APRIL 1998
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Seven videos have been added to this trip. When you see the windows media icon a video is available for that segment of the trip. Click on the links to play the videos. |
My 1998 vacation began with a flight to Chicago's O'Hare airport. My time in Chicago was brief,
just long enough to change planes. On the Chicago-San Francisco flight I had the pleasure of
flying on a new Boeing 777. Although I have been to San Francisco countless times before, I
never get tired of visiting here. It is truly the most beautiful city in the United States. My
first stop was the world famous Fisherman's Wharf. The weather was picture perfect, so I spent
most of this day on foot walking all around the city by the bay. My next stop was The National
Maritime Museum at Hyde Street Pier. San Fransico Bay provides a stuning backdrop for the
numerous historical vessels that are anchored here. Next it was up Hyde Street past where the
cable cars turn around. From there it was a short walk over to Ghirardelli Square, where I resisted
the temptation to purchase some of the many mouth-watering sweets. I turned back east and
headed for the car parked back at the wharf, making a quick stop at The Cannery enroute.
I drove over to Embarcadero Center in the financial district next, passing through China Town
on the way. Sky Deck is a new observation deck on the top floor of Embarcadero One. This lofty
position provides a stunning 360 degree view of San Francisco. I began my second day with
a walk across the Golden Gate Bridge. Weather was perfect again today as I spent the afternoon
looking at the giant redwood trees in Mount Tamalpais State Park and at Muir Woods. Then it was
off to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. I spent considerable time here photographing the
spectacular scenery of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Skyline, and Pacific Ocean. I began day
three by making a couple of new friends at Golden Gate Park. These two fellows were quite loud and
really enjoyed nipping at my ankles. After bidding my two new pals farewell, I continued through the
park visiting the Japanease Gardens and various other places. The tulips were especially beautiful, they
were in full bloom. I exited the park along the Pacific Ocean near the famous Cliff House. I stopped
here for a while and enjoyed the beautiful weather and watched the surfers trying to catch a few waves.
I spent the afternoon visting various San Francisco landmarks; Lombard Street, Coit Tower, and Pier 39.
After it got dark I headed across the Golden Gate Bridge and did some night photography of the bridge
and the San Francisco skyline.
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16 minute video of the Golden Gate Bridge and other San Francisco landmarks. Click on the links to play video. |
On day four it was time to start heading south. Not too far south though.
I spent the day in San Jose. I particularly enjoyed my tour of the Winchester Mystery House.
This usual mansion was built by the eccentric widow of the inventor of the Winchester Rifle.
I continued a little further south on day five. Spending the morning and early afternoon in Santa Cruz.
They were having some kind of surfing competition on this day as the waters were replete with surfers.
Next it was on into Monterey where I spent the rest of the day at the wharf and enjoying the spectacular
ocean scenery along the seventeen-mile-drive.
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10 minute video of Monterey, California and the beautiful Pacific Ocean. Click on the links to play video. |
It was my intent to drive down the scenic Pacific Coast
Highway on day six. But due to the heavy rains caused by El Nino, the highway was closed between Monterey
and San Simeon, so I had to take the boring freeway instead. After arriving in San Simeon I took two
different tours of Hearst Castle. After leaving Hearst Castle it was a
short drive to San Luis Obispo for the night.
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10 minute video of Hearst Castle in San Simeon, California. Click on the links to play video. |
I hit the road again on day seven. My first stop was the charming Danish community of
Solvang, California. I couldn't resist purchasing a few of the tempting baked goods from their many bakeries.
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3 minute video of the Danish community of Solvang, California. Click on the links to play video. |
After Solvang it was on into Los Angeles with a brief stop in Santa Barbara on the way.
Day eight began in Hollywood at Mann's Chinese Theatre.
Although I have been here many times before, a trip to southern California isn't complete without at
least a glimpse at the stars footprints. City Walk was next on my agenda. That's a new shopping and
entertainment area at Universal Studios.
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4 minute video of Mann's Chinese Theatre and Universal's City Walk. Click on the links to play video. |
Breakfast on board the Queen Mary began day number nine.
Then it was a 90 minute boat ride over to Catalina Island where I would spend the day. For the first
time in over a week, the weather was less than perfect. It was cloudy all day with a few drops of rain.
But that wasn't enough to keep me from enjoying my three tours of the island. I started with a glass-
bottom boat tour, then it was up into the hillside to the "Airport in the Sky", and finished it off with
a tour of the town site.
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10 minute video of California's Catalina Island. Click on the links to play video. |
I took a break from the sight seeing on day ten. I went to the movies and hung
my hotel near LAX. I spent the morning of day eleven exploring downtown Los Angeles before driving to
Victorville, California for the night. It was a short drive into Las Vegas on day twelve.
I stayed at the Flamingo Hilton this time.
I spent most of my four days in Vegas at the slots. But I did venture outside the casinos occasionally.
On one of my strolls along the strip I visited the new Coca-Cola and M&M World.
I got to see them blow up the Aladdin Hotel on the second night that I was there.
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9 minute video of the Aladdin Hotel implosion in Las Vegas, Nevada. Click on the links to play video. |
I took in the view atop the Stratosphere tower.
And spent an afternoon at the Fremont Street Experience.
After Vegas it was on to my sister's in Fairfield, California for a couple of days before returning home.
Pictured above is Chad (brother in-law), Barbara (sister),
Me (before losing 100 pounds in 2002), Jonathan (nephew) & Roudy (cat).
| TIM'S HOME PAGE SITE INDEX | ||
|---|---|---|
| Areas | Description | # of Pages |
| About Me | Current Picture of me and my home. Information about myself. | 2 |
| Biography | Pictorial biography of myself. Pictures range from birth to adulthood. | 4 |
| Elton John Page | Pictures, Midi, Links & More. | 1 |
| Family File | Pictures of my family and a little information about them. | 11 |
| Local Spotlight | Pictures, Links, and Information for Indianapolis, Richmond, Plainfield, and Mooresville, Indiana. | 5 |
| On The Road | Pictures from my travels around the world. | 43+ |
| TV Showcase | Over 785 television series. Links to all television networks. Purchase TV books and videos! Endless television resources! | 1500+ |
| Vacation Videos | Over 150 videos from my travels around the world. | 1 |
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