Great Western Adventure: Los Angeles - July 14 - 17, 2016

We had a relaxing time in Los Angeles, living the movie star life and not doing a whole lot!  We visited Universal Studios on Friday, which is always a lot of fun. It is constantly changing and now features a Harry Potter World, similar to the one in Orlando.  James and Daniel performed magic all over the park with the wand that had chosen Daniel when we went to Florida.  Thomas asked for a “red bird” (phoenix) and James liked getting a snowy owl (thanks Charlotte!) and seeing Fiona, Donkey, and Shrek from four of his favorite movies.  

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Water world is always an amazing show, even though I understand the movie was pretty rotten!  Daniel was chosen to participate in the animal show, and did a great job — very entertaining!  Tom seemed to like the 3D motion rides, which surprised me — you never know what he will enjoy!  It was fun to see him laughing!  Universal has a great disability pass program, which made it much easier for us.  We stayed until it closed — a very fun day.

As good tourists, we wandered around Hollywood Boulevard and saw the stars on the sidewalk and looked at the hand and footprints around the Chinese Theater.  It was crowded, so we didn’t stay long.  On Sunday, we had a pre-birthday celebration for Daniel and got to see some friends and make some new ones.  Some fabulous ladies in red stopped by for a little while!  It was especially great to see Lauren Albee and meet her new husband Grant.  Lauren lived next door from me in Richmond and we moved when she was about 13 or so.  It was wonderful to see her all grown up!  

That night, we went to the closing night of the Outfest Film Festival in a cool theater downtown and saw Other People, with Molly Shannon playing a mom dying of cancer.  She was great (I laughed!  I cried!) and the audience seemed to really like it.  We went to Clifton’s, an old LA cafeteria afterwards, but didn’t stay long, as we were heading to the next part of the adventure early the next morning.  We were sad to say our good-byes to Bill and Robert.  Thank you for traveling with us and sharing your lovely homes!

July 6 - 8 Nevada - Las Vegas & Hoover Dam
July 8 - 9, Utah - Zion & Bryce National Parks
July 10, Arizona - Antelope, Horseshoe Bend, Little Colorado
July 10, Grand Canyon Desert View & Sunset
July 11, Grand Canyon South Rim & Bright Angel Trail
July 12, Rafting in the Grand Canyon & Helicopter Ride
July 13, Palm Springs & Pee Wee
July 14 - 17, Los Angeles
July 19, Yosemite
July 20 - 22, San Francisco