A totally stellar DAY 8!

What a day! It had it's ups and downs, but all in all, it was pretty rad! (I started to write this last night, but kept dozing off, so finishing this morning!)

Woke up eeeeearly in Vegas to get out of town before the heat (it was 86 degrees at 6 am!) and to get closer to Marine Bear. Since Jiffy Lube didn't open until 8, we decided we would just stop on the way to Pendleton. Tried to find someplace to add fluid in Baker,., the only guy who could was really nice, but his garage just flooded last week and he was just there repairing. He tried to find the tools to do it, but no luck. We pressed on to Barstow. We saw NO LESS THAN 12 repair places... All closed on Sunday, including a Midas and the car dealerships! We finally found a place at a gas station, but it would have been an hour wait and the guy was rude. So we went on to Apple Valley/ Victorville area,.. Jiffy Lube!!! NOPE, they "couldn't do it without a transmission service"... And neither could the other one in town owned by the same guy!! ARGH! So we went across the street to Goodyear, who charged $70 to do it, but we had no choice. And it was now 100 degrees :/ The same service that was free in Billings, $11 in Colorado Springs, $17 with a suspension inspection in Gallup was $70 and not even filled all the way and they broke our door panel they were specifically told not to touch. Awesome... That area of CA can... Well... You know. Oh well, it got done I guess. 

Hopped back on the interstate and started to make our way through the awful traffic. We were starting to think we weren't going to hear from the boy, but at 2:15, we finally heard from Marine Bear on liberty and we were still 1 hour away!! Or so we thougggghhht... 

He said Camp Pendleton North. We routed our way there. Marine Bear was no help with directions, and we ended up driving through the Navy side of the base, and taking forever to find our way to the bear. CAMP PENDLETON IS HUUUUUGE! After our unintentional tour of the base, we finally got to see Marine Bear...

We spent a few hours there, chatting it up, then when his liberty was up we drove north to Anaheim. (The much closer route off of I-5!!) This sealed the deal... I think I may be an Orange County and on down to San Diego kinda girl. It was a pleasant 81 degrees!!

We found our hotel about 7:15, and it has been interesting.... Lol. Old but clean and great service from the owners. AND 5 miles to Disney and 5 miles to the beach...

Headed out to Downtown Disney, scored seeing the fireworks from the plaza between the parks! It was even free parking until closing because we went late :) The hardest part for Padre Bear and the Cubs was being there without going in the parks- Disneyland is their favorite place. Just kept trying to focus on the positive: a taste of Disney for free! We got churros (they have flavored ones outside the park!!) and shopped World of Disney. When we were there in December, they had NO regular Disney coffee, and no Frozen merchandise!!!! I got an Olaf ornament for my Disney tree, a small stuffed Olaf, and a can of Disney coffee this time. Yay!!

A late dinner at Earl of Sandwich rounded out a great day. Outside on the patio at night... 

I could get used to this... 

Well, a hard LONG day that turned out great! Totally worth it. Now it's Santa Monica Pier and we turn north toward home.... 

I feel like I'm already home here in the OC..... :)

Until later today, lol...

Mama Bear