The Drive to Northern California

Trip Start Jun 09, 2007

Trip End Jun 15, 2007

Loading Map

Map your own trip!

Map Options

Show trip route

Hide lines

Flag of United States Solvang, California
Saturday, June 9, 2007

The day was supposed to start early. The plan was that I arrive at Tito Buddy's (my uncle) ready to go by 6 AM so we can leave and get an early start. I call to inform him that I am a block away so he can get his things and meet me outside...turns out my phone call was his wake up call. Naturally, I was upset. I could've used an extra hour of sleep too! Or at least have spent that time with Java since I won't be seeing him for an entire week. The anger passed; realizing that Tito Buddy was the driver afterall and he needed his rest.

Our first stop was 2 hrs away from Glendale - Solvang. We had our breakfast around 9:30 AM at the Belgian Waffle Cafe. We split a Crepe Rio (crepe with peaches) and also a breakfast plate with sausage, potatoes, wheat toast, and scrambled eggs. We decided to walk around for a little bit only to find that Solvang was not the same as we remember. The original excitement and appeal of the small town was to see a true Dutch community; which, at this time aside from the architecture and decor was completely lacking. Maybe it was due to the morning hours, maybe it was due to the lack of tourists, maybe it was due to latino and asian-descent workers in a dutch outfit. For whatever reason, Solvang is not what it used to be. Although it may serve as a good stop for a long drive; in our opinion, Solvang is no longer great enough to be the actual and only destination.

Slideshow