Road Trip West With Jill

A 44-day adventure by Bill Read more

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Road Trip West With Jill Bill Kirschner
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Day 26
Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at 10:39 PM
🌙 86 °F
Altitude: 932 ft
United States Goodyear 33.433279, -112.35801233°25’60” N 112°21’29” W
Dinner with Tyler, Taylor and Tyson
May 23, 2017 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 86 °F
Our nephew Tyler and his amazing family was our next stop. When we arrived, Taylor was just bringing Tyson home from daycare, so we got to spend some time with them while waiting for Tyler to get home from work. Tyson is about 3 mos old. Jill got to feed him.Read more
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Day 26
Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at 10:51 PM
🌙 84 °F
Altitude: 1,283 ft
United States Arrowhead Ranch 33.672182, -112.18625233°40’20” N 112°11’11” W
Dinner Dillions KC Barbeque
May 23, 2017 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 84 °F
Once Tyler got home, We set out for Dillon's KC Barbeque.

They had live sharks in a tank, pink flamingos and an albino alligator too! The barbeque was amazing!

We had such an amazing visit with them. They are getting married when we get back to Minnesota, and they are the cutest couple!Read more
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Day 26
Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at 11:19 PM
🌙 82 °F
Altitude: 1,115 ft
United States America West Arena 33.447485, -112.07084733°26’51” N 112°4’15” W
Phoenix Hilton Rooftop Restaurant
May 23, 2017 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 82 °F
After dinner we went back to the hotel to work on this blog. It's awesome, but a lot of work, especially when you are using photos from 3 cameras. We wanted to visit the rooftop restaurant because it revolved around the city. The view was amazing, the service not so much. But it was still really cool. It reminds us of the Radisson Duluth, MN, but the view couldn't compare!Read more
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Day 30
Saturday, May 27, 2017 at 5:15 PM
☀️ 95 °F
Altitude: 1,122 ft
United States Sohu Park 33.451858, -112.03630633°27’7” N 112°2’11” W
Leaving Phoenix az
May 27, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 95 °F
5/23, We began our trip to Costa Mesa, CA after breakfast. It was a pretty uneventful drive, but a few things did stick out; the gas prices began to climb, (Until now, the prices were better than in Minnesota when we left for our trip), gas stations were spaced many miles apart, and so did the heat. (114 degrees)Read more
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Day 30
Saturday, May 27, 2017 at 5:26 PM
☀️ 70 °F
Altitude: 115 ft
United States Lions Park 33.641216, -117.91882233°38’28” N 117°55’8” W
Costa Mesa, CA
May 27, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F
We arrived in beautiful Cost Mesa, CA around dinner time. We settled in at the Ramada Inn and Suites. It reminded us of the 1970's style motel, although it was newly renovated and very well kept up.
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Day 30
Saturday, May 27, 2017 at 5:42 PM
☀️ 68 °F
Altitude: 89 ft
United States Costa Mesa 33.639404, -117.91306733°38’22” N 117°54’47” W
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Dinner at Ruby's
May 27, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F
After settling in, we met up with long time friend, Greg Bonstrom (in his stylish 1988 Camero IROC) and followed him to the Balboa Pier. We had dinner at the original Rubys Diner. This restaurant has been greeting pier visitors since 1982 and has built several other locations after this one. It looks like an old fashion malt shop. We had an awesome time and were watching beach goers and birds during dinner.Read more
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Day 30
Saturday, May 27, 2017 at 6:15 PM
☀️ 68 °F
Altitude: 89 ft
United States Costa Mesa 33.639404, -117.91306733°38’22” N 117°54’47” W
After dinner on the Pier
May 27, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F
After dinner, we started walking down the pier and found some photogenic birds who let us get real close. We noticed a couple of guys in wet suits and they had these little surf type boards. Greg told us the sport was called "skimming" where they see a wave and run out from the beach and try to ride it into shore. It was very interesting and I think we spent an hour or more watching them.Read more
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Day 30
Saturday, May 27, 2017 at 6:43 PM
☀️ 66 °F
Altitude: 89 ft
United States Costa Mesa 33.639404, -117.91306733°38’22” N 117°54’47” W
On The Beach
May 27, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F
After spending some time watching the Skimmers, we decided to go down on the beach itself to get a different angle and also captured a person relaxing in a hammock fastened under the pier, and a beautiful sunset. Then we went back to the hotel to get some sleep and get ready for our excursion to Catalina Island the next day.Read more
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Day 30
Saturday, May 27, 2017 at 9:00 PM
⛅ 55 °F
Altitude: 1,257 ft
United States Santa Catalina Island 33.387886, -118.4163133°23’16” N 118°24’59” W
Catalina Island, CA
May 27, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 55 °F
Well what we thought was going to be one of the highlights of our trip got us up at 6:00 am. Jill was so afraid of missing the boat. (It only goes there once per day.) As we were leaving the port, we saw one seal. Then further into the ride, we saw a swarm of birds flying overhead and realized there was a school of dolphins below. but other than that, no other major creatures of the ocean were seen. The ride took about an hour.Read more
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Day 30
Saturday, May 27, 2017 at 9:52 PM
🌫 54 °F
Altitude: 1,257 ft
United States Santa Catalina Island 33.387886, -118.4163133°23’16” N 118°24’59” W
We have arrived!
May 27, 2017 in the United States ⋅ 🌫 54 °F
The boat landed and we disembarked. We started to explore the island immediately.
It is a small island and space is at an extreme premium. Our hotel, while very nice and updated, was very small. Our room was like a college dorm room 168 sq feet. Food was very expensive and hardly anyone offered gluten free options for Jill. There were lots of shops and the architecture was very unique. This town is all about squeezing as much as possible into a very little space. Most of the island closed by 8pm. Only a handful of electric cars. Main form of transportation was golf carts and bicycles. Also abundant were very orange fish.Read more
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Day 31
Sunday, May 28, 2017 at 9:23 AM
⛅ 59 °F
Altitude: 1,257 ft
United States Santa Catalina Island 33.387886, -118.4163133°23’16” N 118°24’59” W
Our hotel in Catlina
May 28, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 59 °F
It was really funny the difference between how the pictures showed the hotel and how it really was. To say the least, this hotel was very tiny. It was however, very modern and new. It reminded me of those "tiny" houses, where they try to do as much as possible with very little space. They had a rooftop deck where you could go get some sun, have a drink, and enjoy a very beautiful view. After the town shut down, Jill and I played a card game in the hotel lobby for 3 hours.Read more
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Day 31
Sunday, May 28, 2017 at 9:49 AM
☀️ 61 °F
Altitude: 1,257 ft
United States Santa Catalina Island 33.387886, -118.4163133°23’16” N 118°24’59” W
Jill and Bill time.
May 28, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 61 °F
One of our favorite memories of Catalina is the lifeguard bench. On the far end of the island, overlooking the beach and harbor, we found the spot. Jill climbed up and said "come on up". Getting up was much easier than getting down. We sat on that lifeguard bench for over 2 hours the first night, looking, talking, and people watching. We enjoyed it so much that we did it again the next day. It was awesome!Read more
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Day 31
Sunday, May 28, 2017 at 11:11 PM
⛅ 55 °F
Altitude: 1,148 ft
United States Mount Orizaba 33.37818, -118.40898533°22’41” N 118°24’32” W
Catalina Island, CA Part 2
May 28, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 55 °F
5/25 Today we awoke up around 11am and went downstairs for a continental breakfast. We then went directly back downhill to the lifeguard stand. I'm not sure how long we were there, but it was at least 1.5 hrs. Jill was very paranoid about missing the boat, so she wanted to be at the landing by 3:00 pm. (Remember it only comes 1x per day) and one slight mistake and our whole trip gets off course. So far, everything is falling into place.

We spent the rest of the morning/afternoon walking and shopping at their shops. We finally found a gluten free lunch and had a scoop of ice cream for desert.

After the ice cream cone, we wandered to the landing and waited for the boat. I was able to get some great pics of the orange fish and some parasailors.Read more
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Day 33
Tuesday, May 30, 2017 at 9:37 PM
☁️ 61 °F
Altitude: 20 ft
United States Collins Island 33.6055, -117.89828933°36’20” N 117°53’54” W
Back from the boat Balboa Pier, ca
May 30, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 61 °F
Our trip back on the boat was pretty uneventful. We reached Balboa Island and walked 4 blocks back to the car. Then we headed to our next adventure, Redondo Beach.
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Day 33
Tuesday, May 30, 2017 at 9:55 PM
☁️ 61 °F
Altitude: 62 ft
United States Redondo Beach Public Library 33.849182, -118.38840833°50’57” N 118°23’18” W
Redondo Beach, CA
May 30, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 61 °F
We made it to Redondo in a little over an hour. This would be our home for the next 3 days. We stayed at the Crowne Plaza. The hotel was right across from a marina and it was just beautiful.

After getting settled in, we went for a walk to Joe's Crab Shack and had dinner, walked back to the room, and began planning for our big day at Universal Studios the next day.Read more
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Day 33
Tuesday, May 30, 2017 at 10:43 PM
☁️ 61 °F
Altitude: 62 ft
United States Redondo Beach Public Library 33.84918, -118.3884133°50’57” N 118°23’18” W
Redondo Beach, Day 2
May 30, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 61 °F
We woke up and had breakfast at the hotel. It had to be an early day because we had to meet our transportation at 8:30 am. We boarded the bus and off we went.

We were a bit apprehensive, because neither of us were ride goers and the tickets in were very expensive. Just a few minutes after we arrived, we realized everything would be ok. There were millions of people there, so it was very crowded. Added to the mix, was the opening of the new Harry Potter attraction. This attraction was very popular because it just opened April 2nd. It was very cool, and we were kind of live streaming the visit to Nikki who is a huge Harry Potter fan. Video: https://youtu.be/_pv7_WOtRCk

After lunch we went on the studio tour because our time was limited and this was the main reason we came to Universal. It was great! We saw sets from old and new movies/shows, some special effect sets, like a subway that caved in and a scene from Fate of the Future.

We also saw an attraction on special effects which showed how they were created, Water World where they put on a mini drama which was water based, and ended when an amazing animal show which featured animal actors.

All in all we had a great time and were very glad we decided to go. At 6:00 pm, we boarded the bus and were taken back to the hotel. We walked over 6.2 miles! Dinner at the Cheesecake Factory and off to bed.Read more
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Day 36
Friday, June 2, 2017 at 6:34 PM
⛅ 68 °F
Altitude: 92 ft
United States Hollywood Riviera 33.819448, -118.38708833°49’10” N 118°23’14” W
Redoondo Beach Day 3
June 2, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 68 °F
We woke up around 9:00 am, having slept in! Jill and I walked to the pier and had breakfast at a place called Polly's on the Pier. It was a very small restaurant. We had to wait about 20 minutes to get a table. While we were waiting, we met a bird called Gertrude and another bird. (We think they were some type of pelican and Black Crowned Night Herin. They let me get very close. There were also folks fishing on the pier. This was very cool!Read more
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Day 36
Friday, June 2, 2017 at 7:19 PM
⛅ 66 °F
Altitude: 92 ft
United States Hollywood Riviera 33.819448, -118.38708833°49’10” N 118°23’14” W
Redondo Beach Peir
June 2, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F
After a very yummy breakfast, we decided to walk the pier. We encountered a bicycle group called the Chopederos. There were hundreds of them. The Pier is filled with shops and restaurants, and there were also various water things to do. Paddle boats, Paddle Boarding, and some boat tours. We enjoyed exploring the various shops and Jill got some jewlrey. Along the way, we noted a glass bottomed boat ride, so we decided to come back and take a ride.Read more
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Day 36
Friday, June 2, 2017 at 7:51 PM
⛅ 64 °F
Altitude: 92 ft
United States Hollywood Riviera 33.819448, -118.38708833°49’10” N 118°23’14” W
Glass Bottom Boat Ride
June 2, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F
We walked back to the hotel, did some stuff and then walked back to the pier for our boat ride.

On this ride we would see a dock where the sea lions love to relax, and then we went below, and saw a spectactular fish show. Besides the pictures, be sure to click on the video below for a special treat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Fn4wZJfov8Read more
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Day 36
Friday, June 2, 2017 at 8:36 PM
⛅ 64 °F
Altitude: 92 ft
United States Hollywood Riviera 33.819448, -118.38708833°49’10” N 118°23’14” W
Bluewater Grill
June 2, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F
After the boat ride, we walked back to the hotel and asked the concierge for dinner recommendations and settled on the Bluewater Grill. It was about a 15 minute walk. On the way was a huge mural of whales painted on the wall of a large building. Painted by an artist named Wyland, a renouned artist and called the Whaling Wall. The restaurant was also located by the marina, so again, the scenery was amazing. The food was wonderful. One of the things that I thought was interesting was the completely open kitchen. You could watch them cooking. Total miles walked today: 6.214Read more
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Day 43
Friday, June 9, 2017 at 6:36 PM
⛅ 68 °F
Altitude: 121 ft
United States Monaco 33.871924, -118.35443533°52’19” N 118°21’16” W
Red Robin, Redondo Beach, ca
June 9, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 68 °F
We woke up the next day and just had Cereal and a banana for breakfast. Then we packed up and headed for Las Vegas. On our way out of town, we met Jill's cousins Linda, Greg and Ava (and puppies) for lunch at the Red Robin. The patio was closed, but when they saw the size of their therapy dog, (Mastiff) and a little one too, they decided to open it for us. We had a wonderful lunch outside. I am sorry, we cant remember the dogs names,

This is the point were our journey turns homeward.....but not over yet!Read more
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Day 43
Friday, June 9, 2017 at 6:48 PM
☀️ 91 °F
Altitude: 2,028 ft
United States Las Vegas Racetrack and Ball Park 36.169941, -115.1398336°10’12” N 115°8’23” W
Las Vegas, Nevada
June 9, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 91 °F
Sin City bound, we drove 4.5 hrs to Las Vegas. The scenery was absolutely beautiful!
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Day 43
Friday, June 9, 2017 at 7:02 PM
☀️ 90 °F
Altitude: 2,028 ft
United States Las Vegas Racetrack and Ball Park 36.169941, -115.1398336°10’12” N 115°8’23” W
Las Vegas
June 9, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 90 °F
We arrived in Las Vegas around dinner time. It was amazing how many people were there! We checked into the hotel MGM Grand and had dinner at a wonderful restaurant in the hotel with an oriental theme. Jill was able to hold on to her water glass. :) After dinner, we took a warm stroll on Las Vegas Boulevard, toured M&M World, and continued our stroll a few blocks to Walgreens to stock up on water as it was very toasty. It was amazing how many people were either dressed up as Spider-Man, Marvel comics heroes, and there were females, barely wearing anything at all. They wanted us to take pictures so they could earn tips.Read more
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Day 43
Friday, June 9, 2017 at 7:37 PM
☀️ 90 °F
Altitude: 2,028 ft
United States Las Vegas Racetrack and Ball Park 36.169941, -115.1398336°10’12” N 115°8’23” W
Las Vegas, Day 2
June 9, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 90 °F
We woke up and had breakfast at the hotel. It was fun to see the bustling people that we witnessed last night dwindle to hardly anyone around in the morning. Today, we were going exploring/walking the strip. It was well over 100 degrees. We began our walking tour with New York, New York, and wandered to the shops at Crystals where we couldn't even afford a box of Kleenex! Then saw the Cosmopolitan, Bellagio, Caesar's Palace, Flamingo, and Harrah's/ the LINQ, pausing to appreciate the very different décor and theme of each hotel and just a bit of gambling. Bill pupped out, and we ended up taking the monorail back to the hotel. We had an early dinner at the Outback and began walking towards the Luxor, which meant walking from the MGM, to New York, New York, then Excalibur to catch the tram to Mandalay Bay and transferred trams back to the Luxor.

This was our only "entertainment evening" and we had tickets to see Carrot Top the comedian.

He has gotten somewhat of a "rap" of being conceded and arrogant, but he was absolutely wonderful and we enjoyed ourselves very much. We took the tram back and walked the rest of the way to our hotel and called a night. Over 10 miles walked today!Read more
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Day 2,231
Tuesday, June 6, 2023
🌧 90 °F
Altitude: 3,914 ft
United States Elwood Lateral 32.34666, -106.80622432°20’48” N 106°48’22” W
Day 7 on the Road to Las Cruces NM
June 6, 2023 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 90 °F
Today was supposed to be a rather uneventful travel day as we drove for over 8 hours.

We were going to stop in El Paso, but decided to make a change a few days ago and spent the night in Las Cruces New Mexico to visit my first cousin Bob and his wife Judy, whom we haven't seen in close to 20 years!

We had an amazing time visiting with them, and we went to a very nostalgic restaurant in Mesilla called Peppers. We had a blast. And as a bonus, we got to see where Billy the Kid had his trialRead more
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Trip end
June 10, 2017