EXPLORING...

The first leg of our epic train trip landed us in Oakland and gave us two days of exploring. We chose to spend a day in San Francisco and the following day in Sacramento. It was fun to re-visit places that we had been before and see the sights again, or in some cases new sights. 

In San Francisco we spent the morning focusing on the cable cars. We took a few rides on them and then went to the cable car museum. Andrew and I had never actually been to the museum and that was quite fascinating because its actually the place that runs the cable cars. All the cables come back to that spot as its the engine hub of the city's cars.

The afternoon the family went off to see the Golden Gate bridge whilst Andrew and I did some shopping and mooching around in coffee shops! After a rather large evening meal we did stumble across an interesting science experiment in the city. It was two big concrete structures where if you sat in one and talked you could be heard by the person sitting in the other, despite a huge gap in the middle. It certainly made us chuckle.

The focus of Sacramento, unsurprisingly, was a railroad museum. As Andrew and I had already done this museum we opted to again wander around and amuse ourselves. I therefore don't have any photos of the museum and the family inside it. Sorry. But I do have photos of us exploring the capitol building.

As you can see we were carrying luggage with us because we were that very evening catching the next train...the sleeper train!! 

H

THE EPIC TRAIN TRIP: PART I

Last Monday morning we all made the trek down to LA's Union Station to begin the first part of our epic train trip; LA to Oakland, CA. It was a pretty early start but most of that was forgotten when we arrived at the station. It is totally stunning! So much more impressive than some of our English stations, or at least the ones I've seen. 

After a quick look round and some breakfast we were on the train travelling up the Californian coast. For most of the journey you follow the coastline so the views are truly spectacular. Andrew and I have driven some of that costal road ourselves but it was lovely to both be able to look at it and appreciate it at the same time. 

Perhaps the most exciting part about the whole train trip for me though, was the chance to dine in the dining car! I have never been on a really long train journey so this was something I'd never done. I may have got a tad excited about the whole thing, but it was fun! 

The food was pretty good, I'd even go as far as to say it was better than aeroplane food. The fact you got to sit eating as the train gently rocked and you could look out at all the amazing scenery whiz by was really cool. It definitely got me excited for the second part of the epic train trip because that involved another new experience....sleeper cars!

H

SHOWING OFF OUR HOME TURF

Just over a week ago Andrew's parents and two of his brothers arrived at our house! They landed in Chicago and made the trip over to us, via the Grand Canyon, so that we could show them some of where we lived. We then joined them on the middle leg of their trip up the west coast to Seattle.

It's still a little bizarre when people come to visit and we get to show them where we live. To us living here has become totally normal and we aren't shocked by barrenness of the desert or the giant tumbleweeds that roll across the road or even the fact that we live so close to Los Angeles. Yet when people arrive and you show them all that (and more) you suddenly realise just how insane it is that we actually get to live here! Its pretty neat.

So anyway, we spent three days showing them all around where we live and made a trip into Los Angeles to see some of the sights. We tried to cram as much as possible into the time we had so that they had a real flavour of where we are. They were all places that we have been before, so I won't explain it all instead I'll just show you pictures. 

Definitely was fun showing them round where we live and all the sights we've seen. We will be telling you all about the epic trip up the west coast (by train!) in the next week or so. 
H

MACINTOSH MONDAY

We're back from our travels! Did you miss us?! Well we're not sure Macintosh had time to miss us during his mini break. He went to stay with our good friends who have two energetic boys so he had a fantastic time. He did appear semi-pleased to see me when I went to pick him up but then he promptly went back outside to hang out with the boys! 

I don't have any photos to share from his stay but I do have lots of information that the boys were eager to share with me about all that he did during his stay with them. So here goes:

* Macintosh walked them to school each morning and was a total hit with all their friends in the playground. 

* He chewed through his raccoon toy to get the squeaker inside, which he promptly broke!

* They had a day out in Valencia and went to a mall where you could take the dogs. They took him to a restaurant too where he was given his own dog bowl (and some of their food!)

* Macintosh once ate his own poo!! (this made them laugh ALOT!)

* Mac would always sniff the mum's hair when she had washed it and attempt to rub himself on it. Weird dog.

* He loved his crate while he stayed with them and would get in it willingly!! This is almost unheard of in our house. I was totally shocked by this but very glad it wasn't a hassle for them. 

* Finally, Macintosh would have mad moments where he would just pelt it round the garden, usually followed by the two boys!

Overall I think it was a success having Macintosh to stay there and his contented face as he sat being adored by the boys told me he really didn't want to come home with his boring mum! 
H

LATELY...

March marks the beginning of a busy period of our lives with lots of trips planned and visitors arriving. Pinterest is always where I log some of the inspiration for trips. Here's a few inspiring photos that show you where our trip head is currently at!

This place is definitely on the list of spots to visit in the next few months. We are still in the planning stages but every time I do some planning I get so excited at the sheer prospect of going there. I may have pinned several images of the park itself recently and its been somewhere we have been desperate to go since we arrived in California. So excited that we are finally going to be able to do this!

With all the dreaming of places to visit the discussion about camping has come up again. Andrew's not been overly keen to camp here but we have all our gear here and with stunning views (and a few home comforts) it would be amazing!!

This cabin is insane. I have no idea where it is but I love the look of it. It would be an amazing place to stay for a while. Whenever Andrew and I book holidays/trips we are always looking for somewhere nice to stay too. I think the place you stay in really affects the whole trip. I mean we have stayed in some questionable motels over here, but really I love to stay in somewhere lovely because it enhances the whole trip.

I know hair doesn't seemed overly linked but the packing process where you decide what to take and how to ensure there's some style and yet comfort in your outfit is a feat I haven't mastered. Simple hairstyles for when I'm out and about....I've almost nailed it thanks to my decision this year to be braver with my hair. Due to the current length of my hair plaits are a must. 

Lastly the method of transport is another fun thing that we are playing about with at the moment. We are travelling by train during the next month which is quite exciting. I definitely want to add travelling by water, or travelling on water into the mix. Although I have to admit there is some worry in that for myself as I'm not the most confident swimmer. But still travel involves adventure and I guess with adventure there is always some risk...

H

MACINTOSH MONDAY

Just one cute photo today as its been a busy week. 

We have a busy week ahead of us as we prepare for some visitors. Stay tuned in the next couple of weeks as there'll be posts showing all that we get up to!

H

MACINTOSH MONDAY

Hold onto your hats, today's post will be a photo overload of lots of little things that Mr Macintosh has been up too recently.

Some of you may have seen, via social media, Mr Mac's photo showing the small amount of dirt left from the most epic face plant I have ever seen. It really was too funny, I wish I had captured it on camera. It had me laughing for the remainder of the walk, despite his unamused looks that clearly indicated that he blamed me for his accident!

Unfortunately this isn't the greatest photo in the world but it does show what Macintosh does whilst we are busy cooking or doing anything in the kitchen. He wedges his face into the spot between the sofa cushions and just stares at you. Odd dog.

Poor old reindeer is even more destroyed than before. What's more upsetting however is the scary look on Mac's face that shows determination to finish off what's left!

Another not great iPhone photo, but this is our closet. Its where Mr Mac runs and hides when sonic booms happen. Living in California, near an airbase but also in the middle of desert there are a considerable amount of them and some can be quite loud. They certainly make me jump!! Poor guy. 

I'll leave you with a cute photo. This is Mr Handsome at his best. Cute, cuddly and sweet.

Happy Monday! 

H