The Time Has Come, The Walrus Said . . . .

Okay. It's finally here. July 31st. Time for vacation. Well, not just yet. We still have to work today. Once the work day is over, then it's off to visit some friends and have dinner with them before heading off to Santa Barbara tomorrow. And then it's vacation time. No work calls. Maybe some work email - maybe. Nothing but fun in the sun (or the marine layer) and a week of driving around a part of the state that I've never really been to. Fun, right?

So, I'm Sad (by Sneakers)

So, Mommy and Daddy told me that they were going on a vacation and that I was not allowed to go with them. But they told me that Grandma Mary and Grandpa Dave would be stopping by to take care of me every couple of days. That's very nice of them to come over and treat me like the princess I am.

Mommy and Daddy said that they might bring me something from San Francisco, but I won't hold my breath. Usually they don't bring me anything. I can't wait for them to come home. How long is eight days anyway?

What's That? Over the Horizon? Is It Really Vacation?

So, the time has come. July 31st is literally around the corner now - it's tomorrow (if you're actually reading this on Thursday, then it's today, but if you're reading it later, just know that when this was written, it was the next day).

We have gathered several things for the trip, but the most important thing - packing - is not yet complete. There are ideas about what we are packing, but no solid packing has been done - yet. But hey, there's still 31 hours left (and again, if you're reading this at a later date, just know that that is the current countdown), so there's time to pack and gather everything together.

Well, the next post for this blog will be soon, before we leave and after that, it will be from somewhere along the central coast of California. Good luck to all of you as you read and I'll try to be as politically incorrect as possible (that's right, right?). And I'll add pictures as we go. Maybe not all the plain ones of signs or water or trees, but a picture of us here and there should be good.

Breaking News! This Just In . . . .

We have heard from our friends Brad and Kyra and apparently the doctors are going to try to induce Kyra on Wednesday, July 30th, if she doesn't go into labor before that. So, good news, we might get to see a baby. Unfortunately, Brad and Kyra have decided that they want to be completely surprised at the time of birth and never found out the sex of their baby. So, I'll inform you what they had when we find out.

We now return you to the regularly scheduled Internet.

A Message To All . . . . .

Okay, so I have been told that I was somewhat insensitive to the plight of the cows in the previous post, regarding burgers. Let me tell you that I am not insensitive to the poor cows that give up their lives so that most people in the world (except vegetarians and other weirdos - kidding) could eat beef. I will go on record saying that I love to eat beef and I thank the cows for their contribution to the overall circle of life.

Thank you.

And They'll All Cow Tow, Yes, They'll All Cow Tow

Oh, wait. That's actually, Cow Town. Or, more specifically, Vacaville, California. Yes, folks, don't be jealous. We are visiting Vacaville. Our friends, Dan and Julia live there along with their son, Logan, so we're going to stop and pay them a visit. That is, if we don't happen to see them earlier. See, Julia is the sister of Brad, whose wife, Kyra is quite pregnant and could possibly be delivering her baby right around the time we arrive in the area. So, if we don't get to Vacaville, it will be all Kyra's fault. Just kidding. Somehow, we'll be seeing Brad and Kyra (and maybe their new baby) and also Dan and Julia and Logan.

And as if that isn't enough. Hold your breath, and in this case, I almost mean it literally. Joanna has suggested that on our way home, we stop in lovely downtown Coalinga, California, home of the Harris Ranch Inn and Restaurant. Nothing wrong with that, right? Well, just have a seat in the restaurant and take a look outside at all the burgers wandering . . . . I mean, cattle wandering about the ranch and then order yourself up a half pound burger. But, according to Joanna, the burgers are very good. I wonder if I can look around the ranch and decide which cow I want. "I'll have that one." You think they'd be okay with that?

The Internet Is For . . . . . .

Me!!! Well, really, it's for you. I've managed to make sure that we will have Internet access on most of our trip. Therefore you, my lovely readers, will be able to keep track of us as we wander up and down the State of California. Kind of like that little Santa Claus radar at Christmas time that shows where he is. Hmmm, maybe I should contact NASA and see if they could let me know how they do that so I can set it up for you.

But I digress. Our hotels will have free Internet, except in San Francisco, where they charge $20 for a minute when you are at a Starbucks. Not really, but close. So, updates from San Francisco might have to wait a few days. We'll see. Maybe I'll be able to sneak access from somewhere else other than our hotel room. Who knows. Maybe I can just go plug in at some random office and work from there?