Vacation Part 2 -- Ventura Beach, California, Six Flags.
In July we took a second 3 day vacation. This time it was to a place that we had never visited before, Ventura Beach and Six Flags in California.
I really was looking forward to seeing the Pacific ocean. The drive was nice and calm, no real traffic to speak of until, we got onto the bypass that took us around Los Angeles. Oh my goodness!!!! We thought we were back in Chicago. Bumper to bumper traffic. This was a Sunday, what is traffic like during the weekday. In spite of the slow down we still got to the hotel before our rooms were ready. The wait gave us time to roam the hotel and to see where everything was at. Dani and I went upstairs to the banquet area and since nothing was going on, she and I were able to walk around and get in some quiet time.
When our room was ready we settled in and got dressed for dinner at Joe's Crab Shack. The restaurants large windows faced the ocean and a beautiful sunset. This place was hopping, a little noisy but overall a fun experience. Afterwards, we headed over to the pier to check out the shops and see the boats. As a child my parents use to take us down to Montrose Harbor on Lake Michigan. We always enjoyed checking out all the boats while we took a evening walk on the pier with the family. This evening walk on the Pier brought back fond memories. It was a beautiful and comfortable evening and the walk was a great way to unwind before heading back to our hotel room.
The next day we set out to Six Flags. We drove through wine orchards and farm land. These beautiful orchards lined each side of the road. We drove for about a half an hour before coming to a stop light and a right turn that took us into Six Flags. What a difference. As we entered the park we could see people, lots of people walking from the parking lot to the entrance. The trams were filled, also with people going into the park. The whole feeling was different than it was at Disneyland. I wasn't sure how this was going to work out.
At the entrance ticket booth people from Germany were arguing about their tickets. All bags were searched, this is protocol now a days for any park. There were alot, and I do mean alot of teens. I had forgotten how we all enjoyed the roller coasters when we were young and how every year we all looked forward to going to the park with our classroom. I must say that there where certainly lots of rollercoasters at this particular Six Flags. It seemed that everyplace you walked, a rollercoaster would be passing you overhead.
Every now and then, Dani would stop and look at the people racing pass her on these rides. I had to wonder what she was thinking.
Every now and then, Dani would stop and look at the people racing pass her on these rides. I had to wonder what she was thinking. All the food in the park was HIGH $$$$$. But kids don't eat they ride the roller coasters all day. I would say all food inside the park was at least double and sometimes more than double of what you would pay outside the park. But, we had to eat, so what are you gonna do.
Dani did enjoy standing on the bridge and getting splashed with water, each time the log flume ride came through. Since it was a hot and very humid day, this was extremely refreshing. We did enjoy a few rides, the kids rides were for small kids and of course the other rides were too fast for us. Even the water rides had a drop that would be too much for the three of us.
All in all we had an enjoyable time at Six Flags in California.
Our last day in Ventura Beach turned out to be interesting. We drove down to a small town about 15 minutes away to visit some people we knew. There we went to the beach. The water was cold so we walked and waded in the water for a short time.. We stayed and visited the day, then 
headed back to our hotel and to the beach there. I guess this was a little to much sensory for Dani. She was getting up set with the seaweed that would wrap around her ankles everytime a wave came in. Then on the way back to the hotel the sand was too hot for her feet so she decided not to walk but to lock her knees instead. When we tried to get her to walk, she fell to her knees. My husband and I together could not lift and carry her to the boardwalk. If it weren't for the kindness of a man and his teenage son, we probably would of still be there dealing with her. We were so grateful that someone came over to inquire if we needed help. They helped us carry her to the boardwalk were she got up and walked over to the car. I guess the feeling and the heat of the sand was just too much for her. I guess we never stop learning.
headed back to our hotel and to the beach there. I guess this was a little to much sensory for Dani. She was getting up set with the seaweed that would wrap around her ankles everytime a wave came in. Then on the way back to the hotel the sand was too hot for her feet so she decided not to walk but to lock her knees instead. When we tried to get her to walk, she fell to her knees. My husband and I together could not lift and carry her to the boardwalk. If it weren't for the kindness of a man and his teenage son, we probably would of still be there dealing with her. We were so grateful that someone came over to inquire if we needed help. They helped us carry her to the boardwalk were she got up and walked over to the car. I guess the feeling and the heat of the sand was just too much for her. I guess we never stop learning.The next day we headed home and once inside the house Dani giggling ran into her room to relax. Yes, she is a very good traveler but she is always happy to return home where she is the most comfortable.
That concludes our vacations for the summer of 2009. Soon we will start planning for next year.
