Felix has decided that His Place To Relax is now on my desk, right next to my mousepad. These two sentences have taken me almost three full minutes to write, because Felix keeps rubbing his face against my hand, standing on my keyboard (he just opened 17 terminal windows) and showing me that either a) he loves me or b) he wants me to get away from my desk so he can go back to sleep.
I’m inclined to think it’s b).
So we’re back from vacation. 2200 miles of road trip, one book signing, several tourist traps, and not a single comfortable bed later, we’re home.
The trip was mostly wonderful. We drove all the way to Portland, with some stops along the way to visit family and friends . . . and The Oregon Vortex — the original Tourist Trap. It was silly, but fun.
Also on the way to Portland, we stopped in Brownsville, which is the town where I filmed Stand By Me in 1985. It was AMAZING! Hardly anything has changed in this tiny town, and the local historical society even has a map of “Stand By Me Locations” that we were able to visit. We had lunch in this rockin’ pizza cafe, and the owner told us that hundreds of tourists come there from all over the world to see our old locations. He said that busloads of Japanese kids come over and want to see the treehouse (which is gone, but the tree is still there.) I took lots of pictures, which I’ll add to the gallery once I get some time.
The day after we got to Portland, I had my reading and signing at Powells Technical Annex. It was also amazing (I’m going to need a thesaurus pretty soon, since most of this trip was . . . well, amazing.) There were about 150 people there, and they seemed to enjoy the selections I read. See, here’s the thing: I have read stuff from Dancing Barefoot so much, I know where the laughs are, I know where the slow parts that pay off later are, and I know how audiences generally react to it . . . but until Powells, I had only read one small bit to an audience, and that was at the Star Trek convention, which has a very unique crowd. So I was terrified that I was going to suck, or I would go on too long, or not long enough . . . basically, The Voice of Self Doubt was in full-effect.
Luckily, it went very well, and I had a lot of fun while I was there. Amber from Powells told me that the next time I go up there, she’s going to put me in the main store, because I keep drawing such huge crowds! So an epic Thank You to everyone who came to Portland (I know some of you drove from Eugene or Seattle to be there) and supported me. It wouldn’t matter how good I did if there wasn’t an audience, and I am really grateful to everyone who showed up.
After Powells, I was officially On Vacation for the next week. We went to Mount St. Helens and The Columbia River Gorge, and I spent lots of time each night playing Hold’Em with Nolan. He’s turning into an incredible Hold’Em player, because he combines incredible memory (“I threw that hand away because the last time you raised like that you had kings”) with his great math skills (“I couldn’t call because the pot odds weren’t correct.”) Keep in mind that he’s 13 on Thursday, and hasn’t ever cracked open a poker book. Everything he knows he’s learned from playing with me, and watching poker on TV. I made two TERRIBLE plays when I was on WPT, and I know he’s going to be severely disappointed in me when he sees them.
From Portland, we drove down to Southern Oregon and spent the night with Anne’s grandparents. Some readers may recall that Anne’s Grandmother is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, and I guess it’s good to report that she was the same as when we visited them back in October of last year. Actually, both of them seemed happy and in good health (considering that they’re 1000 years old, of course) and I’m looking forward to visiting them again in Spring.
We took Interstate 5 up to Portland, so on the way back we crossed 80 through the North Bay and San Francisco, down through San Jose (with a stop at the Winchester Mystery House), and across the 17 to Santa Cruz. Anne and I had both been to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk when we were younger, and we were really excited to take the kids there . . . but it was very different than I remember it. I don’t know if I’ve gotten too suburban, or too old, or whatever, but the whole place felt so skanky, I couldn’t wait to leave. It was like a traveling carnival had set up on Venice beach. Anne and I were really bummed out. In an effort to find the half of the glass that was full, we rode The Giant Dipper (it’s been there for 80 years!) . . . and the whole thing was worth it. We had so much fun on that ride, screaming and laughing in equal parts terror and delight, all the skanky carnies and pan handlers didn’t matter. We also walked down the boardwalk to this big arcade that my parents wouldn’t let me go into when I was last there 18 years ago, and it was just as awesome as I’d imagined it would be: shooting gallery, lazer tag, all sorts of games of chance, and I got to play Robotron and Q*Bert!
We ended our day with dinner at some spiffy Italian restaurant in Downtown, and got up early the next day to drive to Monterey, which has always been one of my favorite cities in the world.
The Montery Bay Aquarium is known to lots of people at “That Place Where Mr Spock Did The Vulcan Mind Meld With The Whale In Star Trek VIV (I know Roman numerals, I swears it, precious!)” It’s best known to me as “That Place Where I Spent Most Of An Afternoon Watching An Octopus Swim Around And Change Colors When I Was 14.” Now, it’s “That Place I Want To Go Back And Visit Right Away.”
I’ve always loved the ocean, and I’ve always loved marine mammals. In fact, when I was a little kid, I wanted to be a marine biologist when I grew up, so I could understand whales (especially Blue Whales) and somehow convince people to stop hunting them. So it’s like The Monterey Bay Aquarium was specially built just for me (okay, I know it wasn’t, but leave me with my dream, dammit!) Since I was last there, it’s been significantly expanded, and modernized . . . but it still feels like a small, private aquarium, run by volunteers who truly care about conservation and love the ocean as much as I do — probably because that’s exactly what it is.
We went to the Aquarium on the second-to-last day of our trip (I’d say “penultimate day,” but that probably sounds like I’m trying to impress you . . . did it work?) We were all tired, and starting to get on each other’s nerves a little bit, (which, I observed many times at many stops, is pretty common on long family vacations 😉 but the aquarium was so beautiful, and so soothing, we all relaxed and simply basked in the beauty and serenity of huge aquariums, filled with fish schooling and swimming. When we left, I vowed (as I always do) to one day have a salt water aquarium in my house so big it covers one full wall, and requires a full-time marine biologist to care for it. Take that, MTV Cribs!
Oh, and in one large exhibit, which featured fish you could expect to see in the deep water near the outer bay? I saw a turtle.
We drove home the next day, down highway 1. We did the 17-mile drive, then went all along California’s incredibly beautiful coastline through Big Sur and Morro Bay. At San Luis Obispo, we crossed onto the 101, and took it all the way home.
Overall, it was a great time. The kids are not quite at an age where they can appreciate just seeing cool stuff from the car, but they *did* appreciate the Jelly Belly factory tour, and Nolan *did* get excited about driving over the Golden Gate Bridge when it was covered in fog. To their credit, they didn’t do nearly as much “are we there yet?” as my brother and sister and I did when we were their ages, and when I really wanted to share something with them, like Brownsville, Oregon, they put down their books and turned off their music, and paid attention. If I had it all to do again, I’d shorten the trip by two days (one in each direction) and plan to spend less time on the road, and more time in the hotel swimming pool, so there was more of a balance . . . but that’s part of the on the job training that all parents go through, I guess.
I’m really happy to be back home. I missed my dogs a LOT, and I really missed sleeping in my own bed. I thought I wouldn’t miss my website, since I haven’t really taken a major vacation in years, but I did. I kept a hand-written journal while we were on the road, sort like a luddite blog, I guess. After years of putting most of my thoughts here for anyone to read, it was cool to have a place to record them without any intention of sharing them with anyone.
Anyway, I’m sure there’s stuff I’ve forgotten, but I’ve been here for a long time, and Felix is getting pissed.
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Reading about your adventure in Northern California gives me envy. I’ll be going to San Jose in two weeks. I grew up there, and lived there untill 2000. Every year I went to Santa Cruz, and yes, the boardwalk has changed a lot in its feel in the last 20 years.
I’m glad your back, and that you had a great time with your family!
WELCOME BACK!
Missed you but survived! Glad you had a great time!
so when do we start the hypnosis for you to stop being afraid to fly so you can come to the UK and see the sites and do a con!?
i dont know… all that time in space and you wont get on a plane! *snicker*
Andrea x
How is it my two favorite bloggers (you and Neil Gaiman) go on vacation the same time and return to the web on the same day? I’m beginning to get suspicious. I just can’t decide if you are alter egos of the same person, or are secretly working on some diabolical project.
Come on Wil, get yourself over to England!! It’s about time those o’reilly people paid for some action over here, after all, I have been bigging you up for years and now and people are starting to talk good things about you!. Plus, we Brits are alot more open minded about star trek and everyone I know LOVED Wesley, you were hot stuff for my age group!
And I still have my Riv an’ Wil (my friend Sarah was the River Phoenix nut), scrap book with lots of pictures of your good selve lookin moody that I need you to sign!
Glad you’re back
Wil, if you and your family haven’t walked across the Golden Gate, I strongly recommend it! Killer views and an up-close-and-personal experience with an Historical Landmark. Well worth doing!
Welcome back, Wil!
We haven’t been properly introduced yet, but I’m a One Assed Monkey over at the SoapBox, and just wanted to let you know that I’m loving every minute of posting on the boards 🙂
I just got back from vacation myself, went up the mountains for a week. It was nice, but I’m glad to be home again.
Glad to hear you had a good time, and that you’re all at home safe and sound.
Yeah, I live not too far from Brownsville and it never changes. Small towns are really cool like that. I was freaking out when I first saw “Stand by Me” because I was all like, “OMG. Is that Brownsville?” It’s a neat little place–it’s loads of fun whenever I go there.
I missed you at the book signing. =( I was up in Portland and I would have gone but I had to go to a friend’s birthday party that evening, so I had to leave early. Next time ’round, though!
I think I’ve beeen to every place you mentioned in your post, Wil–I think you may have put together the ultimate Left Coast vacation! Except you missed the Space Needle, but I won’t tell anybody.
I saw a turtle! (sorry)
I live in the East Bay Area and have been to all the Bay Area places you mentioned. Especially the Monterey Aquarium! My husband and I practically live there. We used to work at the Long Beach Aquarium before we moved up north. We also bike ride across the Golden Gate Bridge every three weeks. Everytime we do, I’m reminded of how lucky I am to be able to live in the Bay Area. Glad you had a wonderful time here!
By the way (& I don’t get to visit your site often, so you may have already said this), what type of breed of dogs do you have? I work at an animal shelter and always ask people who have pets.
Abusive comment from 63.198.141.158 deleted.
“loser”??? who can’t even spell Wil’s name right when trying to slag him? You’re an idiot.
I had plans to come see you in Portland from eastern Oregon but had to have salivary gland removal surgery that day. Guess which one I would have preferred?
I wanted to be a marine biologist as a child, too. Must be a California thing. I’m heartsick that I know live 150 miles inland. 🙁
I could have sworn I read that Stand By Me was filmed in my town of Cottage Grove, OR. I feel really stupid now. I’ve been bragging that up to my family since I moved here a year ago. Ooops. Oh well, at least I know for a fact that Animal House was filmed here. I’ll always have that 😉
Laura: we did film a lot of the train track sequences in and around Cottage Grove. Matter of fact, the bridge we all first walk over near the very beginning of the film is right off I-5, and I stopped there and took pictures when we were on our way up. I loved Cottage Grove. It was really beautiful and quiet when we were there.
A friend of mine is a sysadmin for Powells. She said they’re really snobby about who gets to read at the main store.. anyone they think might be too geeky gets booked at a different store. So you must have impressed someone and gained some Cool Points, for what that’s worth.
Glad you’re back! And, thanks for mentioning Wyoming at “Earnest Borg 9.” Yep! We were there. Our first con just because of you!
You’re absolutely right, Star Trek con attendees are distinctive(??!!)…Darn! Why did i forget my camara! Oh Well, we got the most important (and only) photo & autograph…yours, of course!!
Wil: First time comment-maker… pardon if you’ve already covered this elsewhere, but are you planning any Washington DC area signings / readings? Thanks. Love the books, btw.
Welcome Back, Wil! Nice to know the trip was a good one. I just wish I was still in my hometown (Seattle) so I coulda seen you at Powells!
In regards to Michael’s post (I haven’t seen any response to it yet), “penultimate” indeed means second to last, and that’s the way Wil used it.
I’ve been following this site for a year now. I only recently caught up on all of the old posts. It’s so cool to see someone with such similar interests as me (Futurama, The Simpsons, HomeStar, Geekdom, TMBG, etc.). And now the word penultimate. I’ve been a fan of it for a few years now (how sad it that, I’m a fan of a word). Anyway, unless I’m missing something, he used it correctly.
As someone who lives in Monterey, literally up the street from the Aquarium, I try to be grateful every day that I get to live in such a beautiful area.
Every day, the drive down 1 South into town still dazzles me a little.
The only thing I really hated about Santa Cruz was all the vampires. A trip to Monterey and no mention of Monterey Jack Cheese? Your trip couldn’t have been all that wonderful if you missed the cheese. After all, the town was named after it.
Hi, I’m Geri, and I’m a WWDN addict.
Missed you! I checked back the past couple days . . . where is he?!
Now I’m gonna have to take my turning-13-yr.-old up to Monterey Bay Aquarium. I am transported to another time and place in another galaxy when I stand in front of the Jellies or the Kelp Forest. And I love, love, love the Southern Sea Otters — puppy dogs of the sea, dwindling in number each year.
Glad you are back and refreshed!
Heh. My cat loves to keep me company while I’m on the computer. It’s gotten a lot better since we raised the moniter, though.
I am sure that everyone agrees with me when I say welcome back Wil. We missed you here :).
“We ended our day with dinner at some spiffy Italian restaurant in Downtown, and got up early the next day to drive to Monterey, which has always been one of my favorite cities in the world.”
i commented on yer buzznet just the other day about how WONDERFUL the Monterey Bay area is. theres just something special in the air, i dont know how else to describe it…it just FEELS RIGHT !…ya know what i mean Wil ?
a place trully kissed by God !
thanx for sharing yer guys wonderful trip with us all, sounds like you guys had a terrific time
I saw ya in Portland. It was cool to shake your hand and actually meet the person I feel I know, from reading so much of the blog stuffage. You’re a cool guy Wil. That picture you took with me sucked though! What a dumb look I had on my face. Oh well…. was still a kick in the pants.
-Brady
Hey Wil,
Sounds like you had a great trip.
I was born and raised in San Jose and used to do everything you mentioned all the time. Reading your entry reminded me of how much I miss northern California. LA is cool, and San Diego is beautiful, but traffic just blows.
Next time you’re up in San Jose you should check out the Tech Museum of Innovation. I’m sure the kids will enjoy it. They’ve got lots of hands on high tech exhibits. Their Imax Dome screen is pretty slick too.
Ali
Welcome home!
I live just outside of Monterey and I couldn’t agree with you more about the Monterey Bay Aquarium. I love that place and visit as often as I can.
Anyway glad to have you back, we missed you 🙂
Indeed Wil! I saw a turtle too!
Hey Wil,
Happen to find your blog by accident while talking to a friend of mine in the military. We were talking about Gmail and where he got it on a .mil site and they linked back to yours. Very cool.
I live in Atlanta and always wondered what happened to you after leaving ST:NG (still in reruns here in Atlanta, thank God, haha). Just wanted to greet you and tell you how much I enjoy your blog. No blog on my site yet, just a lot of free speech going on there. 😉
Pax,
Howie
Clever how Will takes a line from a song to use as the title for a Blog Post or other relevance. This one for example:
Put The Message In The Box – World Party
Wil didn’t go to Portland or any of those other places he said he did, he was in the Davis County Jail in Farmington, Utah!!
Hey-
I’ve been going to Santa Crus since I was about 4 (’69)… and it’s always been that way. When you are under about 15 you don’t really notice it. WHen I went in college it really came home. My parents always griped when I wanted to come ride the Big Dipper that is was “kind of scummy.”
But man, I still have to go back even though I’m pushing 40 to ride the Dipper every couple of years.
Dag Namnit! I’m not an idjit! THought I had stopped the first posting to correct some spelling quibbles (and any that are left were left there on purpose… yep, that’s my story and I’m sticking with it).
If you really enjoyed the aquarium in Monterey, I just found out that they have camping trips inside during the summer. The last one for this year is in a few weeks, so you might try to catch it next year. You bring sleeping bags and camp next to your favorite exhibit. I haven’t gone to one, but it sounds pretty cool.
LOL.. When I read the part about Santa Cruz I had to laugh. I took my wife and daughter up there 5 years ago and it was almost the worst. Fortunately a 3 year old is easy to impress, but my wife and I were quite irked by what Santa Cruz has become. I love beach towns, but this one felt like it was dying.