Johnny Jet

She said "YES"! We kissed, hugged and laughed for the next couple hours, alone under the star-filled sky. With no lights or big cities around, looking up into the sky made us feel like we were watching an episode from National Geographic. It was surreal -- like our entire night. One of the craziest moments came as I was marveling up at the sky and thought to myself, Mom, I want you to be the second person to know that I am engaged. I hope you’re happy for me. Just show me a sign -- any sign. How about a falling star?” As I hugged Amber Airplane from behind, with my head resting on her shoulder, I heard a noise and looked back toward the party. Right then Amber Airplane yelled, "Did you see that?” I asked what. She said, “I just saw a falling star for the first time in my life!” I asked if she were serious -- and then I told her what I said in my head to my mom. Amber started to cry, and I did too.

We walked hand in hand down the dark hill and agreed not to tell anyone, so we wouldn't take away from Andy and Kathy's moment. We said goodbye and thank you to the happy couple, jumped in the car and drove a few miles north along the 101. We spent the night in a town I hadn't been to in 17 years. Solvang is located in the Santa Ynez Valley, just 30 miles north of Santa Barbara. It's two miles east of the 101 freeway at Buellton. The last time I was in Solvang was with my mom, dad and cousin AJ when we came out to California for my first time, and drove down the coast.

Solvang, which literally means "Sunny Valley" in Danish, was founded in 1911 by a group of Danish educators. Visitors from Denmark admit to the authenticity of Solvang's turn-of-the-century Danish architectural style. Walking down the street, Amber Airplane said she felt like she was in another country, and I agreed. Many of the buildings in this town have half-timbered walls, copper/slate/ thatched roofs, stained glass windows and sharply angled roof lines. There are also cobblestone sidewalks, windmills and old- fashioned warm hospitality -- just like in Denmark. I am part Danish on my mom’s side of the family, and was fortunate enough to go there a few times with her.

We got the last room at the Chimney Sweep Inn. Weekend rates begin at $109. We got one of the nicer rooms, for only $159 a night. Since we had just gotten engaged I thought I would pick Amber Airplane up and carry her into the room. However, the room was pitch black (except for a little light coming from the other end of the room). I figured I could see the bed so I would just drop her there, go back, grab the bags and find the light switch. But I should've turned the lights on first, because I didn't see three steps down to the living room. I don't know how I am still here writing this, because we almost died. When I came to the first step I felt like I walked onto a trap door. We just dropped down. Fortunately I broke Amber Airplane’s fall by somehow quickly turning around so she could land on me. I could say you had to be there, but I'm glad you weren't.

The room was really nice and spacious. So was the bathroom, which is key for Amber Airplane. The best part about our room was the fireplace with a Duraflame log all ready to be lit. Chimney Sweep Inn, 1554 Copenhagen Dr., Solvang, CA, tel: (805) 688-2111.

In the morning we checked out of our quaint little hotel went to breakfast. The Chimney Sweep Inn serves a free continental breakfast each morning between 8 and 10 a.m. (featuring Danish pastries) but we passed on that. We wanted something more substantial, so we went to the most popular place in town for breakfast: Paula's. They serve really good pancakes and are not expensive (for a touristy town). At Paula's and most of the other restaurants in Solvang waiters and waitresses wear authentic turn-of-the-century Danish costumes. After breakfast we walked the streets and checked out the shops. We picked a great time to visit, because it was Solvang’s Old Danish Days annual weekend festival. Paula's Pancakes, 1531 Mission Dr., Solvang, CA. tel: (805) 688-2867

This is a great festival, with a lot going on -- all kinds of dancing, and partying on the closed streets. And I can't forget plenty of food! The specialty in this town is aebleskivers (Danish pancake balls). My mom used to make those when I was a kid. They are served with raspberry sauce -- and they were inexpensive too! There was even an aebleskivers eating contest that the organizer tried to get me to participate in at the last minute. I would've entered, but I had just finished eating that monster pancake (and half of Amber Airplane’s) from Paula's.

On the way back down to L.A., Amber Airplane (soon to be Jet) spotted a Barnes & Noble off the freeway in Oxnard. She made me stop so she could buy bridal magazines. Oh boy, I am in for a world of -- happiness.

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Happy Travels,

Johnny

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