California: Days 1&2

DAY 1:

The Friday night before our flight we stayed at a "PARK & FLY" hotel near O'hare. This was a great call on Dad's part! We were able to A) sleep in later and B) avoid the madness of parking at O'hare. After unloading our luggage we decided it was time for some food. After driving around for a few minutes we found a Chilli's! (VERY EXCITING because we do not have one back in Dekalb) Oh..even more exciting news---NO WAIT [ON A FRIDAY NIGHT] !!!

DAY 2:

My Dad had heard some interesting/positive feedback about the airline VIRGIN AMERICA, so we decided to fly with them instead of the usual United or American Airlines. He said we were in for a "treat," but I was not sure exactly what to expect. We got to the airport early enough to enjoy the perks of our VIRGIN AMERICA gate. What exactly are those perks you may ask?

• Hip music over the loud-speakers
• Free electronic charging ports at every chair (including a USB!)
• Customized headphones for $2 or a donation
• Location directly across from the bathrooms and adjacent to Starbuck's

(Apparently some of the other airports even have Virgin "Clubhouses" at their gates which are lounges for people to access internet, showers, music, a bar, and snacks for a minimal fee on top of their ticket. I think I'll have to try that sometime!)

The plane was even more impressive than the gate! The overhead lights were not the boring fluorescent ones, but instead were pink and purple! It just created a relaxing and inviting vibe on the plane during a time when most people might start becoming anxious about their flight.

Also the best part about flying with them is that EVERY seat has a built in monitor screen and remote! (Which plays a super funny and quirky safety video haha) Through this monitor for free you can watch satelitte TV, create playlists of music from over 3,000 songs, play games, message other passengers, track the planes location and speed on a map, and order food/drinks! WOAH! I didn't know planes like that existed for domestic flights. It made for a very enjoyable flight and great distraction during any turbulence.

 After landing in Los Angeles we decided to make our way to Santa Monica Pier since we were so close to the Pacific Ocean! (Well at least we thought we were close...google maps told us 15 minutes, but LA traffic did not agree haha!) After over an hour we were in view of the ocean and boy was it worth it. We experienced the ocean breeze, california culture, and even an unexpected seal encounter! Yes, a seal! While walking on the pier we heard an odd noise and looked over the railing to see the little guy. (He stayed there for a good few minutes.)

After an afternoon at the Santa Monica Pier, we made a three hour drive to Visalia which would be our launching point for Sunday's adventure. While we knew it would be a long drive, we did not know it would be so scenic. Being native midwesterners we were expecting flat terrain until we arrived at the national parks, but majority of the drive to Visalia was through desert mountains! Below is a picture of a lake we unexpectedly found in the middle of the dry terrain. While it was a man-made lake, it still proves that God's beauty is all around us. We just have to slow down and let Him lead our lives so we don't miss it.

Stay tuned for Day 3 in the Sequoia National Park!

XOXO Alexa