Los Angeles, CA

Thursday, Elizabeth, Matthew, and I explored downtown Los Angeles.  What an adventure!
We took the Metrolink from Ontario--excellent public transport.  Once in LA, we ate our way through Little Tokyo, gaped at the great architecture in the Historic District, and wandered through Chinatown…

The renovation of this building involved keeping the facade…only the facade.
I am assuming they will add rooms--smiles!

Loved all of the colors!

Walt Disney Concert Hall

Chinatown Gate

As you can see from the Chinatown photo, it was dark.  We had walked probably 9 of the 10.6 miles we hoofed that day.  (Matt got a Fitbit for Christmas, and we were monitoring distance walked.)  Although this may surprise you, we were tired!  So, we decided to take the Metro to Union Station and then over to Hollywood Highlands.  

While trying to figure out how to buy the transportation "Tap" card (or some such thing), a very nice woman told us, "No, really, Union Station is just right over there.  Follow the tracks; you'll be there so quickly!"  Well, sadly, our sore feet weren't thinking clearly.  We limped back down the station stairs to the street for our "finally leg."  We walked, and walked, and walked…Although none of us said/singed it out loud, we were all beginning to dislike that "very nice woman."  

We were totally lost.  We were in the dark--limited working streetlights. There were few, if any, people around…the largest building in the area was the "Men's Correctional Facility".  Elizabeth thought that we should probably just ask someone.  I was at a loss…the only open stores were bail bonds offices.  I wasn't convinced that we should compound our problem, but  Elizabeth took the initiative and asked an "interesting-looking" pedestrian.  He told us, with a vague wave to the East,  that Union Station would be the most easily reached by taking a short-cut.  

How much worse could it get?  (I have got to STOP thinking that!)  So, following his directions, we trudged further into the dark.  This time, into an alley.  At the end of the alley, was a flight of narrow stairs.  By feel, we successfully navigated them and found ourselves on another street.  The dude was right!  (We like him!)  There, ahead of us, lit, was Union Station!

Heck, why not?  We still wanted to visit the Walk of Fame, The Chinese Theatre etc.  Elizabeth figured-out the Metro system, and we rode to Hollywood Higlands!

Matt pictured with  Jackie Chan's star.  (Jackie Chan is his favorite actor.) 

Although Elizabeth and I both tried to protect Matt, he was still accosted by a transformer!
(Those dudes are FAST!)

The Chinese Theatre 

Neon, bright lights…no matter, it was time to rest our dogs!

What a great day…okay, yes, it was a bit harry near the Men's Correctional Facilities, but all-in-all, a DANG good day!  So, tired, but with smiles on our faces, we headed back (by Metro) to Union Station to catch a ride home on the Metrolink.  It was 9:30 p.m., and we were all thinking of our beds.

Elizabeth, being the ultimate organizer, decided to check the schedule for the next time back to Ontario…Would you believe there was only one left?  No, we hadn't missed it.  Worse, we would have to wait until 11:00.  

Okay, add to that--running time, the drive back to the house from the station, and the general mayhem of "getting to bed"…"Luckily," by 1:00 a.m., we were all tucked-in and ready to sleep.  Isn't it odd?  The next morning, we all admitted to sleeplessly tossing and turning for at least another hour after hobbling to bed.

Friday, we took it easy.  SMILES!!!

Christmas in the Bonilla Household

Our first warm Christmas in a LONG time!  (Yes, and for those of you who know me, it was hot!)

I think this entry is best experienced through photos and a video--
Christmas is about family--Matt was surrounded by 5 strong and positive women!

Elizabeth (Giovanni's mother) and Matthew

Phyllis (Sam's sister) and Matthew

Sophia, Matthew, and Amber (Sam's sisters)

Matthew opening his Aunties' gifts

Smiles--the crazy woman is our host, Elizabeth. 

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!!!

Happy New Year too!

Love,

Susan and Matthew

Kingman, AZ to the end of Route 66…

And so ends The Mother Road saga…
From Kingman, we traversed old Route 66 through the mountain pass--

Once we got to Oatman, AZ, we watched a gun fight, and tried to avoid the burrowes.

Don't let the white hat fool you; he was one of the bank robbers!

This one sidled-up on Matt.  There were about 15 burrows wandering the street--only one road through town!  (The burrows are descendants of those used during the gold mining era.)

From Oatman, AZ, we drove on Route 66 into Barstow, CA, to bed-down for the night.  Unfortunately, the base campground had no "public" restrooms or showers. (The RV's water system is still filled with anti-freeze…)  Seriously, who can live without coffee in the morning?  Worse yet, can you imagine "holding it" for 12 hours or longer?  So, we stayed in temporary lodging.

The next morning we arrived in LA to celebrate Christmas!!!
Funnily enough, in 2010, while visiting Elizabeth and Giovanni (Matthew's brother), we went to the end of The Road…
So, here is the final photo from Route 66.  Thank you…66, you have been an adventure!

Giovanni, Matthew, and Elizabeth in 2010

Kingman, AZ

GREAT day!  A very relaxed one--We had a fun breakfast in a cafe, visited 3 museums, picked-up coffees at a local shop, went to see a movie, and walked, walked, and walked!  We enjoyed spending two nights in one place--smiles!  Although we both like the driving, it has been nice to have a day off.

Breakfast cafe

Matthew at his favorite museum--the Railroad Museum

One of the famous Route 66 icons

No, we didn't stop here, but I loved the sign!

Matthew's favorite icon of the day!

You know, I have loved traveling with Matthew.  I have learned so much more about him; it still surprises me how similar we are…

To all of you and "family time"!
Smiles and love,
Susan and Matthew

Williams , AZ to Kingman, AZ (with a detour to The Grand Canyon)

It snowed about 4 inches last night, so I am happy Matthew persuaded me to  stay at a hotel in Williams, AZ.  We had a nice evening catching up with email and planning activities for the next "section of the road".

Friday morning was sunny, and the snow was rapidly melting…what the heck, why not take a detour to The Grand Canyon? (So much for planning…) So, after a wonderful cup of coffee at a local restaurant, we headed north.  By the time we got to the canyon, the fog had settled in.  There was no sun visible.  Even though, we hoped that maybe, just maybe, we would catch a glimpse of the canyon's splendor.  We hiked to the Rim Trail.  

On the Rim Trail 

Looking down into the canyon…generally, an amazing sight!

Imagine an inspiring Grand Canyon background…wait, I do have a photo--

8-year-old Matthew in front of the Grand Canyon (1994)

The caribou herd we saw while driving south.

The Flintstone Campground

We stopped at the campground cafe to refuel and sit by a fire.  While Matt was perusing the gift store, he met some new friends!  We were both THRILLED!  It has been a long time since we've met people who are Deaf while on the road.  We had a good yak session, and Matthew felt reconnected with his culture.  This encounter well out-weighed the disappointment we felt at not seeing The Grand Canyon.

Tonight, we are staying in Kingman, AZ.  We will visit the numerous museums here tomorrow.

Hope you are all warm and ready for Christmas!

Love,

Susan and Matthew

Holbrook AZ to Williams AZ

The highlight of the day, after leaving Holbrook, was the Meteor Crater.  "It is the best preserved and first proven meteorite impact site on Planet Earth."  The impact happened 50,000 years ago. (Yes, just a little "factoid.")  The wind was oh-my-gosh!  The guides were not doing tours on the rim…I think they were concerned about the legal ramification if someone were blown off the path.  SMILES!  Yes, Matt and I still went outside.

Oh! I totally forgot about the Cadillac Ranch--just west of Amarillo, TX.  Matt and I walked out to the site.  A young man was there adding decoration to the Caddies.  They were quite festive!  Happy Holidays everyone!

  

Albuquerque NM to Holbrook, AZ

Fantastic Day!  We drove through the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest.  A gorgeous National Park—see?

Painted desert

Blue Mesa

Crystal Forest

Cindy, in tribute to you, we stayed at the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, AZ!  (We found it!)  Matthew and I felt spoiled—what a unique and fun experience!  We watched TV and had pizza and beer in a teepee shaped room.  Seriously, what could be better? 

Night and neon

Our room

Matt at the entrance 

There are only 15 "rooms"--cost for 2 beds $65.00

Holbrook is #2 on our list of favorite cities on Route 66.  Fun signs, great cafes, and another WOW-free museum--

There is a stage coach on the roof of the restaurant

Wonderful breakfast and a fun waitress…No, it wasn't especially clean.  However, it has been 8 hours, and neither one of us is sick!

Giant rifle

At the museum in Holbrook, AZ--

All of the items in the museum were donated by local people.

Matthew in the jail.

Matthew as the judge in the court house (part of the museum)

Back on Route 66 (Palo Duro Canyon, TX to Albuquerque, NM)

Left the canyon early this morning…water had frozen in the pipes (not the RV's, the park's).  We couldn't make coffee…so off we went in search of breakfast!
We had so much fun with the camera today; Matt was spotting cool pics right and left!  The best town for old signs and buildings, so far--Tucumcari, New Mexico.

Matt took this picture.  Does anyone know the age and model of this car?

This vintage motel has been up-dated; it would be a great place to stay! 

We also went to the dinosaur museum in town.  Wonderful little place--many of the bones were cast in bronze, so Matthew could touch them.

Hey Cindy, we are still hoping to find the teepee motel.  I promise to take some good shots!