This year I have been to Vegas, NV a few times to visit some friends and also to celebrate by Birthday in April. I got to ride the new roller coaster at the NASCAR Cafe called "Speed." It was awesome. It's like Superman at Magic Mountain and Screamin' California at Disney's California Adventure. I also went to the new Shark Reef at the Mandalay Bay Hotel. It was very nice, but a little pricey. My favorite place to go lately when I'm in Vegas is the Belagio hotel because they always have different flower arrangements. I remember from last year that New York, New York Hotel had an ice skating show under the Statue of Liberty. Wonder if they are doing it this year?
| I got to go to Disneyland's newest theme park before it opened to the public in January 2001 called Disney's California Adventures. It has some rides from the parks in Florida, but it is themed after the State of California, even the music they play throughout the park. It has a lot of neat rides too. California Screamin', the roller coaster is really unique and has a surprising start. I only know one other ride like this and it's at Walt Disney World in Florida MGM Park. California Soaring is a one in a kind ride. You are on a simulated ride that takes you hang gliding through the State of California and it uses more than one sense to make it feel like you are there. Sourdough bread and tortillas are made in the park daily. They even give you a sample when they have some. The tortillas are flour or corn, depending on what they are making that day. They usually give them to you fresh from the machine. I've been back about 3 times since the park has opened to see everything the park has to offer. They keep adding new things to see each visit. Over all I like the park, when it first opened they didn't have very many California themed songs, but they have worked on that. So there is more of a variety of music now. | ||||
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In February I went to Phoenix, AZ. There I went to the Phoenix Zoo and the Biotical Gardens. To me the Zoo was similar to the Wild Animal Park here in Escondido, Ca. Except I got to see the Lion and Lioness as they soaked up the sun. It is wide open and spread out. I think it is put together well and will visit it again when I'm in the area. The Biotical Gardens were beautiful. They have many trails that you can go hiking on and even purchase some of their cactus they have on display. I also went to one of their large malls and got to make my own Teddy Bear that I named Bearazona. I even got a Birth Certificate for him. To me, the mall was as large as the Galleria mall in Glendale, Ca. I also got to eat at the Hard Rock Cafe and Purchased a beanie "Hard Rock Cafe" bear, which I collect. Over all I was lucky to be there on a very hot weekend in February. One thing I did notice about the Phoenix area, there isn't much open on Sundays. So I was literally window-shopping. I will remember that next time and go shopping on Saturday and see the Zoo on Sunday.
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| In March I got to go to Walt Disney world for my first time. I only got to spend 1 1/2 days there, but it was fun. I spent one whole day at Epcot in the pouring down rain and half of a day at the Magic Kingdon. The Magic Kingdom is similar to our Disneyland in California. Of course the land and everthing else in it seems larger at Magic Kingdom. For example, the castle and Main Street, but I like them both. It would be nice to be able to spend a whole day there on my next trip. Also on my trip I got to visit the AANR office for North America. We had lunch with some of the staff and watched a video that Erick had left for Brian from Naturally California. | ||||
In July I went to Canada for a visit with family. I got to meet some family members I've never met before. I arrived in Canada in the early afternoon and it took me 3 hours to get to my Aunts house. I missed my exit due to the fact I'm not use to their highway signs. The speed limit is in KM instead of MPH. they drive a lot slower there than in the US. I did get there after asking for directions twice. The people of Canada were very friendly to me. I had a great time though. I got to go to my cousin's wedding and a second cousins birthday party. My Aunt and Uncle drove me around to show me some sights. It's a very beautiful country. Very green. I got to go shopping and couldn't believe how much I got for my money when I bought myself some new clothes. I got to see the country where my mother grew up before she moved to the states. There are a lot of crops everywhere you go. I cannot wait to go back. Later in the month I went to a resort near Sacramento called Laguna Del Sol. Very nice place. I camped out by the lake and had a wonderful view every morning.
In August I got lucky in going to Walt Disney World once again when my friends friend didn't go, so I slid in their place. I had fun and got to see more parks when I was there. I got to spend the whole day at MGM and Animal Kingdom. I really like MGM the best so far. There is a lot to do there. I got to go on the Aerosmith Rock N Coaster. It's really cool. The ride is in a limo roller coaster car, in the pitch black lit up by black lights and starts just like California Screamin' at California Adventures. That is all I'll tell you. So it doesn't ruin your first ride. I also went on the Tower of Terror. It is really awesome. I was really scared because I had only heard rumors about the ride dropping from under you at any moment. It is one of my favorite rides at the Disney Parks. They also have Who Wants to be a Millionaire with 3 stages running. I didn't get to see the Muppets 3D because I was told it was the same as the one in California as well as It's Tough to be a Bug. They were in the middle of building the 100 years of Walt Disney when I was there. The Animal Kingdom is a very unique park. Some of the rides could be better put together. I liked the Kilimanjaro Safari ride, but they need to stop a little more and get rid of the talking from the CB radio dispatch. I went on the rapid ride, but it didn't compare to the one at California Adventures. I did get very wet while others stayed completely dry. One thing that I'm looking forward to at this park when I go back, the new roller coaster they are putting in at Dinosaur Island. It looked pretty neat from what I could see over the construction walls. At Animal Kingdom I met some people that knew my Cousin Jeff's children because she was a teacher at their school. How weird. What a small world.
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Well, it's hard to believe that it is December already and it's almost halfway over. I went to Jingle Balls 2001 concert with some friends. It was a great concert. I got to do the chicken dance with the Bare Naked Ladies. It was so cool. I also liked listening to Sugar Ray. I'm not too fond of the other bands that played, but I did enjoy myself. I got home at 1am only to get up the next morning at 5:30am to go to Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure with my brother and niece. We had a great time. You should go see the Haunted Mansion if you can. It is done really nice with Jim Burtons Nightmare before Christmas. This weekend I'm going to Vegas to visit some friends and hopefully see some new sights. It will be my first Christmas in my new condo. I'm hoping to have a few friends over for dinner. | |||
