We Are Off And Running
We headed out to Saratoga bright and early on Friday morning. Our mission, which we accepted, was to visit Mr. Bennett, our Grand Nephew! He is the daughter of Patrick and Lisa.
I have been their Unkle Paul since they were born, many moons ago. This picture below is Disneyland in 2004 . Now they are both happily married and Lisa is a mommy!
I remember when!
I think he looks just like it unkle Paul!
(Poor thing)
Click for a 3000x3600 pixel image
We departed at 9:00 am Fridat morning and with little traffic we were at the top of the Grapevine at 10:30 am after a quick stop of McDonalds. We selected I-5 as we wanted to get into Saratoga early enough to have dinner with family.
Saturday morning we had breakfast and visited Bennett at his home before his afternoon nap begins. He is a delightful little guy. We departed to Diane's and walked in her grden and visited before going to LaFondue in the Saratoga Historical/Business District. We had a wonderful dinner full of banter and giggles.
Sunday morning we ate with Diane and Pat and headed south in the Silver Fox making great time down 101, across on 153, and then onto I-5 for the final leg of the journey.
Six Hours 37 Minutes
We got into town around 4:00 pm so we had time to visit before dinner.
Breakfast was quick, McDonald's Quarter Pounder with Cheese Deluxe. was perfect.
Yummy!
Digital?
OMG, no people to talk too?
We get to cuss at a machine!
A few minutes after breakfast we were scooting across the summit of the Grapevine at 70 mph!
One hundred years ago, when Unkle Paul was a child, we didn't "scoot" acrosss the pass... we inched our way carrying extra water, rope, chains, and a set of spare tires and tools galore.
We were happy we are making the trip today and NOT in 1917!
Did You Know? -
Many changes have taken place over the years in Tejon Pass. The first paved roadway, at 4213′, the Ridge Route, was completed here in 1915, paved in 1917, and repaved in 1923.
Portions of the 1917 concrete were used as a base for the newer 1923 concrete, which was about 3 feet wider. In 1933, the pass was reconstructed and lowered to 4183′ during the Ridge Route Alternate project.
This roadway remained in use until 1951, when US 99 was reconstructed to expressway standards over the pass.
None of the 1933 concrete was used here, it was torn up and buried. In 1966, I-5 was built over the pass, lowering the elevation yet again to 4144′.
The San Andreas Fault also passes through here, creating the low divide and weaker rock in the pass.
We visited with the Porter's in Saratoga for an hour before we headed to the local Indian restaurant.
We decided Indian food would be a great idea!
A little AI later!
We are ready to order.
Did You Know? -
A Mandala (Sanskrit for "circle") is an artistic representation of higher thought and deeper meaning given as a geometric symbol used in spiritual, emotional, or psychological work to focus one's attention.
The image first appears in India via the Hindu text known as the Rig Veda c. 1500 - c. 500 BCE.
I was getting silly!
Hey, I wanted to sing! my order to the waiter!
Did You Know? - Arguably the most popular street food in India, samosas are fried or baked pastry pockets with a savory filling such as spiced potatoes, onions and peas. With origins dating back to around the 10th century, versions of samosas with different shapes and fillings can be found throughout Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
Mary finally got me under control!
We had a good time.
The restaurant to home was about three miles!
Did You Know? - The settlement of Saratoga received a permanent name after residents discovered a mineral spring in the early 1860s. The spring's chemical content was quite similar to that of Congress Spring at Saratoga Springs in New York, and in 1865 the town was officially named Saratoga.
I went to the car to get the last of our luggage before turning in for the evening.
Road trips are fun!
We visited with Dianne and Pat before going to Lisa's to meet Bennett between is scheduled sleeping time. TDiane filled the table with odles of selections and complete with English Muffins.
Why do they call it an English muffin? That said, the English muffin as many Americans know it, is the brainchild of British expat Samuel Bath Thomas who, in 1874, emigrated from his homeland of Plymouth, England, to the United States.
Contrary to popular belief, English muffins never see an oven. The batter is put into a ring mold resting on a griddle, and after it browns on one side it's flipped and cooked on the other.
Y'all come and sit a spell!
Bennett was happy to have visitors, especially Grandpa Pat!
Did You Know? - Arising as a modern variation of the Medieval Benedict, Bennett is a boy's name of Latin origin imbued with good fortune. Meaning "blessed," Bennett comes from the Latin benedictus, though its roots contain further esteemed qualities.
They both look pretty happy!
He is keeping his eyes on everyone!
Poor Jeffery, we want attention also!
He bounced around the house like a rubber ball!
It is OK now, Mommy is paying attention!
Bennett is busy with his blocks!
"Now I have gone and done it!"
And he plays the piano!
Mom and Dad are pretty proud!
I think Patrick wants a turn at the piano keys!
On his back he can still hit the keyboard.
Did You Know? - It is one of the oldest breeds and has been portrayed in paintings since 1952. A descendent of toy Spaniels, the Papillon was originally bred as a lap dog. The Papillon was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club since 1915 and it is the 53rd most popular dog breed in the United States.
Jeffery finally settled down!
"Mom! Where is everybody going?"
All smiles!
A very cute family!
See you in about five hours!
Watch out for the squirrels!
The ladies compare notes about the garden!
Cool outside but nice and cozy inside!
Did You Know? -
At La Fondue, they have re-imagined the classic European Fondue experience, making it more elegant, exciting, and decadent than ever. We enjoyed the premium ingredients, from Australian lamb to Wagyu beef and farmer's market vegetables, coated with luscious broths and cheeses.
We savored a world of new flavor combinations while having fun with our family. Then, to top off the evening we had fresh fruit, cookies, and treats dipped in two different chocolate fondues.
At La Fondue, the memories you make are just as enjoyable as the flavors you experience.
Hannah and James got there at the same time as us!
After all, it is the season!
Bennett arrives; the activity level increases rapidly!
Who shines as bright as a candle?
"Ready to eat?
"
The king and queen watch over their guests!
Mow you are in hot water!
The lighting was tough!
We will drink to that!
"Hey, what's with all the fog?"
Bennett is liking this; it's almost as good as a circus.
Hannah and Mary share the light.
Laughing and giggling all evening long!
Hannah has figured out what she wants!
Everybody loves marshmallows!
It not be right without an order of "Wild Thing" which are an assortment of raw goodies which you cook ourself in a pot of hot oil!
Stab it!
James Takes The Broccoli Challenge
In it goes; James wins!
"OK Dad, it is time to go home!"
Mary was ready to take him home with us!
Down the highway with 370 miles to go!
152 is dry in the summer time!
We will be on the I-5 in a matter of moments!
Yes, we had a dinner engagement with friends at Campus Jax where we would listen to and dance to great music. The Westside Sisters are an updated version of the Andrews Sisters of the 1940s
We were at Campus Jax at 5:00 pm
Did You Know? - The Andrews Sisters were an American close harmony singing group of the swing and boogie-woogie eras. The group consisted of three sisters: contralto LaVerne Sophia Andrews (1911–1967), soprano Maxene Anglyn Andrews (1916–1995), and mezzo-soprano Patricia Marie Andrews (1918–2013). The sisters have sold an estimated 80 million records.
Their 1941 hit "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" can be considered an early example of jump blues. Other songs closely associated with the Andrews Sisters include their first major hit, "Bei Mir Bist Du Schön (Means That You're Grand)" (1937), "Beer Barrel Polka (Roll Out the Barrel)" (1939), "Beat Me Daddy, Eight to the Bar" (1940), "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree (with Anyone Else but Me)" (1942), and "Rum and Coca-Cola" (1945), which helped introduce American audiences to calypso.
We gathered together for dinner and a show!
