Days 362 – 364: Visiting Dad in Vacaville, CA
We snuck in late last night, when Lindsay’s stepmom, Ouida, had already gone to bed, so we didn’t really get a chance to say hello to everyone until this morning. We spent a good portion of the morning catching up and doing nothing. However, when the afternoon rolled around, my dad put us to WORK.
Four years ago when they came to visit us in Long Island, Lindsay asked her dad if he could help out with some home improvement projects (he’s good at that sort of thing, and we wanted to install a ceiling fan and recessed lighting in our living room). Even though he said yes, we don’t think he really believed we were serious – especially when the project ended up taking 3 full days working from 9AM-6PM each day! We figured we were long overdue for paying them back some blood, sweat and tears, so we were happy to roll up our sleeves and get started.
Well, we must be just THAT GOOD, as we finished my dad’s “weekend project” of spreading mulch in the backyard in about 2hr. That’s it? Really? Wow, we got off really easy! Nothing to do other than relax until Happy Hour & dinnertime!
Lindsay & Igor helping her Papito with yard work
Peruvian presents! My dad’s head is a little fat for the hat (must be all the Trump propaganda…lol)
Birthday dinner out on the town in Vacaville
Don’t ask me who brought it up, but somehow the term “glory hole” was brought up during dinner. All our Millennial-aged friends will be giggling at this point. For all the Baby Boomer family members, allow me to expand your vocabulary:
GLORY HOLE, n. A hole made between bathroom stalls allowing men to engage in anonymous oral sex.
Well, apparently the term also refers to the morning glory-shaped spillway of the Monticello Dam at Lake Berryessa. After discussing the topic at length during dinner, and getting travel tips from our waitress who grew up in the area) we decided to take a short road trip the next day and explore the area. We had beautiful weather and a very scenic drive – good way to spend the afternoon with the ‘rents!
French toast for breakfast – it was so good, Lindsay had seconds!
My dad: every morning he drags out a basket full of a dozen vitamins that he downs in one gulp (not all girls can do that – takes talent!). When city construction workers come to start work on a new road and sound wall, he peers over the fence, muttering suspiciously.
Visiting the Glory Hole at Lake Berryessa
Hmmm…very different from the UrbanDictionary.com definition of a glory hole. Still very cool, tho.
Visiting the Lake Berryessa Glory Hole – a wholesome, family activity (unless Lindsay is there is act juvenile)
On a local recommendation, we stop at the Turtle Rock Bar for supposed “best eggrolls in California”
Cool décor, but isn’t that technically illegal?
These eggrolls are MONSTERS. But very tasty – the reputation is well deserved
Family dinner at home (even the cat joined)
Unfortunately, both Ouida and Papito had to go to work on our last day, but we made the most of our morning together. Lindsay and Igor had a red-eye flight out of Oakland, so we said our final goodbyes in the early evening. Since traffic was flowing pretty smoothly, we made a quick detour to visit Lindsay’s childhood house since neither parent had seen it in years (guys! See pic below!) – a lot has changed in Nor Cal. and no doubt, things will be even more different the next time we are in the Golden State.
Final farewell to my Papito as we leave for the airport. Sniff, sniff, bye Daddy! (notgonnacrynotgonnacry)
Quick drive-by Lindsay’s hometown and childhood home (they painted it BABY BLUE and ripped out all the bushes! Travesty!)
So glad you had a great visit with your Dad and Ouida. The old neighbor really changed!!!!