Day 2- Solvang to Morro Bay

The Hamlet Inn has a deal with Olsen's Danish Village Bakery, a pastry of our choice as well as unlimited coffee is included in our stay.

I went with a slice of kringle.  If it was good enough for Huell Howser it is good enough for me.

It was a good choice.

We spent the morning wandering around.  

Wandering was a necessity since there are so many goodies to enjoy.

Who has ever heard of an aebleskiver anyhow? 

The Danes.

Aebleskivers are Danish donuts served with a warm jam.

We got an order to go and ate them in front of the restaurant like savages.

So much to do, so much to see.

The Solvang mission costs money to enter, so we protested by not entering.  

Obviously our one and only enjoyed every second!

This is not out of order.  We returned to Solvang Restaurant for more aebleskivers.  If our waitress was chewing gum she would have spit it out when I told her this is our second order today!

Next on the agenda is Morro Bay, less than two hours away.

I haven't been since I was in middle school.  This was a regular vacation spot for us over spring break, when spring break was known as the controversial "Easter vacation".  

Haha.

Somethings have not changed one bit.

Too bad liar's bench wasn't there when I was a child, I could have looked for my butt imprints! 

Looking back at this picture, the famous Morro Bay rock does look rather ostentatious. 

Day 1, Solvang, CA

 I am stubborn.  Or so I have been told.  

I would and do get bothered when anyone tells me that traveling stops when you have a kid.  Why would who I am as a person change with a child?  That is kind of the whole reason for having a baby, to share your world with them.  

So, here we are on our first overnight road trip as a family, not to prove people wrong, but because this is what we do (and it just so happens to prove people wrong).

We stopped in Solvang on our way to Morro Bay, which is just over an hour further north. It took us three hours longer than expected to get here from Oceanside, not because of the baby but because of traffic.

I have never been to Solvang and I was pleasantly surprised.  It is a fun place to walk around, and because it is weekday during the off season, it is not crowded.

The Solvang Brewing Company has great burgers and beers!

I tricked my Dutch friend  into thinking that we were in her motherland with this picture, so they must be doing something right with their architecture!  Ha.

I asked her if there is a place in Europe that is like USA land, besides TGI Fridays.  But there isn't. 

After a little research I realize why, because Solvang was actually founded by Danish immigrants.  The immigrants wanted to buy a large area of land on the West Coast that they could divide into smaller plots for farms for other Danish immigrants, and build a Danish community.  Mission accomplished!

Although now just 10% of Solvang is Danish, it is still known as the Danish Capitol of America.

Let the family adventures begin!

Casa Romantica in San Clemente

My aunt and uncle joined us for a field trip to Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens in San Clemente, which none of us have been to (or heard of) before.  

I found it when researching our neighboring, unexplored-by-us, city.  (It is highly rated on Trip Advisor.)

The home was built in 1927 by Ole Hanson, the founder of the city of San Clemente.

The 2.5 acre property is beautiful, with interesting architecture, endless handmade tiles and a small, rotating art gallery.  

Casa Romantica is the type of place that you could keep going back to and see something that you never noticed before.

The home houses pictures and information about surrounding cities in the early 1900s, antique furniture, along with collections from the original San Clemente elite.

The view is incredible.  You can see the San Clemente pier, Dana Point and Catalina.  

No whales today.  Maybe next time...

Family field trips are the best!

Oceanside Rain and Whale Watching

We knew the rain was coming around 1:00 and timed our walk accordingly, as to not be stuck inside all day.

I was especially interested in heading to the beach knowing there was a beach warning in place (peligro=danger). 

I am not sure if I like the beach more when it is warm and sunny, or stormy and deserted.  

We were in luck, just like the day before, in the same spot, there were whales!  Closer to shore than I have ever seen, right where the waves were starting to break.

She is such a good sport.

Not only did we see two whales, we saw two different news stations broadcasting the "news", semi-live.

We were a little off with our timing, we didn't stay here long enough, and for the other news broadcast, we just missed it!  Oh well.  

It was funny because Fox 5 waited until the instant it started to pour before taping, which was our cue to head home.  We think they were watching the Doppler closely because they were parked for awhile, waiting.  I don't think the weather was news-worthy but everyone else in the country was broadcasting the weather, and it wouldn't be San Diego news if we didn't jump onboard.  

Julian, CA

We have been at home for the past two months so I was ready (needed) to get out of town.  Eric is always up for an adventure so we spontaneously packed up and left for Julian, just an hour and a half away, in the Cuyamaca mountains.

Founded during the Gold Rush in the 1870s the little mountain town is full of history.

Apparently we weren't the only ones who felt this way.

Immediately upon our arrival, who did we see walking on a historic Julian sidewalk but Eric's mom!

We stopped into her quaint hotel built in 1897 to spend some unexpected quality time before heading off to explore.

After seeing Nickel Beer Co. on a local TV show I have wanted to go check it out. 

The owner is the former brewmaster of Oggi's, Pizza Port and Julian Brewing Co.

He buys fresh local hops, which rather uncommon for San Diego breweries.  

We entire flight that we sampled.  

My favorite was the Nickel Beer, Karl Strauss, South Park collaboration IPA.

The last stop before heading back home was Julian Pie Co.

We ordered a slice of warm caramel Dutch apple pie with cinnamon ice cream and ate it on the outdoor patio in the back, where crying babies are welcome (because it was empty).

I don't think I need to mention that it was delicious.

Not bad for our first family road trip!