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