It is that time of year again: the pilgrimage to see Sidra on her birthday. It is usually Burbank, California. Now and then her parents come up to San Jose with her so we can celebrate.  Sidra is our granddaughter. As you read this, she will have a digit in the ‘tens’ column indicating her age. No more a single digit-er, she.

Joy and I packed the car, checked the air in the tires, inspected our new windshield (another story) and got on the road at about 10 in the morning. It is about a 5.5-6 hour drive to Los Angeles where they live (Burbank, actually). The weather was overcast most of the way and it even rained a little, which is unusual.

We stopped at a coffee place along the way on Interstate 5 (which the locals call ‘The 5″) just before a stretch of road called “The Grapevine”. The Grapevine is part of The 5 that goes over the San Gabriel mountains just before LA.

The fireplug template, lying dormant somewhere in the back of my head suddenly activated. Here is: The Grapevine Fire Plug!

Fire Plug at the Grapevine
Digital Photo

Cool, no?

We got to Burbank and my granddaughter asked if she and I could go outside, “Just for a while.” I said, “Sure, that would be great!”  She gently led me in the direction of the park where she loved to go with me.  I didn’t let on, but instead changed it to a fire hydrant hunt.

Here is Sidra jumping for joy upon finding a (not-so) rare orange Burbank fire plug.

Burbank Fire Hydrant + Sidra Jumping
Digital Photo

I hope to continue my periodic series of interviews with Sidra (see also Sidereal Lessons) about being a sibling. My last interview with her was on William’s first birthday.