Disneyland 2016, Day Three

Our third day of adventure and joy at "The Happiest Place on Earth" with Aaron, Nina, Miles, and Mia was a mostly overcast and partly drizzly day, but though we got a little cold and wet, we still had a great time. We took the submarine ride together (above), and the best part for me and the lovely Robin was watching our wide-eyed grandkids enjoy every bit of it. 

Of course, we had to take one more ride on Hyperspace Mountain, and as can be seen in the photo above, we had varying reactions. 

We stood in line for an unnecessarily long (it seemed to us) wait to meet Tinkerbell, but this time even Miles agreed to meet her and get his photo taken with her. She must have been the real Tinkerbell, because even Nina said, "She was little!" 

We happened upon Alice and the Mad Hatter in an out-of-the-way part of the park, and not only did Mia and the lovely Robin get to meet them, but when they learned that Mia is a princess, they bowed to her, explaining, "We bow to royalty!" Princess Mia was thrilled. 

We finally made it to Toon Town (think that's what it's called), and Mia posed for yet another photo. If she doesn't go into modeling, the world will surely grieve. 

Miles met a stormtrooper just his size in one of the gift shops. And (below) he tried on a pirate hat that utterly transformed him into Jack Sparrow. Happily, he put it back on the shelf before we lost him to a life of piracy on the high seas.

It was hard to say goodbye to Disneyland; before leaving the area, we shopped a bit at Downtown Disney next door to the parks. But we have no doubt that we will be back someday. 

Disneyland 2016, Day Two

Our second day at Disneyland with the California branch of our family was spent exploring "California Adventure." Everyone and his brother told us to go to the Cars ride first and get a fast pass, which we did...but we also got right in line after grabbing our fast pass and boy, were we glad we did.

Radiator Springs is an amazing replica of the town from the movie, Cars. We could have spent the whole day there.

Aaron was kind enough to share a tractor ride with me (above). I'm glad the lovely Robin snapped this photo when she did, because once the ride started it was impossible to get a good photo.

California Adventure includes Paradise Pier, an old-fashioned but up-to-date carnival area. Miles and Mia (and Aaron and I) loved the California Screamin' roller coaster, as well as the rest: Midway Mania, Golden Zephyr, Orange Stinger, and more. 

Mia got to meet Princess Sophia while Aaron, Nina, and Miles rode the Tower of Terror. Nina said, "Never again." 

As sunset approached we made our way back to Cars Land to wait for the lights to be turned on. While waiting, we watched a dance party, hosted by DJ (the blue car) and some of the ladies from Flo's Cafe.

I think Aaron was more excited than anyone when the lights started to flicker on, in the same order (he said, excitedly) as in the movie. The attention to detail and creativity in Radiator Springs was just astounding. 

And the way they recreated the scenery of that movie was breathtaking. Our only regret was that we didn't know Luigi's was a ride until we were getting ready to leave Radiator Springs. Oh, the humanity! 

Disneyland 2016, Day One

Last week's family vacation in southern California with Aaron, Nina, Miles, and Mia, included visits to Disneyland, which I think I last visited when I was ten years old (when California was still part of Pangaea).

Man, we did it all--including the AstroOrbitor, It's a Small World, Storybook Land, Tarzan's Treehouse, Pirates of the Caribbean, and (most memorably) Hyperspace Mountain and Star Tours (in which Mia was the "rebel spy").

Miles and Mia surprised me with their need for speed. But they enjoyed the more placid rides, too, and even got their mom to go on the AstroOrbitor one last time before the spectacular "Paint the Night" light parade.

It could not have been more fun. The best part was watching the kids as they rode the rides and watched the parade--Mia's wide eyes as she drank in Hyperspace Mountain and Miles's excitement when Olaf appeared in the parade. What a great time with the best family.

Mosaic Church, Los Angeles, CA

Last week, the lovely Robin and I enjoyed a vacation with our California family--Aaron, Nina, Miles, and Mia--in southern California. We arrived late Saturday night, so on Sunday we grabbed the opportunity to worship in Hollywood at Mosaic LA, located on the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and La Brea.

What a joy it was to worship once again with our loved ones! Oh my. Oh my. On our way into the church we were greeted warmly and often. I think at least six different people introduced themselves to me, and not all of them were part of the welcome team. 

The music and singing part of worship was outstanding--good and loud, immersive, sharp, and participatory (though Aaron and I both noticed that the guitars were absent from the mix; what's up with that?).  And the message, by Erwin McManus (one of my favorite preachers; he's ministered to me via podcast for many years), was excellent. 

After worship, stations and teams were situated in the courtyard to make it easy for people to connect and follow up. The crowd was (predictably enough) much younger than me and Robin--in fact, when I told Aaron that I was possibly the oldest person there, he remarked that even he felt old compared to most of the crowd! 

Mosaic hosts worship gatherings every Sunday at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 5 p.m., and 7 p.m. They provide children's ministry during the morning gatherings, and the youth group meets during the 12:00 gathering.

Casa Grille, Fort Wayne, IN

After a busy day of speaking (for me) and paperwork (for her), the lovely Robin and I drove to Fort Wayne, Indiana, to have dinner with our dear friends, Dennis and Rose. They took us to the place voted Fort Wayne's best: Casa Grille on Dupont Road.

We were seated immediately and greeted warmly at Casa Grille. Our personable server took great care of us and tolerated our teasing and Dennis's jokes.

My grilled chicken and vegetables was outstanding. One of these days I'm going to learn to hold the camera still while I take a picture. I was just too anxious to get to the eating part.

It was a great time with great friends. We didn't even mind Dennis being there.

Casa Grille is located at 411 E. Dupont Road in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Sculptures of Brookgreen Gardens

The lovely Robin and I enjoyed a midday tour of Brookgreen Gardens with my brother Don and his wife, Arvilla, last Monday, and it was a feast for the eyes of a wannabe artist like me (unlike Arvilla, who is an actual artist). 

On land that was once the estate of poet Archer Milton Huntington, Brookgreen Gardens is a sculpture garden and wildlife preserve in Murrells Inlet, SC. Its 9,100-acres features not only stunning vegetation but also sculptures by his wife Anna Hyatt Huntington, her sister Harriet Hyatt, and many other American sculptors.

The sculptures include a madonna and child (above) and "Dionysus" by Edward Francis McCartan (below).

The pool in what was once the location of the caretaker's residence contains "The Wings of the Morning" (above) by Marshall Maynard Fredericks (a depiction of Psalm 139:9-10) and "St. Francis" (below) by Bruce Moore, in an unusual posture for the current pope's namesake.

Other sculptures include a cupid and "The End of the Trail" by James Earle Fraser (below; the full size original is in the the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, OK).

Before leaving Brookgreen Gardens, I took a minute to catch up on the latest news with a local man.

Brookgreen Gardens's many tours, exhibits, and events are offered daily, until 5 p.m. (with some extended hours for special events).

Brookgreen Gardens, Murrells Inlet, SC

It was a joy this past Monday to enjoy Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, SC, with the lovely Robin and my brother Don and his wife, Arvilla.

Brookgreen Gardens is a horticultural and zoological museum, wildlife preserve, and historical site created from what was once three (if I remember correctly) separate plantations (one of which was called Brookgreen, oddly enough).

We couldn't have asked for better weather for our visit, and enjoyed chatting while strolling around the grounds and taking in the scenery and sculpture (more in a subsequent post), flora and fauna.

Gigantic live oaks populate the grounds, and my only disappointment was that the labyrinth was off limits due to high water and the danger of venomous snakes and alligators. Or so the sign said. I decided not to test it.

It was a wonderful time with wonderful people in wonderful surroundings. I only wish we could have stayed longer and gone back (admissions are good for seven days). Alas.