Tuesday, December 30, 2008

December 30, 2008

Hi to those who are still following this blog!

We hope you are enjoying a pleasant holiday season even if you have to go back to work for a few days. We had a nice family gathering at Susan (our daughter in Whittier, Ca) and Raul's house over Christmas Eve and the days following. We parked our RV in their driveway and dwarfed their house behind it. Santa came and the little ones were excited to see him.

On Friday night, we took the adults (three of our children and their wives/girl friend) out to Lawry's Prime Rib Place in Beverly Hills. That place seems to be popular these days with certain football players. The place was big, a bit loud and crowded. The prime rib was delicious, but the side dishes were just "so-so" for us. All in all, it was a nice evening get-together.

We are now in Long Beach, CA at our favorite RV spot -- right by the ocean and the convention center. This afternoon we biked over to the Queen Mary.

We even were able to connect with long time business associates in Long Beach -- Judy and Ron from Jerry's film days. Jerry made lunch. (See picture.)

Tomorrow we leave for Pasadena where we will have a spot for our RV right on Colorado Blvd. We will be able to see the Rose Parade from our front RV windows. Our children and grandchildren will be joining us. Jerry will be making breakfast for everyone on the coach.

Our 2008 RV trip is almost over. Like my sister said, we seem to be "dragging our feet" getting back to Cambria. I expect to update this blog one more time before ending this great trip. Until then, we wish everyone a very happy and healthy New Year.

Jerry and Mary

Thursday, December 18, 2008

December 18, 2008

Hi Everyone,

We are still in Pismo Beach, CA. Since we previously purchased an interest in the Pismo Coast Village RV Resort, we get to stay here for up to 70 days free a year. That part is good. But, being right on the beach, within walking distance from Pismo Beach and the pier, and within a mile or two of all the shopping centers (and the Pismo Outlets), makes this a very good place for us to settle in for awhile. Not only that, we are within driving distance from Cambria (45 minutes North of us) and can easily run up there if we have to do so for any reason. And, we are close enough for our Cambrian friends and relatives (Pat and Bill) to drive down here to see us.

That is what happened yesterday. Tom and Lynn (Cambria Coffee Roasting Company) joined us for dinner last night on the RV (with Jerry doing the cooking, of course). Great catching up with them. See picture below.

The other day we found a boardwalk walking/running path along the backside of the golf course and next to the ocean just South of us. Like the boardwalk on Moonstone Beach, the path is wooden and meanders through the dunes and trees. I brought my camera with me today to capture some pictures.

That reminds me of something I've noticed since we have been RVing. Maybe it's because I've been taking pictures of our surroundings for the last eight months, or maybe it is because I'm getting older and "more observant" (though there are those who will dispute that -- namely, Jerry), or maybe it is because we are more "retired" and have the time to appreciate all the beauty this world has to offer, but I am so much more impressed with nature and it's impact on the senses than ever before.

So, let me ask, when was the last time you stepped outside the door of your home to take photographs of the beauty that surrounds your house -- plants in the garden, birds in the trees, dew drops on the grass and the lighting, colors or shadows making for artistic pictorial creations? In this digital age, it is so easy to just shoot without having to spend money getting film developed. And for some reason or other, if you capture the scene on your camera, it is also captured in your mind and will stay with you longer.

On Saturday, Jerry and I will celebrate our 34th wedding anniversary. Who knew?

With that, we will sign off for now. Still have until next Wednesday until we leave Pismo Beach.

If we don't update this blog until after Christmas -- we send your way our happiest of thoughts for a wonderful holiday season to each and everyone of you.

Happy Holidays!

Jerry and Mary

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

December 9, 2008

Happy Holidays to Everyone!

We have settled in the Pismo Coast Village RV Resort for a couple of weeks before heading down to LA to be with the kids and grandkids for the holidays. We plan to stay here until December 24, 2008.

Last Thursday night, our friend John (who is camping next to us here with Marijean) drove us up to Cambria for the Holiday in the Pines evening (or whatever they are calling it this year). We were able to connect with Pat and Bill who have done so much to help us stay traveling this great country for the last eight months, and were able to see some our real estate agents in the office.

We also saw lots of friends that we haven't seen since April. It was a fun evening. We even got to attend the program put on by the Cambria Chorale and the schools. The room was packed and they put on a great program. Really got us into the holiday mood.

Then, we spent our first night in our house after being gone for so long. It was weird -- that's all I will say about it. Someone called us the "modern day gypsies" when we were in Cambria and we are beginning to believe that the term truely applies to us.

Pat and Bill were able to join us on Sunday afternoon in Pismo. Together with John and Marijean, we all went out for a wonderful dinner at Steamers. Jerry and I can't believe that we have lived in Cambria since 1999 and we never heard of Steamers before. Needless to say, we will be going there again in the future. Not only that, John (Marijean went back to Long Beach on Monday for her job), Jerry and I went there again for happy hour tonight to have their steamed clams.

We love it here in Pismo. See the great picture below that Jerry took of the sunset the other night.

This is an open invitation for anyone who is reading this blog and lives in the area to come to see us while we are here. Just call us at 909-0909 to make sure we are here at the time as we have picked up my car and just may be out and about. As we said above, we will be here until December 24th.

We hope everyone starts enjoying this season now as it is a special time of the year.

Will update you again before we leave here.

Jerry and Mary

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

December 2, 2008

Hi Everyone,

We are getting closer to home -- that is, Cambria. Right now we are parked at the ocean (about 25 feet from the waves) in Ventura. We were hoping for a nice sunset, but the day has been foggy.

We spent the last five days at Pechunga in Temucula, CA with our friends, John and Marijean, who also have an RV. Both John and Jerry are gourmet chefs and each took turns preparing the evening meal. Needless to say, we ate well and gained a bit of weight (not something we want to do at the beginning of the holiday season).

Our son, Shannon, with his daughters, Erin (age 12) and Natalie (turning 4 on Dec. 21), drove down from LA to spend Sunday afternoon with us. We really appreciated his visit and a chance to see the grandkids again. We last saw them when we were in Fargo in June. The weather was great and I took my share of Sunday afternoon walks with Natalie who kept wanting to walk Chanti.

Yesterday, we stopped to see a long time friend, Laurie Greene in Thousand Oaks, on our way to Ventura. Although we would have loved to stay longer, it was nice catching up. I think that the size of our RV always shocks people when they first see it.

After we arrived in Ventura last night, we witnessed the Moon, Mars and Venus alligned in a triangular formation, something we understand will not happen again for another 40-plus years. (See photograph below that Jerry took.) We hope to take photos of the next one 40 years from now!

Today, we spend the afternoon with our friends, Bob and Nancy, who drove up to Ventura from Granada Hills, CA to have lunch with us and catch up. Now that we are back in California, we are able to spend time with people we haven't seen since we left Cambria last April. (Hope we aren't boring them with our videos!)

Tomorrow we move up the coast to Pismo Beach where we will be staying for a couple of weeks. John and Marijean will be joining us for the first few days. Oh no, more eating!!!!

Until next time, keep living the life you love,

Jerry and Mary