Vacation Part II: California

We arrived in Rancho Santa Margarita on Monday evening (June 26th), and showed the kids the apartment complex we lived in when Hannah and John were born and the church building we attended in those days. We stopped at the Target across the street for food, and then made our way to O'Niell Park in Trabuco canyon, where we had a campsite reserved. 

It felt weird to be in California again. It was odd to see street signs and recognize the names, but not remember where exactly we were. It felt very green. I had forgotten how everything was set back from the streets, and the streets were lined with green belts. Even gas stations were set back a way and almost hidden behind shields of greenery. It was beautiful, but took a while to get used to. In the grocery stores, I had a weird feeling like I wasn't preppy enough to shop there. I felt like some hillbilly hick sneaking into some ritzy hotel, and I was out of place. 

We spent Tuesday morning driving around Mission Viejo, remembering old times. We drove past the church building where Steven and I had early morning seminary, (and where we first met). We visited the high school we went to (that now features some additional buildings and solar panels over the parking lots!). We drove past the homes our families used to live in before we were married. We saw other schools, church buildings, even the hospital Hannah and John were born in. While the children were rather bored, Steven and I enjoyed the trip down memory lane.

Tuesday afternoon we met Megan, (Steven's brother Andy's wife) and visited the beach with her, her daughter Angela, and our niece Abigail (Steven's brother Brian's daughter). (Abigail had swapped places with Andy's son Danny for a while... Danny was in Arizona with Brian's son Finn.) I'll post more about the beach later.

Steven's eagle scout project involved installing water bars on a trail in O'Niell Park. Wednesday morning, Steven and the boys and I decided to go hike that trail and see if the water bars were still there. We enjoyed a nice hike, and I think Steven recognized some of the heavy squared-off logs across the trail meant to divert water. They were looking like they were about 20 years old and due to be replaced again. 

Later that day, we went to Dana Point, where we enjoyed a picnic lunch with Steven's dad and his wife Yumiko, as well as Megan and the girls. It was nice to see them. and the picnic that Yumiko and Bill provided was fantastic!

Thursday, we gathered up all our dirty laundry and went to Andy and Megan's home in RSM. There, the kids watched a movie, and I washed all of our dirty laundry. (Thank you Megan for the use of your washer!!!) Later that afternoon (when all the laundry was done) we put on bathing suits and went to a local swimming pool for some water fun in a less salty environment. 

Finally, it was Friday. We rose that morning, rolled up the sleeping bags, took down the tent and cleaned up the camp site, then set off for Andy and Megan's home where we hung out for about an hour while they finished their packing, and we all set off on another adventure.

On the way out of California, we stopped to see a cabin that Steven's Gram used to live in. Andy and Steven spent a while reminiscing about that. Shortly after we went to Burger King for lunch, and spent a little while visiting with some dinosaurs. Then we continue on our way to Arizona.... (to be continued.)