We're Home From the Road!! 17 Days of Travel with Tons of Pics~COMPLETE!!

[DizNee Luver]

Day 4, Part 15:​

We've arrived at our lunch destination~~SmashBurger!!! Derek worked for them in Minnesota and had gone online to see if there was one close to where we were in SF. It wasn't super close but since we were there on a Sunday, traffic was at a minimum. It probably took us about 20 minutes to get there.





Burgers, Chicken Sandwiches & Salads ran $5.39-7.39, The Smash Fries were $2.29, Kids Meal was $4.99, Sodas ran $1.99-2.49 and Milkshakes were $4.29-$4.59.

A look at the Milkshake.



Shyann got a Kids Meal~Cheeseburger on a Gluten-Free Bun with fries & a drink.



Addy & Anthony both got the Bacon Cheeseburger & Fries. (Applewood-Smoked Bacon, American Cheese, Mustard, Ketchup, Pickles & Onion)





Derek got the BBQ Bacon & Cheddar Burger with SmashFries. (Applewood-Smoked Bacon, Cheddar Cheese, BBQ Sauce, Haystack Onions on Egg Bun)



Ty to the Spicy Jalapeno Baja Burger with Fried Egg and SmashFries. (Guacamole, Pepperjack Cheese Jalapenos on Spicy Chipolte Bun)



I got the Avocado Club Burger with SmashFries. (Avocado, Applewood-Smoked Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, Ranch & Mayo on Multi-Grain Bun)



Mike got the Avocado Club Chicken Sandwich with SmashFries. (Avocado, Applewood Smoked Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, Ranch & Mayo on Multi-Grain Bun)



Betty had the Baja Cobb Salad. (Fresh Greens, Sharp Cheddar, Applewood-Smoked Bacon, Jalapenos, Guacamole, Tomato, Onions with Spicy Chipolte Dressing)



So what are SmashFries? They are fries tossed in Olive Oil, Rosemary & Garlic. They are DELICIOUS!!

We enjoyed our meal here......everything was very good!! For 8 people it ran us $103.52 Now, how do we get them to build in Oregon???

As we were leaving SF.



AT&T Park as we were flying down the freeway. Bye San Francisco!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Day 4, Part 16:​

I spotted our motel as we neared our destination.....the Super 8!



We are in Gilroy!!



A look at the rooms. They were clean & roomy!







Mike & I took the 4 kids down to the pool. It was warm out but the pool water was cold!! So Michayla & I sat on the steps into the pool or on the pool deck. Shyann & Addy took turns jumping off the side of the pool to Mike while Anthony did cannonballs.













Once everyone was tired or cold.....we headed in. I gathered up some laundry and headed downstairs to the one washer & one dryer available and did 2 loads before going to dinner.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Day 4, Part 17:​

So after getting a couple loads done, we headed out for our dinner at Famous Dave's BBQ. Since we were getting there after the dinner rush, we were able to be seated fairly quickly and in an area with only one other family (who were finishing up). We did have another larger family join us in the back room about halfway through our time there.

























Shy was into mustache's this trip.....lol





So we ordered the All-American BBQ Feast: A full slab of St. Louis-Style Spareribs, a whole Country-Roasted Chicken, ½ lb. of either Texas Beef Brisket or Georgia Chopped Pork, Creamy Coleslaw, Famous Fries, Wilbur Beans, six pieces of Sweet Corn (farm fresh when available) and four Corn Bread Muffins. Served family-style for 4-6 people.







Since we weren't sure if that would be enough, we also got the Feast for one: Georgia Chopped Pork, ¼ Country-Roasted or Barbeque Chicken, 3 St. Louis-Style Spareribs, Sweet Corn (farm fresh when available), Wilbur Beans, Creamy Coleslaw, Famous Fries and a Corn Bread Muffin.



I cracked up when I realized what they had brought the big feast out on......a garbage can lid!!





Unfortunately for Shyann, she couldn't have the BBQ stuff because of wheat.....no beans, BBQ sauce, corn muffins, or potato wedges. But she's always happy to see cheeseburgers.



Dinner was good....not the best BBQ I've had but plenty of food (too much food). Derek ended up with a sudden extreme headache at the restaurant, so he didn't eat his share. Otherwise, we would have been close on what we ordered.

We went back to the motel & I went back to doing the laundry while Mike got the kids to bed. I got back to the room after 11pm. I was exhausted when I crawled into bed. Bed was comfy.....pillows were non-existant......even folding & fluffing didn't help....so not a great nights sleep.

 

[kelmac284]

Loved the update. Glad you enjoyed Smash Burger. We have one in town but we also have one called the Habit and we tend to eat there more often because they have a really good terriyaki steak sandwhich. After your meal at In N Out I am sure it was welcome LOL.

Bummer that the pool was cold although prob felt good to put your feet in at least lol. By the way I think that stadium is the old Candlestick park. AT&T (or Pac Bell park) is more over by Fisherman's wharf. It is all the way at the end of that main drive that you go down to get on the bay bridge. I don't think Candlestick has anything anymore. It used to have the Giants and 49ers but they giants moved to AT&T and now the 49ers to Levi park.

That is cool that you got to go to Gilroy. STILL have never made it there because it has never really been on our way to anywhere. Need to get down there one of these days.

The bbq looked tasty. Boo for no sleep. I HATE hotel beds and pillows. They always seem to be flat and never have enough. I sleep with one big fluffy support pillow for my head/neck and then two more that I use as like a body pillow. Plus I have a tempurpedic mattress and when I go away I can hardly sleep LOL

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

OMG!! The food is so good. Now I want some

 

[DizNee Luver]

Loved the update. Glad you enjoyed Smash Burger. We have one in town but we also have one called the Habit and we tend to eat there more often because they have a really good terriyaki steak sandwhich. After your meal at In N Out I am sure it was welcome LOL.

Bummer that the pool was cold although prob felt good to put your feet in at least lol. By the way I think that stadium is the old Candlestick park. AT&T (or Pac Bell park) is more over by Fisherman's wharf. It is all the way at the end of that main drive that you go down to get on the bay bridge. I don't think Candlestick has anything anymore. It used to have the Giants and 49ers but they giants moved to AT&T and now the 49ers to Levi park.

That is cool that you got to go to Gilroy. STILL have never made it there because it has never really been on our way to anywhere. Need to get down there one of these days.

The bbq looked tasty. Boo for no sleep. I HATE hotel beds and pillows. They always seem to be flat and never have enough. I sleep with one big fluffy support pillow for my head/neck and then two more that I use as like a body pillow. Plus I have a tempurpedic mattress and when I go away I can hardly sleep LOL

SmashBurger was really good.....I wish we could have eaten at another one on our trip. I think I liked it more than In & Out!!

The pool was just too cold and poor Michayla doesn't have any fat on her & she was covered in goosebumps. Poor little bug.......

We didn't get to look around Gilroy.....but would love to go when they have the Garlic Festival (end of July)!!

The pillows were horrible.....worst on the trip & there was only 2 per bed.
(no spares)

OMG!! The food is so good. Now I want some

ME TOO!!!

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

I liked the BBQ food. I have never eaten at Dave's

 

[DizNee Luver]

I liked the BBQ food. I have never eaten at Dave's

I enjoyed the bbq brisket best!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Day 5, Part 1:​

We were up at 7am to eat, shower, dress, repack and hit the road towards Monterey Bay Aquarium. A couple pictures as we were coming into town.





We found parking about a block from the entrance on the street.







We made our way into the aquarium.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Day 5, Part 2:​

More of the Monterey Bay Aquarium:

 

[DizNee Luver]

Day 5, Part 3:​

Continuing on in the Monterey Bay Aquarium:























This was cool, you were totally encircled by fish!









Love the jellyfish!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Day 5, Part 4:​

Finishing up at the Monterey Bay Aquarium:







My favorite part......the OTTERS!!

















We did a little shopping before leaving the aquarium. Michayla seemed unmoved by it all.........



As we headed towards our van to feed Michayla, Mike got these pictures.





We walked about a block to Johnny Rocket's. They had just opened.....so we beat the rush!!







Yes, yes he does!!



The Menu:

 

[DizNee Luver]

Day 5, Part 5:​

A few pics as we waited to order or get our food:









Whip cream.....yum!!





Johnny Rocket's Food Porn!! I don't remember what everyone ordered and I'm thinking we missed some meals......so no descriptions just drool-worthy pics!!





We got treated to a meal AND a show......the wait staff came out and danced!





Back to food......















Mike took Michayla out when we paid our bill & got a couple more pictures.





We enjoyed our lunch and would return if given the chance. We loaded back up in the van & got ready for a long afternoon on the road. We followed the Google Map directions on how to get back out to Hwy 101 and let me tell you......they were WRONG!! We probably went 20 minutes out of our way, only to turn around and head back before finding our way. This was not the first time we got "Googled" on this trip!! (yup, we should trademark that remark)......I googled our directions for the entire trip prior to leaving & we were sent on some wild goose chases this trip....yikes!! After getting going in the right direction, we had to chuckle at the "highways" we were on....as they looked like back country roads......not highways.....lol We also found the signage to be sparse which doesn't help when you're on new roads.

Once we got back onto Hwy 101, we were good. These 2 pictures were on our way south.





We left Monterey around 1:30 and made Anaheim at 9:50pm. We did stop in Ventura at In & Out to get dinner.......it was MUCH better than our SF experience.

We checked into the Desert Inn & Suites.....a place we would be staying for 5 nights!!









We got their largest family suite (which is just 2 rooms with a connecting door). The sofa's opened up to beds, so we were able to spread out a bit. My only complaint was the connecting doors were right up by the door in & out. So if you had the connecting door open, you couldn't open the outside door. Kinda a weird spot for those inner doors.

 

[kelmac284]

Another good update. I love the Monterey Aquarium but that is another place we just don't get to that often so I haven't been in years. Def need to get back there as well as the Hearst Castle cuz the girls were too young last time and don't remember it.

I agree I want to go to Gilroy during the garlic festival as well and have always said I would do that but alas it never seems to happen.

Great pics at the aquarium and glad your lunch was good. Some of those burgers were HUGE!

Yay for almost getting to the Disney part!! WOOT!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Another good update. I love the Monterey Aquarium but that is another place we just don't get to that often so I haven't been in years. Def need to get back there as well as the Hearst Castle cuz the girls were too young last time and don't remember it.

I agree I want to go to Gilroy during the garlic festival as well and have always said I would do that but alas it never seems to happen.

Great pics at the aquarium and glad your lunch was good. Some of those burgers were HUGE!

Yay for almost getting to the Disney part!! WOOT!

I would have liked the freedom to spend more time at the aquarium but it was a long drive and getting to Anaheim before 10pm was hanging over us.

I enjoyed Johnny Rockets....the combo of decent food with a fun environment made it a good lunch stop.

Disney will be next! Tomorrow I have to take Michayla to Portland for a feeding clinic to figure out if she needs more food or calories. So no updates until Wednesday at the earliest. (Thurs I'm going to Portland again with a friend)

 

[kelmac284]

I know what you mean. When we took our road trip last summer to the east coast I didn't quite alott enough time for some spots and there was a LOT of driving on some days to get to the next spot so that made it hard. We have talked about going back to redo some of what we missed and skip some of what we already did. I just hope I allotted enough time next summer cuz there is a lot we want to do and see and may be the only time we ever get to do it.

No worries on the report either. Hope all goes well with Michayla and enjoy your time in Portland. Getting into the "good weather" time of year. Hopefully not too hot though as I know you have unseasonably warm weather.

 

[DizNee Luver]

I know what you mean. When we took our road trip last summer to the east coast I didn't quite alott enough time for some spots and there was a LOT of driving on some days to get to the next spot so that made it hard. We have talked about going back to redo some of what we missed and skip some of what we already did. I just hope I allotted enough time next summer cuz there is a lot we want to do and see and may be the only time we ever get to do it.

No worries on the report either. Hope all goes well with Michayla and enjoy your time in Portland. Getting into the "good weather" time of year. Hopefully not too hot though as I know you have unseasonably warm weather.

Yup, sounds like yours was kinda likes ours.....a "tester" trip. Hopefully you have a good balance on your trip next summer. You at least have a better idea of what to expect.

Michayla's appt went well. She's gained a whole pound since last June of 2013. She really dropped a ton of weight in early spring when she got the norovirus & followed it up with pneumonia. She is gaining....but very slowly. So we're going to up her calories by adding yogurt or some other pureed food to her formula to try and get more meat on her bones.

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

I'm glad to hear that Michayla is doing well. I have never been to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The last time I went to an aquarium was in Vancouver

 

[DizNee Luver]

I'm glad to hear that Michayla is doing well. I have never been to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The last time I went to an aquarium was in Vancouver

Thanks Kaitlin.....Michayla is a complicated little girl......I'm just glad she's finally putting some weight back on. She had gotten very thin (her hip bones were sticking out).

Monterey Bay Aquarium was really nice & also big. We rushed thru it but I could have spent hours there looking at all the different sea animals.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Day 6, Part 1:​

So after the long day in the car, some of us were up at 7am and getting ready to head to Disneyland, where some of us were a little slow getting going!! So Ty & Derek went with me & twins to get my AP (had the home printed one but needed the real card) and also see about getting the new Disability Access Service (DAS) Card for the twins. We walked across the street to the parks, passing thru security and get in line at the ticket booths. I only had to wait about 2 minutes and it was my turn. I turned in my home printed AP and got the plastic card in return. Next to the turnstiles to enter into Disneyland.......aaahhhhhhhhh, home!! We went to City Hall and was helped by a very nice young man, who explained the DAS program to us. I told him we had 9 people in our party which wasn't an issue since both girls would be getting a card and we could split our party up between the 2 passes. (the pass is good for up to 6 I believe). The only hiccup we had was he actually needed to see all 9 of us to verify our party size. We only had 5 of us......so we texted & tried calling Mike to come straight to City Hall when they got into the park. He didn't answer or hear his phone. The CM we were working with, told us he'd have everything ready to go and to just come back with the other 4 and he'd finish things up with me. So we headed out and Ty went into the Emporium and Derek took Shy for a ride on the horse-drawn trolley.



Michayla & I waited and watched for Mike, Betty & Anthony and Addy to come in. Mike was taking these pictures before I was able to get his attention.











We went back into City Hall and was given the girls cards. He also issued us 2 passes that were good for immediate entry to any attraction (like a fastpass). Michayla was given one for an attraction & one for Mickey's House to do a character meet-n-greet. He also told us we would be able to receive 2 passes, for each girl, each morning of our time there. I was pleased with how easy it was to get the passes after reading so much negativity on them.

This is the cards & the passes the girls got.





The CM also gave us our first assigned return time for a ride of our choice.....we picked the "fast choo choo" aka~~Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. So we left City Hall and headed towards Frontierland.







We've arrived at BTMRR!! We take the girls cards to the CM at the exit and she checks to see if there's room for us to go down to the waiting area. She puts a line thru our time/ride and send us down to wait. They've actually added an area for people coming in the handicapped line to wait which doesn't interfere with people exiting the ride.

















On the ride!!





Loved the new additions to the ride!