California, Here We Come...

I'm sure every blog post about a trip to the Golden State has this same title, but what can I say, sometime it's fun to add to ubiquity. In any case, I wanted to share with you all the pictures from the Ingmire trip out west (even if it was a month and a half ago). I'll let the photos do most of the talking on this post, but if I get extra motivated in the near future, I'll write about some of the nitty gritty details as well. So let's start the California dreaming ...

Day 1: Illinois, Iowa and Missouri

View from a rest stop in Iowa. Apparently the whole state isn't one big cornfield!

Decisions, decisions ...

Day 2: Missouri, Kansas, OOOOk-lahoma ('where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain'), Texas, New Mexico

This was taken at Aunt Shirley and Uncle Dave's house in Raytown, MO. Amazingly, three people actually fit in this car. (Thanks to Uncle Dave for taking this photo and the next three!)

Me somehow awake before 8 a.m.

Ingmires and Tinkers and Wurths, oh my!

On the road again (almost) ...

Cows? In Kansas? Noooo...

Humongous wind power generator in Oklahoma (kind of like a pinwheel on steroids)

Some Texas scenery

Everything really is bigger in Texas. This cross is 19 stories high, and the people of Groom, Texas, claim it's the largest in the Western Hemisphere.

Day 3: New Mexico, Arizona

We found the mountains! I took this photo right outside of Albuquerque, NM.

More pretty scenery in New Mexico

Just one more state to go now! This is in Flagstaff, AZ.

Day 4: Arizona, CALIFORNIA

We made it! I took this after we stopped for lunch in Palm Springs, CA. The city really lives up to its name.

The mountain views in Palm Springs are unbelievable.

Still in Palm Springs. I guess every town in California gets their own 'walk of fame?'

And I thought there were a lot of 'supersized windmills' in Oklahoma ...

Day 5: We're Going to Surf City ...

Dad in his safari hat checking out the surf at Bolsa Chica State Beach

Jane and I at Bolsa Chica. A day at the beach is so tough ;-).

Jane and my dad get a photo op.

We finally figured out a picture with the ocean in the background would be a good idea.

Jane's right at home on the Newport Pier!

I knew after seeing this view from the Newport Pier that it was going to be a 'dreadful' summer ;-).