Charlin vs. the Theme Park

*Spoiler alert*

The theme park won. It was still worth it.

*Spoiler end*

Anyway, I noticed I have reached a vacation slump. Whenever I go out, it is almost always to a museum or a zoo. It was time to break from tradition, so I went to Knott's Berry Farm. I saw two flipped cars before I got to the freeway. Scary. Anyway, once I got past on the highway, the drive was uneventful.

After getting in, I immediately found an old friend.

 Aww, Buddy...

This is Rocko. He used to live in front of the now-extinct dinosaur ride at Knott's. While I understand why the park removed the ride (it was old, dated, and unsafe), I loved it as a kid. It was really nice to see some aspect of it remained.

I immediately went on one of the mildest roller coasters in the park. Then it was faster than I remembered. Then I remembered I had not been on one in about five years. Then I tweaked my neck on a curve. Then I realized I was old. Dernit.

Anyway, I went on the mine train ride, which was mellow enough for Jerome to come, too.

 

 What about tails and flippers?

The park adjusted the ride for Halloween, but I convinced myself not to be scared since the horror aspects were not accurate for the mine's time period. Then something touched my face and I squirmed like a little girl in a dentist's chair for the rest of the ride.

 Our dashing conductor

One of the things I like about Knott's is the attention to random little details.

 I'm on a hook

 I'm on a wheel

Knott's also has a little museum. Unsurprisingly, it does not get a lot of traffic, which is unfortunate. While the museum certainly does not enjoy Smithsonian standards, it does include some interesting knicknacks, historical objects, and minerals.

I got to talk to the docent. We spoke about off-season calmness, harbor cleanliness, improving neighborhoods, and degrading shopping centers. He then generously posed with Jerome for a picture.

Old as I am, I figured I should try another roller coaster. This one looked promising.

 I wanna ride the pony!

The ride was short, but encouraging. I decided to take on the ride that conquered me five years ago.

 Okay...

Ghostrider is a huge, wooded roller coaster with sharp turns, high drops, and rapid movement. I discovered I do not mind heights or speeds, but sharp, long drops freak me out. This ride has one of the biggest drops in the park. I still went on it and survived. I also decided facing one fear was enough for the day, so I went to a show.

 That is one suspicious bucket

The show displayed plenty of fight scenes, swings, acrobatics, and a secret weapon (with its own theme song). 

I then witnessed something truly wonderful.

 Funnel cake!

A group of rowdy cowboys started causing trouble in the streets. Fortunately, I had a mosasaur in my pocket.

 Yay, you'd better leave

I also met a blacksmith in the process of making a horseshoe.

 Before and soon to be after

We talked about our respective hobbies. He makes knives in his free time, while I make plushies. He seemed really impressed by Jerome and the pictures of my other critters. Since his hands were covered with soot, he let me put Jerome on his shoulders. They look great together, don't they?

 The craftsman and the reptile

Unfortunately, I started to feel ill. I'm not sure if it was hormonal, sickness, or dehydration, but it was not fun. I had two options. I could force my way through two more hours and feel miserable, or go home early and take care of myself. I chose the latter. Still, at least someone appreciated me skipping the chicken dinner.

We shall meet again, and this time, I WILL SUCCEED!

Until next time, peace out, mah ninjas!

Charlin vs. Science

As promised, here is an update.

Eager to use my vacation time (semi-)interestingly, I migrated to a bizarre and wonderful world.

I should have brought a poet

Actually, the location was completely Earth-bound. Jerome and I went to the California Science Center. While I came specifically to see a traveling exhibit, I spent the first part of the day observing the permanent collection. Most of the first exhibits reminded me of the paternal unit.

Jerome and the Apollo capsule

 Jerome and the Viking

Jerome and the Window

I wanted to move on, but at least one display silently judged my lack of interest.

Does not approve

Many of the other exhibits focused on biology, which I had more familiarity with. However, they taught me some new information. They also used big models of random plants, bugs, and cells.

 Someone, somewhere, is very proud of this light-up plant

The most impressive exhibit was a 188,000 gallon display of local aquatic life. I managed to meet some divers before they suited up. Actually, I helped them identify some rainbow surfperch and a salema. They kindly posed for a picture.

 Sheephead photobomb!

I still could not find tickets for the special exhibit. Fortunately, two workers willingly pointed me toward the ticket booth.

Thank you!

Twenty bucks later, I had my ticket for the exhibition.

I always liked classical history, and the displays promised information about the particularly enigmatic queen. They delivered.

Jerome: mosasaur, travel buddy, censor bar

While the information was good, the exhibition kept trying to present Cleopatra as a sympathetic character. Personally, I do not think she was. Yes, she was brilliant, creative, beautiful, and talented. Yet, she was still the sort of person most people pray their daughters never become. Her actions imply a manipulative, obsessive, prideful, and demanding personality.

Some examples of the decadence of the time found mention.

 

This is one three-inch earring. The white things are pearls.

Still, the day was fun and enlightening. Until next time, peace out, mah ninjas! 

Charlin and the Birthday Gift

Recently, I experienced a rather important birthday. Since summer is a rotten time to travel (you may quote me on that), I took my celebratory trip in the fall. The paternal units graciously paid for themselves, a fraternal unit, and myself to go to Monterey for a weekend. Traffic was...very Los Angeles.

 Boy, is it ever LA!

Eventually, we got away from the traffic and decided to stop for dinner.

Cafffeeeiiinnneee....

We decided to actually eat on the road, which saved some time. One of the paternal units noticed the beautiful sunset (sunsets would be a theme during the trip). The sky was colorful, wide, and haunting.

 Highway sunset

Surprisingly, we got to the hotel before 11 p.m. allowing us to settle in for the night. The emptiness of the lobby was a bit...odd. 

We got here at ten. What did you expect?

Cramming everyone into a single room was interesting, but it was fun to be together.

 Jerome, my travel buddy, and Kevin, my father's plesiosaur, claim the fridge

Due to the noise from the traffic and excitement for the day, no one slept well. So I recommended a location offering a healthful breakfast.

 Chocolate cake!

Cake: the nationally-recognized breakfast of weekends. Actually, most of the family chose traditional items, such as quiche, vegetable pastries, or oatmeal for breakfast. I just could not resist the glory of ganâche.

After eating something and purchasing a snack, we went to the aquarium. The line was longer than expected, but the wait was worth it. Construction closed the otter exhibit, so a sea otter viewing area was set up over the harbor. We saw a mother with a pup and a very adventurous otter.

Monitor da ottas!

The maternal unit payed for us to go on a tour. The exhibit overview intrigued Jerome.

 Swan dive in 5...4...3...

Jerome also met some new friends at the mackerel exhibit.

 Jerome, a bison, and a dolphin watch the fishes

Among aquariums, Monterey is well known for its jellyfish population. The sea jellies range from tiny crystal jellies to enormous sea nettles.

 Jellies and Jerome

While the pretty jellies distracted the others, Jerome and I sought out the secrets of the exhibits.

 Jelly lab!

After the incident last time, I kept Jerome away from the canning equipment. He still got in trouble.

Help!

Despite the trauma, it was a fun day. Like the day before, it ended with a glorious sunset.

Pretty...

Everyone was really hungry, though, so we went to a highly recommended cafe halfway down an otherwise abandoned pier. Our initial misgivings proved false, as the food and the staff were some of the best I have ever experienced (go to Lou Lou's in Monterey; you will not regret it).

Flowers!

We enjoyed the wonders of cable television before calling it a night. The next day, we visited the bakery again.

Wouldn't you come back?

 

This time, I got a more traditional breakfast (the maternal unit bought us a cake to bring home!). 

Traffic was okay, but the trip was one of the best gifts I ever received. Now, I would like to celebrate some of the people who made it so:

The guest service staff, who never receive the thanks they deserve;

 the Bearer of the Jelly Roll;

 the Godzilla vs. Giantcrabinator knockoff;

the Otter Queen;

 Patrick and the Lady of the Penguins;

 the Blue Wizard of the Outer Bay;

 Patrick again (this time, in Tour Guide mode!);

 Benito, the man who taught me chowder was to be loved, not feared;

and, of course, the family unit, whose encouragement, generosity, and kindness will forever be an inspiration.

Next week, I am burning some vacation time, so look forward to updates. Until then, peace out, mah ninjas!