Thanksgiving

I took off Wednesday and Wanda, Carolyn and I left home around 8 in order to rendezvous with Lisa and Katie at a Starbucks in Montrose. We got there rather quickly and after getting the final few items in a nearby Trader Joes, we headed up the Grapevine. Stopping in Fresno for lunch (In-N-Out) and gas, we entered Yosemite around 3:30 under bright and clear skies and turned into the Redwoods just a short distance passed the Wawona Hotel and checked into our three bedroom home in the woods.

That evening we dressed warmly and went over to Wawona for dinner. Salads and dinner were great, but the creme brulee sucked and they didn't charge us for it. Then back to the house for games and reading.

Thursday morning, Carolyn was first out of bed into the morning chill, and I snuggled deeper into the covers only to be awakened the second time around 8 with the smell of onions being cooked for the cornbread stuffing. By 10, Carolyn had done all her prep work and the turkey was cooking away and none of the others were even out of bed yet, so we took an hour walk to the Wawona waterfall.

The others were finally up when we returned and the preparation for a feast continued until we sat down with our bounty of turkey, mashed potatoes, yams, green beans, stuffing, gravy, corn casserole, rolls, etc, etc. All followed by pumpkin, pecan and mincemeat pies!

Friday, we were surprised to find a light rain falling on the day we planned our first valley visit. We bundled up (it was in the low to mid 40s) and headed to the sights. The clouds hung low over the mountains and obscured some of our views, but we walked up to the base of Bridalveil, went through the Visitors Center, watched a movie on how Yosemite Park came to be, walked through the Indian Village, and then finally shook off our rain covered coats as we entered the Awahnee Hotel and took up residence for an hour or so in the Great Room.



That night we had a replay of Thursday and then settled into rousing games of Catch Phrase with Lisa and me taking on the other three. We smoked them!! Lisa and I gave each other simple, calm descriptions while Wanda, in particular, tried to tell stories until the buzzer sounded. It was pretty funny with clues like "this is something I don't like to do" - not really specific. But we all had fun.

Saturday, we drove the short distance to the Mariposa Grove and walked around the giants again with clear and cold skies. On the way back, we stopped to wander about the historical area by the Wawona with old cabins and a covered bridge. That evening it was more turkey, and then Balderdash where Carolyn was the winner as she fooled us into choosing her definitions after she got making up funny answers out of her system.




All in all, a very Happy and Enjoyable Thanksgiving! And by the way, we came home with plenty of turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes, but no pies!

Wagons Ho!

Carolyn has been buying and setting aside enough supplies for a month it seems, as she prepares for our upcoming Thanksgiving in Yosemite with Wanda, Lisa and Katie.

Table settings, wine and champagne, a huge 22 pound turkey, and myriads of other goodies sit packed in a picnic basket and a large storage container awaiting transport. I'm only hopeful that all will fit in my car's trunk along with the requisite luggage for our lengthy four day stay in a three bedroom 'cabin' which is next to the Wawona. That, and that the turkey will actually fit in the cabin's oven.

There are plans for walks in the Valley (or maybe even a bike ride), hikes to the waterfalls, taking photos, reading, eating too much and playing games. We leave tomorrow, Wednesday, and return on Sunday - pray for our safe travel.

We hope that your holiday is also filled with family, friends, fun and feasting. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Sailing

What had been Autumn a few weeks ago turned to summer this past week. A light Santa Ana wind warmed So Cal up and blew the smog out to sea. On Sunday, as we drove down the freeway to Dana Point, the Mini registered that it was 86.

As we turned off the 5 towards DP, the sun sparkled off the ocean and the seas were flat as boats left the harbor to enjoy a July day on the 20th of November. We readied the boat, storing canvas covers and putting out the seat cushions when Dennis suprised us on the dock. He and Gloria had just returned from a wedding in Santa Barbara and we had expected that he wouldn't be down this weekend. We welcomed him aboard and after getting the engine to start, we were off for a leisurely sail punctuated by wispy clouds and a brilliant sunset that turned the sky red. We even saw a huge pod of dolphin off of our starboard bow racing after some unseen delicacy. Unfortunately, a little too far off and quite a bit faster so we were unable to get any photos.

The Randomness of the Internet

Check out this if you want a little laugh.

It Must be Fall

Perhaps it's just because it's autumn and the weather is changing and the activity of summer which included several trips is past, but I haven't really felt like blogging in a while. Life has returned to the ordinary, it's been busy at work and we've hired an assistant for me.

This last weekend, Carolyn and I took in a play at SCR (Born Yesterday) which is a 40's era play that was funny and which still retains its political relevancy. We then dropped in at Jerry's Famous Deli by South Coast for an after theater dessert which was large enough in my case to save half for last night (a huge piece of chocolate fudge cake)!

Otherwise, I've been watching the baseball playoffs (sorry Angels) and now the World Series as well as a sampling of college and pro football. As far as sports go, this is my favorite season.

The weather the last two weekends has been somewhat gloomy and drizzly (by SoCal standards) and we haven't ventured out on the boat, in part, because of the weather and because of some overheating issues with the engine. I'll have to purpose to make it to the boat or to do more outdoor activities.

Makes Me Think

Those of you who've read my blog for awhile should be aware that occasionally I like to randomly check out other blogs. A very few make it to my favorites list.

One which I've been reading for a few months is Waiterrant where a New York waiter often talks about the indignities of dealing with the inconsiderate and the miserly. Today, he posted an interesting dialogue of a discussion he had with a fellow server about the Biblical story of Jesus casting the demons into the pig. I thought his view of God was insightful and challenging. What do you scholars think?

The second blog I stumbled across was referenced in another blog. A personal story of the destruction that ravaged the south with Katrina with some amazing photos and heartfelt stories. Tragedies are often quickly forgotten except for those immediately involved. Take a look.

A Double Bow of Promise

Carolyn walked into the game room last evening talking about the golden light that seemed to permeate both inside and outside. I looked outside and saw a brilliant double rainbow towards the east.

We rushed outside with camera in hand and Carolyn went to grab Darla. Two gorgeous rainbows with colors the bled into each other like a 'loose' watercolor. The clouds were high and sky shown through various cloud breaks. As we watched, a few random drops fell around us.

As we watched Monday Night Football, lightning flashed every few minutes and rain showers became more frequent. We fell asleep to a full harvest moon that would occasionally peek out from the clouds along with lightning flashes across the skies and the distant roll of thunder. Sights and sounds that would continue throughout the night. Pretty cool for So. Cal. in September!

Watch Your Rear

Well, it finally happened. After driving to and from work for the last six years and putting on about 30,000 miles a year, I was rear-ended last night on the way home as I transitioned from the 57 to the 5 as traffic came to a slow stop.

A Ford 150 hit the Camry behind me which was propelled into my back bumper. I think I had just started up a little so the rap didn't seem to do too much damage although the Camry's rear bumper and trunk lid were crunched. The rear fender area is popped out a little and I'm hearing a few more rattles, but, hopefully, nothing serious.

It took nearly an hour to trade info and get the CHP out to write up an accident report which made me late for my monthly poker game. Of course, that probably saved me money because I had an hour less to play or lose. Now, I have to get an estimate and get it in for any needed repairs. Bummer!

This is the first accident I've been involved in since the 1970s, I think. I hope this doesn't increase my insurance rate!

Weekend Activities

The weekend began with the requisite time spent just keeping the house and yard in order. I mowed the lawn and then spent the next hour or two on the ground weeding and trimming while Carolyn began laundry and picking up. Then I pulled out the Mini and washed a few weeks of dust off of it. Then it was time for lunch and a few minutes of college football.

A little before two, we headed up to Santa Ana to the Bower's museum for a plein-air art show where Carolyn's art teacher, Robin McCloud, was displaying some works. The street in front of the museum was filled with two large stretch limos including a Hummer version from which two large wedding parties had dismounted for pictures on the Bower's well kept lawn and rose garden. We spoke with Robin and enjoyed a glass or two of wine at the reception and critiqued the paintings as we passed through the rows of paintings.

Later, that evening, we once again headed north in the Mini to catch a play, Caucasian Chalk Circle, at the South Coast Rep, with tickets courtesy of Lewis. The review of the play was published in the Orange County Register this morning and I think the writer and Carolyn were more in tune with each other than I. I think I found it more that a little silly or rather a polemic while Carolyn found it fun and entertaining. Then it was off to Jerry's Deli for an after-theater snack before heading home.

Sunday, we were able to sleep in and then spend some time reading both papers in bed while enjoying some good java. Then I tackled washing the Altima. Thankfully, the weather was nice but not too hot, in fact, it seemed like a touch of fall in the air at times.

Mid-afternoon, we called Wanda and invited her for a sail and a look at the tall ships which were in the harbor. Picking her up about 3, we readied the boat then motored over by Baby Beach to observe the several tall ships moored by the Marine Institute before hoisting the sails and sailing outside the harbor for an hour and a half or so. We then enjoyed some appetizers and wine while 'slip sailing' as the tall ships briefly left the harbor for a mock gun battle. We were serenaded by the competing cannon blasts as we snacked.

We then took Wanda home to find she had locked her house and left her keys inside and she didn't have a hidden key available. All her windows were locked, but her master bath window was ajar a few inches but with a lock that restricted the opening. It took a while but were able to move the window laterally enough that we were able to remove the window and I could climb in and open the house. I'm glad we hadn't just dropped her off!!

Now it's back to work!

We've Been Flocked!

Robed with slippers and hair askew, I opened the door this morning at 7 a.m. to be greeted by a stand of pink flamingos! We'd been flocked!! And this just weeks after having been TP'd for no apparent reason.

Jane and Ron had 'graced' us with about ten plastic, pink flamingos on our front lawn courtesy of the Anaheim Amateur Ice Skating Assoc. which plants this tacky yard art on the unsuspecting and demands a ransom to remove and/or relocate the flock/stand. So we've invested in a $15 charitable donation and will soon send the flock on their way to the Kandas.

Katrina

I woke up around 3:30 this morning and my mind went immediately to the images I've watched the last few days showing the destruction in New Orleans and the coast of Mississippi.

I was sleeping comfortably on a pillow-top king sized bed; thousands will be, at best, sleeping on cots with thousands of their 'closest' friends. My refrigerator is full; thousands of homes sit with flood waters to the rafters and food rotting everywhere. I was able to buy gas on the way to work at $2.75 a gallon; tens of thousands have no fuel, power, phones at any price. I have a job and a paycheck; millions will be affected as businesses, jobs, customers all are gone.

The stress of life as a refugee with little hope is heartbreaking. Tears well up in my eyes at the disaster, at the individual stories, at the pleading calls for help. They need the calvary NOW! Water, food, medical supplies and a way out.

Questions of God's sovereignty rattle inside my brain. Why? How? Why not?

Our check to the Red Cross is on the way, but that seems so inadequate.

Nice

We docked around 6 a.m. and finally we weren't rolling anymore. I slept through it all, but Ash had a hard time sleeping.

I dressed in my shorts and aloha shirt (the only clothes left out) and went to breakfast to find it just POURING outside. And it didn't want to let up! We all got in line to disembark at 8:30 and it seemed to lessen a bit, but then it just intensified, so it was a mad dash off the gangway, a short run to the tent with our bags and then a roll over to the waiting tent - we all got soaked.

A half hour later, it was our turn for a taxi and the short expensive ride to our hotel, Villa Victoria. However, rooms weren't yet available so we had some tea/coffee and waited while 'reading' French magazines. One room was available at 11:30 and we let Ashley and Bryce take that one.

About 12:45, the second room was ready although the 'perfume' from the recent cleaning was very strong so we opened the windows and all headed out for a walk around Nice as the rain had stopped. Walking down to the plage a fair number of people were out and about and a few were trying to catch some rays on the stone/pebble lined beach. It didn't look that comfortable, but at 15 euros for a lounge chair, umbrella and shower, the free alternative was at least reasonable.

We walked into the narrow streets of the Old Town and window shopped or stuck our heads in to look around. Pictures were plentiful if only I'd brought my camera, but Bryce and Carolyn took several.

Stopping at a sidewalk restaurant for crepes and tea the rain began again so we watched the soaked and the wet passing by in various states of hurry. It let up enough to allow us a relatively dry return to the hotel.

We all settled in for naps in the late afternoon before heading back to Old Town for our last supper with the four of us. Another good meal and wine as we were street serenaded by a Ukrainian group whose CD we now own. Then it was back to the hotel, farewells for me and packing until 11:30 so I'd be ready for my 5:45 taxi.

I was awake at 4:45 and laid in bed until 5 before showering and dressing and leaving Carolyn with a big hug and many kisses. Now its the all-day return trip through Zurich-Dallas-SNA. On the tarmac in Zurich, a full 180 degree rainbow shone - a good sign for a long flight.

Cruise - Day 7 - Monaco

Our cabin was wharfside and actually below the wharf, so it was especially easy to sleep until 10 this morning. Ashley and Bryce had their "Privacy Please" sign out so we headed up for continental breakfast in the Compass Rose.

After breakfast we left the ship and found our way to this fabulous market which was entered by elevator and through a tunnel. Fresh fish piled high on ice, hundreds of types of cheese, two longs aisles of yogurt. We bought a few herbs and some cheese.

We next caught the no. 2 bus which took us to the plaza below the castle. We just enjoyed the sights from this quiet tree lined area on a promontory overlooking the harbor and the sea. Beautiful buildings, small shops and cafes lined the narrow streets adjoining the castle .

Then we walked down the many steps to the wharf and the ship for lunch. Once again on deck we ran into Ash and Bryce and ate our last deckside meal. We grabbed our suits and towels from the ship and walked to the sea side of the wharf where a large concrete stepped 'beach' made swimming and sunbathing easy. We all swam in the Med, but the second time in we were dissuaded when we spotted small jellyfish near the steps.

At four, the large 250+ foot yacht moored beside us raised anchor and we did soon after. The wind had come up and the swells were larger than we'd seen before. In fact, Bryce opened his curtains after a short afternoon nap to see a large swell wash completely over his porthole!


The wind was blowing at 21 knots and soon all the sails were unfurled and the engines feathered as we ran with the wind to eliminate the pitching at 7 knots. Everyone staggered a bit more around the ship and some were ill, but we all managed.

Dinner was Indonesian in the Bistro (no. 4) and as always, excellent. Then down to our cabins to pack so our suitcases would be out by 1 a.m. Around 10, we four took a 'stroll', or stagger, around the upper decks and the wind was really blowing. We ducked in the bridge to be sure they had all under control and then headed below for bed. In the distance, lightning was evident, but the weather was predicted to be nice in Nice.

Cruise - Day 6 - St. Tropez

Anchored off St. Tropez, we took tenders into town and the small harbor. It reminded me of some four star hotel where all the Jags, Benz, and Porsches are parked pointing out adjacent to the hotel entry. Only in this case they were yachts, mostly power in the 80 to 150' range that maneuvered in the tight space with precision.

We walked along the boulevard which curved around the harbor which was filled with shops and people. The chic quotient was definitely elevated as thin, tan, French women dressed in form fitting shirt dresses walked in stiletto heels. We wondered if they'd come off the yachts or were looking for an invitation to cruise!

We tendered back to the ship in now choppy seas with the wind blowing quite strong. I wonder about the seamanship of some of the tender crew as we slam against the gangway.

It was a little after noon and the sports marina deck was only going to be open to two, so we went down to check out the sailing possibilities. They wanted to know how well I sailed (I lied), and we were given a 12' dagger board boat. It was a little tippy getting in and we almost capsized but then we got our fannies on the right side and took off. We sailed off the stem of the Wind Surf through chop and spray and getting wet. Our first tack was a jibe which was a little hairy but from then on we did well sailing fast on the bay of St. Tropez. After a half an hour, we brought it in soaked but pleased we hadn't turned over. My tricep hurt from hanging onto the main sheet (they didn't want us to cleat it down because of the likelihood of capsizing).


Meanwhile, Ashley and Bryce had gotten on shore and quickly found a 50cc scooter to rent and had toured the area around St. Tropez for several hours.

At around 3, the Wind Surf unfurled its sails and we sailed east towards Monte Carlo along the French coast. At around 7 as the sun was inching closer to setting behind the mountains that rim Monaco, we dropped anchor offshore until our berth was vacated around midnight.

After dinner, we were again tendered to shore, a good number dressed in ties and coats and slinky dresses ready to go to the casino. The cruise line provided shuttles for us which was quite helpful. The scene outside was chaotic with tourist milling about the Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Rolls, Benz, etc.

Walking inside we had to check our camera and purchase an entrance ticket at 10 euros per person before we were able to enter the casino. The casino was actually fairly small with only a few blackjack and roulette tables. The blackjack minimums were 25 and 200 euros. Bryce and I watched the 200 table for quite awhile where the dealer gets his second card after everyone has gotten their third or fourth card and players could bet on another person's hand when they split or doubled down.

After losing about 20 euros at the slots and Ash and Carolyn spending 22 euros for two martinis, we had spent our wad and got back to the ship around 12:30.

Cruise - Day 5 - Portofino

A very pretty port, small with older wooden style fishing vessels with the larger yachts (and us) anchored outside. Taking the tender in we walked around the port which was surrounded by 3 and 4 story pastel-hued homes many with architectural features faux painted on the walls.

We walked a small stone pathway with hedges and flowering vines up to the church and then to the castle. We paid our 4 euros per person and entered the grounds. The castle was decorated in rather odd feminine interpretations and pictures from the 50s and 60s of old movie stars and politicians and other notables like Sophia Loren, Winston Churchill, John Wayne, Elizabeth Taylor and Eddie Fisher, etc.

The views from the castle gardens were great and worth the walk and the euros. It would be quite romantic and restful to stay here, but not in August!

Taking the tender back to the ship we hoped to check out the water sports deck. The first time in operation, the deck was quite busy, but Carolyn and I were able to go on a swimming raft trip just a few hundred yards from the boat. I was the first to dive in followed by the rest, but one of our fellow swimmers was stung by a jellyfish which sent all of us back to the zodiac and an end to our swimming.

Dinner was in the main restaurant where three of us had tournedos of beef accompanied by a delicious wine which the wine steward gave us for $22 v. $50. Then it was off to the chocolate buffet where we ate even though we weren't hungry.

We talked with Jimmy and Margo and watched Jimmy lose at the blackjack table. Then it was off to our room to watch our 3rd Nicholas Cage film, "Family Man". A fun one even though the DVD would occasionally freeze for half a minute or so. To sleep at 1:30.

Cruise - Day 4 - Livorno

This port was a replacement for one closer to the Cinque Terra, and it is an industrial port. We opted for the 9.5 hour tour to CT which left a little after 7:30. Fortified by coffee and croissants ordered the night before from room service, we boarded the bus.

We drove through the Ligoria countryside through Livorno and passed Pisa with its leaning tower visible in the distance along the mountain range which shown white in parts like snow which was actually marble quarries from which Michelangelo chose the blocks of stone for his works.

We arrived in Spezia and picked up two additional tour guides who narrated as we drove to Manarola where we walked down through a tight street and 4 story homes over a street that covered the once open stream.

From there, after a quick snack, we walked back towards Riomaggiore along 'lovers land', a walkway which hugs the coast with breathtaking views of sparkling seas. Rio was built similarly in a small canyon with stone-walled vineyards carved into the steep hillside. Then by boat to Vernazza. The boat crew was fantastic in their ability to lasso the moorings and place a rampway from the bow to the shore while the pilot put the boat in an easy reverse to keep the proper distance from bow to shore.

We grabbed lunch in a restaurant built into the harbor fortress with views out to sea. Then we walked out onto the rocky breakwater to swim. Carolyn had some difficulty with the last step and ended up on her back between two rocks. We lifted her up and we all dove into the Med.


Great swimming! We got out and took a brief outdoor shower and hurried to the town square to find our group had already left for the train station. We hurried to follow and met up with them to find the train was 10 minutes late, thankfully. We took the train back to La Spezia and met up with our bus to trace our way back to Livorne.

A dinner at the main restaurant, a Med buffet which was followed by a staff talent show featuring songs, Indonesian and Filipino dances and a garage band. Not the most talented, but it was fun or funny.

Cruise - Day 3 - Elba

Awoke to find ourselves in Elba, a very picturesque small harbor with plenty of mid-size yachts tied stern first to the quay. Each with simple to complex stern ramps.

We walked right along the marina front - the air was still and already beginning to get warm. Several hundred yards from our ship we turned left through a stone arch and into a central walking square with steps leading in three directions.

We took the center stairway and passed apartments/houses with laundry hanging from the upper windows or with window boxes blooming with geraniums. We continued up towards Napoleon's villa, now a museum, which contained some original furnishings, dishes and his hat. With gorgeous views over a garden and out to crystal blue seas, and to the right a stone lighthouse which stood slightly higher as did a fort to the left, it didn't seem so bad a place to be in exile.


We walked up to the walls of the fort, but you couldn't actually enter the interior. From there, we found another way down - stair after stair.

Bryce was hoping to rent a scooter to explore more of Elba, but at noon it seemed they had all been rented, and we were getting a bit cranky. One place still had a car available so when Carolyn knocked him down 10 euros, we rented it and I handed the keys to Bryce while I handled the navigation. Bryce converts easily from right-hand to left-hand drive (or vice versa) and he did an admirable job of maneuvering through the narrow corners and especially the densely parked streets leading to Bordido. You almost had to tuck the exterior mirrors in to pass each other. But since the parking would have required an hour's walk, we continued on to Porcchio, where we found a parking lot first and a restaurant for lunch, second.

Then we made our way to the beach and found a patch of sand at the far end which was big enough for we four that wasn't controlled by a beach hotel. We swam and sunned for about 2 hours, and then drove back to town, returned the car, and boarded the ship with about 1/2 hour to spare before we set sail. As we set sail, we performed a sort of water ballet with our sister ship, Wind Star, as we crossed each other's wakes while everyone waved and took pictures.



Dinner again at the Bistro (you're only supposed to go twice, I think we did four) for the steakhouse experience. Carolyn and Bryce had surf and turf, Ash and I just did the turf, mine preceded by a caesar salad and a cleansing sorbet. On the side, I had the double stuffed baked potato with bacon - Wanda will have to kick it up a notch!

Ash headed to bed, Carolyn to an art lecture, and Bryce and I to the casino. $100 plunked down, I stayed about even until the dealer began pushing my 20 or 19 with his 20 or 19 and then pulling 4 or 5 cards to a 21. Down about half, I retired.

Cruise - Day 2 - Corsica

Another pretty port, a quick walking tour after a shuttle took us into the old town.

We headed back to the ship and had lunch on deck. Bryce, Ash and I had burgers while Carolyn had vichyssois, salmon and fruit. We enjoyed the deck and pool, but we eventually looked for some shade. I think I fell asleep for a short while and Ash and Carolyn were off in the late afternoon for spa treatments - massages for both, nails for Carolyn and a facial for Ash.

Dinner was in the smaller Bistro, a Thai themed dinner with names like 'Tam Kwak Sook'. Luckily, the contents were both well-explained and delicious. Bryce began his habit of ordering two entrees, and, fortunately, he can get away with it!

After another leisurely dinner, we retired around 10 or 10:30 and watched our second film featuring Nicholas Cage, "Matchstick Men". Again playing a character with enough quirks, ticks and phobias to infect an entire cast let alone one character. A really good movie, however, one with plenty of twists.

Cruise - Day 1

We were able to sleep in a little longer today as we packed and waited our transport to the Wind Surf. Laurence, our driver, arrived at 11:40 ahead of our planned noon departure. He spoke English, but not nearly as well or as informative as Stefano had been, and he didn't narrate any of the trip to the port or our detour to Ceri, an old small walled village with two restaurants, a church and not much else but views of the surrounding vineyards and countryside.

We ate a leisurely lunch and stumbled through ordering with the waitress who spoke no English. After 1 1/2 hours we continued to the port of Civitavecchia, arriving around 3 and were some of the earliest to arrive so our embarkation went quickly.

The cabins were on deck 1 just above the waterline (3 decks of passengers), but it was well laid out and reasonably large with plenty of storage space. We unpacked and then set out to explore the various rooms, bars, restaurants, lounges and the library.

As departure neared, we ordered drinks and relaxed on deck watching the harbor pilot come aboard, speak with the captain, before setting sail. We cleared the small harbor in no time, and the pilot got off on his boat as we sailed at 10 to 12 knots. Before we left, we were required to be in our cabin for a mandatory emergency drill, but the port forbids using the emergency claxons so the captain just announced "now you would hear seven short and one long tone". We then donned our life preservers (Bryce was sure to get our pic), and we headed up to our muster area in the lounge. After all had been accounted for, all the orange-vested passengers were able to return to their cabins.

The sails were unfurled automatically (North Sails - $50k/ea) and we sailed towards Corsica while appetizers and drinks were served. That night, we ate in the dining room, Carolyn and I enjoying the chef's recommendations which featured lamb chops preceded by shrimp appetizer and salad, followed by dessert, and all complimented with three different wines.

Finishing about 10, we retired to our cabin to watch "Adaptations" with Nicholas Cage which we'd borrowed from the library in our previous explorations.

Rome - Saturday

After breakfast, we had a quick walk along the Tiber over to the Villa Borghese via a new quicker route scoped out by Bryce. Long steps from the plaza to the edge of the park revealed the expansive size of the grounds. We were supposed to arrive at 10:30 for our 11 am entry time, but the grounds are much more extensive than we thought and we finally arrived at 10:50.

We toured room after room of ancient and Renaissance master with ceilings decorated in amazingly colorful murals. Everyone's favorite sculpture was Bernini's Rape of Proserpina where the male's fingers compressed the flesh of the Proserpina as if it were soft wax rather than hard marble.

As we exited, we took a more leisurely stroll through the gardens and grabbed a bite off one of the many lunch wagons. Peroni beers and panini and pizza, oh my! A large observation balloon floated overhead a ways off.


After our afternoon rest, we left again for more serious shopping. We sauntered a main shopping blvd and Ash found some great leather boots but Bryce came up empty on a reasonably priced football shirt. Tourists and Italians of all fashions walked by and we observed them all while stopping for an afternoon drink in a small cafe. Continuing on we passed a church with a black cassocked, red cross emblazoned priest hanging out at the entrance.

We ended up eating across the alley from the cafe of Friday night and had another excellent meal. I indulged in fettucine alfredo, but its sauce was not smothered in cream and butter but just enough butter for the parmesan to adhere to. Great! The only disruption as a horse drawn carriage that crashed into a menu sign board attempting to navigate the narrow 'street' and the singing of a young musician who played much better than he sang.

More gelati!!

Rome - Friday

Tired from walking the previous day, we breakfasted on the terrace with expectations of the same physical activity. Breakfast was much better and ants weren't parading through the eggs, but the staff was harried and the coffee wasn't really happening.

We took a cab to the Coliseum and were greeted by Roman soldiers offering pictures for a price (we passed). As were contemplating ticket choices, we were approached about joining an English speaking tour that included admission and bypassed the long entry lines. We chose to spring for the extra bucks and were soon inside the first of the three concentric wall that make up the stadium. We saw where the restoration had cleaned the porous stone and where some was blackened with centuries of contamination.




The stairs leading into the stadium are rather steep and I believe the handrails are a recent addition. I thought of how many must have tripped on their togas as they entered. The guide told us the stadium had been built as a 'gift' to the people of Rome, but also as a way to keep them compliant by providing free spectacles and often free meat from the wild animals killed in 'sport'. Historians say some 5-9k wild beasts were killed in the opening days, not to mention the criminals, slaves, and Christians who would not bow down to the emperor-God.

Imagine being held below the sandy floor of the Coliseum sand to soak up the blood (stadia = sand) waiting for that moment that you would be herded up and into the stadium to face a death by beasts, gladiator or even crucifixion as 50k people cheered your demise. How strong is your faith?

A good portion of the Coliseum was later scavenged for churches and monuments in Rome's later history including the iron or bronze which held massive stones together without mortar.

We left there and entered the Palatine, the hill that once housed a palace of 14k sq. meters high on a hill where Rome's traffic is silent. Fallen columns and portions of walls abound and you think of those Romans who lived here nearly 2000 years ago. Walking down the hill through the Forum, more ruins were everywhere and then up the hill to Mount Capitolina where government offices operate. A great courtyard with an imposing stairway which we descended to the street.

Next door was the monument to Victor Emmanuel. Built in the late 1800s it is a towering presence and fitting monument to the unknown soldier in this city of towering monuments. After cooling our feet in the adjoining fountain, we walked to the Pantheon and ate in the plaza (3 pm) before entering the domed church with a hole at the top of the dome, a dome as high as it is wide. Then some afternoon gelati and a stroll to the Trevi fountain and a cab ride back to the hotel.


Later, it was another dinner at an outdoor cafe around 9 pm followed by the required gelati after a crazy cab ride home - "I'm good driver".

Rome - Thursday

After traveling most of the day on Tuesday (late) and Wednesday, August 9th and 10th, we met up with Ashley and Bryce in Heathrow. Bryce found us in the airport and there were hugs all around and plenty of conversation.

Met by Stefano of Rome Cabs as we exited customs, he quickly took us to his van and we headed into Rome with a running commentary on the sights as he took us to our hotel, Hotel Isa near the Vatican.

After checking in, we walked about and found a restaurant where the waiter kept pouring wine over the 2 1/2 hours of dining even though we'd only paid for 3/4 liter. Then it was to St. Peter's Square around 11 pm which was blocked off by railings and circling police cars but beautifully lit in the Roman night. We got a little disoriented on our way back to the hotel, and with no taxis around, I tried my feeble Italian ("scuze") while showing the hotel's business card to several shop/restaurant owners who were able to give us enough hand signals so we could find our hotel a little after midnight.

Thursday morning I awoke with a slight headache (wine and jet lag) but the buffet breakfast on the rooftop terrace helped. Unfortunately, at 9 am most of the food was cleaned out, but we made do with fruit, very strong coffee, cheese, sliced meat and rolls.

We walked back to Vatican City (appropriately dressed) to the museum which cost 12 euros/person and toured Etruscan and early Roman artifacts and sculptures before entering the rooms of Renaissance paintings and then into the Sistine chapel.

It was crowded with wall to wall people all craning their necks up to the ceiling to watch Michelangelo's amazing murals! "Silence, please" was the constant refrain from the guards (always in English) and the volume would dip and then the murmur would rise within seconds as friends pointed out the many amazing Biblical scenes in vivid colors to each other. We sat along the wall with heads craned upwards to see Michelangelo's vision of the Day of Judgment or the creation of man or Adam and Eve's fall. Bryce read from his tour book to us about each scene as we added to the murmuring of the crowd.

Upon exiting, we headed to a local restaurant where we ate lunch at a fashionable 2 pm. We chose inside because it was "air conditioned" and the outside was humid only to find a/c meant more than one fan. The other three had lasagne while I had spaghetti with tomato and bacon. All were very good and the portion size was reasonable.

We walked towards St. Peter's and stopped for gelati at a small shop. As we ate under a canopy, lightning struck a few miles away with a large bang and it began to rain, but just for a short time which helped to clear out the crowds waiting for St. Peter's at least for a short while.




St. Peter's is HUGE with the length of two football fields and a height of over seven stories. Tall columns support the elaborate roof and 6 foot high wording rims the inside just below the curve of the ceiling. Elaborate marble designs (some taken from the Coliseum) make for an amazing floor.


Back to the hotel for a two hour nap, we left again around 6:30 via a taxi as Bryce led us on a walking tour from Rick Steeve's book - Trevi fountain, Spanish steps, the Pantheon, Bernini's fountain. We ate in a plaza with good pasta and wine and then watched the artists and street musicians (Italians love accordions). Taking a taxi from the Spanish steps to our hotel, we walked four blocks for our evening gelati fix before calling it a night.

Back Home Again

Well, Monday was a long day - 33 hours in fact. I left our hotel in Nice,
France at 5:45 am and flew to Zurich (1.5 hours) then after a 2 hour layover on to Dallas (10.5 hours) and was able to grab an earlier flight to Orange County arriving home at 6 pm and nine time zones later. I'll pick up my checked bag later today.

I was able to sleep/nap about an hour on the Dallas leg and about two on the OC portion. Arriving home to only two phone messages, but two LARGE piles of mail, Darla greeted me with a plate of pork, green beans and rice, which I was too tired to eat or at least my stomach was too confused. It will make a great dinner tonight.

Gracie was glad to see me and is requiring a lot of petting and only bit me once as a reminder that I haven't been around in two weeks.

I'm up early today, around 4:30, and I've showered and will head off to work after some internet e-mail reading/deleting in a little while.

I'll be posting about our GREAT trip over the next few days, so keep checking back. And, by the way, Carolyn is in Edinburgh with Ashley and Bryce for a nine day extension on her vacation.

T Minus 1

Well, tomorrow we fly from LAX to Heathrow to meet up with Ashley and Bryce and then on to Rome. I'll believe it when I'm in the air.

I've been trying to get everyone at work to provide me with their proforma requests early enough, but I'm still expecting a huge surge late this afternoon as they all find one last thing that needs to be done. But if they arrive at 5:01, they'll be a minute too late.

This weekend we spent most of our time getting ready. I bought a new bag which could actually be used as a carry-on and I've tried to limit the number of garments I'm bringing. Seems to be easier for me than Carolyn.

I'm hoping Rome isn't too humid/hot, but that may be asking a lot. I'm looking forward most to sitting on deck and watching the Italian and French coasts pass by. Travelogues and pictures to follow on our return.

Engine is Out

Dennis and Steve began the process or removing the boat's engine last weekend when the wind was fairly light off of Dana Point. After hours of dismantling the starter, electrical connections, and all the accessories, around 9:30 on Monday, the engine was lifted out by brute force through an opening that is BARELY large enough. All this without my help (?) as we were gone over the weekend and I couldn't make it down to the boat Monday until too late.

The engine was left in the cabin until last night, when Steve enlisted the help of some other friends to hoist it out of the cabin. I got there just in time to add about 20 pounds of uplift on the 300 pound engine as we moved it onto the dock and then into a pickup for the transport to Steve's where he is eagerly looking forward to dismantling it before having the various parts machined and/or replaced.

Steve participated in HS competitions where they diagnosed car problems so, thankfully, he knows what he is doing, and he is very organized as he bags each set of bolts or screws and labels them in addition to often taking digital photos so he can remember exactly how each part should be assembled. I may actually learn something about engine maintenance!

So for the next month, we'll only be "slip-sailing" - enjoying the boat while we're home at the dockside.

Puzzle

Another fun activity (and mindless) that I found in my internet wanderings.

Seven Wineries and a Wedding

Friday morning, we began our trip to Santa Rosa and Blake's wedding around 6:15 a.m. with the hope that the 530+ mile trip could be made in about 9 hours. No luck! In LA, the Mini showed that one tire was underinflated which required a brief stop and a quarter's worth of air (that used to be free!) and then, even on a Friday light traffic day we plunged into our first section of first gear only around LAX.

We took 101 up the coast, enjoying the occasional look at the ocean as we drove through Santa Barbara and SLO and onwards towards the Golden Gate. An accident before Salinas again required a long period of time in first gear (that's when you wish you had the automatic), but prior to that we hit our first winery (we needed a rest stop anyway) and began the first purchase of many for our wine 'cellar'. We also made a quick stop at Sheid's winery that was recommended by a frequent traveler of the 101 from work where we continued to fill the hatchback.

San Francisco was bright and clear and boats filled the bay as we drove over the Golden Gate. But soon after crossing, we hit the traffic from hell as those leaving the City early converged together and a fire along the highway in Petaluma contributed to force an hour or so of start-stop-start.

So, nearly twelve hours after we started we finally arrived at Vintner's Inn in Santa Rosa. The grounds were very pretty and nestled along side a vineyard. We had a great room that overlooked the vineyard and which was bathed in moonlight later that evening. We took a soak in the jacuzzi to relax after our journey and then went next door for a great dinner at John Ash's restaurant. And after the meal with a good bottle of wine the bed was magnificent.

With the wedding planned late Saturday afternoon, we had breakfast at the Inn and then took a road trip towards Guerneville and the Russian River, a family vacation spot of my youth. Great roads wove through canopies of trees while new vineyards and farms appeared at every corner. The Mini stuck to each curve.

Stopping at Alexander Valley, Murphy-Goode, Stryker, and Ferrari-Carano, we sampled reds primarily and continued to fill the 'trunk' in the Mini before heading back to the hotel to get ready for the tram ride to the wedding site. Three, San Francisco trolley style trams picked up the guests and drove us out to another winery/vineyard where, as we exited, we were given glasses of cold water/lemonade in the 90+ degree heat.

You can see numerous pictures from the wedding and our trip to the various wineries at snapfish. But the wedding was beautiful, the dinner delicious, and Carolyn and I tore up the dance floor again, so much so that we were getting comments (goods ones!) for the rest of the night and the next morning at brunch.

Sunday, we finished our winery tours with Seghesio and placed the last of our twenty-two bottles of wine in the car! This time, we drove down the 5, generally at 85 to 90 mph and the car performed flawlessly on its first road trip, and it only took about 8 and 1/2 hours for the return trip including dinner and a few gas/rest stops.

A very full and fun three days!!

Wedding Weekend

Tomorrow, Friday, we're leaving early in the a.m. on a drive north to Santa Rosa above San Francisco to attend Blake Rothschild's wedding. We hope to have an enjoyable road trip up Hwy 101 through Santa Barbara and then over the Golden Gate bridge about an hour north.

Friday night we'll be on our own with the wedding scheduled for Saturday afternoon. Maybe we'll have some time for wine tasting on the trip up or on Sat. morning. Saturday night, after the reception, we've been invited to some sort of chocolate dessert get-together and then a nice brunch at our hotel on Sunday morning.

Hope you all have a good weekend.

July Pics

Some pictures from our July (so far): our new windows in the game room and master bedroom; the/our winning boat in the LF parade; Carolyn and Debbie hanging out on the bow during our afternoon sail.

Update

Paper, paper, everywhere and not a place to sit! Well, not exactly, but the stacks of magazines and the filing to be done was getting a little out of hand, so Saturday was spent bringing order out of chaos and now you can see empty tables and a neat desk! But it took the better part of the whole day.

Sunday, Carolyn had to prepare for her procedure today and so we just stayed home and close to the comforts of home. Wanda came over and checked out our new windows and got a chance to see the photos of Ash and Bryce's new flat. She approves and can't believe how big the tomato plants are.

Today, I stayed home from work so I could take Carolyn to the gastroenterologist's (sp?) for her test. I did some mall wandering while she endured a not too pleasant procedure. Unfortunately, they didn't completely knock her out, but thankfully we're home now and just resting for the rest of the day. Hopefully, they'll be able to ascertain why she is having 'abdominal' pains. Please keep Carolyn in her prayers.

New Windows

Well, Carolyn played her familiar role as construction superintendent as we had new double-pane, vinyl clad windows installed in all the upstairs windows (except the crank-outs in our bedroom). We finally got rid of the aluminum framed windows that barely kept out the wind and rain.

We also replaced the window in the back downstairs room and now all we need to do is to repair the three feet of drywall that's missing. And they were also replacing the long tall stained glass window in the garden room, but Carolyn didn't like the way it was looking, so she spoke with the company and got them to re-make it at no cost!

They look really nice and are definitely quieter and more energy efficient.

Keeping Busy

Friday came a day earlier due to the 4th of July three day weekend. I just wish there were more three or four day weekends.

Saturday, Steve and Debbie Kanda arrived at our home around 1 p.m. so that we could head down to the harbor for an afternoon of sailing. Dennis and his son, Steve, were on the boat when we arrived as they finished up checking out how much effort would be required to remove the engine for an overhaul. The engine has been running a bit rough and we want to fix any problems before it creates any more damage.

They helped us shove off and we headed out with what seemed like a light wind. But as we left the harbor, the wind seemed to strengthen and our new GPS unit showed that we were sailing at 4.5 to 6.0 mph! I think our GPS gives us a better speed reading than our knot meter. We sailed south directly out from the harbor and then up past Monarch Beach and I gave Steve a fair amount of tiller time while Carolyn and Debbie relaxed on the bow, so much so that Debbie slept!

Coming back towards the harbor, the wind dropped dramatically around the headlands so we took the sails down and motored in. After a perfect docking (I'm getting better), we enjoyed a bottle or two of wine along with a few appetizers as the sun set over the harbor.

We then drove down to the Beach House where we had a great dinner and an entertaining waiter who was newly arrived from Colorado and was enjoying the weather and the possibilities.

Sunday we were off to church at 8 and then I met up with Steve K. and David Leu around noon to go to the Angels game. Steve had great seats behind the Angel's dugout up 15 rows or so and we had a good time even though the Halos lost their fourth game in a row from Seattle!

Tomorrow night I again venture into the world of friendly Texas Hold 'Em.

Long Weekend

I love 3 day weekends, although 4 or 5 day weekends would even be preferable!

Housework and yard work on Saturday, church and sailing on Sunday, brunch, boat parade, BBQ, and fireworks on Monday. And throw in a couple of naps and watching a little golf and tennis, it was a good break from the routine.

Sunday sailing was amidst very light winds so we didn't get too far or test our sailing skill but I definitely got burned. Previously we (actually I) helped Darla and Denny decorate the pontoon boat for Monday's parade with a rockin' Betsy Ross and an Uncle Sam on top of the boat.

Monday was champagne brunch at the club and a boat parade where our decoration earned a first place award for the Bethkes! Later in the afternoon we headed down to Niguel Shores and took Wanda down to the bluff for the annual BBQ where we enjoyed steaks, twice stuffed potatoes, corn on the cob and Carolyn's fruit tart for dessert.

After dropping Wanda off, we then drove down to DP to watch the fireworks, but the police had blocked the roads into the harbor so we had to park on PCH and walk down Golden Lantern and then over the bridge to our boat. There was a fair amount of activity around the slips as many had celebrations dockside. We enjoyed the display from the bow even though the fog obscured the top 25% of the fireworks. Then it was the long and steep walk back to the car and the slow drive home.

It was thoughtful of our Founding Fathers to have declared independence in the summer rather than in the dead of winter!

But It's a Dry Heat!

We spent the weekend in Palm Desert with our Bible Study group at Shadow Mountain, an older tennis club/condo complex built in the 50s before anything was built around it.

Carolyn was picked up by Dennis and Gloria early Friday afternoon, and I'd planned to leave from Upland after work, but then my boss decided to arrange a meeting in Newport Beach in the early afternoon and I'd be closer to home. Nice idea, wrong timing! I left the meeting around 4:30 and when I saw the 91 toll road cost $7.75 and it seemed clear around the bend, I foolishly elected for the non-toll drive. Two minutes later, I was at a dead stop and spent the next hour in first gear in the Mini driving as far as the 71. In Riverside, it opened up and by the time I left Beaumont I was driving 90 in sixth gear.

I met up at Shadow Mtn about 8 and after enjoying a margarita, the Hughes, Youngs and we headed for dinner at Hometown Buffet, where we ate too much and closed the place down at ten.

Saturday morning I was up around 7:20 and made coffee and then headed down to the courts to watch John and Kathy Elliott play doubles as the heat began to rise. I got back to the room a little after 9 to find that Dennis, Gloria and Carolyn were still sleeping! I read on the patio until they staggered out of their darkened rooms.

With the Hawleys added to the mix, we checked out a local swap meet about 11 which took all of about 24 minutes to see completely. A good thing, because it closed at noon as the temps rose to over 100. Then our ten-some headed for lunch at Tommy Bahamas where the girls ate at one table, the men at another.

Service was extremely slow on the men's side at least as the women were just finishing when we got our meals. But my pulled pork sandwich was very good.

The afternoon was spent poolside either in the pool or under the various shade structures. Books and magazines were read, conversations were ongoing.

Dinner again was a late affair after our 'reception' of margaritas, wine, fruit and cheese and crackers. We had a good Mexican dinner where we again ate too much.

Sunday, several couples left early after our own continental breakfasts while the Hughes and we stayed to enjoy the pool until mid-afternoon. On the way home, Carolyn and I stopped at Cabazon to do a little shopping for ourselves and for Ashley and then headed home. As we cruised home, we watched the temperatures drop from around 104 to 76 as entered the city limits of Lake Forest.

Thankfully, it was a dry heat, but it burned just the same!!

Bubble Wrap

The silly things you find on your wanderings through cyber space. Pop to your heart's content.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

I realize it is almost nightfall for my Scotland based daughter and son-in-law, but a big shout out to you both and a HAPPY ANNIVERSARY on your number three!!

Hope you were able to celebrate! Love to you both.

College is a Good Thing

Last week, this week and next week, the parking lot that surrounds my office is being re-paved in thirds. A large machine grinds up a portion of the old asphalt to reuse as base while the remainder is scooped up and dropped into dump trucks. Truck drivers climb up to cover or clean off the debris from this dumping. Laborers shovel dirt and asphalt into hard to reach corners. A water truck continually dampens the base as either a skip loader levels the grade or a heavy roller flattens or compresses it. Soon it will all be re-paved and re-striped.

The smell of diesel fumes and odd dust particles float through the air. The whole building shakes and rumbles with the passing of heavy equipment.

I'm so glad that I'm on the inside, not the outside doing the heavy, dirty work. Can you imagine coming home every day coated in dust or dirt or mud? Dear - just undress in the garage and take a shower before dinner!

That's why higher education is a good thing, the opportunity to earn a living with your mind rather than your muscles. A good thing, that! But, I've had the 'pleasure' of a few of those types of jobs in my younger years. My least favorite was either the summer I spent as a construction laborer shoveling, staking, walking through dirt and mud, etc. or the summer I tried to sell cookware door-to-door (not as physical, but worse in so many ways).

What job in your past are you thankful you're not doing now?

Beautiful Weekend

Saturday skies were blue and the temps were warm. A nice break from the June gloom that has been the norm over the last few weeks.

The day was spent doing all those chores that no one likes. I mowed and weed wacked and trimmed the hedges, carried all the laundry downstairs and Carolyn did four loads, washed both cars, emptied trash, etc. By mid-afternoon, I called it quits and we spent some time on the patio drinking beer or iced tea while reading our current books.

I had a hankering for Mexican food, so we had dinner at La Fresca, and then watched Hotel Rwanda on pay per view at home. I never knew that the two "tribes" that fought the civil war against each other had been designated as distinct by the Europeans who separated them by their physical characteristics.

Sunday also began bright and sunny and we made it to church for the 8:30 service and then picked up Wanda who was taking me (us) out to breakfast/brunch for Fathers Day. We enjoyed various egg benedict combos at the Harbor Grill and then drove her over to see our sailboats new berth.

While we were 'slip-sailing', the Hughes and their kids showed up for an afternoon sail, so I drove Wanda back home, changed, and then returned to the slip. With seven of us on board, it was a little crowded, but one or two of us were usually on the high side with our feet over the side and Christine seemed content to be below deck for most of the afternoon. The wind was strong and we had a very exciting sail especially with the 150 jib up rather than the 110.

We put the Journey to bed around 5:30 and then headed home. A really warm voice mail from Ashley greeted me when we returned, I was sorry we hadn't hooked up, but her voice was the best present I could get. The sun had gotten to both Carolyn and me, so we both wanted a nap. For me, the nap turned into good-night, I got up briefly around 9 to change, but I was quickly back asleep for a ten or eleven hour rest. That never happens!

Hope you had a good weekend, too!

Dinner for Four

After the funeral and our Saturday nap, we readied our home for dinner party with Steve and Debbie Kanda whom had not yet seen our remodeled kitchen.

They arrived around 7 along with a chilled bottle of champagne which we quickly opened and poured into flutes while we showed them the kitchen. Debbie was quite impressed and she thought Carolyn's design and selection of fixtures and handles and colors, etc. was just excellent. It's nice to have such an enthusiastic response!

We shared cheese and crackers while we caught up on family (kid's mainly) and then adjourned to the kitchen to share a meal of chicken florentine, rice with almonds and currants, and vegetable medley complimented with a Shiraz-Cabernet. We hadn't seen them for over six months and it was good to catch up with them.

We talked about vacations and I think may have convinced them to join as at Club Intrawest in Palm Desert sometime in the not too distant future and whetted their appetite for a trip to Zihuatanejo or some other 'exotic' locale.

Then, we talked about Steph's planned wedding on March 25 of next year. She is renting a designer gown rather than buying one as Steph, ever the financial analyst, can't see that a purchase makes much sense. We talked about all the other issues that need to be decided and it turns out Debbie is going to interview Chris Babbitt on Monday for the videographer!

But the biggest problem is Steve. How is he going to walk down the aisle without tearing up? Even now, when we talk about the song for the first dance, he can't even think of it without starting to get misty. Butterfly Kisses is definitely out, so Steve is thinking a polka might be a safe choice! (just jokin')

The night ended around midnight after lots of laughs, good food, and good conversation. We shouldn't let too much time pass between get togethers!

Two Funerals and a Wedding

Saturday morning, as I dressed for Darla's mother's funeral, I realized that my recently purchased suit was about to see its second funeral versus only one wedding in the last two months. Personally, I don't like that ratio, but I suspect it is more likely to continue that way as fewer of our friends kids await their first marriage while none of us or our friends are getting any younger.

The ceremony was a wonderful tribute to Jessie who had 90 years of a full life and whose first marriage had lasted 55 years until her husbands death and then she had re-married 3 1/2 years ago at the age of 86 to Damon who was still driving at age 95!

The one thing that stood out about Jessie was her smile. Every time I saw her at the Bethke's, she had a warm and friendly smile to all around her. And, she certainly loved being around her family.

After a short graveside service at El Toro Memorial Park, we quickly stopped off at home to pick up two fruit platters Carolyn had prepared for the reception, and then headed over to her daughter's (Nancy) home in Nellie Gail. Nancy has a flag lot with a long driveway that opens to an amazingly large lot which contains a large grass area, a vegetable garden, a jacuzzi with waterfall, and a barn large enough to store a big RV, and an office from which they run their family business (school microscope repair).

We stayed several hours amidst the family which comprises 12 grandchildren and about an equal number of great-grandchildren, and around 3:30 we headed home for an hour's nap.

Whee!!

After an afternoon at CarMax, we purchased a Mini S for Carolyn (primarily) as a replacement to her 1989 BMW 325i whose top was leaking and the A/C only worked at fan level 4. She is getting re-acquainted with the proper use of a stick shift and the art of down shifting, but she is getting better. Think of us the next time you watch Bourne Identity!!

Today's Quote

"When people stop believing in God, they don't believe in nothing - they believe in anything." - G.K. Chesterton

Discuss among yourselves.

Socialists in California

Just read that a new bill (AB 756) has passed the Assembly in California and is now in the Senate for consideration which would forbid any instructional material (read textbooks) that exceeds 200 pages for grades K to 8. I guess we wouldn't want them to read any literature of any length or review any historical documents. Pretty soon we'll have to provide all the textbooks in comic book style.

Memorial Weekend

Welcome back from vacation - now start your engines! Sorry to use a Memorial Weekend metaphor from the Indianapolis 500, but the weekend was a mix to say the least.

Saturday after emptying suitcases and starting at least a few loads of wash, we dressed up in our wedding best and headed to Chris and Pattie Brown's son's (Jeremy) wedding in Orange. Jeremy married a gal whose family is from the Philippines and so the Catholic wedding had some interesting and for us, new, traditions. Like the gift of 13 silver and gold coins from groom to bride as a symbol that he will always care for her and provide for her and any future children, or the placing of a veil across both their shoulders to show they are now one.

The reception was held in the Embassy Suites in Garden Grove and included a sit down dinner after a period of appetizers and drinks. We really didn't know any one else at the wedding although we had met a few of Pattie's relatives once or twice before, but we had some enjoyable table conversations and tried our turns on the dance floor.

It was a full day with the mass beginning at 2 and we didn't even leave the dance until 9 and many were still dancing strong.

Sunday, I wasn't feeling that great so I ended up watching the 500 and Danica become the first woman to ever lead any laps at Indy and she came close to winning but she just didn't have enough fuel to go peddle to the metal, and she ended up 4th. Not bad for a 23 year old who barely weighs 100 pounds.

Today, we started the day with a champagne breakfast at the club, then we went down to Dana for an afternoon sail with Dennis and Gloria. It was a beautiful day although the wind wasn't very strong (according to Dennis, we should have been there Saturday when it was the best wind he's sailed our boat in) and we had a great three or four hours on the ocean.

Unfortunately, my vacation ends tomorrow and I return to a new office - at least I think I do - and the joy of unpacking!

Pics from Mexico

The view from our room's balcony

Infinity pool overlooking the bay

From the third night, we returned to these displays

On the walk to town - I love "Starbooks"

The friendly croc down the beach

Tor kicking back with a bucket of beers

Carolyn painting the scene, Franco observing

Club Intrawest from the sea

Long Ride Home

Friday was our final day in Zee but we managed to have a couple of hours down under a palapa on the beach before having to finish off the packing and check-out at two. Then we had a shared lunch by the pool before calling for the taxi and heading to the airport a little after 3.

Our flight was at five (at least the intended departure} and due to security, we should be there two hours early. NOT required in Zihuatanejo where I think they get six flights a day! It took all of fifteen minutes to check-in, pass through security, view all the shops and find out that the plane would be departing an hour late. We could have stayed at the Club another two hours!

Our flight home included a view of a volcano in Mexico that had erupted and was still spewing ash and cloud, an almost direct flight over Mission Viejo and the old El Toro marine base, and a heavy cloud/fog layer over LAX that required us to abort the first landing attempt and circle around for another attempt - this time it worked.

As we approached customs, Carolyn remembered she had put two limes in her bag and we heard that they if the dog found them, we'd be fined $100 per lime! We quickly found our luggage and disposed of them in the amnesty trash can before being arrested or fined.

Then it was through the international terminal and out to the curb to grab a bus to our parking spot. Then found the car and headed home down the freeway and to our dark home and very, very soft bed!

Home again and Gracie seems to have forgiven us.

Death by Iguana?

Thursday, we began a late morning stroll into town via the Hotel Irma and down to the beachside meandering walkway. There weren't many others walking along the coast, but up ahead, two Federales with M-16s slung over their shoulders also walked to town.

We noticed one of them pointing up in the air to the other. Was he pointing at the house on the rocks or the trees that were in front of the house? As we came nearer, he called out "iguana", "iguana", and we finally heard and saw what he was talking about. An iguana about a foot long was high in the tree almost camouflaged. I broke out my camera and as I stepped backwards, I stumble a bit and the rope handrail along the beach walkway hit me about butt high and stopped my stagger. If I had fallen, it was about six feet straight down onto a rocky outcropping, and five feet to my left or right, the rope handrails were non-existent. My guardian angel had saved me from death by iguana!

We strolled the rest of the way into town to purchase some vanilla for a few of Carolyn's friends and a spot more jewelry, because it was there and as a gift for the 'Queens'. We then headed back to the Club via taxi.

We lounged under a palapa for most of the day and Carolyn enjoyed a reflexology treatment on her lower legs. We left the pool area after 6:30 and freshened up with showers and a short nap for me (life is sooo exhausting down here).

We dined at the Zi restaurant here for the first time for dinner, and it was fantastic. Carolyn had steak and large prawns while I went for the steak. A good Italian wine (Luna di Luna) complimented our meal as we watched the sky slowly darken.

Today, Friday, we will reluctantly have to leave, but in the few hours left, we will spend more time enjoying the pool, a few cervasas, and the air - always the air.

Adios!!

The Air

The air here in Zihuatanejo at this time of year seems to mold to your body. It caresses the skin like a mother's touch or that of a sensitive lover. It flows over you, it is languid, it barely touches the hair on your skin.

It matters little whether it is during the day or late into the evening, here by the water, the tropical breeze flows slowly over you. There is no bite to the wind, no urging to cover up, just to relish its touch.

It often feels just a few degrees cooler than your body, enough to refresh, but not enough to startle. It is one of the nicest features of this Pacific retreat - pacific, a perfect word - peaceful, quiet, calm, enveloping.

We will come back again!!

Bucket of Beer

Another day on the beach began as we walked the long beach to our left as we look out over the bay. Just past Rossy's, we encountered four or five men hogtieing a rather large salt water crocodile (cocodila) that they had lured from the adjacent estuary to measure and catalogue. His snout was tied with a rope around a tree, and one gentlemen who probably weighed 200 lbs. was standing on his snout to force his mouth closed so it could be more firmly secured. A cloth was placed over the croc's eyes which appeared to quiet him and soon all four legs were tied as well. He was over 11'6"!!

Then we walked to the end of the beach and onto the rocks to make our way over to Playa los Gatas named for the whiskered sharks that populate the reef just off shore. After ten or fifteen minutes of scrambling over rocks, we entered the playa and row after row of beachside restaurants and beach chairs.

Every twenty paces another call would come for us to share in their spot on the beach (no charge for the chairs!), but we continued on towards the end until we met Franco. Another North American couple (actually from our club) enthusiastically endorsed the food so we laid down our towels and I ordered a Pacifico while Carolyn ordered a pina colada with rum.

Carolyn's drink came in a full pineapple decorated with other fruit and flowers while I was given an iced bucket of four beers! I felt like I was in one of those Corona ads. Then we ordered lunch which consisted of seven tacos, both red snapper and shrimp, with salsa, great guacamole, rice and chips. It was so much food that we didn't even finish it all.

Over several hours, we were able to finish off the bucket and start on a second while enjoying a conversation with Franco whose family grows tobacco locally and makes hand rolled cigars. So I had to have one, and actually bought another four to take back as a gift to a cigar aficionado friend of mine.

The water behind the reef was warm, probably in the 80s, and great for several swims we took. Around four, Franco helped us negotiate with one of his friends to take us directly back to the club by boat so we had a quick excursion across the bay.

I was a little short of funds, however, to pay for both the cigars and the boat ride, so the skipper waited patiently as made a dash up to the room and back to pay both him and Franco.

Then, it was back to the pool where we talked with Rob and Carol about other vacations and we got some sweet recommendations about villas in St. Maarten in the Caribbean. We have a new place on our list of future vacations.

Tonight, we're going to kick back (could we kick back anymore?) and enjoy the lingering sunset from our deck and perhaps a bottle of wine. Salud!

Is it Tuesday?

Monday was another day of sleeping in late and enjoying a tranquil wake up. Warm winds barely stirring over your skin as you sip coffee looking out over a beautiful bay. Perhaps a pastry to add to the morning repast.

Decided to head to Ixtapa this Monday a.m. (or was it noon already) as we headed by taxi around the headlands. We were dropped off at the open air mall which we found half closed and desolate of even tourists. We tried to obtain a few Rx's at the drugeria which Carolyn had failed to bring along in the correct number, but unfortunately even here they sometimes require prescriptions. After wandering a bit, we headed back to the flea market area and found a shop where Tshirts, shirts and baubles were purchased before we headed over to the beach.

The beach here is lined with high rise hotels, like a poor man's version of Miami or Kanaapali, but not nearly as picturesque as Zee. We walked along the beach with the black flags waving to keep all out of the surf (there were rips but it didn't look quite that bad) and then found a nice restaurant along the shore for lunch. We shared a sandwich and beverages and then decided we like ClubIntrawest better so we hailed a cab and went 'home'.

We soon found our 'regular' spots poolside and enjoyed the sun and warm water while I finished reading my second book of the vacation. After that, we invited Bill and Louise over for appetizers at our condo and again headed down the beach for dinner. This one was excellent and it stayed down for all concerned, too.

Today, we waved to Bill and Louise from our patio as they headed back to Portland after a four day excursion and we ended up under the palapas and the shade. I began reading Jekyl and Hyde to Carolyn and also began reading the first few chapters of Prof. MacCloud's treatise on Christianity. I've found the chapters well-written and informative.

Then Carolyn and I wandered about 30 feet to our right and both had massages just off the beach! I think I might have actually fallen asleep for a brief moment. VERY RELAXING! Then Carolyn picked out color for both toes and fingernails.

This evening we headed back to Zee for dinner at Tamales where we enjoyed a sampler plate of beef enchiladas with mole sauce, chile relleno, quesedilla with chicken, and a pork tamale. We're stuffed and well fed.

Hope this isn't too hard for you who have little access to Mexican food, but we'll eat in your honor.

Sunday in Paradise

We continue to wake late and enjoy the luxury of sleeping in. We began our day with coffee and the pastries purchased in town. Then put on our swim suits and took our books down to the pool.

It was warm but not quite as humid and we enjoyed the cervazas and micheladas (beer and ice with lime and the glass rimmed with salt) at the swim up bar or by our lounge chairs. I finished off The Chosen and began another book while Carolyn sketched and watercolored various scenes looking out on the bay. We met some Canadians including a relocated Scot and shared tales of our experiences at other Clubs while we kept wet by dipping in the pool. A great long day of just relaxing.

Bill and Louise ended up at the pool near the end of the afternoon and we were invited to share in appetizers and beverages at their room. We brought fresh chips and salsa we had purchased while they provided beer and wine that a departing couple had left them. Then off down the beach to enjoy another dinner. The girls had coconut shrimp (they were huge!) in mango sauce while I had chile rellano. We then took a cab into town to check out the Sunday evening happenings.

A Mexican clown was holding court near the beach, but his jokes were untranslatable by us and we soon headed down to check out various markets. It was after nine, and many of the shops were closed or closing, but Carolyn found a few in which to wander. Then back to the club where we got Carlos to show us the three bedroom suite that sits high atop the complex with wonderful panoramic views of the bay and city. It would be a great place for three couples to share if you don't mind a rigorous hike!

Unfortunately, either the mango sauce or something didn't sit well with Carolyn and around midnight she lost her dinner. Not a pleasant way to keep the weight down. But thankfully, this morning she awoke feeling much better.

Arriving in Zihuatanejo

We left home around 7 a.m. Friday morning so that we would arrive in time for our 10:45 flight with time for the security checks and traffic. Of course, it only took us an hour or less in Friday-lite traffic to arrive at the off-airport parking, and the shuttle had us to Alaska Air within ten minutes. After being denied a kiosk boarding ticket, we stood in line for a bit at customer service and were soon in another line to have our bags x-rayed. With all that, we were up in the boarding area with an hour and a half to spare, even before the flight was delayed by 45 minutes.

With the two hour time change, we arrived in Zee about 4:30, grabbed a taxi and headed to the Club. At Playa la Ropa, the taxi turned into the large palm sculptured gates and down the rather steep drive to the Club reception area. We were truly surprised at how tropical and open and nice the whole Club appeared and the staff welcomed us as warmly as the staff of the Ritz had welcomed us in Bali. After checking in, Carlos shouldered Carolyn's bag and grabbed my duffel as he climbed the two flights of stairs to our one bedroom condo while he mentioned to me that he can always tell the woman's bag! Our condo has a view over the reception area towards the bay and we can see parasails and boats plying the ocean. Sliding doors with great louvered shutters open fully to allow a view from our bed past the living area to the deck which has two great lounge chairs, an outside eating area, and a dipping pool with cool water (no jets).

We unpacked quickly and then headed down to the Zi bar to have an adult beverage (taking the service elevator by mistake instead of the stairway) to find ourselves the only couple in the place with the exception of the wait staff! But soon a few more couples found their way (several from the same flight) and we began talking to one couple seated at an adjacent table. It didn't take much time before we joined tables with Bill and Louise and started sharing stories. Bill and Louise have around 400 kids! They do foster care for abused and neglected infants in the Portland area, and Bill, after a twenty-five year career as a cop, is now in the travel business.

Saturday, we slept in late and then headed to the pool to enjoy the great temperatures and more than a few cervesas at the swim up bar. About mid-afternoon, we walked up the road and then down to the seaside walk as we went into Zihuatanejo for a little shopping. We entered several shops in the open market and then into a more exclusive store where Carolyn bought some jewelry, then it was off to the Super-mercado by taxi to buy staples for the week (beer, pastries, tortillas, chips, tequila, etc.) and then we grabbed another taxi for the ride back to the Club. We unloaded our stuff and Carlos helped take all the groceries to our room.

A message was blinking and answering it, Bill and Louise were asking us to join them for drinks and then dinner at one of the restaurants on the beach. About that time Carolyn discovered her bag with the jewelry was missing and must have been left in the cab. We hurried down to reception and Carlos told us not to worry, they had the cab number but he didn't have a radio so they would have to rely on other drivers to locate him and get him to return to the club. Carolyn was distressed, but we met up with Bill and Louise and headed out for a late dinner. Rossy's was practically shut down, but served us our late dinner and Carolyn and Bill both enjoyed their red snapper even though it came with head and eyes intact.

Then we walked the half mile back to the club and Carlos met us near the pool area in the golf cart to take us up the hill. His head was bowed as if they had been unable to find the cab driver, then he smiled and said he had paid a bounty to another cab driver and paid a reward to our driver for returning the goods (after threatening him with the loss of his taxi license) and he had the jewelry in his possession! Carolyn was so grateful and he reluctantly took another tip for his efforts.

A full day and thankfully a good day. More warm days in paradise are expected!!

Headin' South

Tomorrow morning, Carolyn and I head to Zihuatanejo, Mexico, for a week's worth of R&R at our new Club Intrawest resort set on the Pacific ocean. We plan to read a lot, get too much sun, enjoy margaritaville and explore. It's likely we won't post or check email while we're away so we'll just have to learn to wait patiently like in the old days when you had to wait for snail mail.

Hope your week will be enjoyable as well. Adios!

Boat Weekend

Dennis and I had planned our boat's move down to Dana Point like the battle plan it was. Full auxiliary gas cans to make sure we had enough fuel. Food and plenty of water in case the sail or cruise took longer than we thought. Sun tan lotion, jackets, binoculars, etc, etc.

Carolyn and I drove down to the Costco at Crown Valley and met Dennis and Steve who then drove with us up to the Sea Scout base in Newport. We arrived at 9:30 under a sunny sky and transported all of our gear to the boat. Both of them really liked the re-staining and varnishing job I had done on the cabin door. By 10, as Carolyn waved from the dock and headed back home, we headed out of the harbor under power.

As we approached Balboa Island, our clear skies began to turn to fog which blanketed the coast for the next three hours or so. So with no wind and calm seas, we motored down the coast using Dennis' rough estimate of the proper compass heading he had gleaned from a road map. We checked our speed indicator which steadily showed 3.8 mph and based on the mileage it takes us to go via PCH from Newport to Dana, we thought we'd be cruising for five hours or so. And, we had told Carolyn and Gloria that we probably arrive around 3 p.m.

A little before 1 p.m., the fog along the coast lifted enough so we could see a bit of the shoreline. Steve and I saw a long stretch of beach, but the fog hadn't cleared enough vertically to show structures or topography higher than about twenty feet. Thinking about the coastline, we thought there were only a few long stretches of beach, like Crystal Cove beach, which we knew we must have passed, and then the Strand, just short of Dana. Suddenly, the Headlands appeared and then the harbor breakwater! It had only taken three hours to make the trip for the Journey so our mileage or our speed were definitely off. We were quite glad the fog had lifted or otherwise we might have ended up off of Pendleton.

Besides deciding that a GPS is one of our first needed purchases, we called our wives via cellphone to meet us in at our slip, but we couldn't get a hold of Carolyn as she didn't have her cell with her. Steve handled our entry into the marina and he recovered nicely after we sent him down the wrong row of boats, but we made it.

Carolyn got home about that time and picked up her messages, called us, and hurried down to join Gloria and Sharon, Steve's wife. She brought champagne and snacks, so we celebrated our boat's new home and the fact that we didn't end up in Mexico or beached in Laguna. And then we took Journey out for a sail off of Dana with moderate winds and clear skies.

Sunday, after church, we met Dennis at the slip to work on the hand rails and other exposed teak. Dennis and I sanded, then taped off the hand rails, and then stained them the first coat and Carolyn wiped off the stain (and the occassional spill). We left after about two and half hours with the woodwork looking quite a bit better. Dennis is planning to stain them again and then varnish them this week or weekend as we'll be leaving for Zihuatanejo on Friday.

Now all I have to remember is to put on more sunscreen as all of us got our share of being burned this weekend!

Birthday Weekend

I left work early Friday, taking an unofficial two hour birthday leave, so I could get home around four to pick up Carolyn and drive down to the Blue Lantern Inn in Dana Point for a short birthday break. Carolyn had arranged both the hotel and dinner and the weather cooperated with blue skies and temperate temps.

We had a nice first floor room just off the lobby, but it was private and quiet and had a small patio with a view to Cannon's and the north end of the marina. We enjoyed a glass or two of white wine with a few appetizers in the late afternoon, and then after a quick nap for me, we dressed and walked over to Luciano's for a great Italian dinner. Carolyn had secured the most private two-person table and the pasta and wine and conversation were all incredible. A very nice almost-birthday dinner.

We returned to the Inn to watch a silly movie, In Laws, and relish a great bed with soft sheets and the smell of the ocean in the air. We were able to sleep in and then enjoyed a B&B breakfast on the patio with bright sun and a slight breeze. Thankfully, we didn't have to check out until noon, so we were able to appreciate the view overlooking the harbor.

For whatever reason, I wasn't feeling that great when we got home so we took to bed for a nap and a book read. I powered through a murder mystery that Lisa had given me around Christmas, and then I got a surprise call from Ashley around 5:30. Obviously, Ash and Bryce keep different hours from us as it was 1:30 in the morning in Edinburgh, and they had just come in from a 'pub crawl' with friends. Where did we go wrong! (just kidding) But we had a good conversation catching up on their current plans and ours, and it was just good to hear her laugh at my bad puns/jokes and she just seemed happy. I like that!

Sunday, Lisa, Katie, Carolyn and I went over to Trader Joes to make a picnic lunch before Wanda met us at our house and then we headed down to the boat for a sail in Newport harbor. It was pretty cloudy over Lake Forest when we left and I was thinking it might be pretty blustery at the beach, but the closer we got, the fewer clouds there were and the sunnier it got. We took all of our lunch onboard and ate salads and sandwiches and fruit with a glass of champagne before leaving the dock.

As we sailed down the harbor, I let Katie try her hand on the tiller and she did quite well sailing us under a beam reach almost the entire way down towards the jetty. At that point, I asked it they wanted to go out in the ocean to which the replied affirmatively, so the Journey made her first excursion into the ocean with me at the helm. We sailed down the coast a bit, and just off Big Corona, two porpoises leapt out of the water only 20 yards to our port! That was cool. We continued down to the Crystal Cove area and then headed back to the harbor with a nice breeze and relatively calm seas.

It was a great four hours on the water and everyone enjoyed the sail. It was a wonderful Mother's Day and we all came back a little more relaxed and some of us a bit more sunburned!

UPDATE: I just spoke with Dennis who said their family had just arrived at Big Corona on Sunday for a Mother's Day picnic when they saw us (their boat) heading out the jetty! Pretty funny and we couldn't have planned it better.

We're Moving to Dana!

Not our house, but our boat! This last weekend Dennis Hughes and I drove up to Wilmington to the Lighthouse Marina to check out a temporary slip opportunity as the Sea Scouts were making strong comments about us leaving our current Newport home.

Barbara, the Lighthouse owner, had interviewed both Dennis and myself over the phone to make sure we'd be a good fit for her marina. It was sort of like being interviewed to rent a room in someone's home. But Barbara liked us well enough and we signed up for a minimum two month stay at her marina and we'd planned for a very long Saturday (May 14) to motor/sail the boat up the coast to her new temporary berth.

But Dennis made an agreement with Barbara to not cash our check until today, to give us time to a final check with the Dana marina to see where we were on the waiting list. On Saturday, I think we had moved from 15th to 9th as slips became available at the first of the month and those on the waiting list could either pony up the cash or forgo their place in line. Dennis called Tuesday and we were now number 2! And they were still calling those on the waiting list.

Dennis went down to the harbor personally today and the answer is that we have a slip!! So in ten days, we'll only have to sail from Newport to Dana Point rather than the forty miles or so that it was up to the LA harbor. We've found a home! And, I think Barbara will get a bouquet of flowers!