We recently returned from our second 10-day family trip to California from May 3 to May 13. During this road trip, we drove through Los Angeles, Yosemite National Park, the plains of Northern California, and the Sacramento Valley. Our first family trip to the Golden State was from August 27 to September 5, when we visited Los Angeles and San Diego, near California’s southern border.

Minneapolis to Los Angeles Flight

We started our vacation early, leaving home at 6:00 a.m. We arrived at Minneapolis Airport, Terminal 2—thanks to Karki ji for the ride! We flew with Sun Country Airlines, and our flight left right on time at 8:15 a.m. Checking in online made everything at the airport quick and easy.

A breathtaking Aerial View

One of the best parts of our flight was the amazing view from the plane.

As soon as we took off, we could see the suburbs of the Twin Cities. The patchwork of farmlands and small towns in the Midwest slowly changed to the rugged land of the western states. The sight of the snow-covered Rocky Mountains was especially beautiful. The mountains looked like giant frozen waves stretching as far as we could see.

As we flew southwest, we passed over Arizona. The dry desert, with its red rocks and wide open spaces, was very different from the snowy mountains we had just seen. Near Tucson, we spotted winding canyons, clouds casting soft shadows, and rivers snaking across the land.

From 30,000 feet above, it felt like we were on a tour of America’s natural beauty. It was one of those flights where you never want to close the window shade—there was so much to see.

Arrival in Los Angeles

We landed in Los Angeles at 9:30 a.m. local time. Suyog met us at the airport and took us to his cozy apartment in the Redondo Beach neighborhood.

The rest of the day was all about settling in. We made a quick trip to Ralphs for groceries, cooked some tasty home meals, and had plenty of time to relax. We had a wonderful afternoon playing with two adorable Golden Retrievers in the warm California sun and just enjoyed being together as a family.

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Memorable Time with Daisy and Winston

Daisy and Winston, the two golden retrievers that Suyog shares with his close roommate, were absolute pleasure to spend time with.. These adorable furballs quickly captured our hearts, all thanks to a bit of patience and carefully planned introduction by Suyog!

Careful Introduction

Our first meeting with Daisy and Winston wasn’t the usual excited doggy greeting. Suyog had a carefully crafted plan of introducing them to us, which we really appreciated once we saw how well it all worked out.

When we arrived, we were asked to wait in the garage while Suyog went inside to get his fluffy friends ready. He told us that he had kept the dogs in a room to help them stay calm. A few minutes later, he brought out Winston on a leash— and wow, Winston was excited and full of energy! He barked a little, jumped around with excitement, sniffed us carefully, and gave us a few slobbery licks. Eventually, he started to calm down but still watched us with a curious and playful look.

With that brief encounter, Suyog brought Winston back inside, and a minute later he returned with Daisy on a similar leash, just as bouncy as Winston and similarly exited. She gave us the same sniff-and-lick welcome. It was clear both dogs were eager to know us.

After this first meeting, Suyog placed them in a gated hallway where they could see us, remaining still curious but staying at a safe distance. We were told not to make direct eye contact with either of them and to let them observe us quietly.

Earning Their Trust

A couple of minutes later, the dogs were reintroduced to us—this time without a leash— and they were definitely much calmer. They wandered around, sniffed us again, and seemed more curious than overwhelmed.

With a few treats, gentle pets, and some quiet time near us, they began to show signs of trust. When we stepped out and came back, they greeted us again, this time with more confidence and less hesitation.

From Strangers to Close Friends

By lunch time, Daisy and Winston were completely comfortable with us. They followed us from room to room, waited hopefully for treats, and attentively waited for our attention to them.

By dinner time and the next morning, it felt like we had been lifelong friends. They sat with us, cuddled close, supervised our dinner making, and even let us take some cute selfies together. It was such a sweet change to see—and be part of.

Daisy and Winston have their meals at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., as we learned they’re on a diet but still get in low-calorie treats throughout the day.

They share an outdoor play area where they jump, run, and play together, true to their bond as siblings.

Looking back, our time with Daisy and Winston added so much warmth and joy to our LA visit. Watching their trust grow and earning their love made it

Next Post: Visiting Los Angeles Griffin Observatory & Redondo Beach