The Fulkerson Times-Journal

12/16/2023 - J.D. and Sue starts their 2023 vacation. Sues sister, and her husband, as well as Sues oldest and youngest arrived in California the day before. Although an early morning start, it was a fairly relaxed day. Sues Sister and her husband met us at LAX and drove out to Harbor City for hotel #1. Theresa and Sierra spent the day at Knotts Berry Farm. We got arranged, hit a Walmart for stuff we didn't want to transport.

12/17/2023 - Tourist day for LA. Really great local restaurant for Breakfast. We all went to Santa Monica Pier. For Gloria and Paul this was their first time being a tourist in LA. They loved the pier. For lunch we had to go to the Original Farmers Market. where you can find an amazing variety of food. Everyone could get what they wanted, and it was all good.

Next a trip to the La Brea Tar Pits.. Gloria really wanted a photo of the Hollywood sign so Theresa drove us out to Mullholand Drive and the Hollywood Bowl overlook. We wound up at a Dennys for dinner, not a great experience.

12/18/2023 - Another great breakfast at a local restaurant. Turned in rental car, exchanged it for a ship. Carnival Radiance. We had a nice balcony stateroom. Everyone got settled in. Theresa reserved the Steakhouse for dinner. I had a great Lobster Bisque and two huge Lobster Tails. Everyone really ate too much.

12/19/23 - Members of the group having issues from the rich food last night. Sue, Sierra, Theresa and I took a tender to Avalon, Catalina Island. Fun Beach town. Had a nice time.

Sue had some issues with her new power chair getting back on board ship. Crew did a great job helping.

12/20/23 - Ensenada Mexico. Sue and I went ashore for a short time to see the small market. Sierra and Theresa went on an excursion to a Wine and Cheese cave a rough road hour away from port. They really enjoyed it. Getting back on board I turned to see Sues feet in the air on the gangplank. the angle of the top ramp tipped her chair over. Helpers were there to get her safely inside. She was just laughing and holding on to the gangplank rails.

12/21/23 - "Fun day at Sea" Sierra treated Sue to a nice massage. We all rested up.

12/22/23 - Probably the worst day of the trip. Had to disembark the ship. Pick up cars to drive to San Francisco. Sue and I got lost and wound up in a onboarding cargo line on Pier 9. Harbor Patrol was nice and escorted us to the Carnival Dock to pick up luggage. Gloria got a car for her, Paul, Theresa. We tool off for San Francisco. We had a minor emergency delay. Got into San Francisco about 10:30. Room Sue and I had was a dump. Had to change rooms to a much nicer one in a different building. Everyone exhausted from the long trek.

1/23/23 - We turned in our one day travel cars for a smaller car to get around town. Another really great local Breakfast and then we were off to Fishermans Wharf and Pier 39. Was really surprisingly cold (December in San Fran right?) Some of us bought some extra warm gear. Paul and Gloria took a sunset bay cruise. Theresa treated to a dinner at Boudins, She had promised sourdough bread for Mike.

1/24/23 - Drove up to ride the Roaring Camp steam railroad in Felton. Bit of a drive but well worth it. Train ride to the top of Bear Mountain. Lots of Redwoods. Everyone agreed this was one of the highlights for the trip. Ate in an authentic Chinese Restaurant, mixed reviews. Paul and Gloria really enjoyed the food. The rest of us, not so much.

1/25/23 - Sue and my surprise for Christmas. A brunch cruise around the bay. Good food, great company, wonderful views. Gloria also drove down Lombard street for the first, and last time. We then did the Cable Cars. Sue and Theresa staying behind due to disability issues. Sierra got to hang out on the back platform for part of the trip. On the return Paul got an outside seat and Sierra hung onto the outside pole. Both enjoyed their trip. Nice Dinner at Black Bear Diner.

1/26/23 - Recovery day. Did laundry, pack and just take it easy. Found a great little French bakery and had some wonderful pastries. Stopped by Lucky grocery and got some wonderful deli sandwiches for dinner. Sue and I could only eat half. so that was to be lunch tomorrow.

1/27/23 - Travel day. Paul and Gloria took off very early to get back to Florida. We took our time and arrived at the airport extra early. Turned in the car and went through a rather busy security checkin. Flight was not too bad. I picked up car from parking, Sue, Sierra and I headed to the house for a well deserved rest.