Second Half, SoCal Trip

Well, here I am back in Washington and today the outlook is typically gloomy and drizzly. But fortunately the first couple of days back were clear and warm, so the transition wasn't too traumatic.

Susan and I had such a good time down there at the Straitiff's house. Mel brought Oliver over a lot and the little family came over for Friday dinner before we left. Such an incentive to be near them all. I was just sad that Ryan wasn't around (he was in New York filming a pilot show and comes back today, I think) but at least I got to see him once on the way down.

PIX HERE

On Thursday, we went up to Newport to see Betsy, and took the coast route, from San Clemente all the way through Laguna and up to the boat yard. Although it is very crowded, lots of traffic and fancy cars and posturing Newport-ites, SoCal is still a good place to be. There are ways around freeways and places to duck away to, to avoid the masses. And, believe it or not, prices are quite often less than here. Most rentals are higher but not that much more unless you go into the super ritzy areas, and food is way cheaper! And there are Trader Joes everywhere!!!!!

So we watched an Antrim 40 arrive at Basin Marine. The boat is spacy - like an Open 50 but

smaller. It was built for the all-women team, Nauti Chicas, that Betsy sails with, although she won't be sailing with them for a while as she is going to Antarctica to sail there! I know, you are going "Whatever for?" She will be crewing on an expedition boat down there for the season and is busy buying heavy duty polar fleece underwear!!!!

Friday, I picked Mel and Oliver up and they spent the day with us, and Cody came over after work for pizza - which I made and were yummy! What fun to have them all there. Cathy will definitely need to baby proof her house when her grandbaby arrives next year. There were chairs blocking access to things, cookie cutters strewn all over the place, spatulas and bowls strategically placed for his entertainment! The day went by way too fast.

On Saturday morning, we went to see Steve and Cathy's boat in

Chula Vista. A Cal 246 that he has brought back to life and is the perfect cruising boat! I was ready to move on board and take off! That is a lifestyle I really love and would do it again in a heartbeat if there was someone I trusted and who had lots of experience invited me.

Cooked dinner for Straitiffs, had wonderful chats with them, and loaded the little Honda Fit and headed north on Sunday. Two days driving, trading off, 650 miles each day got us home Monday evening. Hinckley and Buddy were sitting in the driveway, almost as if they knew I was on the way. Neither of them pouted, both were really happy to see me and both slept on the bed that night.

I did find out on the trip, that I do have some limitations, which is very frustrating for me as I have always thought I can do anything. Tiredness impacts me. I find that if I go full bore for a few days, suddenly I am so tired I can't do anything, so I have to learn to limit myself (hard to do) and rest. But if this is all I have to deal with, then I am very fortunate.

So now it is all about getting things done to move south, pacing myself.

SoCal Trip September 2007

I spent a fun 7 days down in Southern California with the boys. I wanted to get warm and boy, did I ever! I hit it right when they were have a heat wave and it was hot! Really hot! So hot they were keeping libraries and community centers open so people could get into the air conditioning.
I rented a car and drove down to Vista to Cody's new house. Flying into Long Beach was good - it's a small airport so I got out of quickly, and surprisingly, hit no traffic even though it was 4pm. It was wonderful to see them both, and the new kitty.
Cody has his shop set up in the garage and was very busy with a big project. But we took time to head to the beach early so he could surf at Oceanside. That has always been one of my most favorite things to do, so it was a real treat.
On Saturday we went to the local Farmers Market in Vista. A lot different from the one in Port Townsend, with all the warm weather veges and lots of tropical fruit. We found granadillas and cape gooseberries and I bought a plant for them to grow down in the orchard. Cody remembered the taste from South Africa. Lots of goodies and we bought stuff for dinner - the fresh salmon was less expensive than here in Washington.
Vista is a great area, still fairly rural in parts, like where Cody and Mel live. Their neighbor is an Arabian Horse Ranch and most of the lots around them are more than an acre. And there are lots of small - and not so small - farms around. If I ever move back to California, I think that is where I would like to be.
Ryan and his friend Garrett came down on Sunday and we all piled in his M5 BMW and went to San Diego to a cool Thai restaurant for dinner. Rama is in the gas light district and you enter through a long passage, passing the lounge. The dining area is a large room but so beautifully decorated with sheer fabric falling in cascades from the high ceilings, separating each table. Very effective. And the back wall is one big waterfall! And the food was great too! On the trip down there, Cody drove and we went 115 mph - the fastest I have ever been - and I was in the front seat!!!
Ryan headed back to LA after dinner and I headed up there the next day. Again, I missed a lot of the traffic and managed to find his place in Studio City. I cooked dinner for them - quite a treat as they eat out most of the time. I also got a tour of the Big Brother house - how bizarre - walking around on the outside of it, looking in on the people. The can't see you through the glass but still, it really is voyeurism at it's best (or worst).
On Tuesday Ryan had to work but I went shopping for something to wear to go to the Pantages to see Wicked! That was a real treat! The theatre is amazing, so ornate and old but beautifully maintained. The theatre was packed so it was difficult to see all the artistry of the building but definitely fun.
Next day, it was up early and off to the airport and back here to the gray.
Pix are here