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:: Sunday, October 10, 2004 ::

Vacation mapped out
Travel: Have not posted much on my weekend. OK. I didn't post anything on my weekend. I was down to the final planning of my vacation in November. And as I don't do anything in half measures, here is what I came up with in a day and a half of research.

I hummed and hawed (?) about whether I would go out west and finally decided I would go and then the specifics set in. Had a starting point: San Diego on the weekend of 13-14 Nov. That's when the Star of India, my Great Great Grandfather's former ship, goes out for it's annual sail. It is a museum ship at the Maritime Museum of San Diego. So I need a place to stay. Well, I did some research and found the Holiday INN San Diego on the Bay, is directly across the street from where the Star is docked. I found this out by seeing a room photo which included a balcony in which the Star was visible through the railings. My uncle confirmed the Holiday inn was right across the street as well. Airport is a ten min drive around the bay, and the Alamo car rental is there also. I used them in Florida and had a good experience. So. Went to CAA at Wellington and Southdale and got books and maps for Southern California, Arizona, and Nevada. Renewed my annual CAA membership as well - I got it last year right before I went to Kentucky.

So, after the Star and San Diego, I have decided to go up the coast, visit the Scripps Oceanographic institute. which has a huge aquarium and does some high level maritime research. Not sure what I will see in LA, but my next firm agenda item is going to Mojave, California. That is the location where the X-Prize winning Space Ship One, made it's flight earlier on in the month. The Mojave Spaceport is open to the public. I think going there would be something a kin to visiting Kitty Hawk right after the Wright Brothers made their flights: perhaps not much to see, but damn historic none the less.

Then drive through the Mojave Desert and to Las Vegas. Casinos, sure, there are dozens of spectacular ones. I will likely visit a few, but not a huge gambler so I won't spend tons. Maybe take in a show like the Blue Man Group at the Luxor. But I will play that by ear. One thing on the agenda, to satisfy my geekness is a visit to the LV Hilton where the Star Trek: The Experience is. It is a 65,000 sq foot permanent attraction with a couple of interactive rides and Trek themed attractions. Good fun.

After Vegas, ( think I will avoid being a headline and not go near Area 51 / Groom Lake) next will be a visit to the Hoover Dam, and then staying at the Quality Inn for a day or two at the Grand Canyon. Eventually flying out of Phoenix, AZ on the 21st.

All of this, except San Diego and the Grand Canyon re subject to change, but it seems like a good plan to this point. And I already have the info on the T-Mobile, so I will WiFi post some pics to the PhotoBlog and travelogue a bit when I am relaxin in the hotels.


Carpe Diem

:: Mike Wood 01:23 [+] :: 0 comments
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