This week, the 1500 family is on vacation. Please excuse my break from personal finance stuff while I regale you with amateur smart-phone photography.
We are in the middle of an epic vacation. First, we took a train from Denver to San Francisco. We spent two nights there before heading off to Yosemite. We left Yosemite this morning and just rolled into beautiful Pismo Beach. I can hear the waves crashing as I type.
Almost insane on the train
We left Friday morning on the California Zephyr. I was a bit worried about this part of the journey. The train takes 36 hours to get to San Francisco and I was worried about the children. Our younger daughter is a ball of energy and I didn’t know if she’d be able to keep a lid on it for the whole time. Despite almost losing it more than once, we were able to contain her and weren’t kicked off the train.
San Francisco
We had one full day in San Francisco and made the most of it. The girls and I spent the morning walking all over San Francisco while Mrs. 1500 stayed behind to do some writing.
First, we headed over to famous Lombard Street. We walked to the top of the squiggly street with the rest of the tourists and took lots of pictures.
Can’t escape from Alcatraz or Personal Finance
Next, we walked over to the Coit Tower. It was a clear day, so we went to the top.
While waiting in line for the elevator, I noticed an elderly Japanese man looking us over. I said ‘Hi’ and we started chatting. He told me that he hardly knew his father and that he wished he had been able to spend more time with him. He went on to explain that his father worked multiple jobs his whole life to support the family. The father was always able to put food on the table, but didn’t get to know his own children. I felt terrible, but then a bell signaled the elevator was ready and we moved on.
The elderly man’s story is really what my financial independence is all about. Once you have enough money, you’ll be able to spend time doing whatever you want. I hope to get to know my own children a bit better.
We headed back to our hotel to meet up with Laura and Randy from My Shiny Nickels. We all had a great time walking all over the place. I’m pretty sure that the girls and I logged close to 10 miles on foot by the time the day was over.
I don’t think that there is any better way to soak in a new city than by walking. The relaxed pace allows you to notice all kinds of things you wouldn’t have otherwise. We watched street artists, stumbled onto Chinatown and managed to purchase a rare beer (Hello Pliny!).
Yosemite and Buzzballz
We then headed out to Yosemite for three nights. I’ve been to Yosemite before and wanted the girls to experience it. Some of the hikes were a bit too much for them, but we had a good time.
California is in the middle of a severe drought, so the waterfalls weren’t nearly as spectacular as they usually are. However, even in a bad year, I challenge you to find a place more beautiful than Yosemite.
I made the mistake of going into a store after a long day of hiking. Worn down, my common sense and willpower were severely compromised. I don’t even remember what I went into the store for, but I came out with the following:
- Honey BBQ Frito Flavor Twists (not half as good as it sounds)
- Official Yosemite Animal Crackers (featuring all of the animals that terrify our children)
- a beer (can’t pass up an IPA)
- Buzzballz!
What is a Buzzball? I have no idea (except for the fact that it contained lots of alcohol), but I thought that Mrs. 1500 would like it. Turned out she did like it! However, she didn’t like the headache the next day that Mr. Buzzball may or may not have contributed to.
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Jason says
June 4, 2015 at 4:49 pmSounds like a great trip and great pictures. Look forward to seeing more.
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Mrs. PoP says
June 4, 2015 at 5:22 pmTotally with you on not shopping hungry. We went to Publix after removing 500sqft of tile last weekend and left with our subs, chips, and two heretofore unbeknownst items called “Brownie Brittle” and “Lentil Crisps”. Neither were quite as good as we wanted them to be. =(
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Cindy says
June 5, 2015 at 6:17 amThanks for the tip on the Brownie Brittle! I keep eyeballing it every time Bryan drags me down the cookie aisle (I prefer to stay far, far away from the cookie aisle). It’ll be that much easier to walk away knowing it would be a complete disappointment!
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1500 says
June 5, 2015 at 12:35 pmWe got suckered by the Brownie Brittle too. Bleh!
Income Surfer says
June 4, 2015 at 6:27 pmGreat trip buddy. I don’t know why I thought you were going to be on BNSF’s Southwest Chief……with the added amusement of being a Berkshire shareholder. I haven’t traveled the west by train, but its on the list. I also want to experience the trans Canada route. Have fun and stay in touch buddy
-Bryan
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1500 says
June 5, 2015 at 12:34 pmYeah, those Canada routes look epic! That is on our list too.
Randy aka Mr. Nickels says
June 4, 2015 at 6:59 pmWe had a great time with you guys and the little 1500’s. Only one thing that would have made it better……. Meeting up in Yosemite instead of S.F. I really can’t get enough of that place. I was green with envy when I saw your pictures. I took my two girls up the mist trail about nine years ago. It was too much for them. I have a great shot of the two of them on the trail. Both have that look of “Are we there yet” and “Are you kidding me dad, only half way”. Pure dread in both their faces. We look forward to seeing you again.
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1500 says
June 5, 2015 at 12:33 pmYes, Yosemite would have been way better. I think it will happen though in the years to come. Or maybe Kauai…
The Mist Trail is definitely not for most kids (or a lot of adults). C and D had not shortage of complaints. However, D was running up parts of it, so I don’t know what she was talking about…
The Roamer says
June 4, 2015 at 6:59 pmGreat pictures!
So that was your kids first time. That’s really great. I want to take my kids too. I told myself if we ever move out of state we have to do that before we leave.
Where did you stay.
I’ve only stayed at camp 8… Or is it camp 10???
Well its $10 a night but its first come first serve. And I’d like to take my kids there… So waiting g until just a bit older.
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1500 says
June 5, 2015 at 12:31 pmWe stayed at the Wawona. It was fine, but not near the valley. All of that was booked up.
Mr. FSF says
June 4, 2015 at 8:15 pmWow, many familiar sights! Very cool (and me very jealous).
Enjoy the remainder of your holidays!
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theFIREstarter says
June 4, 2015 at 11:55 pmCracking pics Mr 1500!
Loved Yosemite although we wussed out on doing any of the hard trails which was a shame. An excuse to go back one day and try them I suppose!
Agree with you on walking a city. London is a classic example. People will spend 15 minutes going into the underground/tube at Covent garden, walking to the platform, waiting for train, then walking back up at Leicester square. If you walk the streets it is 5 minutes away! London is massive but like a lot of cities the things you actually want to see are in a much smaller area than you might think when you first look at the map.
Enjoy the rest of your trip 🙂
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1500 says
June 5, 2015 at 12:29 pmHey FIREstarter! I can’t wait to walk my ass off all over London someday. Next time you hit up Yosemite, at least do the Mist Trail. It is spectacular!
Sak says
June 5, 2015 at 12:03 amWe just missed you folks. We were in Yosemite last weekend. This is the second year in a row we’ve been there and each time we have had a great time and left with a long list of parts of the park we have to see next time.
1500 says
June 5, 2015 at 12:28 pmI know, right? I’ve been at least 5 times and haven’t scratched the surface.
Ali @ Anything You Want says
June 5, 2015 at 1:36 amAmazing pictures!
I totally agree that walking is the best way to really get to know a city. I’ve been using a Fitbit recently to keep track of how far I walk and while traveling I hit 8 miles + each day. And I have the blisters to show for it!
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1500 says
June 5, 2015 at 12:27 pm8 miles/day is killer! We did 4 this morning. Considering we did the walking on sand, I’m counting it as at least 5, maybe 6! 🙂
Michelle says
June 5, 2015 at 1:52 amLove your pictures! I’ve had a Buzzball before. Not for me! 🙂
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1500 says
June 5, 2015 at 12:27 pmYeah, the Buzzball was NOT a good idea…
Brian @DebtDiscipline says
June 5, 2015 at 5:00 amLooks like a great trip! Never heard of Buzzball. Looking forward to the Pismo Beach pics. Trying any surfing while you are there?
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1500 says
June 5, 2015 at 12:26 pmI will learn how to surf, but probably not this trip…
Mrs. Frugalwoods says
June 5, 2015 at 5:55 amGlad to hear the trip is going well! The photos of Yosemite are making me drool. Speaking of drooling, we had Pliny when we were last in San Francisco too… such a treat! But I’m disappointed in your splurge chip selection–I’m a Fritos purist… none of these “flavors”! Although I probably would’ve gotten Cheetos–you know, for the natural cheese flavor ;). Have a wonderful time and keep sharing photos please!
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1500 says
June 5, 2015 at 12:26 pmYes, I’m sticking to normal Fritos from here on out. The honey ones were a disappointment!
Yosemite is so beautiful. Everyone should go at least once.
Even Steven says
June 5, 2015 at 12:23 pmLooks fun, enjoy the trip. We liked SF a lot with the food trucks and a couple smaller restaurants, def differ than Chicago.
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Vawt says
June 5, 2015 at 1:49 pmBuzzballs look and sound scary to me! Those are some good scenery pics, too.
We are heading up into the Sequoia National Forest next week. It doesn’t have the majesty of Yosemite, but the giant trees are quite impressive. It is much closer to us, so we can get there in barely an hour, which makes it a good day trip.
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William says
June 5, 2015 at 2:41 pmGreat places to travel and experience!
Fervent Finance says
June 7, 2015 at 6:32 pmI never took you for BuzzBallz people, but hey, booze is booze 🙂
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Michelle says
June 8, 2015 at 9:00 amThis trip looks EPIC!! What a cool way to spend time with the family. Glad you had fun.
Jason B says
June 8, 2015 at 9:11 amLooks like you had a great trip. San Francisco is one of the cities that is on my bucket list.
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Done by Forty says
June 8, 2015 at 12:09 pmPliny the Elder is always a good choice. I think it pairs well with any Frito.
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