Chily Expeditions: Family 2/2017 to 3/2017

On 2/25 we took a 4 day weekend to meet Ben, Nicki, and the grandkids in Carlsbad, CA. Ben was attending an Ocean Spray conference. All the Marsh family was there ( Brian, Neva, Dani and her 2 girls), as they were going to take a few extra days after the conference to enjoy the San Diego area. On the drive to Carlsbad, Kirk and I stopped for breakfast at the Ludlow Cafe in Ludlow, CA just off I40 on Route 66. This was a neat little " hole in the wall" place with good food. We would definitely eat there again.

Fun, and interesting place to eat

On our trip to Carlsbad near San Bernardino

Visiting the beach while waiting to meet up with the kids

Watching the sailboats

We made a reservation at an AirBnB. This was Kirk's first experience ( and maybe his last). It was a disappointment to say the least. We had a room in an apartment occupied by the renters. The bed was comfortable. There was little communication from them. They never mentioned parking, which was street parking. However, we came back one rainy night only to find the nearest parking about a quarter of a mile away. This may have been useful information when we were deciding where to stay.

Ben and Nicki were staying in Carlsbad at the Aviara resort where the conference was being held. We were excited to see them. I was able to give Bella and Isaac the hats I had crocheted for them. They loved the Troll movie, so I was able to find a pattern. I thought they turned out pretty good.

Taken after the kids returned home. Kinda windy this day.

The next day, 2/26 we picked the kids up at the San Diego zoo. We decided to take the trolley ride. We rode over to Coronado Island, which was very cool for this time of year. The kids had a fun time on the beach, and walking around town. After returning, we ate dinner at Cafe Coyotes in old town San Diego.

The famous Coronado Hotel

Going over the bridge from Coronado Island

And the tide comes rolling in.

Love this pic Ben, Isaac, Bella, Nicki.

Never too cold for some ice cream. Papa Kirk was ready to relax

The next day continued to be rainy. However, we made the most of it and took a trip to the Museum of Natural History with the kids. The Dinosaur display was there, and would be for several months, so the kids were especially excited about this. After returning to their hotel, everyone rested up. Later, Ocean Spray put on an indoor Food Truck dinner. This was supposed to be outside at the resort, but the weather was not cooperating. It was an excellent dinner, lots of fun, and I even got a free Ocean Spray Mule mug.

The Dinosaur exhibit in San Diego.

What the heck is in there?!

Kirk and I left Carlsbad 2/28 and headed straight to the Vegas airport to pick up his sister, Bev. On our way there, we stopped at the Outpost in Oak Hills, CA to eat breakfast, just off I-15. It was a quaint little place next to the Pilot truck stop with good food.

After our little search for Bev at the airport (we were in the wrong terminal), we finally headed back toward Bullhead City. Bev was staying at the Edgewater Casino/hotel in Laughlin, NV right across the river from us. During her visit we were able to take her to Oatman, Topoc, our place (Kirk made wings and poppers on the Traeger) for margaritas, to Havasu to see the London Bridge, and of course to the Desert Bar in Parker. I think she had a good time, even though the weather wasn't quite as warm as she would have liked. We sure enjoyed having her visit us!