Eastward Bound!

It just figures that I'd begin at the end

I'm enjoying a breezy day in Indio, in the Palm Springs area. I'm next to a date farm that sells their produce and products, including date milkshakes. It doesn't sound like my favorite flavor, but I've been told I should try it. I'm going to check it out in a few minutes and then go pick up some cold-weather supplies.

Planned itinerary:
Currently at Indian Wells RV Park, Indio
Sunday night in Joshua Tree National Park at Cottonwood Campground (brrr - could get down to freezing!)
Monday night in Joshua Tree National Park at Jumbo Rocks Campground
Then to Lake Havasu

Gingerbread and Midnight Pancakes: Merry Christmas 2014!

I've never been away from "home" on Christmas until this year. Sometimes it's been my home, or the home where I grew up or with in-laws. This year I'm at my sister's apartment and experiencing a new Christmas. It's a windy morning in Brentwood but it will still be pleasant enough weather all day for just a light jacket. I'm hoping to get to Santa Monica today for one last beach visit before heading east. My RV repair is done and I pick it up and head out tomorrow.

Last night, on Christmas Eve, we went to a great family party (Michelle's LA family). They start with a gingerbread house construction contest (poolside on the patio, of course). After dinner they have a white elephant gift exchange where there's deliberately such a wide variety of gifts, ranging from real duds (deodorant, plain boxer shorts, pickles) to prized American Express gift cards, and very specific rules about "steals" so it was spirited and fun.

Tonight Michelle and I will get together with one of her former housemates who has to work today for "midnight pancakes" at a 24-hour restaurant.

It's a holiday where I'm missing Steve, and Michelle's missing her guy, but we're together and appreciating that, and we will make the best of all we have.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Gingerbread winners:

The Longest Night

Last night I had an interesting experience. My sister Michelle and I had dinner at her brother-in-law's house with several other family members. After a great dinner and dessert, they brought out a set of cards, a little larger than playing cards. The artwork was extraordinary and each one was different. They were "Omens of Hafez" Persian fortune telling cards, and it's a popular Persian tradition to bring them out on "The Longest Night" (Winter Solstice) to see what the new year will bring. The text was in Farsi, so I simply got a brief English translation of the poetry. Mine said something about living a long life, that I am a proud person, and it's wise for me to go ahead and do what I want to do. There was also something about about beauty isn't everything and that all good things don't necessarily show outside beauty. It was a really interesting evening and I'll interpret it to suggest that it was a good choice to set out on my journey. That is, if I can get on with it. Early last week the parts for my RV arrived and it turns out the manufacturer sent a left side repair package, not the right side I need. It must have been an omen that I'm supposed to stay in LA just a bit longer. The shop I've been working with is going to fabricate the piece that didn't arrive and I think it will be done this week sometime. Not sure yet how the holiday will impact the schedule. At least I'm with family! Merry Christmas to all!

Leaving San Diego with a Storm

After enjoying a week on Mission Bay, I'm just north of there now, in Vista, experiencing the beginning of the same storm that has caused trouble and knocked out power back at home. Last night I could swear there was something on top of the motor home, and not just a bird, like I've commonly had before. This sound (and you could feel movement) had me outside with a flashlight looking for a big rat or something. Fortunately, all that I could see was the awning over the slide-out rippling a little in the wind. Since the wind and rain were forecast to hit full force overnight, I decided that maybe I should just retract the slide-out when I was ready for bed. I'm glad I did. Around 4 this morning, the wind gusts were really knocking the whole motor home around, and a couple hours later the torrential rains began.

The storm has made me think about the job I left behind back home. Hope all is going fine there, and that the weather impacts haven't been too bad. The news I saw mentioned Washington State, but all the video was from Northern California. The storm is supposed to be short-lived here. It's scheduled to slack off by late morning, so I'll hit the road after the winds die down.

I'm headed back to LA. The parts still aren't in for my repair, but I'm going to stay with my sister over the weekend and I'm hoping they'll be in early next week.

I really enjoyed San Diego. It was odd to see ice skaters in the sunset with palm trees around, as seen when we went to Hotel del Coronado.

P.S. I did get a chance the other night to verify the NOAA weather radio I've been using when I stay in tsunami inundation areas is working and programmed just fine, thankfully not for a tsunami warning. There was an Amber Alert in the middle of the night and dog and I were wakened up quite rudely. Glad to know it's functioning, though. It should also come in handy for tornado watches later in the trip (but hopefully not.)

San Diego

Enjoying time in the San Diego area with my sister, Michelle, and my niece, Zabrinna. We spent three (rainy) nights at right on Del Mar Beach at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, and now we're at Mission Bay RV Park in San Diego for a few nights. Yesterday we went to the San Diego Safari Park and loved it. 

I've got complicated feelings about zoos. I love seeing the exotic animals. I know it's more socially conscious to not want animals to be in captivity out of their native environment, but I really like to get a chance to see and learn about them, so I'll go to the zoo if I get a good chance. The Safari Park was great.