California Here We Stay... For Now!

Dear Friends,

I apologize for the long duration between posts, but to be honest we're really not done much but work on the boat and visit with good friends here in Southern California. Last year, Scott and I hoped to leave early enough in the season to enjoy a summer in California. After all my trips to California, I've never had the pleasure of being here during summer months. Well, the weather was against us and we seem to have an endless list of projects while still in Portland and weren't able to leave until after Labor Day. Over the last few weeks we found ourselves rushing to get ready for our departure for Mexico. Then, we asked ourselves why? We were doing the same thing that we did last year in Oregon, RUSHING! Why were we pushing ourselves so hard? We like Southern California, we have friends here, we are officially cruising, and we have no deadlines. So, again, why were we rushing and putting ourselves through the stress? There are only eight weeks before hurricane season and we'd be stuck in the northern end of the Sea of Cortez, but we could spend the summer gunkholing in Southern California. The summer spent going back and for to Catalina and then a couple of months in San Diego? Why Not? Then there is the trip we are planning to see our families back east. Traveling across borders with the cats isn't that easy, and it would be twice as expensive. Then there is the stress to the cats as they got to the vet twice for the health certificate and travel a lot longer in the car that Linux is comfortable with. So, here we are in Newport Beach and here we will stay, at least for another 2 months while we visit family on the east coast. We started making lists of the things we want to see here and we will start in the next couple of weeks of sight seeing right here! I've seen so many friends pass up California to get south, well with the weather getting better everyday and the projects getting checked off our list, we can kick back and enjoy some wonderful California Wines, which you all know I will enjoy! Well, friends, if you find yourselves in the area, give us a call. I'm always good for a meal, some company, and of course some California wine!