Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Desert Update

Dear friends,

We finally took to the road in the RV one week ago. First night actually sleeping in it was at daughter Leila’s home in San Anselmo (CA) 2/18, Happy’s 76th birthday. (See pics of us all at next morning’s take-off with Mt. Tamalpais in the background.)






The next night we did a “trial run” at a KOA campground in nearby Petaluma, testing all systems, getting easy help from park staff, and slowly feeling some comfort with growing familiarity. Great evening: even cooked first meal over workable stove top…canned corn beef hash! (No pics.)

Next day 2-3 hour drive to Monterrey for 2 nights at beautiful Marina Dunes (see huge dune pics.) 





Spent some time at charming preserved little town of San Juan Bautista, home of best restored of the old CA missions, this one built in 1790s by determined Fermin Lasuen of the Franciscan order, the 15th of 20 Spanish missions.




Rather than exploring again the wonderful attractions of Monterrey & Carmel, we settled down to sort out our new cramped spaces, our belongings, our lost & found items that we grabbed before setting off and our plans for the first weeks ahead. Such focused time for us nomads was critical and satisfying. We are finding it extraordinary to feel so unconnected and free.

Saturday 2/22 — On our drive to Los Angeles down the Big Sur route 1 (see pictures of crashing surf,) we stopped in Santa Barbara/Carpinteria, for a delightful tea with Happy’s Smith classmate Amanda McIntyre, and sadly had to rush off for dinner, night, next day & night, with Happy’s cousins John & Patti Ogden, retired L.A. public school teachers. The RV is working well and H. & P. are getting used to it, even loving its comfort & coziness. Sunday was relaxed before and after fine long visit to extraordinary LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art.) 







Yesterday, 2/24, we arrived at Palm Springs for two days with friends, Wayne Taylor and partner Ron Rogers in their beautiful home. We are being treated like royalty while our dog Luke receives constant attention around the pool and amidst glorious landscaping from their wise and discerning English Bulldog Ella. All of this in the brilliant desert sunshine and with spectacular views upward of the surrounding rock-bound San Jacinto mountains (see pix.) We will explore nearby Joshua Tree National Park tomorrow en route to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park near the Mexican border. Lots more to come...

Lots of love, Happy & Peter

Palm Springs, made vastly more hospitable thanks to Wayne!


Here's a photo of Peter and Happy next to their trusty RV.  They are spending a couple of nights with us before they head off on their further adventures.  They leave tomorrow for Joshua Tree and Anza Borego State Park.  Great fun to see them.

Wayne

Saturday, February 22, 2014

En Route!

After an overnight in Leila's driveway and another shakedown overnight cruise near Petaluma, we've headed south!  Here, Happy enjoys coffee in bed with Luke, first morning, near Marina, CA.

Continuing down the coast through the weekend...

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Happy Birthday, Happy!

Well, today is Happy's 76th birthday, and, boy, has it been action-packed...


First, Luke woke her up with a celebratory greeting:



Then, he presented her with his culinary gift:



At this point, aware that his dachshund was outshining him, Peter arrived with his own offering:



Having nothing else to occupy him for many years but a careful observation of Peter's work habits, Luke was prepared for Petey's half-baked gesture with the second blow of his 1-2 punch:



At the end of the day though, even Peter's higher on the evolutionary ladder than Luke, so he'd prepared for Luke's cloying little rivalry and upped his game.  Way to go, Peter!



Luke slunk off to lick his wounds, but he didn't stay a party pooper for long.  Come on, Luke, we're limbo-ing, your favorite!



Soon enough, all hard feelings were forgotten, and Luke invited some buddies over for the fiesta:



When he saw the fun Luke and his crew were having, Peter invited his own posse:


...And everyone celebrated late into the night...



HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HAPPY!