Last Chance Fun Before School

It is now an official tradition.....the DGDs get to go on a mini-vacation with Nahn Nahn and PopPop the week before school starts.  Anything we do twice in our family becomes tradition and this was our second before school starts trip.  This time we included two overnights.

The trip began with a day at our house with crafts, snacks, and a movie before bedtime.  I finally got everyone to watch Pete's Dragon, which was one of Stephen and Jon's all time favorites (by my recollection).  The girls enjoyed it and weren't even aware of how dated the animation techniques were from 1979.  Jim and I enjoyed the songs.  Remember "Candle on the Water" sung by Helen Reddy? 

The next day we were off to Santa Cruz and the Boardwalk.  We were a little slow getting going but it turned out to be a good thing because the Boardwalk attractions didn't open until 1:00 p.m.  We had time for lunch and then it was off to the rides. 

This train ride had a little bit of Disney influence but not quite as polished.  The girls loved it.

Look!  It's Pete's Dragon!

Makayla's all-time favorite ride.  She rode it 8 times.

What's not to be happy about?  We just finished ice cream cones.

PopPop got talked into riding in the front of this one so Makayla wouldn't get so wet. (Her idea.)

The DGDs made a friend along the way and shared a ride together.

Miniature Golf for the first time.  They LOVED it.

Heading back to the car via the Sky Ride.  A perfect day. 

 Our hotel was a very nice Fairfield Inn in Capitoal just down the road from Santa Cruz.  Along the way, we discovered a great Pizza restaurant for dinner.  The hotel included breakfast the next morning and the girls loved having all the great choices.  Then we were off to Felton to ride the Roaring Camp Steam Railroad. 

Embarking on more family fun.

Sunlight through the redwoods......stunning!

The Little Engine That Could......

Never saw a log I couldn't climb.

Happiness on a sunny day.

Returning back to the station.

It was a great mini-vacation!