Jane’s Journal Page Notes:
I like my shower to be overlooking the sea

Journal entry:
The L.A. Freeways suck. Mostly the guy driving us took surface streets though which was interesting and seemingly just as fast.

We knew we'd be too early to check in at the hotel, so we got on their list to call when a room was available & then got our swag from the tour people along with a lunch recommendation, and left our bags in the hotel storage area while we went exploring. Old Town Pasadena is delightful. Loads of restaurants and shops with the occasional Big Box (Pottery Barn, The Container Store) mixed in. We ate at King Taco -- amazing food! Big portions! Then we went looking for a place to buy pop & found a mini-mart (a la gas station) about 4 blocks from our hotel. We didn't buy anything just yet -- no place to put it and not sure of room amenities.

Back at the hotel we discovered that instead of the check-in time being 3 it's actually 4 & still no rooms were ready. We hung out till 3:30 then Beast went & checked again -- they had promised to call but ... really? Dozens of people were getting rooms! Beast told them we had a reception to be a by 4 & (a different) person got us sorted out immediately. We're literally steps from the elevator, next to the stairs, but haven't heard much noise at all.

So we met Dave & Nancy at the reception. Good food. The room wasn't ever full so we didn't get a chance to chat with others, be did get a look at quite a few of our group. Interesting mix, more young people than I expected.

After that we headed back out for pop & snax -- OMG so full tho! -- and found it much more crowded on the streets. I'm sure i'ts going to get much worse this week. On the way back we stopped for ice cream. Yum.

Back to the room & then bed. Should discuss swag:
Blankets
Caps
Pins
Program for parade
Program for game
Misc tickets for reception & breakfast

Now headed out to Float Decorating this morning and Band Fest this afternoon -- preceded by breakfast here. Busy day!