A Griswold New Year's Vacation

What an adventure we had!  You would think Andrew is joking when he calls us the Griswolds, but after a certain trip to Los Angeles for New Years, the Rose Bowl, and Arjen's first meeting with the Millers, well, call me Ellen and Andrew, Clark. 

It all started off well enough.  We dropped the dogs off with Kathy, Keith, and Kyle, who were generous to offer their home for doggy all-day care.  We can't thank them enough.  Grandma Eileen and Grandpa Dave met us there for the trip down south. Aside from also wanting to visit my dad's folks, they were also our "hired help" for the Rose Bowl.  Can you believe it that we would have had to buy Arjen a ticket for the game too?!?  

About an hour into our trip, our new-used truck started shimmying on the road, enough that we knew it wouldn't be safe to continue.  Long story short, with the amazing-ness that are cell phones and internet, within minutes we had a truck rental place and truck repair place mapped out in nearby Modesto (incase you're wondering, Griswold road trips "require" a trailor now, so the truck was necessary for towing).  6 hours after we had left home in Oakland that morning, we were back on the road to LA, and the rest of the drive was pretty uneventful.  Whew!  We arrived in Los Angeles just before midnight, which probably worked out for the best since the roads were actually clear at that hour.  The inn at GGma and GGpa's house was ready and waiting, and we were all happy to settle in. 

Thursday was our first full day there, and it just so happened that there was a pep rally being held at the Santa Monica pier for Wisconsin Badger fans!  I tell ya, aside from the one home game I've been to at Camp Randall, I have never seen so many Badger fans in one place!  It was impressive.  Of course the pictures don't quite do it justice.  And we unfortunately just missed the marching band perform at the beach.  We had fun on a chilly LA evening though.  And Bucky made sure to get his photo taken along the way too!





That night, grandma (mine that is!) made a yummy feast for the family.  My cousin Travis, his wife Kristin, and their kids, Macy and Milo, came over, as did my Uncle Rocky and Aunt Vicki.  We always enjoy getting to see them, since it unfortunately doesn't happen often enough.

Arjen being rocked to sleep by his Great-Grandma in his Great-Great-Great Grandfather's chair!

On New Year's Eve, we returned to the beach to meet up with Ethan (Andrew's cousin), his wife Heather, and their friend Liz.  As season ticket holders, they were all thrilled to make the trip out to CA for the Badgers' Rose Bowl appearance.

 



After another chilly day at the beach, we headed back to GGma and GGpa's for a delicious steak dinner and some bubbly to bring in the new year

Then it was a quick few hours of sleep before Andrew and I were up and on our way to Pasadena! With Bucky as our guide, we made our way along the parade route, then to the Rose Bowl where we found the Red Sea.  From the crowds outside, it looked like only one team was competing that day.  Unfortunately, TCU fans did show up, as it of course happened that our fantastic seats were right in the purple cheering section.  While their crowd only filled about one quarter of the stadium, they must have had better cheers, as the darned horny toads pulled out a 21-19 win.  Oh well, we still had a great time!



On our way to see the Parade



The Parade



Bucky found the way

  

We made it!



  

This is the general tailgate party - no purple people!

  

  

Bucky's pregame feast



of course we wound up in the TCU section





Wisconsin's marching band





Considering we went to LA with hardly any official plans for how we'd get to the game and let alone get tickets, the day went quite smoothly.  Arjen did great with Gma Ei and Gpa Dave, and I survived my first whole day away from him!  But it wouldn't be a Griswold story now would it, without just one more adventure! 

As all good vacations do, this one had to come to an end.  We left "sunny SoCal" in 40 degree temps and rain.  For the end of holiday season travel, we were off to a good start with very little traffic...that is until we approached the foothills up to "the Grapevine"  mountan pass.  In case you didn't hear, the Grapevine was shut down on our fine Sunday afternoon, due to snow and icy road conditions.  With a detour through the desert, in the snow, with more traffic, we ultimately arrived home a mere 14 hours later (on what should have been a 6-7 hour drive).  Aaaaaah...home sweet home.  Some photos...

A Joshua tree in the snow

Bucky feeling more at home with snow in the winter

And as a final parting note, Arjen's first artwork, courtesy of Gma Ei and the iPhone.  Did I mention how amazing technology is?  And how bored you can get when stuck in a car for 14 hours?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!