SUNDAY, 9/2-MONDAY, 9/3

SUNDAY, 9/2:     

      Everyone slept great, and another nice, very pleasant morning. Jonathan even said that he got cold last night and crawled into his sleeping bag, instead of just being on top of it.    
     
 Rachel & Lupe cleaned up quickly and left, as Lupe had a birthday party to go to.  Hannah’s crew waited for Jonathan to be ready to leave.  Having gone as far as he could yesterday with our computer sound issue (he concluded that the underlying “bio” somehow got disabled – will need to be looked at by someone who knows that code), he now moved on to the electrical issues in the RV which were collateral damage in the tire blow out.  That took 3 hours or so.  We sure got our money’s worth from Jonathan this past 24 hours!

     After a little lunch, they left.  We would join them in a little while, giving time for Hannah to pick up 2 of Kaleb’s friends (Peter & 1 other).  We would all meet at the beach (LaJolla Shores). So we used the time here to nap (Bill) and read (me).  I finished The Art of Racing in the Rain, a great story of a family’s travails & triumphs told through the eyes of the family dog.  Joyful language, and beautifully emotive   I might choose this for my selection for Book Club.  I can’t imagine anyone not liking the book.

     When we neared the beach, looking for a parking place, we couldn’t believe the crowds of people!  It looked like nearly every square foot of sand was filled.  The parking lot had been closed off, so we circled around the adjacent streets 2 or 3 times looking for someone to leave.  Were as far away as a couple of miles, probably, with jam-packed cars.  I told Bill that I’ve spent the last week or so questioning why I ever left Southern California, with its beautiful weather & scenery, and now I remember!  It’s the hordes of people!!

     They re-opened the parking lot, so we were able to get a space.  And the beachfront was crowded, but the girls already had a space staked out, so of course there was room for us.  The main activity was boogie boarding, for both the boys and the girls.  The girls, especially, had an absolute blast.  Autumn turned to me as she was running with her board back into the surf and exclaimed, “Grandma, I’m having so much fun!”  That about summed it up! 

 

 

 

 

      At 6:00, they allow dogs to come on the beach.  So we got Pappy from the truck.  We wondered how he’d react to walking in the surf. Hard to tell – he didn’t seem to love it, but didn’t resist it either.  I’m sure he was just glad to be out and on a walk!  Was still somewhat overcast at the beach, so didn’t have great views of the coastline again.  

 

 

  

     All went back to Hannah’s, where Rachel had made chili.  We spent the night at Hannah’s because everyone wanted to get an early start tomorrow. 

 

MONDAY, 9/3: 

     Left about 9:30 to go to Coronado.  First needed to assure ourselves that Pappy and Pistachio would get along ok for the day (not to mention Danielle, the cat, who was driving Pappy crazy as she stared him down safely on the other side of the patio sliding door).

     Coronado has a huge Navy base for aircraft-related efforts.  Rachel works here.  They have a beach & marina on San Diego Bay for use of Naval personnel only.  Called Fiddler’s Cove.  A very, very nice area. 

The kids rented a 2-person kayak, a canoe, and 2 paddleboards, while Bill and I were able to use our own kayaks.  They started out with Kaleb & his friend Peter each on a paddle board, Autumn & Lupe with Eric & Hannah in the canoe, and Rachel & Jonathan in the kayak.  But they soon played Fruit Basket Upset, and everyone changed places several times.  At one point, fearless Rachel had both girls with her on a paddleboard, and their favorite thing was to jump off into the water.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     The water was beautiful, with a gentle wind moving the water just enough to make it a little challenging.  We stayed out for about 3 hours, and everyone had a really fun time.  Gave us a little thrill just to know that we were kayaking in the Pacific!  Now we can say that we’ve kayaked in both the Pacific and the Atlantic (by Cape Hatteras).

 

 

 

     Then gathered to get lunch.  But first had to attend to Hannah’s car, which wouldn’t start.  Have we passed on the Hammond curse???  Turned out all it needed was a battery charge, which Bill was only too glad to provide.  Then drove into “town” to eat.  Decided on a burger place (Burger Lounge) which is a small chain in Southern Cal.  Very popular place – we had to all squeeze in a booth!  Easy to see why they’re popular - very good burgers, and Best Onion Rings Ever!!  This actually served as our dinner, since it was now almost 5:00.    Then went across the street to a little 50’s-looking diner which specializes in milkshakes.

     Everyone else went on home, but Bill and I stayed & went back to Fiddler’s Cove, where we hooked on to one of the bike paths we had heard about earlier.  It runs parallel to the shore, I think 22 miles.  Along Silver Strand beach. We rode east about 5 miles, and then turned around.  Passed some of the Navy SEAL obstacle course.  A nice gentle ride, though not spectacular views.  We did see the sun start to set on our way back.

     Then back to Hannah’s to pick up the rest of our stuff and, oh yes, Pappy (who had left a triple treat for Hannah to clean up – don’t know whether the result from eating aluminum foil left over on the grill Sat night, or because he has been in so many new places lately, and left alone without us and this time sent him over the edge , or some combination).  Surprised that Autumn was still awake when we got there – thought she’d be worn out from all the sun & water today!  We said our farewells (Jonathan was there too), and then went over to Rachel’s to say good-bye to them.  Lupe had made us a little coloring project that she’d put in a frame and decorated with shells.  So sweet!

 

     It was so good seeing all of them, and we will miss them.  They are all doing well, and the kids are all bright, energetic, and happy.  It was especially nice that Jonathan could join his sisters out here – they were obviously all enjoying being with one another.

     Got back to the RV late.  The campground looked like a ghost town, with most everyone having gone home after the holiday weekend.  And eerily quiet, after being with our loved ones these last few days.