I’m unbelievably excited for winter break. It’s been years—and yes, I mean years—since I’ve been on a legit vacation. But wait, there’s more—I’m going to one of the happiest places on Earth: Southern California.
I’ve trekked to Cali a few times before, but this round I’m going all-out with the shenanigans. No parents, no rules, am I right? In fact, I’ve already planned a killer trip through the Golden State. But before I spoil the secrets of my sweet So-Cal getaway, let me reminisce on past adventures.
When I was a wee lad, I made my first trek to California; no, it wasn’t quite as epic as the Joads’. Actually, I was so petite I can’t totally recall the affair. In fact, I don’t remember why we were there at all. It might have been for a sporting event. There is, however, one thing I vividly remember from this first venture: Disneyland.
Oh yes, I have a 250-megabyte mental photo album of Goofy’s Bounce House—the crown jewel of the portfolio obviously being an image of Mother dragging me out by the hood of my extra-small Badger Football sweatshirt as I sob, squeal, scream, etcetera. I still have my Mickey Mouse ears and a gift shop-bought miniature Disney pigskin in my house somewhere buried under heaps of Wisconsin sports memorabilia. Case in point: I know the first place I’m going when I get off the plane. I will not be denied Goofy.
Round two was sort of unexpected. Let me make a long story short: My irresistibly adorable dog, Ike the pug, was declared the “Alpo Meat Maniac” because of a video my parents and I posted on YouTube. Apparently it necessitated a trip to Los Angeles. I think it was 2009. For some reason there were a bunch of Penn State fans staying at our hotel. Creepy.
My sophomoric session wasn’t quite as traumatic as the first. I was a junior in high school, so college visits were the bee’s knees. We took a day trip up to Stanford. Good lord was it incredible. I cannot say enough positive things about that school. It takes some seriously thick bark to make your mascot an inanimate tree, especially in a state where such a word so often refers to something not- at-all scholarly. Maybe I’ll make it out to Stanford again this time around; it would certainly be a lovely place to start the year. I’m sure I’ll make plenty of friends.
The real fun will begin once I get the nostalgia out of my system. I can’t even imagine the craziness of L.A. on New Year’s Eve (It’s a bummer you Badgers can’t be there for the celebrations). Hollywood: where (this song stuck in my head tells me) the streets are paved with gold. The Chinese Theater, the Pacific Ocean, huh, I feel like I’m forgetting something. Foliage? Tupperware? I might be losing it.
Some claim there’s an awesome flea market in Pasadena on Sundays. One time I was at a flea market and bought this Wisconsin Football T-shirt that had a bunch of signatures on it. I don’t remember what the shirt said, but it looked really cool and late-90s so I had to splurge.
I’ve heard that UCLA has one of the best stadiums in college sports, so that might be a fun destination. They probably give tours or something. Hopefully the staff won’t all be home for the holidays while I’m in town.
Well, I don’t want to sound like a braggart, but I would seriously like to see someone plan a better winter break. I’m practically an expert on CA event planning by now.
It’s too bad more Sconnies won’t be there with me. But I promise to take and send plenty of pictures. Hopefully y’all can figure out your vacation plans on your own because I need to go pack my bags.
Wish there was a reason that you, as a Badger, could go to California like Andy? Nothing coming to mind? Send Andy an email at Andy@Holsteen.com and maybe he can help you come up with a few activities for you that may or may not be on Jan. 1, 2013.
