, just to shop around and look at the scenery.

The famous Fisherman's Wharf sign.

After I was finished at Fisherman's Wharf I strolled to The Cannery. They have a fun pirate store filled with everything pirate. Anything you want with skull and crossbones, anything with the Jolly Roger, it's all there. This is one of the greeters outside the store.

After that quick trip through the Cannery it was time to take a stroll up to Ghirardelli Square. I stopped in the soda fountain and bought a dark caramel Quake Shake. Let me say it was so delicious. It's almost as good as a Malibu Mocha. Almost.

I sipped my shake as I walked to North Beach where I had to catch the bus back to the Caltrain station. That was a lot of walking, but not un-bear-able. I sat on the train looking at all the postcards I collected during my stroll through San Francisco. It was a sunny day but very windy and cold. I don't know when I will next get to the city again, but there will be a "San Francisco Part 3" in the near future.

New Friends

2008-04-19T20:35:00.000-07:00

I have been reading blogs for a few days because I want to know what bears all over are doing! I happened upon Bart Bear's Blog which is very fun and entertaining. Stop in and read about his latest adventures!

Things Bears Like

2008-04-18T18:22:00.000-07:00

The main ingredient of a teddy bear diet is sugar. White sugar, honey, high fructose corn syrup... it's all so very tasty. It's no secret why we grow so... huggable, let's call it.

Today was a nice day to have a picnic. I had all my favorite snacks. Honey, Toblerone, Abba Zabba, Corn Nuts, and Teddy Grahams.

In reading many bear blogs I have learned a favorite snack among them, in many cases even more than honey, that Nutella is a very popular treat. I had only heard of it, and never actually tasted it before. I picked up a jar of it today and let me say, the combination of hazelnut and chocolate is about one of the best I have ever tasted. This stuff is way better than honey. I tasted it right off the spoon, and I tasted it spread on a croissant. I think I'll just take a bath in it.

Flair For Flair

2008-04-18T15:01:00.000-07:00

I meet the requirements for the amount of flair needed for a job at TGIFridays. Part of the reason for so much flair is I am quite a political bear. I am also very expressive and wear my heart on my sleeve - well, my badges, anyway.

I am very li-bear-al and do like to show it, but I am the last person to say another's opinion is wrong. I am open-minded and accept bears for who they are. With that said, here are some of my current flair statements:

*I *heart* Harry - Potter, of course
*Save a ship. Ride a pirate.
*A picture of a bicycle and under that says $0 per gallon
*Two cartoon bricks of tofu saying I *heart* tofu
*"Did you get the memo?" A quote from Office Space
*To err is human. To arr is pirate
*I *heart* hunting accidents. Okay, on the surface this may seem insensitive. But my breed of bear, along with countless other animals have become extinct due to hunting. Killing animals is not a sport.
*Vegetarainism is for lovers
*"No talent ass-clown." Again, another favorite line from Office Space
*I have a thing for the Potions Master. (What? How did that get in there? That's not mine. Only one guess as to who that one belongs to!)
*Rated Arr with the Jolly Roger on it
*Powered by tofu with a picture of a smiling brick of tofu
*The East India Trading Company logo
*"I am disinclined to acquiesce to your request." A classic line from POTC The Curse of the Black pearl. (Notice a pirate trend here?)
*Will award House Points for coffee
*Saving my booty for Captain Jack
*Jack Sparrow for president
*Cow Hugger with a cow icon (The Herbivore Clothing Co)

And I have many more, it just might be boring to read all the statements. If you made it this far, thank you!

Santa Clara: Mission City

2008-04-17T22:05:00.000-07:00

Santa Clara is very proud of its history. It was one of the stops of Junipero Serra's 21 missions. Many buildings in the city are styled in the design and architect of the 1770's when the Spaniards took over the area.

Just for kicks I went to City Hall to explore. It is a very small and quiet area.

There is a very nice fountain that I really wanted to go in. In summer months I bet it would be fun to have bear feet and walk around in there, or just splash a bit. But as it is a city building, it is probably frowned upon.

"Flags Over Santa Clara." It's a picture of one of my ancestors on the Bear Flag.

Santa Clara's flag. I didn't even know they had their own flag!

The Rengstorff House

2008-04-17T21:58:00.000-07:00

Henry Rengstorff was a big land owner in the Bay Area. He was a king of agriculture and of transport on the San Francisco Bay.

He lived in a mansion in Mountain View and his house is now a California Historical Landmark.

The Rengstorff House is located in Shoreline Park and tours for the public are available.

Go Sharks!

2008-04-16T15:42:00.000-07:00

The San Jose Sharks are in the first round of playoffs against the Calgary Flames. The series is tied at two games each. The next game is tomorrow night.

I have never been to a hockey game. I would love to see the Sharks play live.

The Lazy Days of Summer

2008-04-13T18:49:00.000-07:00

Summer? No, it's April. Then why is it 88°? Oh, yeah, it's California. That's why bears are walking around in shorts, flip flops and sunglasses, and that's why cubs are playing in sprinklers on their front lawns.

A great snack on a hot day is fruit salad. I went to the farmer's market and the grocery store to pick the perfect fruits. I bought fresh cantaloupe, red apples, bananas, pineapple, and strawberries. I washed it all, chopped it up and made a delicious treat.

For lunch, I made a pasta dish. I used rotini noodles and mixed them with olive oil, asparagus, and vegan sausage. What a healthful, satisfying meal.

It was a beautiful day, I only hope it doesn't get hotter than this come summer.