Gary-Summer: October 5, 2025

Sunday, October 5, 2025

October 5, 2025 - Disneyland

Title: October 5, 2025 - Disneyland
Hike Info : Description : Extra Photo's

By the fire fightng plane

Hike Info:

Type: Theme Park

Description:

First and foremost today is Rachel’s birthday. Happy Birthday! I must have been rested. I sort of heard everybody come in last night, just not sure what time. I was mostly asleep when that happened and was fully asleep when Sherri came to bed. At 6 this morning, I woke up and was ready to go.

Andrea and the River Bear

By the time everyone got ready to go, it was about 8:30. Andrea and I walked over to the Park while Rachel drove the rest of them. Andrea and I get through security, through Downtown Disney and into California Adventure before the rest of them leave the parking garage. We wander down the main street and into the Grizzly Peak section. The first thing we come to is the Mt Muir Lookout. There are no stairs on the bottom floor, so no climbing into the tower. But we do get a few pictures. We wandered some more and found the Grizzly River Run, not that I am going to go on it. I spotted a couple good observation points.

Then we move on. We observed the opening of the Redwood Creek Trail for the day with some kids being able to broadcast a warning that they are coming in. Then we made our way back to Main Street. Andrea notes that you can get on the River ride almost immediately now, but Sherri would like pictures taken before they get soaked.

Daughter and Father having fun

So we waited in line for a Mickey Mouse picture. Then go over and have our picture taken with Mickey’s father-at least his statue. Then more pictures by the Lookout then then an old fire fighting plane. By the time we get to the River ride, there is a 9 minute wait-not bad at all. I get several shots of them on the ride, but nothing which will win me any awards.

Fire Lookout Couple

Then it is off to other rides. They are interested in going on some rides which I have no interest in. So I stayed by one of the sculptures which is representative of the town center. I read some of the True Riches book and then a chapter out of a book Rachel got me of the HP Lovecraft, Selected Weird Tales. I do not think I have read anything by him-a deficiency in my reading selection as I have certainly heard about him and am interested in how well he will hold my attention. This is more enjoyable to me than the rides, I hate to say. I wish I could say something else, since my children, especially Steven likes Disneyland.

Gary

Rachel brought me a churro-I think they all were in on it. A couple maintenance people came by. Harold who swept around and then disposed of the churro plate for me. A little later, Paolo did a quick mop of the seats near where I was sitting-so I moved so he could do a better job. That is when my family caught up with me. I could read it in their eyes, who is Dad talking with now and how embarrassing is it going to be for them? Not embarrassing at all.

Rafting Disney Style

Andrea and Rachel took me on my ride of the day-the Little Mermaid ride.This is my style of ride. When we get back, it is time for lunch. We go and find a table in front of Ghiradelli's. But we decided to order lunch instead of sundaes. What ever happened to life is short-have dessert before lunch? Anyway, we had a good meal and were content. Lawrence, Rachel and I decided to return back to the house and rest. Andrea and Sherri come back after an hour and Steven does a ride or two more.

We all rest up in various ways. Steven and Rachel spend some time in the spa. Sherri joins them outside in a chair. Andrea and Lawrence take a bit more active relaxation by playing foosball. I also joined in on a couple of rounds. The foosball table has seen better times. First, the men seem to have a mind of their own and are not held tightly on the rod. Then some of the rods will detach from the holes they are in. Andrea is pretty good at this; Lawrence and I do not compare. Still, it is fun.

Andrea all wet

At 6, we start to get hungry. Rachel has been to a place called the Packing House on Anaheim St. So we go there. It reminds me of the food court we went to in Atlanta on Krog Street. There is a sampling of food styles, something which all of us can suscitate our tastes. I share a grilled cheese sandwich with Rachel-I guess my taste buds are more plebeian, I know Rachel’s is much more sophisticated, so I think she is just trying to take care of her Dad. We talk about various things like bicycles, their security and some accessories. At 7:40, we leave. Rachel takes Andrea and Lawrence back to the John Wayne Airport to catch their flight to Portland. I dropped Steven and Sherri off for some last moments of fun at Disneyland.

Iced Tea

Gary, doing what he enjoys

I spent some time writing up my blog entries for this trip and last week's trip up north. When Rachel comes back, I take my shower. Then we watched a couple of episodes of Jeopardy. Both episodes had Ken Jennings in it and the evening;s programming could be called “Now and Then.” The first was last Friday’s time. The second was when Jennings was a second time contestant-the first time as a champ. After the second time, I go to bed.

Gary talking with Paolo

Just a bit of musing: Disneyland uses the phrase The Happiest Place on Earth. I like to watch people’s faces both at Disneyland and other places. I would say that with my unscientific sampling, only about 20% of the people have smiles on their faces-Andrea thinks it is about 40%. I am thinking many of these smiles are on children. A lot of people seem to look more driven. I am thinking that at my local Costco’s, it might be closer to 50%.