Cousins Vacation – 2025 – Santa Cruz, Elk Grove and Old Sacramento

The Second Annual Cousins vacation took place in July of 2025. I met Nikki in Fowler, which is our usual meeting and drop off stop, and had lunch together. After a quick bite and hugs, Rozlin and I went back up North and picked up Lucas in Turlock. We talked the whole way and I swear she is a teenager and not a 9 year old. We got to Lucas’s house and then headed to Elk Grove. Grandpa had a really good dinner ready for us of Spaghetti and Garlic bread. The kids loved it. It was like they’d never eaten before, just complimenting Grandpa after every bite. They played outside and then came in and watched a little of America’s Got Talent. They like to watch that with us because we vote and have pretend Golden Buzzers, the whole nine yards. It was time to go to bed because we had a special day planned for tomorrow. Santa Cruz! Neither one of them had ever been there before so I couldn’t wait to see it through their eyes as I remembered seeing it for the first time. A special memory for me as a child and as Nikki and Joey’s mama.

Just like Nikki and Joey…..oh My!

So in the morning we had breakfast and Roz and Lucas played in the backyard with their Dragons that we got them for Easter……………….I know the traditional Easter Dragon. However, it came in an egg so there was some symbolism there. Anyway, things were going well until Lucas threw his a little too high and it stuck in the Apricot tree. (fast forward a few days and it fell down, problem solved!) As soon as Grandpa got off work we drove out to Linden and dropped Thelma and Louise off and it was on to Santa Cruz.

I remember my first time and Nikki and Joey’s first time to Santa Cruz and just as you get to the hill you see the Big Dipper and the Boardwalk. This trip didn’t disappoint. There was lots of screaming from the back seat of the truck. We decided to go to the wharf for dinner and then to the Boardwalk. Our favorite restaurant is Stagnaros. Roz had Fish Tacos and Lucas had Clam Chowder in a Bowl. We got a great booth overlooking the water. Just Perfect.

On to the Boardwalk. Well, the prices have certainly changed. Jon bought $100 worth of tickets and we got to go on four rides. It was a lot of fun though. Lucas was just a little short to go on the Big Dipper so Jon and Roz went on it. He and I went on the sky ride that goes the length of the boardwalk. The Dipper had some issues so we all had to wait. Time for Lucas and I to get a chocolate dipped ice cream. All four of us went on the Haunted House together and Lucas kept saying “This isn’t scary at all”…..and Rozlin screamed the whole time. The last ride we went on was the Ferris Wheel that seats 4 and had lots of fun. Time to go…..big day tomorrow. The Beach!

So first thing in the morning Nikki called and we thought it was time for a selfie from the motel room. So much fun.

On to the Beach but first Grandpa got us a very healthy breakfast of Do-nuts and O.J. We went to the beach in Capitola because I wanted to go to my favorite Mexican restaurant El Toro Bravo. Well, it is being remodeled and was closed. So change of plans for after the Beach. The Grandkids just love going to the beach. It was a little chilly as you can see but not if you are 7 and 9……only if you are Seniors like us!

We went back into Santa Cruz and tried a new Mexican Restaurant and it was really good. I can’t remember the name of it though. Anyhoo, we arrived in Linden at Dean and Joanne’s house and their Daughter Amber and her husband Aaron and son Desi were there. Desi is two and a sweetheart. Dean served homemade pizza and then we traveled back to Elk Grove.

The next day we took a day trip to Old Sacramento to the Train Museum. It was great. Educational and fun. And…..what’s a trip to Old Sac without visiting the Candy store. Grandpa told them they could get a pound of candy each and they had a ball. They ate candy all the way back to Elk Grove. That night the kids helped Grandpa make their favorite dish which is homemade Chicken Nuggets and Corn on the Cob. It’s kind of a tradition now. Then it was time for the homemade Vanilla ice cream.

Another tradition with the Grandkid vacation is going to Leatherby’s the ice cream parlor here in Elk Grove. I invite my girlfriends to come and we all get to see the kids and have ice cream too. Win/Win. This year Barbara Ann came and Joey came as well.

The day came that I had to take Lucas home. It was so special to have him here at our home and have him spend time with his Cousin Roz. The next day Nikki drove up with Olivia and Kimchi and stayed for a couple of days. But sadly all good things must come to an end.