The Best of Both of Us - Enjoying the Family

 July 21 - August 1, 2023

Frazier Park - Valencia, California

It seems like lately we either bring snow or scorching heat to our SoCal visits. We watch the temps climb as we leave behind our spot on the coast and head for the mountains above L.A. County. We've stayed at the Pyramid Lake RV "Resort" before and it hasn't improved. There's no one at the metal trailer they use for an office, and my phone isn't working right so it's 20 minutes walking around in the 100 degrees trying to find someone to open the gate. Bill's phone works and we finally reach the "managers" who give me the code so we can get in and set up. Another park that could be lovely with some hard work and regular upkeep, today it's lots of weeds and some trashy residents. Still, we feel safe and the 50 amp FHU site is fine for our needs. Afterall, we're here to see Ezra and Elliott and their parents!

We love hanging out with the family, playing with the grands and getting caught up with the grown-ups. With the heat we spend most of this visit indoors. 

Elliott and Ezra entertaining PopPop.

Frog the cat meets PopPop.

The new kittens are really good with the kids. Ezra with Enola.

Because octopus fingers are so much better than regular fingers with making cup towers!

Sharing water is nice but blowing bubbles - infinitely better.

Brian and Shalise with Elliott

If you don't look down, the views in the rv park are great!

There's a lot to see and do in Los Angeles, down the mountain from Frazier Park. Monday Shalise and I take the boys to the Natural History Museum. It's a favorite I haven't visited in over 15 years. The surrounding area is under construction, but we find parking behind the Science Center that's walkable even in the extreme heat. 

There are quite a few people here on a hot summer week day, but I never feel like we're in a crowd. Both Ezra and Elliott are engaged throughout the day, excited about all the amazing (and very large) exhibits. There are also several interactive opportunities that add to the fun.

One of two spectacular rotundas.

Let's do this!

Hard to believe he's a third grader already!

The dinosaur collection is amazing, and so much better than the Smithsonian.

Ezra is fascinated at the size of these skeletons.

The most bestest museum buddies in the second rotunda.

For both Shalise and I, this is why you visit this museum - the mammal dioramas are like being in the habitat of each species.

Ezra and I agree it feels like the elephant is going to walk right up to us!

All are uniquely beautiful, but it's hard to beat the lion pride.

In addition to the African mammals, there is a full exhibit of North American mammals. The Grey Wolves prepare to descend on their prey below.

It's impossible to capture the size of these mammoth Grizzlies. They're very impressive!

Elliott tracks the large territory of the famous local Mountain Lion known as P22.

Bill and I had a "pet" Black Widow spider (like loving snakes isn't weird enough) on our patio before we retired. Beatrice  lived in a small bird house on the patio, and was very entertaining. Each of these boxes contain a BW spider in a different "vignette" they've decorated with their sticky webs.

Learning about how snakes read your body heat while dancing through the exhibit.

Mommy creates a Peter Max poster :-)

Every area of the museum is visually stimulating with enough space for everyone to learn and play.

Upstairs the Bird Room hasn't changed since the 1960's and features over 1000 species.

Some are fancier than others!

Digging for dinosaur bones.

Learning the delicacy of finding detail with a small brush. Yes, even on a hot, hot day the museum can get chilly :-)

That's a wrap on a perfect day!

Our last day on the mountain passes too quickly and before we know it we're saying see-you-later to Shalise and Elliott. Because Wednesday morning Brian drops Ezra off at the motorhome so he can go with us down the mountain to Santa Clarita!! 

No pics of his ride in the big bus, but it's smiles and wows all the way. Nothing like seeing what has become common through the eyes of a seven-year-old to remind you how cool your life is!

Bill drives the Jeep for the short 39 mile drive, and there's no issue with our early arrival. We've stayed at Valencia Travel Village more than anywhere else in our travels with most of our kids close by. Last year they lost a whole row of sites to the raging river that washed out the cliff taking three RVs with it. The park has been 80% permanent residents for years, and I wondered if there would be overnight spaces anymore. Looks like they didn't move those who lost their sites into this area, and there's remarkable little changed from our past stays. Except for the increase to $85/night! Guess you have to make up for those lost rentals somehow.

The tarp hangs over the cliff at what used to be the middle of the RV site.

This new curve into the park used to be straight across with about ten RV sites. In total they lost 20 FHU sites and two RVs went into the river. You can Google the dramatic video footage.

The neighbors to our right have our picnic table at their site, and these neighbors are three feet onto our narrow space. Not feeling the love. It's too hot to be outside anyway so we live with it.

With lemonade to drink, Ezra covers the yellow food group.

It's cooler in Tombstone.

Fun to have the little pool all to himself!

They don't get together very often, but cousins Ezra and M&M are all excited to reconnect for a few hours. Before the morning heats up we meet at a wonderful playground near M&M's house. The three of them are at full speed with other kids, and then just themselves, until they're worn out (the adults are worn out just watching them!). 

Created with funding for handicap access parks, this place is incredible! Shaded, soft rubber surface, multiple play equipment. This one spins and is a favorite.

Little M and Ezra get this big double swing rocking.

Little M, Big M and Ezra checking out the exercise equipment next to the playground.

Ezra takes one last ride on the zip line. Note the seated option on the next track.

Little M and Ezra

Big M and Ezra

Cousin buddies - we love this!!

So I get him ice cream, take him swimming, take him to Target for some school shirts and Legos, get him a Happy Meal. When it's time to relax - this! There's never enough PopPop time for Ezra :-)

His dad is picking him up for more fun at his other grandpa's on Thursday evening. Before dinner Ezra gets one more chance to see the cousins at their martial arts class. It's lots of fun and Ezra of course wants to join the class every week now.

When it's a million degrees outdoor this is the perfect sports option!

Bill wants to see Oppenheimer, and son Richie suggests we all go see it and have lunch on Saturday. Good idea! It's long at 3+ hours, but it's also brilliant. Definite Oscar nods for both Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr - and probably for Best Picture. So much I didn't know about such historically significant times. Just wow!

Tessa and I stop to endorse another movie. 

We enjoy a tasty lunch and getting caught up with Richie (Bill's youngest, our #6) and girl friend Amanda at Salt Creek Grill next to the theater. Hard to believe he was 11 when I moved in with Bill, and is now all grown at 26! 

Bill, Richie and Amanda

Sunday is the hottest day and we're at Oliver's for the afternoon. He is such a smart little guy with full sentences before turning two! His cousins M&M bring their parents and we're delighted to have more time with more grands. Corey and Christie make yummy eats and we all have a great time.

Big M with his Aunt Christie and Cousin Oliver

The second oldest and youngest grands.

Corey and his dad get caught up.

Little M entertains himself with the ball-scooper-upper-thingy.

Oliver gets a warm-up cuddle from Daddy after water play.

Uncle Nick watches Big M, Christie and Oliver - and PopPop's feet.

We missed each other last time so I'm determined to visit with my friend Lupe. Tuesday I make the drive to Buena Park, about an hour southeast, to make it happen. We realize it's been 25 years since we've seen each other!! So lots of getting caught up that goes by too fast. But we're committed to making sure we get together much sooner this time.

Lupe and Jodee - union buddies from way back!

When I get back we meet Oliver and his parents for dinner at my favorite local eatery - Solitas. 

Even their wooden menus are special.

Best tacos ever!

Christie, Oliver, Corey and PopPop.

Nick comes over for a few games of Cribbage with his dad while Tessa and I run some last minute errands on our last day here. Later we're down the road to visit Henry and his parents - and his other grandma who I haven't seen in years!

Henry's baby sister is due this week, but she holds off for this visit :-) Megan is our "borrowed daughter", and we love getting together with she and her husband Chris. It's never long enough but I'm always grateful to get some hugs and catching up.

Nawma and PopPop with Henry

Henry entertains PopPop and Daddy

Nana Dee, Megan's mom, with Henry

Henry, Megan and Chris

If there's a couch and a pillow - it's Tessa's.

And just like that it's time to continue on. We're grateful our kids and their families are healthy and doing well, and for these visits that are never long enough. We'll make a couple stops on our way to Friday's arrival in Tombstone. To an empty house as Jeff has moved on to his job in the Pacific Northwest!