Ginky's First Big Trip

 This is about Ginky's first adventure. His first big trip.

When I look back I have no idea I decided to take this little baby on a long trip Connecticut to California. 

Jamie had an ear infection and cried the whole trip from Hartford to Chicago. Once we got there, we thought we would turn around and go back because it was a disaster on the plane. Here are my notes from that trip and what great memories and pictures, taking that little baby on a trip to California until Lake Tahoe.

Jamie got to the room, and Dad went down to the strip joint area to an all-night restaurant that came back with fries and a chili dog. After eating, we went to bed at about 5:00 a.m. Home time.

The date is August 20th, 1985, so James is about a year and a half old. We wake up, and Mom goes to Wendy's and brings us back some breakfast. We get in the car and drive over the Golden Gate Bridge by mistake, and then we drive through the Presidio by some mansions in the Sea Cliff area, down by Seal Rocks, and then down 101 to the San Francisco Zoo. We see all kinds of animals. After a couple of hours, we had lunch and decided to go on the way back. We drive through the Golden Gate Park. Poor Dad, he ran out of film and can't take any pictures here.

James was not really ready for a nap, so he walked down to the wharf. We bought some film and went shopping for some T-shirts and postcards. On the walk, we saw lots of people, and it warmed up pretty nicely, considering the morning was cloudy and windy. Mojo rode or started getting squirmy, and Dad took some back and put some down for his nap while Mom continued shopping. Mom comes back in a while later and lays down but can't sleep. Daddy goes back and walks through the Cannery.

After getting ready we decide to eat supper in Chinatown I guess this is where we gave James his taste for a Chinese food. We pack and walk quite a ways. We finally got to a restaurant and had to wait. We have to wait a long time to finally get seated. We have to get a second high chair, the first one being broken. Mom plays with the Jumping Frog on the baby tray to keep him occupied in parentheses bought in Chinatown. Mom gets stuck, and then we leave for a little ride by Union Square, through the Fillmore District, for mom sees someone get frisked by police and many police cars by a store we later see on TV. There was a package store hold-up and old man kidnapping. We drive down Lombard Street back to Fisherman's Wharf. We can't find a parking spot, so Dad drops off the Ginkyand Mom while I go find one. We watch TV and go to bed at 10:00. We are pooped.

Wednesday, August 21st, 

we got up before 8:00 a.m. Mom went out to get us some breakfast. Mr Mojo is sure a picky eater. Time to pack up for Lake Tahoe! After a bath for the big boy and trying to wash away his crankiness, we packed up the car. We checked out, and I think we got the second night for free. We drive down to the wharf but end up parking at the hotel garage lot. We buy some shirts and a poster, walk around some, and then say goodbye to Mom's beautiful friscy and Jamie's said good bye bye to all his bird friends - the seagulls and pigeons on the wharf.

With no good directions or a map, we cross the Bay Bridge and head out. We eat lunch at Denny's in El Dorado. Mom drives the rest of the way. We get in view of the lake, and then the road gets treacherous, windy, and steep. Mom starts to hold her breath. We drive around the lake only to find out we're 13 miles past the road to the hotel. Dad drives back into the hotel. The room has a beautiful refrigerator, two bathrooms with liquor and beer machines, plus a TV in the bathroom, a king-size bed, and a remote-controlled TV. We sit around and relax until 7:00 or so. Then we go downstairs and get take out for everybody. nighty night. 

Thursday August 22nd 

This morning, Jamie and Mom got up early, took a long bath, and let Dad sleep. We had a small breakfast in the room. We all dressed for the beach and headed downstairs. Wow! It's a little chilly. 10:00 a.m., and it's very cool out. Everybody we saw on the streets had coats and long pants on. We drive down to the beach and decide not to go in because it's so cold.  We forgot that Lake Tahoe is filled from frozen snow coming down the mountain. We drive downtown a bit and then we return to the hotel to go swimming. This water is kind of cool, but Mom and the baby swim some. We lay in the sun, and then I go to the restaurant to get Jamie a ham and cheese on wheat and fries, he eats like a bird. Dad goes to the gym and pumps up. When I get back, the baby is getting up from his nap. We decided to go out for a walk. We see an accident where three people are hit by a female driver. We shop for a few snacks and then return to the hotel. Dad drinks a beer. Mom has a soda, and the baby finally gets some grape juice.

We all go out for dinner at Villa Roma for Italian food.  After a nice dinner, we go to a sports store and see a giant stuffed polar bear. Next, we go to an amusement park where Jamie and I go to the Merry-Go-Round. None of the other rides are good for babies, says Mom.

Thursday, August 22nd 

When we get back, we all walk around the lobby and check out the shops, but Mom goes shopping while Dad and Jamie go up to the room. Mom comes back with a couple of T-shirts. We all play a lot until the baby starts to get tired. Mom takes a shower, and I prepare to break the bank.

Friday August 23rd

We got up and decided to go to breakfast. We went to the forest restaurant for the buffet on the 18th floor. They had all sorts of food and fresh fruit. Jamie Santa booster chair and parentheses for 2 minutes it was quite a breakfast.

We needed to do some laundry, so we went to the small store North of the hotel. We did a couple of loads while Dad looked through the gun store. We walked through the mall along the uneven floor. It was a crummy little place. Jamie and Dad played Space Invaders. It was fun, except when the baby got mad when Dad tried to help him push the buttons. When we returned to the hotel, we changed and went to the pool. Dad and Mom went to the jacuzzi. Taking turns in the jacuzzi and pool. He loved playing with the old watering can. When it got late, we took the baby to nap. Mom also lay down for a while and told Dad to go sit in the sun.

When he came back up, we all went out for a walk and did some shopping. We looked at shirts and souvenirs but didn't buy any. At the Deli, we bought some comics, candy, Peachtree schnapps, and a snack. When we returned, we got ready for dinner.

. We were going to the Forest restaurant on the 18th floor, but I had a hundred people waiting in line. Instead, we went to the Sierra restaurant in the lobby. By the way, Jamie has been very good today. Eating well and hugging us all day long. Today, he drained juice from a straw and decided he also loved soup. We walked through the lobby shops and took the baby to the pool again. Back to the room, we went to tire the baby out. We wanted him asleep when a babysitter came. We're going out to see Kelly Montes and Sammy Davis Jr.

We did a little gambling before the show. Mom lost $10 in the slots. Dad lost 40 bucks at Blackjack. We went to the 11:30 show. The comedian was good, although kind of corny. Dad had a neck and headache from leaning to watch the performance. We were glad to get back to the room and relax. Mom went to sleep, and I watched TV. Dad had a hard time sleeping.

Saturday, August 24th 

Uncle John's birthday. Mom and the baby got up around 8:00 and went out to get some pastry for breakfast. When he got back, Dad woke up and had some too. Mom plunked down in bed for a while. The boys played and then read the book a lot.

Took the car out for a ride. At McDonald's, Dad had to wait a long time for food and got his money refunded, plus the food. Jamie was in the Sun and got a little burnt. We drove down to the Y in the road, and Dad went into a couple of stores. We went back to the hotel and Mom and the baby conked out. Later, the Sun drank a frozen strawberry daiquiri. We went back to the room I was pooped but Mom made us all go out for a walk. We went down to the shop and, got some grinders for supper, and walked back on the way back to the hotel. We both felt dirty and dizzy but didn't admit it until later. The whole day we felt kind of crummy. It was the elevation. We called and canceled the babysitter but she showed up anyway. We finally got around to eating or grinder but didn't feel so much better. Around 10:00 p.m. Dad got dressed and went down to the casino. As usual, he didn't make any money. By the way, we were both bored with Tahoe and decided to leave a day early for Reno. 

Sunday August 25th 1985

 we woke up, parked the car, and Dad drove out of Lake Tahoe. Mom, as usual, got a little nervous when Dad's driving. Especially when going down a steep Mountain. She did Manish have several heart attacks on the way. We stopped in Carson City for breakfast at Denny's. The baby sure eats like a bird. I'm sure likes to eat at Denny's. We drive on to Reno through the ranches there, and there are lots of steers and horses. When we get to Reno, we drive past a lot of them. Dad wants to drive into town and maybe stay at a casino hotel. Finally decide to stay at the Vagabond Inn a nice hotel with a pool. It's very hot so we decided to go swimming. We swam for a while because it is very hot. After a while, we went back to the room to let Jamie nap. Dad goes to Gold's Gym to work out, only to find out they close in 5 minutes. closing early on Sundays. Dad goes to European Health Fitness by the hotel. By the way, he bought t-shirts at Golds gym.

We went back to the room to get Ginky dressed, and then we all went to the big mall, only to find out all the stores were closed because it was Sunday. James has been pushing the stroller all around. We drive around and find a nice Italian restaurant to eat dinner. We had a nice meal, and Mom said her best yet on the trip. We go back to the motel to get Jamie some milk from 7-Eleven and watch TV. Mom makes Dad watch a very scary demonic movie. He drinks Peachtree Schnapps and goes to sleep. Jamie stays up till 10:00 p.m..

Monday, August 26th 1985 

Jamie wakes up at 7:30 a.m. He reaches through the crib bars and touches his mom to start playing, and shakes hands. We all get up to get ready to go home. Jamie has some undiluted grape juice and soon after throws up three to four times. Daddy gives him a bath to bring down his temp.

We have breakfast and a nice restaurant by the airport. We check in and drop off the car, and get in the plane. Three hours to Dallas, where we ate lunch. We walked three-quarters of a mile to the nearest plane and flew to Chicago. We have dinner in Chicago and wait 40 minutes to fly to Providence. We have a snack but don't eat it. We picked up the Jeep and went home. Jamie falls asleep at midnight Eastern Time 9:00 p.m. Pacific Coast time

 The end.  First trip of many.