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dodgerblue6
Joined: 10 Aug 2005
Posts: 19787
Location: San Diego CA - deep in the heart of SoCal
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 Posted: Sun 4/8/12 10:52 pm Post subject: |
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100 days!
That's the countdown from Easter to GilHodgesFan's vacation date (or technically, day of her first game here). 
Now that is a stat that is subject to change regularly!
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"The Dodgers have always occupied an enormous place in the history of the game. If the Yankees are the most successful team in baseball history, the Dodgers are the most essential. Their legacy is unique."
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GilHodgesFan
Joined: 15 Jan 2011
Posts: 1763
Location: Cedar Rapids Iowa
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| Posted: Mon 4/9/12 6:12 am Post subject: |
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Maybe I can do better at keeping track of this stat!  The nice thing about this stat is it can't get any worse but better!
I am really looking forward to the trip The time can't fly fast enough for me!!
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"If you had a son it would be a great thing for him to grow up to be just like Gil Hodges" -Pee Wee Reese (Brooklyn Dodgers) |
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dodgerblue6
Joined: 10 Aug 2005
Posts: 19787
Location: San Diego CA - deep in the heart of SoCal
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| Posted: Mon 4/16/12 3:57 pm Post subject: |
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92 days! Good news; now I can start focusing on helping you out a bit more with your preparations. I'm checking into the game tickets, tour, etc. and maybe we can talk again later in the week. I've been jotting notes of things I think you might like to check out once you finally get to Dodger Stadium! I think you'll be pretty excited!
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"The Dodgers have always occupied an enormous place in the history of the game. If the Yankees are the most successful team in baseball history, the Dodgers are the most essential. Their legacy is unique."
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dodgerblue6
Joined: 10 Aug 2005
Posts: 19787
Location: San Diego CA - deep in the heart of SoCal
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| Posted: Thu 7/12/12 11:35 am Post subject: |
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This is for you, GilHodgesFan, although others here may well enjoy it, too.
A good song for traveling west...this is the way my dad and his family came when they departed Missouri for California back in the '40s.
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GilHodgesFan
Joined: 15 Jan 2011
Posts: 1763
Location: Cedar Rapids Iowa
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| Posted: Thu 7/12/12 3:03 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you Dodgerblue6 It's a classic song about the Mother Road. I bet when your dad traveled it back in the 1940's there were alot of cool motels and diners and such along the route. You know, the diners with a hot dog or donut shaped frontage. Motel rooms shaped like tee-pees - that sort of thing.
It just seems right that your dad and his family would travel that route to make a new start in a new state
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"If you had a son it would be a great thing for him to grow up to be just like Gil Hodges" -Pee Wee Reese (Brooklyn Dodgers) |
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dodgerblue6
Joined: 10 Aug 2005
Posts: 19787
Location: San Diego CA - deep in the heart of SoCal
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| Posted: Fri 7/13/12 6:50 pm Post subject: |
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GilHodgesFan, they still have those in a lot of places.
Meanwhile, I wanted to post some excerpts from a previous trip thread that I'm sure you will find to be of interest.
Five years later...
This was originally posted when Crzblue and I drove up for the ASG FanFest in San Francisco in July, 2007:
| Quote: | We had a pleasant (for the most part) drive up the coast...I picked up Crzblue in Burbank (north of Dodger Stadium) and we headed onto the 101 north. Unfortunately due to a nine-hour drive ahead of us we had to miss the only game the Dodgers were able to salvage in the series with Florida...We listened on the radio until the station faded out but by then the Dodgers were comfortably ahead, 8-0.
Heading through Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, Lompoc, San Luis Obispo and Cambria was so peaceful as rolling hills on one side framed the ocean view on the other--quite a contrast to the cities and suburbs we'd just left behind. The inland heat gave way to the cool offshore breezes and the drive was very relaxing. That is, until we took PCH, which was part of my plan...there is a stretch of about 100 miles of wilderness through the pristine Los Padres (I know, that name!) Forest on a lone highway, with no towns, no exits anywhere, one lane in each direction, and the waves crashing to the shore in the Pacific about 50 feet below the roadway. Eventually you end up in beautiful Big Sur. It's a gorgeous drive...We made our way through Big Sur as a beautiful sunset over the ocean followed, and got onto the Monterey peninsula after darkness set in. Had a late bite to eat at a taqueria and found the motel, to crash in as I was tired after putting 450 miles on my car. |
(Then, on the way home, taking the same route but noticing different things, even still:)
| Quote: | The entire route from the Monterey peninsula down to central California is so breathtakingly beautiful you could easily drive right over the edge of the road if you're not paying attention, especially the segment through the redwoods a little further south, and where buttercups dot the hillsides on one side, with the Pacific reflecting the sunshine on the other. Once the road straightens out, it allows for a little more sightseeing (for the driver, that is). It was peaceful, relaxing, and exhilarating for me at the same time to make this drive, as well as comforting to know that there is that much unspoiled and undeveloped beachfront land still left in our state. Over the next 300 miles there were several times when we'd round a curve, notice a waterfall or little cove set off from the rest of the beach, and Crzblue or I would exclaim something to each other about the picturesque nature of it.
Many tourists were out and about, too, and we saw them posing for pictures with the Morro Bay rocks in the background, or on a pathway leading down to the beach, etc. Young lovers huddled on a cliff overlooking the ocean in a romantic scene as if they were planning their honeymoon. I made a comment to Crz that even if this one day had been my only vacation day, it would have surely beaten going to work.
Until this past weekend, I hadn't made this particular drive between SoCal and NoCal since the early '80s when I had a romantic getaway with an old boyfriend (that is, if you can imagine a romantic getaway including a Chargers-Raiders game in Oakland, LOL).
So, during the trip I was reminded of my first encounter with the small town of Harmony, south of Cambria, which we drove through way back when. It may be the smallest town in the state--its population back then was listed then at 12. I told Crz about it while driving and wondered whether it had gotten any bigger. Sure enough, we crossed the city limits to find out its census figure is now 18, total. The town consists of about four houses and a building or two all visible from highway which is slightly elevated at that point.
Eventually, we stopped off at Buellton, a small town in the central coast wine country that's featured in the movie "Sideways" (if any of you have seen that), but found nothing of quick-stop interest (namely, fast food, and a restroom). It was especially refreshing to be driving through the central CA coast at rush hour on a Monday afternoon only to find no rush hour traffic. Eventually we hit the "big city" of Santa Barbara, with the late afternoon sun bouncing off the nearby Santa Ynez Mountains. Hidden away to the east is the site of the late President Reagan's ranch, with his presidential library just down the road in Simi.
We stopped off at Carpinteria, a lazy beach town with remarkably little summertime traffic, for a snack and then got back on the road. We then sped through Ventura, Oxnard and into the lost hills of northwest Los Angeles County, and entered the San Fernando Valley where the traffic thickened just a little bit as the sun was setting. |
So, there you have it. Wish I was going up that way with you!
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"The Dodgers have always occupied an enormous place in the history of the game. If the Yankees are the most successful team in baseball history, the Dodgers are the most essential. Their legacy is unique."
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GilHodgesFan
Joined: 15 Jan 2011
Posts: 1763
Location: Cedar Rapids Iowa
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| Posted: Fri 7/13/12 7:33 pm Post subject: |
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It sounds absolutely gorgeous!! It has been years since I've been near the ocean so that will be nice again How nice to know that some areas have not been touched by developers. Seems we can't have one inch of grass here that someone doesn't want to fill in with a parking lot!!
It wil be wonderful to see the natural beauty of your state up the coastline - from ocean to redwoods. I will enjoy it all I have printed this out too so I can look for some of the communities you mention. Big Sur kind of makes me chuckle because back in the 1970's there was a waterbed store here in CR with that name 
Thank you very much for sharing your memories of the trip with me. I am sure I will be like you and wishing I could make that trip up coast also!
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"If you had a son it would be a great thing for him to grow up to be just like Gil Hodges" -Pee Wee Reese (Brooklyn Dodgers) |
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dodgerblue6
Joined: 10 Aug 2005
Posts: 19787
Location: San Diego CA - deep in the heart of SoCal
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| Posted: Fri 7/13/12 8:43 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | How nice to know that some areas have not been touched by developers. Seems we can't have one inch of grass here that someone doesn't want to fill in with a parking lot!! |
Believe me, if they could, they would. The terrain prevents more development, with mountains so close to the coast. Keep in mind our state has a population 19 times larger than what it was 100 years ago. Thankfully, there are some natural barriers to that.
By the way, I can assure you Big Sur was world-famous long before waterbeds...for many things, too.
It was first visited by Europeans on the same voyage as San Diego, in 1542, and became home to many ranchos. It was later known as part of Gold Rush country, which led to a boom. It's now known as a beautiful camping spot with the redwoods at the edge of the ocean, and also as a great surfing beach on the Central coast with high waves.
It is also home to a monastery--appropriate with its quiet, idyllic setting--and to setting--and also to writers and artists, as are the nearby towns of Cambria.
Not bad to have so many claims to fame considering Big Sur's population is only about 1000.
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"The Dodgers have always occupied an enormous place in the history of the game. If the Yankees are the most successful team in baseball history, the Dodgers are the most essential. Their legacy is unique."
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GilHodgesFan
Joined: 15 Jan 2011
Posts: 1763
Location: Cedar Rapids Iowa
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| Posted: Fri 7/13/12 9:04 pm Post subject: |
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Wow, it does sound like a city much bigger than a population of 1000! I have heard of it in connection with surfing (aside from being waterbed store ). I didn't know any of it's history such as being a big boom town during the Gold Rush.
I can see why the population of California has risen 19% in 100 years. It would be an idylic place to live for the most part, except for maybe the large cities. It sounds great to me every winter!
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"If you had a son it would be a great thing for him to grow up to be just like Gil Hodges" -Pee Wee Reese (Brooklyn Dodgers) |
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dodgerblue6
Joined: 10 Aug 2005
Posts: 19787
Location: San Diego CA - deep in the heart of SoCal
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| Posted: Fri 7/13/12 9:48 pm Post subject: |
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Well, it's four days away now.
| Quote: | | I can see why the population of California has risen 19% in 100 years. |
No--it has not risen 19%, it has been populated 19 times as much. Big difference!
The state went from a sparsely populated 2 million in the 1910 census, to 38 million today. Of course, I can't complain because both of my parents' families moved here from the Midwest in the years between 1920 and 1945. My dad used to remind me he was a "transplanted native." LOL
| Quote: | | except for maybe the large cities |
Speaking as a resident of one of the "large cities", I can say I love it here just fine. You will be visiting America's Finest in just five days now.
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"The Dodgers have always occupied an enormous place in the history of the game. If the Yankees are the most successful team in baseball history, the Dodgers are the most essential. Their legacy is unique."
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jpochard
Joined: 04 Jul 2012
Posts: 127
Location: Hamilton, Ohio
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| Posted: Mon 7/16/12 7:47 pm Post subject: |
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| Can't wait to hear all about the trip. Of course....lots of pics please! |
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dodgerblue6
Joined: 10 Aug 2005
Posts: 19787
Location: San Diego CA - deep in the heart of SoCal
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| Posted: Tue 7/17/12 12:49 am Post subject: |
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I'm thinking there will be hundreds!--between the stadium tour, the game itself, her trip between Iowa and CA, the San Diego leg, Petco Park, then the coastal drive through the redwoods, into Oregon and Washington, the visit to Seattle, then the return trip. Note: Speaking of Petco, unfortunately, I regret to inform you that I will be unable to join you that night as I originally had planned; but never fear, I will still provide the tickets!
GilHodgesFan, I will finally meet you for the first time in a few hours, after knowing you on-line for a couple of years. I'll be there in my new blue Vans which I just bought, and should get a lot of use on my trip to L.A.!
Weather brought to you by the L.A. Times:
AM clouds on the coast; daytime high of 73, overnight low 60.
And I think by now you can name the three things that are Simi Valley's claim to fame.
Don't forget your radio and the trip tips I sent you!--bring them to the ballpark.
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"The Dodgers have always occupied an enormous place in the history of the game. If the Yankees are the most successful team in baseball history, the Dodgers are the most essential. Their legacy is unique."
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forloveofthegame
Joined: 23 Oct 2009
Posts: 7333
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Fri 7/20/12 3:01 pm Post subject: |
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By now I am sure according to her schedule, Gil Hodges fan has left Socal and is headed for Oregon. I would love to hear how she liked her farewell gift (since I am sure she received it already).
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"Baseball is an allegorical play about America, a poetic, complex, and subtle play of courage, fear, good luck, mistakes, patience about fate, and sober self-esteem." - Saul Steinberg |
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dodgerblue6
Joined: 10 Aug 2005
Posts: 19787
Location: San Diego CA - deep in the heart of SoCal
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| Posted: Tue 7/31/12 7:16 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | I would love to hear how she liked her farewell gift (since I am sure she received it already). |
She didn't get it, Cathy--left too early in the day. I can't help it--I really tried...but thank you for your help, though!
_________________
"The Dodgers have always occupied an enormous place in the history of the game. If the Yankees are the most successful team in baseball history, the Dodgers are the most essential. Their legacy is unique."
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