Niagra Day 5-7

**Days at Letchworth & Beyond**  

I haven’t posted daily the latter part of this trip—it’s just been nice to relax and *be.* But I do want to record these days for memory’s sake.  

**Wednesday**  

We woke up early—around 7 a.m.—and went to breakfast at a local spot called *The Barn Restaurant.* It was such a cool place: furnished like a 60s diner, full of antiques and personality. They have what’s called a “Knowledge Table” (the old man table), where a group of older gentlemen meet virtually every day for breakfast and gossip. It made me grin ear to ear. The food and coffee were both great, too.  

Afterward, we headed to Letchworth State Park. The woman at the visitor center recommended the Gorge Hike, and we decided to do it Thursday since we didn’t want to do a lot of hiking today. We drove through the park, stopping at overlooks and taking in the views—three waterfalls, the gorge, and just God’s beauty everywhere. We eventually realized that all the lookouts we visited were along the same trail we planned to hike tomorrow, so we basically saw it all without the effort. Bonus!  

We went to the *Glen Iris Inn* for lunch and were seated beside a window, thankful for the air conditioning. The restaurant had a calm, charming atmosphere and a unique menu. When I saw “Thanksgiving Dinner” listed, I couldn’t resist—and neither could Jack. It was absolutely delicious. For dessert, we split a Harvest Pie made with mixed fruits and vanilla ice cream. Jack said he only wanted one bite, but I swear he ate more than half, ha! I almost ordered another slice but was too full to indulge.  

After lunch, we found a couple of chairs overlooking the waterfall, grabbed a blanket from the car, and just sat reading for a while. It was peaceful and quiet—the perfect way to spend an afternoon. Back at the hotel, we napped and ended up staying in for the rest of the night. Jack made a Walmart run for shorts, while I read and enjoyed a lazy evening.  

**Thursday**  

Thursday was different—I planned *nothing.* I’d looked up a few ideas on ChatGPT, but that was it. Jack took that five minutes of research and turned it into a full plan, which was such a treat. It felt nice to let someone else handle the day for a change.  

We started with breakfast again at *The Barn* (because why mess with perfection?) before heading out. First stop was Silver Lake. We sat in a little park surrounded by camper cottages, reading by the water. It was simple and peaceful.  

Next, we visited *Beaver Meadow Audubon Center,* and oh, how I wish I’d had more time there. It’s miles of trails wrapped around a quiet lake—virtually silent except for the sounds of nature. We saw chipmunks everywhere, listened to the birds, and admired the serenity. They even had a “Fairy Walk” filled with tiny houses and “real estate for sale.” It was adorable. We only walked about a mile, but I’d go back in a heartbeat.  

For lunch, we stopped at *Wolf Creek Deli.* We were the only ones there—mid-afternoon by then. The guy behind the counter was friendly, and the food hit the spot. I had a Philly cheesesteak that was a bit salty, but Jack’s root beer wings were good and unique.  

Afterward, we visited *Conesus Lake Park.* It’s a pretty local park with benches and paved paths along the water. We found a bench near the lake, and I may or may not have taken a little nap while Jack read.  

The drives between all these places were beautiful—fall colors everywhere, sunlight filtering through the trees. We stopped multiple times for pictures. By evening, we were back at the hotel, too relaxed to go out again. Jack grabbed some PB&J at the dollar store, and that became dinner.  

**Friday**  

We tried *Brian’s Diner* for breakfast today. The food was good, but it didn’t quite have the quirky charm of The Barn. Then we headed to *Stony Brook State Park* to walk the Gorge Trail. What a gem—small waterfalls, bubbling brooks, and lush green scenery everywhere. The walk wasn’t too strenuous, though the 187 wooden steps at the end were a bit of a cruel joke. They just lead to the parking lot with no new views—there really should be a sign before you start that climb! Still, it was breathtaking and easily a highlight of the trip.  

Afterward, we returned to the *Glen Iris Inn* for another round of pie. Jack got a salad, and I couldn’t resist the Thanksgiving dinner again. Service was slower this time—our waitress seemed overwhelmed—but the food was just as good, and the pie was heavenly. I seriously need that recipe.  

Back at the hotel, we took another long nap (about three hours!). Later that evening, we drove about 30 minutes to *Nashville’s,* a restaurant and dance hall. We had appetizers, listened to live music, and danced a few rumbas and hustles. The band—a Zac Brown cover group—started at 9:30 and was surprisingly good. Jack, ever thoughtful, brought our dance socks since my shoes wouldn’t let me spin. I love that man. When the band took a break at 10:30, we decided to call it a night.  

**Saturday**  

We got a late checkout at the hotel, and I’m writing this during that time. We fly home later today, so unless something wild happens at the airport, this will be the final post for this trip.  

Overall, it was an amazing getaway.  

**A few random fun things to remember:**  

• Chipmunks are everywhere up here—and ridiculously cute.  
• The “Knowledge Table” (old man table) at The Barn still makes me smile.   
• I’d plan this trip differently next time: two days here first, then Niagara (with an extra U.S. day), and Toronto with one more day added on.  
• Wednesday walked 5.17 miles
• Thursday walked 3.24 miles
• Friday walked 4.6 miles

**Jack’s Favorite Thing of the Day:**  

Jack loved Stony Brook—the slow water running over the rocks and all the subtle details of the place. He also really enjoyed dancing at Nashville’s.  

**My Favorite Thing of the Day:**  

The freedom of having no plan—just going with the flow. Stony Brook was absolutely stunning, though. It felt like the perfect ending to a peaceful trip.  

Niagra Day 4

Wow, today was full from start to finish.  

We started early—6:30 a.m.—to catch the sunrise over the falls. It wasn’t quite what I had pictured, with the mist clouds rolling thick and blocking most of the view, but what we did see was beautiful. More than that, it was neat to watch the falls before the full daytime flow. Overnight, they restrict the water to generate power. It was still a lot of water, just not the massive surge you see during the day. The sunrise may not have been perfect, but the experience was worth it.  

After that, we decided on a slow morning. I think Jack piddled on his phone and maybe got some more sleep—I went back to bed. This girl is not built for mornings. We got up for round 2 around 9:30 and got ready for the day. Breakfast at the hotel was a highlight. I tried the omelet bar, which was excellent, but honestly, the coffee stole the show again. I should have asked what brand it was—it was that good.  

Once we checked out, the day was really Jack’s plan. I only had one request, and he did the rest. He nailed it.  

First up was a hike at Niagara Glen Trail. To get to the paths, we had to descend four or five flights of metal stairs, and once we reached the bottom, the trails wound through rocks and roots, clearly marked and moderately challenging. We hiked about a mile, mostly under forest canopy, with only a couple of overlooks where you could really see the river. Still, it was so good to be out in God’s creation. Hiking is a different kind of walking—it does something for the soul. The peace of sitting by the water was wonderful. Climbing back up those stairs? Less wonderful. By the time we reached the top, I was drenched. Thankfully, I had packed a change of clothes and deodorant—a fresh shirt, a dry bra, reset for the day.  

We made a quick stop at the Floral Clock, which was beautiful, but we couldn’t really enjoy it. There were ladies there trying to convert us to Christianity. I am Christian—I am a born-again believer in Jesus Christ, and I strive to live a life that reflects that. So I applaud their heart, but the method not so much. It just made me, a Christian, uncomfortable... I can’t imagine nonbelievers. We didn’t stay long at all.  

Next was a scenic drive toward Niagara-on-the-Lake, and it was gorgeous—tree-lined neighborhoods, vineyards, a lighthouse, and little spots to pull over and take pictures. We stopped at Fort Mississauga, right on the banks of Lake Ontario, where the wind was wild but the views stunning. There was a trail by the water I’d walk all the time if I lived nearby.  

Lunch was at the Olde Angel Inn in town, which dates back to the 1700s. It was cozy, historic, and the food was delicious. I had shrimp and fries, but honestly, even the water stood out—it was so crisp and refreshing. Afterward, we wandered through the town. Quaint, charming, and reminiscent of Dahlonega but prettier. I kinda wished I had more time here—if I had another day, I could easily see myself spending half of it just strolling around, poking into shops, and meandering. But with the time I did have, shopping wasn’t how I wanted to spend it, so I just soaked in what I could before we moved on. Before leaving, we treated ourselves to ice cream at Cows, a local shop with rave reviews that absolutely delivered. I had two scoops—chocolate and raspberry. It was perfectly balanced, not too sweet, just right.  

From there, we crossed back into the U.S. after a quick stop at the Duty Free store. Can I just say—I loved Canada. It’s beautiful, clean, and the people are friendly, and it operates much like the U.S. But there’s just something about stepping onto American soil. A tension you don’t realize you’re carrying slips off your shoulders—you’re home. If something happens, if you get sick, if you even get arrested… at least you’re home. There’s a comfort in that you can’t explain until you feel it.  

We wrapped the sightseeing with the U.S. side of the falls. Articles always say Canada has the better views, and they’re right—you simply can’t see the whole picture from the U.S. side. But the experience? Completely different. Canada felt like a commercial park, while the U.S. side was a true nature reserve. Ten dollars to park, free to walk the trails, and you can get so close to the water. Peaceful paths led us past cascades and ducks, and the observation decks jut right over the falls—you can look straight down as the water plunges. I loved it. If I could redo the trip, I’d carve out much more time for the U.S. side. We barely gave it a couple of hours, and it easily deserved a full day or two. I would’ve loved to slow down, wander more of the trails, and just soak in the peace of it all.  

We rolled in around 9 pm to the Country Inn near Letchworth State Park, our base for the next few days. It seems they close everything early here. It’s a good thing we weren’t really hungry; we grabbed some chips at the local convenience store and called it dinner. Still, the inn impressed me—it’s clean, the water hot, the staff competent/friendly, and the HVAC works. Honestly, three out of four categories beat the Marriott. Still not letting that one go…  

A few random fun things to remember:  

• Canada, everywhere we went, just felt clean.  
• Tap-to-pay is universal there—our first U.S. purchase required inserting a card, and we laughed that Canada does it better.  
• The black squirrels are on the U.S. side too—they immigrated.  
• We spotted a fox dart across the road on our drive.  
• The New York welcome center is massive and very nice.  
• Border crossing was smooth and stress-free.  

Jack’s Favorite Thing of the Day:  

• Goat Island, especially the point section with its little waterfalls, the view of the rapids, and being so close to the falls it felt like you could toss a rock in.  

Lisa’s Favorite Thing of the Day:  

• The New York side of the falls—the trails all screamed peace, and I loved it.  

Niagra Day 3

Today looked light on paper, but in reality, we packed a lot in. Breakfast at the hotel was a surprisingly good start—fresh fruit, excellent coffee, and friendly service. We sat right beside the windows, soaking in the morning view while we ate.  

Afterward, we headed down to the concierge to coordinate a tour. Yes, I know we paid extra, but it was worth every penny to have someone pick us up and handle the details. With that squared away, we dropped our bags at the front desk since we’d be switching rooms later. I also had to ask about some odd charges on my card—they claimed it was the garage and that it would roll into the main bill. We’ll see. Honestly, the building says “Marriott,” but it doesn’t *feel* like a Marriott. The rooms have small things off—like the toilet handle, the tub faucet, the heat—it feels more like a Holiday Inn Express. And don’t get me wrong, I love a Holiday Inn, but you expect and pay for a different level of polish at a Marriott.  

At 11, the tour company scooped us up. First stop: Journey Behind the Falls. The view from the observation deck was dazzling, even if I struggled to see through the glare and water on my glasses. Sounds awful, I know, but really it was pure fun—I had a grin stretching ear to ear. I just kept pressing the button on my phone, praying something would turn out, and somehow we got great shots. Going into the tunnels and standing behind the falls themselves was another level. The raw force of that water is impossible to capture in words.  

Next, we stopped at a whitewater overlook before heading to the main event: the waterfall cruise. We lucked out—it wasn’t crowded, and we hustled just enough to snag a front spot. Oh, what an experience! I couldn’t see most of the time thanks to rain and spray all over my glasses, but it didn’t matter. I just kept clicking away and laughing. The poncho saved me from being drenched, though I still came out wetter than Jack. Between the birds diving for food, the friendliness of the people around us, and the thrill of being swallowed up by mist, it was unforgettable.  

Back at the hotel, we got our new room. Yesterday we’d been on the 24th floor, today the 16th. At first, I fussed when I saw the number—since we’d been promised higher—but the manager assured us we’d be happy. And wow, he was right. The room is beautiful, huge, and has a view that steals your breath. I had to give him credit, and I gave thanks to the Lord for blessing us with such a spot. It didn’t erase all my gripes about the hotel, but it softened them.  

For lunch, we gave Turtle Jack’s another chance, given its closeness to the hotel (the place we’d walked out of last night). This time it worked out—after a slow start to be seated, the service turned out great, and the food hit the spot. I had fish and chips, Jack got a burger, and I tried a fruity mocktail that wasn’t half bad.  

The afternoon was slower. Jack set up in the chair overlooking the falls with his laptop, and I took a nap—both of us fully content. Once I woke up, we hopped the incline railway back down to stroll along the falls. It was peaceful, just the two of us walking together. Eventually, we turned onto Clifton Hill Street where everything exploded into neon lights, arcades, haunted houses, Ripley’s—you name it. A bit like a mini Vegas without the gambling. Loud, flashy, chaotic—but fun in its own way.  

We went there mainly for the go-karts, and they did not disappoint. Jack’s cart was lightning fast—he was zipping past everyone. I was driving my own and enjoyed it. They had it set up with tight turns and a downhill section that added a level of excitement over old-fashioned tracks. Afterward, we wandered through souvenir shops, grabbed ice cream, and just enjoyed the evening before catching an Uber back. We ended the night watching fireworks over the glowing falls, my feet propped up, the view filling the window. Perfect.  

Tomorrow we check out and head south, but I think we’ll linger in the morning to soak up this view just a little longer.  

A few random fun things to remember:  

• They can remotely slow down the go-karts if someone stalls—everything came to a crawl until a stuck car got fixed.  
• We walked 7.91 miles today.  
• My husband is awesome and randomly packs zip lock bags in case things need to be waterproof.
• Planning ahead may save money, but sometimes it’s worth paying for ease.  
• It’s weird not having anyone else to worry about or look out for on a trip. I mean, I have Jack, but it feels different than having Mama with us.  
  
• 90% of today's pictures were with phones

Jack’s Favorite Thing of the Day:  

- The boat ride down into the falls. He thought it was both thrilling and spectacular to get that close.  

My Favorite Thing of the Day:  

- Also, the boat ride. Getting swallowed by the mist, laughing through the spray—it was pure joy.  

Toronto _ Niagra Day 2

Today was packed with adventure and beauty, even if the hotel experience at the end soured things a little. I’ll try to set that aside as I write, because truthfully, it was a wonderful day. God is so good.  

We got up around 8 and hopped on the 510 Queen streetcar, then made our way to breakfast at KOS in the Kensington neighborhood. It’s a cozy local spot with outside seating, and the weather was just right. A couple sat near us with their puppy, who was absolutely precious—we chatted a bit and enjoyed the relaxed vibe. I had French toast with fruit; the fruit was fresh and sweet, definitely better than yesterday’s, though yesterday’s French toast was the winner. Between the food, the company, and the atmosphere, it felt like a slice of local life.  

After breakfast, we wandered through Kensington Place. The neighborhood had a bit of a “Little Five Points in Atlanta” feel—quirky, eclectic, and colorful. Not entirely my scene, but fun to pass through. From there, we found Graffiti Alley. Wow. The walls were alive with every kind of expression—some beautiful, some crude, some funny, some dark—but all of it skillful. The talent and time poured into those murals were remarkable.  

Our next stop was Casa Loma, and it didn’t disappoint. A European-style castle right in the heart of Toronto, it was sprawling, grand, and full of surprises. The architecture alone was worth the visit, but the gardens and tunnels made it even more special. The underground passageway led to the stables and carriage house, and for the season, it was decorated for Halloween—honestly, I wouldn’t want to be down there during their haunted events! The rooms went on and on, and you could easily lose yourself in them. My favorite part was sneaking in a waltz in the conservatory, but the outside architecture was also great.  I also loved the lady of the house’s bedroom balcony overlooking the city—I could imagine myself happily sitting there for hours.  

From the castle, we took the subway over to the University of Toronto. Of course, we managed to ride in the wrong direction at first (what’s a trip without that happening at least once?), but we figured it out and got back on track. The campus was beautiful, with its own castle-like buildings scattered across the grounds. We strolled around a bit before our feet told us it was time for a break. Unfortunately, most nearby restaurants were closed for the weekend, so we ended up at Tim Horton’s. It’s a Canadian staple, mostly known for its coffee, but lunch wasn’t much to write home about—the pizza tasted like something from a freezer box. Still, the table was clean, the price was cheap, and my feet got a much-needed rest, so I’ll count that as a win.  

After lunch, we grabbed an Uber back to the hotel, picked up the car, and set out for Niagara. Thanks to ChatGPT, I had a list of scenic stops for the drive, and we followed along the banks of Lake Ontario. We saw a harbor, a lakeside park, some stunning waterfront homes, and the Devil’s Punch Bowl. It was supposed to be a waterfall, but between the glare of the sun and perhaps the season drying it up, we didn’t see much water. Still, the overlook was breathtaking, and the large cross monument standing over the city was powerful—Christ displayed high above the skyline. Despite having several more stops to make, we decided to go straight to the hotel instead, as we were getting tired. We got here around 7.  

Unfortunately, the hotel experience was… frustrating. I paid for a high-floor, full falls view, but what we got was a high-floor room with a giant roof obstruction. Sitting, you saw a roof. Standing, you could glimpse the falls—but it was not at all what I paid for. At first, they offered to “upgrade” us to the 5th floor (we’re on the 24th!), which made no sense. Only after I asked for a refund did they suddenly offer a higher-floor upgrade for tomorrow. So tonight we’re stuck, and instead of watching the falls while I write, I’m staring at my feet in bed, which is about as good a view as the chair in the sitting area. Grr. Jack said he could feel the frustration rolling off me, but I tried to handle it with grace and kindness. Hopefully, tomorrow they make it right, and if not, I pray the Lord helps me keep the kindness.  

Dinner was another near-miss. We ducked into a local burger spot, but after sitting for a while without even seeing a server—and with prices on the menu that didn’t match the vibe—I decided I wasn’t in the mood to waste either time or money. We left and instead tried Zappas, a little pizza joint the front desk lady recommended. It wasn’t fancy by any means, but that’s what I liked about it. We grabbed a table outside, the evening air was perfect, and the whole place had a laid-back, almost neighborhood feel. The food itself was fine, nothing to rave about, but the relaxed atmosphere made it exactly what I needed.  

The night ended on a high note—we set up chairs for the 10 pm fireworks. They weren’t really short, but they were sweet, and I’m already looking forward to watching again tomorrow night from a better spot where the falls will be the backdrop.  

Here’s to a better hotel view tomorrow, but also to remembering that today was already amazing.  

Random Memories

• The castle had feeders for the bees.
• The caste had outside dining pods - looked like mini greenhouses but for human dining.
• We did a little waltzing in the conservatory :)
• Jack fell asleep before I could get the miles walked; but I'll get it in the AM
  

Jack’s Favorite Thing of the Day:  

The castle and its architecture.  

My Favorite Thing of the Day:  

Same as Jack—I loved Casa Loma. Waltzing was the highlight but I also enjoyed the architecture.

Toronto_Niagra Trip Day 1

Toronto Day 1

Well, we rolled in late last night—like 1:30 AM late—so we slept in a bit and didn’t get up until around 9:15. Once we finally got moving, we showered and walked about 10 minutes to a spot called Eggspectation for breakfast. The weather was perfect, mid-60s, just right for a stroll. The restaurant had outdoor seating, which was AMAZING. I love outdoor cafés. We both ordered French toast with bacon and fruit, and it was delicious. The coffee was solid too—which, as you know, is critical. After breakfast, we headed back to the hotel, grabbed our things, and set out for the day.

This trip is a little different. It’s the first sightseeing trip in over 20 years without Mama, and it’s also the only one I haven’t planned down to the minute. Don’t get me wrong—there’s a rough plan I had ChatGPT pull together—but in terms of research, I’ve done basically nothing. So the day was open for debate. The one thing I knew I wanted to see was the castle. Google said it was about two miles away, with lots of sights along the way, so we decided to walk. Best decision ever.

We set off with Google Maps guiding us. Our first stop was Nathan Phillips Square, home of the Toronto sign, City Hall, and Old City Hall. It’s a massive plaza framed by stunning architecture. We snapped some photos, wandered on, and found several beautiful churches along the route. The best surprise was St. James Cathedral—it was open, and we got to walk through.

We passed Osgoode Hall (closed today), then made our way to St. Lawrence Market before ducking into a café for a much-needed break. We grabbed a table outside at the café, which made it even better. By this time the sun was beating down pretty hard, so instead of coffee I went with a cool drink while we both took a break.

Back on our route, we drifted into an area that felt a lot like Times Square in New York, with big screens and billboards everywhere. By now it was about 2 PM, and I was cooked—hot, tired, ready for a reset. We still had a mile to go to the castle, so I called for a pivot. Instead of pushing through, we grabbed an Uber back to the hotel to cool off and recharge. We’ll still get to the castle tomorrow, but this time we’re driving—my feet can’t take that walk again.

We had 9 PM dinner reservations at the CN Tower, but Jack called and managed to move them up to 4:30. That gave us about an hour and a half to rest before we Ubered over. The dinner setup was incredible—we bypassed a huge line and went straight up to the rotating restaurant, where you get a full 360° view of the city from the tallest observation deck in the Western Hemisphere. The food was expensive, ridiculously so, but the price included access to the observation deck, which softened the blow. The service was excellent, the food was good, and the desserts were outstanding. My salmon wasn’t my favorite, but Jack enjoyed his pork tenderloin. Since I had mentioned on the reservation that we were celebrating our anniversary (a little over a month late), they surprised us with chocolate “Happy Anniversary” signs on our desserts, which was such a neat touch. Honestly, the view, the desserts, and that thoughtful anniversary surprise made it all worth it.

After dinner, we strolled around the area, admiring more beautiful buildings. The CN Tower sits near the rail lines, so there were historic trains and displays, which was fun to see. From there we walked down to the harbor for a bit before trekking about half a mile for a chocolate shake.

The shake shop was inside the main train station, and from there we hopped on a local bus back to the hotel.

All in all, it was a fantastic day.

Random Memories

• Squirrels here are black and furry

• We walked 8.8 miles today

• Rotating restaurants can give you a bit of a headache

• I don’t like crowds

Jack’s Favorite Thing of the Day:

Jack loved sitting and eating dinner while looking out over the city. There was an airport on one of the islands we could see, and watching the planes land was pretty cool.

My Favorite Thing of the Day:
For me, it was the randomness of the walk—stumbling across unique things along the way, like open cathedrals, beautiful old buildings, and spots we never would have planned for.

California Day 6

 5/23/24

I'm writing this the next day as I was too tired last night.   Yesterday was ok.   We left our Airbnb in LA around 8:30 and headed for Palm Springs.   We stopped a couple of times along the way; once for gas and once at a Target to grab water and stuff before we got into tourist ville.

Once in Palm Springs we stopped and saw their version of the Hollywood stars and the Marilyn Monroe statue.  She is tall.....  It was peaceful over in that area but I don't see the appeal of the town.  You hear so much about it but it's really just a town with some shopping.   Maybe I was jaded or my mood was just grumpy but it didn't really appeal to me.

We then ate at "Hayday" where we got burgers and wings.   The food was good and you could tell the burgers were made from hamburger meat on site vs. shipped in.   After lunch, we headed over to the tram that takes you up the side of the mountain to the peak of Mt. San Jacinto.   The tram floor rotates as you go up so there is no bad spot - it's a beautiful 2.5-mile trek up and the views are amazing.   However, I didn't think about altitude change and breathing.   By the time we got to the top Mama seemed to be struggling. 

We went out on a deck or two and looked around and then her O2 machine decided to overheat.... I have no words.   We cut it off and sat it in the shade while she practiced her breathing exercises.  After a few minutes in the shade, her machine began operating again.   So we got her seated in the shade and went to walk around a bit.   The air being thin was an issue even for me though; the slight inclines took so much more effort and after taking a few pictures I was ready to go.  So we all headed back down again.

The altitude change made me and Mama extremely tired and we had the goat hike planned for 5:30 - I tried to push it but he wasn't available tomorrow so it was today or never.     It took an hour or so to get to the AirBnb where we ultimately decided Jack and I would go for the hike and Mama would stay here.  She was still not breathing well and we didn't think she could do it - she was more than happy to go to bed early. 

So Jack and I rushed over to the goat hike, which was down miles of dirt road.   I must admit I enjoyed driving to it like a mad thing; it was fun.     The hike itself was great.   The guy's name is Emmanual and he is from France.   His property is 100% off the grid and he has all kinds of animals that he has rescued, 14 goats, a grown male turkey that danced for us, peacocks, chickens, a pig who would only poke his head out and grunt, a horse, a donkey, cats, and two dogs.     They were all sweet and used to people.  

The hike itself would have been amazing without the goats, but with them, it was just so much more.  They would eat and then run to catch up like the world was on fire.   The landscape was just so magical and I could have spent a year taking pictures.  As we headed back the sun was in its golden hour and oh... so pretty.   It was a good 3 miles and this guy walks it daily for his goats to get some exercise and him as well.   After the walk we helped him feed them and then headed home.   There was another couple with us, at $100 a person he is doing well haivn others pay to do something he is going to be doing anyway :)  Not a bad gig.   Seriously though it was so much fun and the goats would come and expect you to pet them, they would headbutt you if you didn't.  

We stopped by Walmart on the way home and grabbed stuff for sandwiches, came back home to the AirBnb, ate with Mama and crashed.  Overall a good day but at the same time rough.   Getting old sucks and I'm not necessarily talking about Mama :)

California Day 5

 5/22/24

Today was a more laid-back day but it was good nonetheless.   We slept in and left around 9:15ish to head over to "Met at the bar" for breakfast.   It was perfect.  We sat outside and enjoyed waffles, steak, french toast, and amazing service.

We then headed over to the Le Brea Tar Pits and explored for a while.  I wish they would have had it marked off with something other than the fences they did; I understand safety, but it made it difficult to take pictures/see.  However, it was a good visit and they had many interesting fossils, etc.   They actually have active research and excavation going on from where they recovered fossils in the now parking lot of the art museum.   They are actively combing through everything still. 

After the tar pits, we decided we all wanted a break, so we returned to the Airbnb for a nap.   Jack and I got up, Mama decided she'd take the rest of the day and rest.   We got up around 4 and headed to the Italian restaurant nearby.  It was established in the late 40's and had a really cool decor... not to mention it's a block over and we could walk. 

The food was good but the atmosphere was what made it.   Just really old-school decor that totally caught your attention.  We took Mama her dinner and then headed over to the Griffin Observatory to watch the sunset.   The view from up there was incredible and the building itself was cool to see.  This observatory was always meant for the public to view the stars; it was its purpose from day 1 which is cool.    It was a bit cloudy so the sunset wasn't all that great, but being able to be up there with Jack and just experience a moment was nice.  

We then walked back down and headed home stopping at a place called Melt on the way for some good lemonade.   Tomorrow we check out of here and head over to Joshua Tree.   It's been a good stay; if I ever came back to LA which is unlikely I'd probably want to stay in a better neighborhood but this was convenient to everything so that was great.