Big Bear

Time: Nov-22-2012
Place: Big Bear Lake
Company: Mom-in-law, Wife and Daughter
Highlights: In a bid to show snow to mom-in-law, went to this mountain where water from Big Bear Lake is converted to snow for skiiing during off-season. It is still off-season since it has not snowed yet. Pretty much similar to natural snow and environment. Paavani enjoyed playing with snow. Went to couple of skiing resorts with varying range of skiing levels.Then went to Big Bear Lake and Big Bear Mountain to capture breath-taking views of the panorama. A 2.5 hr drive from Irvine home.

Aquarium of the Pacific at Long Beach

Time: Nov-18-2012
Place: Aquarium of the Pacific & Harbor Cruise
Company: Mom-in-law, Wife, Daughter
Highlights: Initially thought this would be a 2-3 hr thing but was exhausted at the amount of exhibits. This took almost all day [from 10 to 4]. Polar problems made me sad. Fishes with what looked like electric signals were amazing. Nature's painting of beautiful colors under the ocean is mesmerizing. Thanks to the aquarium, we get to see what we would otherwise never get to see. After the aquarium, went on a harbor cruise to see in and around Long Beach.

Griffith Park Observatory in LA

Time: Nov-10-2012
Place: Calabasas and Griffith, Hollywood Blvd at Los Angeles
Company: Mom-in-law, Wife and Daughter
Highlights: Aksharabhyaasa for Paavani at Calabasas temple. After the event, went to Griffith Park Observatory in Los Angeles. First time here. Enormous amount of cars. Had to park the car about 0.5 miles from summit and walk all the way up to the top with Paavani on shoulder. Nice views of Hollywood sign and LA. Saw the sun set too. Then went inside the observatory. Wonderful science exhibits. Then went to Hollywood Boulevard street to show Kodak Theatre and other happenings to Mom-in-law. Third time here. Finally, after a long day, headed back home.

San Diego Zoo

Time: Nov-3-2012
Place: San Diego Zoo & Mt Soledad
Company: Mom-in-law, Wife, Daughter
Highlights: Tried to be as early as possible - especially to beat the traffic from Irvine. Last time we visited Balboa Park, we got stuck in traffic near Carlsbad. So this time, left at 8 and reached by 10. Stayed all day till closure at 5. Thanks to AAA, tickets were little cheaper. Wide variety of animals and attractions to keep everyone occupied all day. Did not take shuttle service and hence walked everywhere. Notable attractions - air tram, welcome bird show, sea lion show, etc. other than the animals, of couse. Paavani slept off at about 4 after watching the elephants. She missed only Giraffe and Hippo. On the way back, also visited Mount Soledad. Very nice view of San Diego freeways and the Pacific from atop.

Palomar Mountain

Time: Oct-20-2012
Place: Palomar Mountain
Company: Mom-in-law, Wife, Daughter
Highlights: Searching for nearby (one-day picnic) places led to this mountain with breath-taking views. Thankfully, the day we visited, it was a cloudy day. That is to say, it was cloudy for those on the ground. For those on Palomar, we were above the clouds. As if we were characters in those mythological serials where Gods and Angels walk and talk on clouds. Such was the scenery everywhere. Very similar to what we see from airplane. Also went on a short trail - Paavani's first. Missed visiting the observatory - incidentally I had seen a documentary couple of years ago on how the huge lens used in this observatory made its way from East coast to where it is situated now. On the way back, also went to Palo casino. Visited couple of lakes and drove amidst clouds while coming back. A short memorable trip.

Balboa Park

Time: July 28, 2012
Place: San Diego
Company: Father, Wife and daughter
Highlights: Huge traffic jam caused delay in reaching San Diego but it was good that we didnt turn back home. Balboa Park is a very nice park with lots of things to do. We chose spots fun for toddlers. A small train, a nice carousel, a water fountain, a pet-place, etc. Ended the day in the park with a nice ice cream and coffee.

Calabasas Temple

Time: July 4, 2012
Place: Calabasas, Los Angeles
Company: Father, Wife and daughter
Highlights: In a bid to show the Hindu temple to dad, went to Calabasas temple. Pretty nice temple constructed on similar lines of Pittsburgh temple. On the way back, visited the LA and Hollywood view point from Mulholland Drive scenic spot. Remembered the day when me and my wife had come to this same spot with Kedar and Niraj. Then went to Hollywood Blvd too. Had to wait for an hour on the parking lot for Paavani to wake up. Pondered about watching Independence Day fireworks in LA itself but decided to see near home as it was an hour away.

SFO, Yosemite and Tahoe

Time: May 24-28, 2012
Place: San Francisco, Yosemite, Lake Tahoe
Company: Wife and daughter for SFO, joined with friend and his family for Y and LT.
Highlights:

Day 0: Took the 9 pm flight from SNA to SJC southwest. Rental car from Enterprise. Reached Niraj's house at almost midnight. Chatted and slept.

Day 1: Left to Mystery Spot at 9 am. Enjoyed the MS's illusions and uniqueness. Using PCH, drove all the way to Golden Gate, with stops before at major scenic spots. GG at about 3 pm. Spent some time at GG and then had lunch at a Thai restaurant on the way to Lombard Street. Lost way, so parked in Chinatown, took the cable car and went to Lombard Street. Walked down and up the crooked street. Returned back, exhausted. Switched rental car to minivan, Enterprise to Alamo, ready for next day. Thankfully realised the missing GPS holder and got it back in time.

Day 2: Left to Yosemite Park at 9 am. Reached about 2-ish. Went to Bridal Veil Falls, then got stuck in traffic due to long weekend. So parked at some place and walked around to enjoy the beauty of the nature. Thanks to Niraj's parents, had nice home made food. Finally exited the park and headed to Country Inn at Sonora. Reached about 9-ish and retired.

Day 3: Breakfast at Country Inn. Left to Lake Tahoe. Saw snow on the way. Reached Tahoe at 2-ish and had nice lunch at Taj Mahal restaurant. Then went to Tahoe and relaxed at the beach for couple of hours. Headed back to San Jose at 7-ish and reached by midnight.

Day 4: Alcatraz all day. Cruise, the walk to the prison cells, the stories of multiple escape attempts, the life and story of prisoners and officers, etc. Very thoughtful. Missed the planned return cruise by a minute. So had to rush to the airport to catch the flight back to SNA at 5 pm. Reached home just before 7 pm.

Overall, a nice trip, slightly hectic on day 1. Poor Paavani hated car seat. Food was not all that easy nor nice. Her tantrum in Crooked Street wanting to climb up and down the complete set of stairs will be a scene to remember. Gouri and self gave an interview to a guy with camera in GG in memory of the bridge's 75th anniversary. Niraj and company was nice. Esp Paavani calling his parents Thatha and Ajji. And Momi too! A trip to remember...

Detroit

Time: Feb 11, 2012 - Feb 13, 2012
Place: Detroit, Frankenmuth
Company: Wife and daughter
Highlights:
Day 1: Left Nashua by car to Providence at 5 am, after a 4 hr sleep. Reached airport at 7-ish. Paavani ran around the airport saying Hi to one and all! By the time the flight took off, she was awake for 4 hrs already and exhausted enough to sleep the entire 1.75 hr flight. 13 degrees in Detroit with most of it covered in snow. So, stayed home entire day. Watched Chup Chup Ke.
Day 2: Went to Frankenmuth and visited the World's largest Christmas store. Nice time pass for children, with many a dazzling material all around. Home made Masala Dosa for lunch and Missal Paav for dinner.
Day 3: Went to GM headquarters and metro rail for Paavani. Then to Somerset Mall. Caught the 9:37 pm flight back to Providence. Again Paavani slept all through, and even unto the next morning. Reached Nashua at 2 am.
Had been wanting to visit Detroit since May last year, and finally got done now. My first was in 2005 alone, second was in 2006 with parents, third was in 2009 with wife and fourth now in 2012 with wife and daughter.

North Conway, NH in White Mountain Region to Welcome 2012!

Time: Dec 30, 2011 to Jan 1, 2012

Place: North Conway, NH, USA

Company: Wife and Daughter

Highlights:

Day 1: Initially had planned to take the hour-long 1330 hrs scenic train to Conway but just as I pulled into the parking lot of the station, the engine puffed away. Traffic at North Conway is much to blame but apart from that, it is a very beautiful town set in the midst of the White Mountain Region of New Hampshire state. Multiple things to do in and around this town, much like Gatlinburg of Smoky Mountain region. Having missed the train, had lunch at Shalimar of India and checked in at our resort - Eastern Slope Inn. Nice resort, set right in the middle of the town. Catchy thing about the resort is that it has a heated Jacuzzi in the open air. So when we checked in, it was snowing and there were people in swim trunks dipping into the steamy open-air Jacuzzi! A sight to see!

Day 2: Took the 2-hr 1130 hrs train to Bartlett. Quite over-priced but fun. Lunch at a Thai restaurant. Siesta! Rushed to Mount Cranmore which is just about a mile away to see the Fireworks as part of New Year's Eve celebrations. It was a treat! Headed back to the Inn to enjoy a game of table tennis and then roamed around the streets and tiny shops of North Conway. Then again there was Fireworks at North Conway itself which was slow but enchanting. Watched New Year's Ball drop at New York on TV and said Good Bye to 2011!

Day 3: A nice warm day. Went to Mt Cranmore again to enjoy the white snow more. Daughter had much fun walking and walking in the granular snow. Went on a coaster ride too. Had lunch and headed back home.

Overall: For the first time, went on a vacation in US (for 2 nights and 3 days) without seeing any other Indian tourist! 241 miles driven in total. Very refreshing holiday, after a 8 month hiatus! Paavani's first vacation in US.

Nashua, NH, USA

Time: Oct 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012
Place: Nashua, NH, USA
Company: Wife and daughter
Highlights: First time doing an internal relocation within US. Much to hope for (lesser commute to office), much to repent (missing Boston).