Monday, July 09, 2007

Stockton, CA

The second day of our trip was great. Even though the hotel left much to be desired, we had already made reservations at a Ho Jo in Stockton and one in LA where our son lives. Maybe Ho Jo’s in Portland are bad and old…maybe it will get better.

We stopped for coffee at Starbucks and outside were two adorable Dalmatians. (See picture above). The dogs have nothing to do with anything except I thought they were cute.

We stopped in a little town called Weed for gas. We saw from a distance a beautiful mountain called Mount Shasta. (Pictured below) Upon entering the town of Weed there was a welcome sign which stated: Weed like to welcome you. And when you leave guess what it said: Weed like to come back. These weren’t their main signs but it gave me a little chuckle.
After driving for 10 hours we stopped in the town of Stockton. It was the 4th of July and they were having their town celebration. When we arrived at Ho Jo’s we looked at each other. Our room was on the ground floor right by the pool. It was noisy. The streets were filled with people – the kind that didn’t make you feel safe. Quite the accomplishment for some former New Yorkers. I didn’t get any warm fuzzes from the sign in the lobby: We are not responsible for things stolen from your vehicle while parked in our lot. Considering my son’s belongings were in the van and there was no way to remove it, I became a bit concerned. A little prayer goes a long way.

We found a Chinese Restaurant and the food was okay, but the service was very good. We got back to the room. We prayed for God’s protection over the van and my son’s contents. Our plan was to go to sleep really early and wake up early. I got up at 2:00 am and Tom woke at 2:30 am. We hadn’t planned on this early, but I couldn’t sleep anymore. By 3:00 in the morning we checked out of the hotel. I knew it was a bad sign when the entrance to the lobby was locked and you had to ring a bell at what looked like a bullet proof window. We handed in our key through one of the drawers you see at a bank drive in window. This was quite funny to us.

We later found out from some residents that Stockton has the second highest crime rate in the country. They said never leave anything in your car because they will break into it. Thank You God for protecting my son’s belongings and us. Ho Jo number two was worse than number one. We really had a great time, believe it or not and laughed all the way to LA. Maybe Ho Jo number three will be better. Stay turned, I know you are hooked.

© Nadine Z. 2007

19 comments:

PinksandBluesGirls said...

So glad you (and your belongings!) were safe, despite the area you were in!

That picture of the two doggies is just adorable! One of my dogs sits in the driver's seat like that when I go into a store, and my other doggy hangs out in the back with his head out the window, waiting for me!

Jane, P&B Girls

a woman who is said...

Nadine, I have to say I did not even know that they had Ho Joe's on the west coast. I just remember their great ice cream as a kid on the east coast. You guys be careful you’re scaring me a little bit.
Speaking of east coast institutions, if you happen to see a Dunkin Donuts, stop and have a chocolate glazed one for me.
Have a most excellent vacation

Dedee said...

I'm glad you are safe. Who'd have guessed that you would have such a run of luck. Can't wait to hear about LA. . .

Anonymous said...

I am totally hooked!
The dogs are cute!
Scary location, glad you are safe and sound!

Louise said...

Sounds interesting!!
Glad to hear that you are safe and that the belongings remained safe!!
Beautiful Mountains!!!

Cherrye said...

Yea! I am glad to hear that your stuff was safe and you made it through that experience. Another one for the books, huh???

meNmykids said...

Strange to read someone elses view of familiar territory. I know the route well and have taken it time and again. Glad everything is okay although not prime. Mt. Shasta is a beauty isn't she?

Anonymous said...

Nadine... the photos are awesome!! I love the doggies in the car!! Awesome!!
Have a great time!! Be safe!!
- Audrey
Pinks & Blues Girls

Art said...

The pics are nice. Glad you're having a good time. Take care...

Anonymous said...

Sounds like quite the adventure!!! Adorable dogs. Thank God for answered prayers and Starbucks!!

Shionge said...

Hiya Nadine, thank you for sharing your trips with us and I'm praying that you & Tom are safe in your journey too :D

Anonymous said...

What's up with all the HoJo's? Why not Embassy Suites??? :) man these cliff hangers are gettin to me, you have me hooked, Love you...

Damselfly said...

Hey, I have stayed in a hotel similar to that! ;) Cute dog photo...

Keshi said...

awww look at the dogs!

Keshi.

Stace said...

Beautiful mountain. Cant' wait to hear more...

KarenW said...

Stockton sounds like Romania. We were really good about keeping our car cleaned out there! Have fun!!

Tammy said...

I'm not familiar with Ho Jo's...you said the first one was in Portland?
Anyway, so glad you guys could keep a sense of humor!
I remember those towns on my two road trips from Oregon to CA...I'm pretty sure I remember Weed, too!

Can't wait for the next installment! :)

eph2810 said...

The Dalmatians are cute :) - thanks for snapping a picture of them...I am so glad to read that you have made it safely out of the hotel/Stockton with all your belongings and your son's.
Okay, since I am behind on my blog-readings - I am heading on over to entry #3 of your journey...

Cheri said...

I like the picture of the dogs. Almost like a parent in the driver's seat, and the kid in the back saying..."are we there yet?"
We've driven to Florida a couple of times and made some poor choices on hotels. We learned quickly to skip the ones that were on the old highways and said "newly renovated" cause they often were dumps, or we were put in an unrenovated room.