Cliff's Zone's Travel Center

[Cliff and family at Charles De Gaulle Airport in France]

When I commute , I would like to know: the local weather, road conditions, and traffic. I do look out for the California Highway Patrol. For the weather, a rain doppler would be nice. Most people commute by plane, train, and by car . Some people even bike, walk, boat/ferry, or even telecommute. At home and in the car, I would listen to the radio and check the commute and travelling conditions. It would be nice if I could take the train.

When you go traveling, you need to know where to go, how to get there ( plane, train, vehicle, bus (Greyhound), bike, walk, boat), traveling conditions (road, weather), what to see, where to eat , where to stay (hotel, motel), do they take credit cards (Discover Card, VISA, Master Card), package deals, reservations, etc. You might need to pick up some maps (A.A.A., C.S.A.A., MapQuest , Rand McNally Maps, Thomas Maps) along the way. And, where are the gas stations (Arco, BP, Chevron, ExxonMobil, 76)?

And packages go by air cargo (Airbourne, DHL, FedEx, UPS)

My "Trips"

[Cliff slips into mud getting to cave in Spain. Plastic bag is for rental car.]

Time line:

Time: [ My Childhood | College days | Adult years | '90s |
2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006| 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | the last trip | ]

Childhood ('60s and '70s)

When I was young, I use to take trips to Clear Lake with our family. I remember taking the Skunk Train to Fort Bragg. I also remember I went to Felton to see Roaring Camp and ride the train there. I also remember visiting my great uncle in Southern California. I remember flying (PSA) all by myself. I would sometimes take the train to visit gramma in San Francisco.

Summer of 1964 was spent at Clear Lake at the Lucerne camp grounds. This was prior to getting the cabin. ** need photos and story **

During 1973, I went to visit my grandmother in San Francisco, CA

During summer of 1973, I went on a camping trip with the Y.M.C.A.

A few times, I've been to the Hawaiian Islands with my parents. For awhile, we had a time share condo on Kauai.

In August 1974, I went with my parents and grandmother to Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai. We had a great time. ** need photos and story **

We started doing more travelling when my parents got their motorhome. I remember going to Lake Powell and staying on a houseboat, Carlsbad Caverns (New Mexico), Lava Beds (North California), National parks (Zion, Bryce, Arches) in Utah, Lava Beds, and other places.

When we lived in "Silicon Valley", my parents bought a summer condominium in the Santa Cruz, CA area. We use to spend some weekends and summers there. One of my walks is to Neary Lagoon Wildlife Refuge and Santa Cruz Boardwalk.

Adult:

'80s (College years)

When I graduated from high school in 1979, I went on a Europe trip with a Bay Area music group. We went to England, France, Germany, Holland, and Switzerland. I wouldn't mind going back.

I did take a joyride trip to Southern CA to see a friend and go to Disneyland.

I would take ski trips to Tahoe (Northstar, Ski Sierra, Alpine Meadows) and Yosemite area (Dodge Ridge) with friends from high school and college.

I would take gambling trips to Reno or Tahoe by either car or bus.

In the Summer of 1982, I went to Alaska with my parents. They drove their motorhome up there and I flew (Alaska Air) up there once I finished my Cabrillo College classes for the spring semester.

In the Summer of 1984, I went to Hawaiian Islands with my friend Mike. We stayed on Ohau and Kauai.

In the Summer of 1985, I took a trip with my friend Mike to the Southern States of the US. From California, we flew (Continental ) to Houston Texas. We stayed with friends. With a rental car, we drove to New Orleans, Lousianna. We stayed with some friends. Then we went to Fort Walton Beach, Florida. We stayed with a friend. And, then we went to Walt Disney World (near Orlando Florida). After a couple days there, we made the same stops on the way back. Returned the rental car and flew back to California from Houston Texas. [More to the story...]

'90s

In the Summer of 1992, I went with my friend Matthew to Southern CA. We went to Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm.

In 1997, Went to the Santa Cruz County Fair. My niece Rose had a 4H exhibit there.

In April 1998, I did take a trip with my sisters and father to Spain. We flew (Air France) to France and then took another plane to Madrid, Spain. The next morning we drove to the Basque area of Spain.

In March 1999, I did fly (SouthWest) to Las Vegas, Nevada for my friend JP's wedding. I did end up renting a car (from Alamo). I ended up staying at the Luxor.

In July of 1999, I went with my friend Matthew and we drove to Southern CA. We went to Six Flags Magic Mountain, Disneyland, Univeral Studios, and Knott's Berry Farm. We stayed in a Motel (Motel 6/9). ** Pictures and story needed **

2000

July - I went with my friend Matthew and we drove to Southern CA. We went to Six Flags Magic Mountain, Disneyland, Univeral Studios, and Knott's Berry Farm. We stayed in a Motel (Motel 6/9). ** Pictures and story needed **

Aug. - I went with my friend Matthew and we flew to the Mid-West and rented a car. We went to Six Flags Great America, Cedar Point, Six Flags Ohio, and Paramont's King's Island. We stayed in a Motel (Motel 6/9). ** Pictures and story needed ** Some photos are located in the Photo Gallery.

Nov. - I went with my best friend Christopher to Las Vegas.

2001

Aug. - I went with my friend Matthew and we flew to the East coast and rented a car. We went to Six Flags America, Hershey Park, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, and Paramont's King's Dominion. We stayed in a Motel (Motel 6/9). I even tried a water park (Water Country, USA ) ** Pictures and story needed ** Some photos are located in the Photo Gallery.

2002

Mar. - I went with my friend Matthew to Knott's Winter Coaster Solace. ** Pictures and story needed **

June - I went with my friend Matthew to ACE Coaster Convention XXV in Southern California. The convention included ERT and meals at: Knott's Berry Farm , Adventure City , and Six Flags Magic Mountain . For an add-on to the convention, we had ACE Block Party at Legoland . We also went to Disney California Adventure and Belmont Park . ** Pictures and story needed **

Aug. - I went to Rational in Cupertino, CA for some training. After the last day of class, some of my classmates and I went to Twin Creeks Sports Complex in Sunnyvale,CA. We ended up hitting a few balls in the batting cages. ** pictures needed **

In Summer and Fall of 2002, I've been going on some small trips with some new friends.

Nov. - I went to Las Vegas, NV. I went with my friend Chris and stayed on Fremont St.. ** pictures and story needed **

2003

In March of 2003, I went with a friend Matthew to Knott's Winter Coaster Solace. ** Pictures and story needed **

May/June - I went with my friend Matthew to the Mid-West. We went to three states (OH, IN, KY) and went to 5 theme parks. The parks were: Holiday World, Beech Bend, Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom, Paramont's King's Island, and Indiana Beach. ** Pictures and story needed **

2004

Feb. - I went with ACE group to "Behind the Scene Tour of Santa Cruz Boardwalk". Here is Scott Craig's, an ACE member, web site of his photos. ** My Pictures and story needed **

July - I went with my girlfriend (Karon) to Six Flags Marine World. ** My Pictures and story needed **

Dec. - Karon and I met up with Matthew and his girlfriend at Bonfonte Gardens. The park had their Christmas lights on. It was the first time I've been to the park. It was also an ACE event. ** My pictures and story needed **

Dec. - I went with Karon to meet her parents in MA. We also spent time with her family in NH. We flew with United. We went to the following airports: Oakland, Denver, Logan, Manchester, and O'Hare. We did use a town car limo from Logan Airport to her parent's place. One day, we even had a little *snow* Her father is a square dancing caller at Mill-Around. We had no time to see a show at the IMAX 3D Theater. We also did some last minute Christmas shopping with a family member at the mall of New Hampshire. After the mall we went to Barnes & Noble. We went to Jordan's Furniture and also saw their Beantown and Liquid Fireworks Show. ** My pictures and story needed **

2005

Feb. - Karon and I went to Clam Chowder Festival at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk.

Mar. - Karon and I went to Carmel and Monterey. We stayed at the Best Western Carmel Mission Inn. That night we eat dinner at Rio Grill. Next day, we went to Monterey Bay Aquarium. That night, we had dinner at the Blue Moon. The next day, we went into some shops by the motel. Then we went over to Carmel. Katy's Place was already closed. So, we went to Casanova Restaurant for lunch. Later, we drove back to Santa Cruz. We stopped by Thistle Hut to pick up some artichokes. Later, we had dinner at Dave & Busters in Milpitas. Then we drove home. ** My pictures and story later**

May - Karon and I joined some ACE members at a few Bay Area kiddie parks and CAL Expo. We joined them at Funderwoods. Then we went to Funderland Park and Sacramento County Fair / CAL Expo. They already went to Pixieland and Pollardville. We saw the group just before they left Funderwoods. Karon and I will do Pixieland and Pollardville another time. ** My pictures and story later **

June - Karon and I went to the Contra Costa County Fair. ** My pictures later. **

Dec. - Karon and I went to the NorCal ACE Christmas Party at Playland-Not-at-the-Beach. ** My pictures later. **