tourism. one of the more charming "isms"
The other weekend was a special one because UCLA allowed us to fully observe Veteran's Day by giving us a day off. Ashley was really jazzed about it because her work probably doesn't even observe Christmas. Ok, it does, but it's hard to get off work in the non-profit world because they need every waking moment and hour in the day to beg people for money.
We decided to observe the holiday by going to Solvang, a quaint little Danish settlement 2 hours north of Los Angeles. I first heart of Solvang from my mother, who would often go up with a girlfriend when I was in my formative years. I always thought the town must've been pretty amazing, because my mom would get REALLY excited to go - you could tell it was a place she enjoyed.
When we got there... let me back up and pretend I can't delete that - We had a good time. Solvang may have been settled originally by Danish immigrants coming to California in the late 1800's, but now it's occupied by knick-knack shops, faux-windmills, and a "As seen on TV" shop.
While it wasn't the coolest place to go, we certainly made the best of it. We rented a tandem bike and saw the sites. We had delicious traditional Danish breakfast - at a pancake house.
Aside from the lesson in joint balance that the tandem bike provided... one of my favorite things was the very odd shops, and patrons of the shops. Solvang was probably not for up and coming folk in their mid to late 20's, but it is for people who love trinkets, do-dads, and thingamajigs.
I liked this sign:
Why are they apologizing? Sorry, there are tiny little spikes in this china and if you pick it up... it's your own fault for picking it up. What real risks exist with this little guy?
We went into this new-age shoppe (like that?) that smelled of incense and had crystals everywhere.
At the cash register, I saw an amazing sign:.jpg)
It was advertising the psychic reading of the day. Need a better look?
I wanted to ask so badly, "so what kind of readings are going to be offered tomorrow, less-intuitive, pessimistic, vague?"
I was scared that they might be reading the "I'm going to poke fun of your sign on my blog" look on my face, so it was really hard appearing like I was in the store under genuine pretenses, let alone sneaking a picture of your awesome sign.
Solvang had a Hans Christen Andersen museum, and some great Christmas decoration stores - but other than that I don't know if it was worth going to again unless you wanted to pretend you were in "Denmark."
All in all, it was a good time, as you can see by the smile on our faces:
Are you guys going anywhere fun this holiday season?
11 comments:
how cute are you and ashley on your tandem bike! so very.
i am headed to arizona for christmas and costa rica for the new year. my reprieve from winter, you could say.
Re: mom and Solvang: knowing her, there was probably some factory outlet store in the vicinity which provided the "real" reason for the trip.
Did you have any Aebleskivers?
I'm going to Rogersville, MO to visit the lady's family again. We just got back from there for Thanksgiving. It was awesome. Then, a few days after Christmas we are making the Zionist trek to Utah to visit my family. Momentous, isn't it David?
Both pantlegs rolled? Interesting new take on bike fashion David.
I went to Vegas for Thanksgiving. It was very sparkly and shiny and the highlight was sitting courtside for the UNC-BYU game. I even yelled at their (their being BYU's) coach and he actually heard me and turned around, but I'm sorry he was so out of the Coach's box. TECHNICAL.
It was just so strange, I am so used to yelling about basketball but that was the first time they ever actually heard me. oh yeah and we won. Look out UCLA.
mf, tell me more about this lady eh?
dawn, i think there were some outlets in the vicinity, but not any closer than 30 miles or so. i think there were some in oxnard or something. i got the feeling that mom would've liked the arts & crafts feel of the town. very wholesome.
meghann, pant legs rolled up is not fashion, fyi. it's function. roll one leg and you are doing the bare minimum. news flash, both pant legs can get caught in moving parts they shouldn't. rolling them both up ensures your pantaloons stay grease free.
look out tarheels, they need some love.
kevin love.
annie - costa rica eh? that sounds so delightful. i'm sure you'll take many pictures. will you get some colored beads in your hair, maybe hit up senor frogs?
j/k.
We are going to CO to drop off the kids (woo hoo and double thanks to my mom-in-law). Then Forrest and I are going to go to Seattle for a couple of days. We will head back to Co to spend the holidays with the big extended family. The countdown has begun :)
Re: mom and Solvang: knowing her, there was probably some factory outlet store in the vicinity which provided the "real" reason for the trip.
I honestly only remember mom going there twice, but I suppose it could have become a regular event when I went to college. I'm sure the allure was the Danish ambiance. She was basically half Danish.
Thanks for bringing back my memories of Solvang. No trip from SF to LA was complete without a rest stop there. If only there was some place half as cool on the way to southwestern NM, where we MIGHT be headed for some holiday time this Christmas.
We are headed out to see you and Ashley in CO! And then again to see you in CA in January! It is going to be great! Lane is really looking forward to it!
NO matter which way you spin it ("Oh, I didn't want to get my pants caught in the dangerous bike machine"... yeah right.) you are wearing capri's.
And i'll be damned if you've never looked better!!!!
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