Southern CA trip with extension to Grand Canyon at Chirstmas time (2008/2009)

Our first family road trip and we can also count it as our first long trip alone. especially my first driving away from bay area, until this trip i never drive more than 50 miles from Sunnyvale/Santa Clara. We are bit excited and afraid of little bit about my driving to be safe side i bought GPS.

One of Lakshmi's cousin's family came from east coast, They flied to San Diego and drove to San Francisco middle of the week. While they were returning from San Francisco we sort of decided to align their itinerary as they also traveling the same places as we planned in the same order as first to Las Angeles(1day) mainly Universal Studios then to San Diego ( 2 nights) 2nd day evening leave to Las Vegas ( 1 night) and leave to Grand Canyon for 2 nights. after that its just return journey if needed thought of stopping in the middle of the way. 

we started (lakshmi and myself) in our own car, initially lakshmi's cousin also wanted to come in our car, But luckily changed her decision in the last minute as it turned out to be that was our last good-bye after that we never met again. it sorted of become bit interesting, we stick to the same order to visit and they changed little bit first they went to SD and next day to LA. Interestingly through-out the trip they is heavy rain only when we are in driving or either in hotel room. 

We left home late after noon from Sunnyvale, thought of driving CA-1 as our relatives want to drive CA-1. we stopped at few places along CA after Montreal and Carmel, it started picking up the rain then once its pouring then we straight drove to one of my long friends Raghu ram Loya, he stayed at Ventura. he asked me to stop at his home before i headed to LA. I thought why not, as it i was driving through Ventura. we were there in the night. we had long chit chat finally slept thinking of long day ahead for next day.

Morning we woke early, we left their home in the morning we were in universal studios on time(may 30 mins after opening) we parked the car and took pictures at universal studios globe at entrance.  

 Then grabbed a park map to mark which ones we are interested and marked the order based on timings and routes.  we went to few rides and few shows, i think lakshmi enjoyed a lot as it was her first trip to any studios at least i visited once at Ramoji and universal studios once before this trip. i knew what i can expect. She liked general coach ride a lot, as it has lot of small attractions at every corner. But we would have more liked it if we watched lot of hollywood movies and serials.

After sunset we came out of Studios and traffic was horrible we were struck for more than 2 hours just get on to HWY I-5, we drove to san diego. it was around 10ish when reached another friends home, Saravanan, he is my MTech classmate. night after some chit-chat we fell to sleep instantly when we were in bed.
Next morning we had very nice south-indian breakfast, while having breakfast Saravanan found an ad who is selling Sea World tickets on craigslist. we went to his place i was 10 mins drive from his home, we picked two tickets less than actual price. Then finally we were in Sea World, it was first tome for Lakshmi. i visited when i was bachelor. As Saravanan and Thendral, Saravanan's wife are frequent visitors to sea world, we were guided everything went very smoothly i don't think we missed anything. we left Sea World after sunset, took some rest at home before went to dinner at restaurant, Annapurna on MiraMesa Blvd. It was opened very recently and there were not many Indian restaurants specific to south indian by that time(it was 2008/9) period and food was really good. rest of the night we talked a lot about college life , Hyderabad life and about our M-Tech friends. it was very late by the time we slept. Next day was easy on driving need to go to Las Vegas spend night there.  

When we got up in the morning next day, it was drizzling a bit, when started late around 10 by the time we were on car it was heavy rain. after crossing Escondido there was bit of traffic on HWY I-15 at times it was stand still. From Barstow to all the way to Las Vegas heavy traffic, after passing 127 in I-15  it was snowing there it was bit surprise for me i didn't know it snows there. until NV state border traffic moved very slow after mountain pass it was far better But as rain still continuing most the vehicles were moving less than speed limits. By the time we were in Las Vegas it was dark, as sky was filled with dark clouds it became dark way before sunset time. after checking-in to one of the casino's we took some rest before we headed to Vegas strip. we took transport to go to other end of strip from Sahara.  

we were at MGM and Bellagio most of of the time, as we both were not big time fans of casinos we played a bit on slot machines walked inside the bellagio and treasure island casino when we sort of tired, we slowly walked to Sahara by the time we were at casino it was almost 2 in the night. Again i was a bit uncommon phenomemon in vegas to get snow. initially it snowed a bit and as night fell sky was bit clear of clouds. 

on the way back to hotel room, we purchased some hand gloves and woolen cap to Lakshmi as it is going to be chilly at grand canyon.  we searched for a hotel to reserve a room before go to bed, luckily i found one inside the grand canyon park at south rim. 

Next morning we got up not too late, then we did not waste anytime to fresh up and with 15 mins out we were on road after checkout from the hotel. It was out first time trip to Grand canyon, after googling i came to know south rim is the best place to visit for first time visitors. first thing we did as soon as we came out from hotel parking lot, filled full tank and picked something for breakfast and coffee. we went to lake mead, it is the largest reservior in the united states created by Hoover Dam,  spent sometime there before Hoover Dam stop. At Hoover dam we took long break walked on both sides Arizona and Nevada of the dam.  There was a bridge construction going on to by-pass traffic away from dam that also shortened the distance. 

Next, we drove on hwy 93 without a break, at Kingman we stopped at subway before i merge onto I-40 towards Williams, AZ. There was snowing a lot in I-40 after Kingman, many cop vehicles were stand by to the side of interstate and snow clearing machines ran just before we were there, we saw salt/sand spilling trucks quarter mile ahead of us. it helped us to drive fast even though there was snowfall. after Williams, on why 64 we stopped at gas station to fill the tank and to buy some winter gear for Lakshmi, as what we bought at vegas not holding the cold temperatures and before leaving the gas station we picked some snacks too. there was heavy snow on both sides of the road till grand canon. we see few struck on roads near entrance of the south rim. we were extra cautious while driving we were very slow and most of the time we drove in the middle of the roads within previous vehicle marks till Maswik lodge. 

On the way to lodge we saw a deer very close, few feet away from door, we waited for deer to cross the road. it did not have any fear of vehicles and it was busy with its own business.  It was very chilly outside, our first priority was check-in to lodge and sit warm. 

It was almost dark, by the time we park our car and get the room. we did nothing rest of the day except after some rest we stopped at restaurant at lobby. we were not fully comfortable in eating American food whole day, we both ordered burgers and fries. 

Next day morning, when we came out we saw our car is fully covered in snow and all remaining water bottles inside the car was fully frozen, luckily we took few water bottles inside the room previous night. we went to lobby to enquire tour packages, then we came to know sunrise tour but missed it. we booked sunset and next morning sunrise tours. Then took shuttle bus to roam the south rim view points rest of the day. we took our own time at each place.  First we went to Desert view then we stopped at almost all points shuttle stopped, we spent lot of time at village plaza we were at Maswik lodge before evening for sunrise tour, it was very nice views with evening sun rays on one side of canyon walls and snow on tops of canyon it was very beautiful to just stand there and watch.

But as we came from bus tour we needed to rush with few minutes at each spot.  we came to desert view again and we were there till the sunset is over then we came back to lodge. we got bored of eating non-endian food for few days we wanted to eat rice. we prepared rice with electric cooker in lodge, we had rice with pickle and curd for dinner.  Electric cooker was very hand for us so that we could prepare when ever we need rice.  we were in bed watching movie on TV went to sleep not too late as next morning we need to get a bus for sunrise tour. 

We got up and took very warm bath and came to lobby before our schedule time. Sunrise tour was really worth especially when there was lot of snow and ice on roads. we left driving head-ache to drive we just enjoyed the views. 

We were at lodge around 8, we had breakfast before we leave the park. before 9 we were on road, we wanted to go Death-Valley National Park before we go home. 

We came out of the park slowly then till Williams we drove very cautious, we used toe and hand warmers  to get warm in the morning temperature. by the time we reach Williams sun was fully up and outside it was warm, out warmers became too hot in the gloves and shoe. we stopped at the same gas station for a small break and also to remove toe and hand warmers. 

Then we straight drove to death valley passing hoover dam, las vegas without stop when we were 10 miles away from Creech Air force Base, we were in dilemma if no gas station there, we will be stuck after that there is no near station, we did not wanted to take risk, we drove back 5 miles to fill full tank before continuing the drive. 

But while passing the air base we see few gas stations but we did not lose more than 30 mins of extra time by going back for gas. we were in death-valley before evening, 

We did most part drive-thru  just before sunset(may an hour before sunset) we talked about where o stay, after discussing we decided to go home if i am comfortable to drive. with small break in death-valley at Artists Dr. we decided to leave, we drove on up hills on 190 while sun is setting it was direct sun while driving most of the up hill driving i did with bit of sun glare and slow driving till it merges into 395 south. Sun was fully set when we were on 395, still 6 hours of driving left. we drove all the way to home past 1AM with one break at BakersField another one in the middle when we stopped for gas. 

Seqouia and Yosemite camping in 2014

Finally i took time from my marathon work to update my blog and complete most of the pending pages. 

I wanted to take Arshiya (Gingiri) to camping, when she is still kid. we started taking her to outdoor trips(mainly taking to national parks when she was less than an year old( i think we started taking her 5 - 8 hours drive long trips after 6 months). They were not in US for an year after 1 yr, she enjoyed her whole 2nd year with grandparents and cousins. 

They were back in 2014 and fall season of same year we did camping in Sequoia and Yosemite back to back within a couple of weeks.  3rd week of august 2014, we went to Sequoia National park for camping. we got site at lodgepole and it was 2 night trip with extra leave on following Monday.  these two trip i want to see how Gingiri cope up and whether she is onto outdoor/campings.  It bit different at campgrounds, we will not get all the comforts of our home, specially the cozy bed and blankets. 

we tried our best to make her comfortable by carrying her toys, lot of blankets, we even packed all India food supplies( rice, vegetables, milk).  we have one burner stove top, we started real cooking ourselves with this trip. 

Until then we always went campings with friends and in groups. even though we cooked a lot, we never really used propane stoves, every time we cooked on campfire rings. this trip was lot of challenging for us to understand what works and what won't work. what Gingiri likes food wise. how we can manage food for Gingiri and i will put ourselves as very very amateurs by that time.

All our driving schedules are planned based to Gingiri sleeping routines so we can drive long distances with break. When she is awake we knew we could not more than 2hours without break and break will not be quick ones like it used to be for both us when we did long road trips. we started just before noon from north of San Diego, Rancho Bernardo , and yes we hit the traffic badly when we crossed grapevine we were pretty much an 2 hours  behind the schedule including lunch break at Lebec rest-area on I-5 north around 12 miles before Grapevine.  I was kind of hopping to reach before enough day light is left so Gingiri can play.
After lunch, we filled the tank at Grapevine and straight to CA99 then took CA65 and east CA198. just before leaving Visalia, we stopped at grocery shop/super market. we purchased food supplies(soda, vegetables and egg) and also filled the gas one more time before entering sierra mountains.
Finally we were at campground way before sunset,  we  put a tent in nice flat ground even though campground is rocky area.  Restroom and dish washing places are next to our campground otherwise we need to walk bunch of times back and forth. Once we unload from the car and dumped all sleeping bags, pads, blankets... everything in the tent..zipped everything.  Then next big thing is fire, while i was working in fire we let Gingiri play within our eye site, one BIG rule we kind of decided before the trip at given time one person should be watching Gingiri  Bot should not work at the same time.  While I am busy with tent, campfire setup unloading Lakshmi watching Gingiri.  Campground and surrounding are heaven for Gingiri at that age. She played a lot on the ground. After burner is turned on, i handed over to Lakshmi then Gingiri and myself are at campfire chilling out. 

we prepared proper Indian dinner rice and curry. I took very long time for us with single burner. first day was far better as we prepared most of the dinner at home and at campsite its just heat them except boiling milk for Arshiya bunch of times. Milk was our backup plan for Arshiya(we knew she would be totally fine just with milk, But we did not wanted that). even reheating seems to be took very long time. next to our site one Chinese group around 12 to 15 people just before sunset. we were just starting when they stopped their vehicles. they worked pretty fast one group took care of tents, one group fire the coal, they made sort of plate to cook using aluminum foil. within 30 mins they cooked everything for everyone, they started eating. we could not even finish half of our dinner cooking. 

It was totally dark when our dinner was ready. First, we fed Arshiya then we ate with turns. Gingiri cooperated a lot in campground and sleeping in tents.we slept after 11 i guess after cleaning all utensils and packing everything in bear lock container.

Next morning when we get up, Chinese group almost packed everything and they were about to have breakfast and leave. i was amazed at their speed. when we finished our breakfast it was almost noon, then we took Gingiri to General Sherman Tree hike, We drove to parking lot behind the main road. it was bit challenging to get a parking spot. Gingiri did not let me or Lakshmi touch her while walking on downhill, she wanted to do her own. downhill was sort of OK not much overload. hiking back was very tough, this trip i did not bring my DSLR so i don't have extra weights. while coming back to campground we stopped at general store, we bought burger and fries from food court before we left we also took care of showers.  Rest of the day we did not plan anything, it was simple cook dinner for all 3 have dinner and go to sleep. it looked like we spent hours and hours just cooking, everyone else just spending fraction of time what we took.

Next day, when we got up we just brushed and packed everything left campground. we stopped a store for quick bite. there was a road working going on inside the park that year. we were stopped for a while. Then releases the traffic, as soon as car starts i observed hard to brake. with few mins i stopped at one turn and stop because of hot brakes. we stayed there for an hour may be. Park Ranger came stopped and i explained the scenario. he helped us to get back to lodgepole general store, that where his office was there. Then i called Wuksachi Lodge to get a room. we were lucky there is only room left, immediately i reserved the room we took all the luggage, took park bus to get to hotel. After check-in and waited 30 minutes to  settle Arshiya and Lakshmi and then left the room to take care of car breakdown. i went to the store to call to AAA to get some help. i was not successful at the sunset the same park ranger saw me calling from public phone, he jumped in to help me.

 He is very nice, i was invited to his office i called to AAA from there. they are not responding to me properly. he saw the whole drama for an hour. he thought something is wrong. He took in-charge talked to AAA agent on-behalf of me, it took almost one hour to get towing confirmation from AAA. At least he said, he is not surprised why it took for me for ever just to inform AAA and get help to towing in the park.  Problem was there are unable to locate the place what we are saying. luckily i was AAA premier member so i need to pay anything for unto 100 miles of towing. Finally i got a confirmation from towing company from three rivers, CA, he said he will tow the vehicle after 10. at that time i am not sure where to park the car, So i requested him to tow to parking lot and next morning i called AAA again to tow from hotel parking lot to repair center. After bit struggle, i got the the same towing vehicle and it was almost  12PM by the time i was at repair center. i requested them to complete the fixes by end of day. They did their best from the moment i dumped the at shop. within an hour they found the couples of issues, they ordered the parts and told me they may not finish by closing the day.   i went out a bit for having lunch after 2 hours



i came back and sat in the small office, luckily i got the laptop and i am in in my world browsing something. trying to figure out all combinations if car is not fixed. approximately by 4 or 5PM i was told, they will be done fixing the car by 6 before they close the shop.
I was flattered for their service, very quick and very very economy compared to San Diego repair shop. I thanked them a lot before leaving the place, next moment i went to gas station and filled the tank and picked up Chinese food from  Golden China Buffet. food was OK i picked lot varieties including fried rice. I was not sure what they are going to eat. i reached the hotel when there is slight light left.

It became an adventurous trip for whole family. Arshiya is very co-operative. I read an article about surrounding vibrations and its impact on child, seems KIDs will recognize all vibrations to their surroundings  and behave accordingly. It is scientifically proven too.

Mean while Lakshmi took a bus from hotel to general store at lodgepole station with two bags full of dresses to get laundry done. Mainly for Arshiya sake. she connected the iPad to power, leg her watch until she is done. After iPad is ON, its almost like she is not there.  She was bit late at the laundry, she did check the bus timing and last available bus to Wuksachi lodge. When they are out from laundry, they a lost bus in the park But it will not go to Wuksachi Lodge. they got down half a mile away from hotel room, while they are struggling walking with all the luggage, one out-of-service Bus was passing by them, Bus driver stopped for both, he stopped at the hotel. World is beautiful and with full of even beautiful people.  we could not know it until we face them.

They were really hungry, as soon as i was at hotel, Lakshmi fed the rice to Arshiya and whatever she want to eat from what i bought. it was OK compared to last night dinner, a day before we went restaurant at  Wuksachi, food is really awesome But Lakshmi and Arshiya could not enjoy much because of they were not get used to eat non-indian food.  This trip was a wake up call for me to get Arshiya comfortable to eat some non-indian foods otherwise it will come a night mare for me. As i am avid lover for traveling and camping. I definitely want to do as many trip to different places with family and take Arshiya to many places to get experienced.  

Because of last minute glitch in the trip, Lakshmi did not feel happy at the end of trip. we were talking while we were driving back home. She wants to do one more camping trip for at least 3 days for coming labour day weekend. 

Yosemite 

As our last camping trip was messed up at then end because of car break down, we planned Yosemite trip to make it even. i could not get any camp site for labor day long weekend, instead what i planned i worked in holidays and took compensation days off in the middle of week.(my Manager in Cymer, San Diego was very sweet person). I took 3 days off from work in the middle of week followed by labor day weekend.

It is also 8 hours drive pretty much from our home. we started in the morning reached the Yosemite valley by evening. we went on easy rest of the day just played with Arshiya after tent is put on.

 Next morning, we need to move to different site diagonally, as we couldn't  get all 3 days in the same  site. we moved all our belongings to new site, our neighboring site tenet offered help but as it is diagonally adjacent we politely said we are fine.

second day was just roaming in the yosemite valley floor, visited mesuem in the village center.  we took the bus we stopped at few places in the valley. by sunset we were at curry village and want to eat there from pizza deck and coffee corner as it would be quick. we picked pizzas one cheese mainly for Gingiri and we also took showers at curry village before we goto camp site 

next day we went to Tanya lake on 120 east before Tuolumne meadows. it was one of the our favorite place. i have been to this lake more than 6 times. we let Arshiya play at shore of the lake. she played in the water until Arshiya was shivering a bit for cold air.