LA on a dime

Remember a long time ago I told you about doing LA LA Land in 17 hours? Well, in another attempt to defy common sense, my oldest son and I took our inaugural 5th grade trip. We received a gift travel package that included airfare for two this year from Jodi's parents. We were lucky enough to get LA, and Jodi and I decided I would take Brayden. Just a daddy/child trip for a day or two, to go out and see the world.

During the planning phase we found that our flight would be arriving in LA on Wednesday night at 9:30 and departing at 6:30 AM on Friday. So essentially one full day in LA. Just enough time to have fun in the sun, forget about your worries, and return before you get mugged.

I tried to find a hotel that was close to the airport since I didn't see the benefit of renting a car for a single day, maybe I am too cheap, but you weren't invited so who cares what you think.

Then I found it - The Radisson Hotel LAX. When I say LAX I mean that it is about a 8 minute walk from where our gate was to the hotel lobby. No rental car or hotel shuttle needed.

But the rooms were clean, there was only one working elevator out of 4, so we felt those were good odds. We settled in with a visit to the snack shop and ESPN.

Brayden is an incredible traveller. He loves everything and is so grateful to have these kinds of experiences. I loved being with him. Just a chance to talk about everything and nothing. Which, when you are a father, isn't very often. I think I try to get the "What did you do today?"'s in a little too much and not listen enough. It was nice to listen. No pressures of chores. No pressure of bed time. It gave me a new perspective on being a dad I think. I hope I can keep that feeling.

The hotel was actually a great pick because they also had a free shuttle that took us down to Manhattan Beach, also went by the Mall in El Segundo which came in handy later. Here we are out front waiting for the shuttle. You can see the airport control tower in the back, that should give you an idea of how close we were.

The trolly was great, though it did have a little bit of an old person smell. Just Brayden and I and a couple who was out looking for a breakfast spot.

We found one, right in downtown Manhattan Beach. The World Famous Uncle Bill's Pancake House.

Worth every bit of the ride there. Wonderful Green Chile and Jack Cheese Omelette for me, Pancake, eggs and bacon for Braydo.

Then it was off to the beach.

The Weather started off cloudy, as it always does....


Then the sunny sunshine came out.


Then we stopped for a low calorie lunch.

Well, actually Brayden just couldn't resist. He pulled a "Hey lets go look at that bakery again and see if they have anything." When really what he should have said was "Dad can I eat a small cookie with a whole gallon of frosting on it that looks like Cookie Monster?"

Then we rode back to the hotel. Got showered and hopped back on the trolly and rode to the El Segundo Mall and had dinner at the Olive Garden - Brayden's favorite place. I went to the Bath & Body Works and bought Jodi a little something. I thought it was this sweet lip gloss, but when I got it home and gave it to her I realized it was roll-on scent thingy. Good thing I didn't put it on her lips.....

Then we went Plane Spotting. It is actually one of my most favorite things in the world to do. If I didn't have a job I would watch the airplanes land. That's all I would do. From the time I was little I have been enamored with planes. I used to go out to the airport with my family when my dad was coming in from out of town, we would watch them come in. Then I started meeting Jodi out there and we would watch them too. Sometimes. Now, I am trying to pass it on to the next generation. My kids. More than once I have driven them out to watch the fascinating spectacle that is flight. There is even an entire web community built around plane spotting. Airliners.net.

Then we had to take a picture of the beautiful glowing art out in front of LAX.

I loved it. I hope he did too. I want to have more experiences with my kids like this. No airfare needed. Just time to talk about nothing and everything. No pressure, no hype. Oh, and planes. There has to be planes.