Along for the ride: Patti's 88th Birthday

Since Patti's birthday is late August, I fly south to join in on the celebrations. Alaska/Horizon's daily non-stop round trip between Monterey and San Diego makes for an easy trip. The only problem is the early morning departure from Monterey, but the ease of boarding makes it well worthwhile. For example while standing in the security line, the only people in front of me is a family with two young children. The husband, who's not flying, asks the agent if he could accompany his wife to help with the children until she can board. Much to my surprise, the agent just smiles and waves the family into the gate. This agent's humane family treatment would never happen in a larger airport. Gotta love small town airports in these complicates daze of travel.

U of Oregon teams must use this plane

Drippy morning before take off

It's Car Week in Monterey which draws 1%ers from around the world and where individual cars can sell for millions of $$$$$$$. This popular event lines the runway on both sides with luxurious private planes. It's hard to image people's lives who can afford such planes and cars.

Private jets parked alongside the runway

Up up and away into the wild blue yonder

Santa Catalina Island through the fog

Coronado Bridge and downtown San Diego

Circling for landing at SAN

Holly, my sister-in-law, and I make contact via text and she picks me up shortly at Arrivals. We both laugh about how much harder travel was before cell phones and text messaging. Along the way back to Leucadia, we pass two disparate religious centers, each representing the schizophrenic nature of the culture in the San Diego area - ultra conservative to ultra liberal.

Mormon Temple

SRF ... Swami's Self Realization Fellowship

We stop in downtown Encinitas at a store specializing in used clothing items for Burners. Holly needs a few items to round out her costumes for this year's Burning Man.

Yes - a whole store just for Burners

Oooh - nice boa

Holly's completed outfit

Patti opens her presents and cards that evening as Holly is leaving tomorrow.

Patti opens BD cards

Humm - wonder what's in here

A froggy fountain for orchids & African Violets

I stay on with Patti to help her learn how to use her new Kindle and recuperate from a recent illness. Late one evening I visit the Simons to catch up with Suzy and her wonderful garden.

Turin (who Jamie calls "Urine")

Suzy

Tuna patrols the garden boxes looking for critters to catch

Hummer feeder

Flowers for cutting

Tower of Tomatoes

The heart of the Simons' garden is an inviting sitting area

The morning of Patti's Birthday starts out with a bang - literally. A hurricane traveling up the coast of Baja has sent a rare thunderstorm over our skies. We are both wakened around 6am with such a large thunderous clap that it shakes the whole house. Patti goes back to bed while do morning Yoga and watch the storm evolve through the front windows.