This cake says it all.................good job June on s/v Shamaness.
After a 2 1/2 day trip from Turtle Bay, Mexico, we arrived in San Diego, at 0700 on June 1st. It was a good trip, light winds (or none) and calm seas. With documents in hand, Paddy checked us in at the Police Dock where you advise the authorities of your arrival to the country. Ther we were joined by June and Dennis on Shamaness as they were our buddy boat while traveling up from Mexico. They are ahead of us and in Morro Bay, so we now have to catch up. See ya soon!
Seeing the lush landscape of the nearby park was a delight in comparison to the stark, dry, desert terrain of Mexico.
Paddy had been battling a terrible cold and cough so wasn't feeling all that great. Our friend Larry came to visit the next morning from his home in Palm Springs. It was 68 degrees, gloomy and windy in San Diego. He decided he was going to kidnap us so off we went for a 2 hour drive to Palm Springs where it was 104 degrees, clear skies, and the Santa Ana winds were blowing. There Paddy could dry out. The temperatures from Turtle Bay to San Diego required jeans, socks, and several layers, so I was in favor of the kidnapping!!! Larry has a lovely home backing up to a golf course with views of the desert mountains. A Spanish design home with stucco walls, large Mexican tile floors, archways, the beautiful pool below and Talavera decorative tiles everywhere. I brought our dirty laundry to wash! What are friends for????
Larry and Paddy - they have known each other since they were "boys".
A quick tour of the Palm Springs area was on the agenda. It included lunch at Tommy Bahama's - very nice - then off to see some shops. Talk about a shopping mecca!!!! Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, all the "named" stores. Below is a sculpture on the grounds surrounding one of the "to die for" malls. Of course, Saks 5th Avenue in the background.
Paddy's feeling better so back to the boat. Larry was kind enough to loan us a vehicle so we could pick up the new stove. Yeah! Out of the box and ready for installation.
There is high visibility of the military in San Diego. Naval ships on maneuvers at the entrance to the harbor, helicopters buzzing through the skies and charming historical buildings from WWII now converted and being used for shopping centers. A lot of public places display old black and white photos of that era.
Our next stop was Avalon, Catalina Island, above.
A famous landmark is the Casino built in 1929 which was the idea of William Wrigley, Jr, (the chewing gum magnate) and also financed by him. But it actually never served as a casino as it has a LARGE ballroom upstairs and an art deco theatre on the ground floor. The building contains numerous colorful murals designed by John Gabriel Beckman, who had earned a reputation while executing the murals in Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. The Page Theatre Pipe Organ was used to accompany the silent movies originally shown in the theatre.
As a huge contrast - we saw the Fast and Furious 6 there.
Someone must be turning over in their grave!
Catalina was frequented by many Hollywood folks, like Marilyn Monroe when she was 16 and then older, Charlie Chaplin and his wife Paulette Goddard in the 1930's, and of course the famous death of Natalie Wood with Robert Wagner and Christopher Walken. The murder investigation continues.
This is the decorative aisle side of the rows of seats in the theatre with that vivid red velvet fabric. Pretty luxurious.
After a couple of days in Avalon we decided it was time to venture up the island. There are sea lions and kelp everywhere, bull kelp. I had an opportunity to snorkel through some and the experience was like floating in a forest. Stunning, and full of Garbaldis, the state fish of California, which live in the kelp forests. These fish are approximately 12 - 15 inches in length and are BRIGHT orange. They look like they are wrapped in velvet. Just gorgeous creatures. Wish I had a picture :(
Our time in Catalina was very relaxing and we felt we deserved that time as we have covered alot of miles over the past 8 months - about 4,000. Whew!
Now we're ready for the mainland - a lovely 4 hour sail to Redondo Beach.
Redondo Beach Pier
There was a lot of action going on here. We had paddle boarders, kayakers, racing outriggers and ..........
of course, paddle board yoga - downward facing dog everybody!
Paddy and his friend Jim along with Jim's wife Emma, daughter Phoebe, and son Drake crossed the Pacific together a number of years ago. This was a great reunion for them.
Now we are in Marina del Rey, or I should say I'm here. Paddy left for a short visit to Portland to see his sisters, friends and attend a business event and returns tomorrow. I had the opportunity to visit (talk,eat and drink) with long time friends. Hence, another reunion.
My friend Laurie was down for the count. She fell and broke her foot and sprained her ankle. Ouch!! Surgery was on her agenda this week. At least the patient was up for salad and pizza!
Judy who I know from Maui is exhausted from a visit with her daughter and Chloe, the baby.
You Grandmothers can relate, I'm sure. We will be in touch.
Lunch at the Chessecake Factory with Laura who I haven't seen in over 20 years. We were both hoarse at the end of the day catching up which included a "conference call " with another friend Karen (PHD) at the University of West Virginia. But it was well worth it!
Ah, we eat again................... Okay, now for the decadent desserts: Ultimate Red Velvet cheesecake for Laura and I dug into the White Chocolate Caramel Macadamia Nut Cheesecake. "Life is short, you have to eat dessert first!"
My visit with Mark & Rose Link took us to Venice. Mark and I went to high school together so we can always think of lots (of people, and oh, it could be you) to talk about. Again we are eating, oh, and we shared some wine on the boat.
I'm through eating for a while. Paddy will return tomorrow and we leave Monday to work our way up the coast. San Francisco is getting closer.....................
