Train trip to and from San Diego

Marty and I just returned from our Amtrak trip to San Diego.  I love love trains. While I am able I wanted to visit friends and go by train.  I have way too many pictures and did edit some.  Did I tell you I love love trains. 

Because I must wear a mask around people and I tire easily, Marty booked us a roomette.  That way the mask could come off and I could get in the upper berth to rest.  It was a great fun trip.  Now on to the pictures.

We used our phones a lot.  No Wi-Fi except in the Parlor car, so Marty set up a hot spot with his phone.  When not looking at the beautiful scenery, I read a book on my Ipad.  We also napped.

 



 

California has lots of oil fields.  One area was many acres of pumping oil rigs, not the picture above.  This is in Kern County. 

 

View from the top berth.

 

Nap time

 

A foggy day on the Pacific coast line.

 

 

The coast line through a dirty window.

 

 

When we arrived in LA, all first class passengers were driven to a private lounge to wait for our next train.  Then we were picked up and taken to our loading area.  The lounge had soft drinks, tea, coffee, water, and snacks.  It was a beautiful room, lots of wood, comfortable chairs, and TV.

 

 

Business Class on the commuter train to San Diego.  Snacks, drinks, reclining seats with foot rests. 

 

 

Our friends wonderful gorgeous home.  It is good to visit here.

 

Turning around from above picture, the view.  We are looking toward Mexico.  There was a major storm front coming in from Mexico, and it was hazy.



 

And we are back on the commuter train headed home.  What did we do before we had cell phones?  Oh right, we read books and talked.

 

 

My side of the roomette.

 

 

Marty's side, he picked it because the plug to charge phones was on that side.

 

 

 Gorgeous view

 

 Winding around horseshoe curves

 

Marty and me in the Dining Car.  We had a great trip. Talked to interesting people, ate good food, and just enjoyed the ride.  Love train trips.

Health Update with some other stuff

This has been a busy week, some good, some not so good.  I posted last week about the great news of the tumor being smaller.  I earlier had posted about my leg infection that was clearing up.  Well, that didn't continue.

I talked to the advice nurse and had a phone appointment with a doctor on last Sunday.  I had finished the antibiotic and the swelling and redness began to increase.  They started me on another 10 day round of antibiotics, a different one from what I had been on.  Monday I went into oncology for my weekly lab work.  I told them what was going on, the nurse checked my legs, and then said not to go home yet.  She wanted my oncologist to check me out.  The decision had to be made on whether or not I had chemo on Tuesday.  

The doctor looked at my legs and talked to Marty and me.  She knew we were leaving on our Amtrak adventure on Wednesday.  She said no chemo, (so I will have 2 weeks off)  with the infection I might have more side effects and that could ruin my trip.  She changed the antibiotics back to the one Baylor hospital had put me on.  It had fewer side effects and we knew I had done well on it.

So here I am in San Diego a week later with ankles most of the time and very little redness.  ( I will do another post about Amtrak and San Diego later this week.)  I have had no trouble with the antibiotic and it seems to be doing the job for me.  We will see how things go when I finish the bottle later this week.

A little bit about San Diego.  I am walking in the pool everyday.  I am eating well and often. I feel good and not as tired.  Our wonderful friends/hosts Richard and Luis are really taking good care of me.  We eat out, Richard cooks for me, and today Luis' family is coming for a pool party and to see me. 

Internet is spotty, I thinks our computers are home bodies and don't like traveling.  I will post a blog with pictures when we get home.  I don't want to be in the middle of posting and lose internet connection for several hours.  That is not good for my blood pressure.

Nothing seems to go right

We had unpacked nearly everything.  The place was looking good.  Pictures up, and after three hours of hell the wood and glass sculpture was hung.  This all meant we needed to go to San Diego and get the rest of our clothes, orchids, kitchen stuff, and odds and ends.  We planned to rent a trailer, which would be cheaper than a truck.  Also that way only buying gas for one vehicle. Well that didn’t go well.

Marty and Richard went to pick up the trailer.  The rent on the trailer was say $300 dollars.  But ,”Oh we forgot to tell you the trailer hitch costs another $400.”  They came home without the trailer.  We couldn’t rent a van, they only rent vans for round trips.  I suggested a SUV.  So we did. 

It had a compartment on the floor, like a drug secret place.  We filled that up with small items, and then filled it with orchids and boxes.  I drove our car and it was full of boxes and suitcases.  Even the front seat was full.  We were ready to come home with almost the last of our stuff.  (We left some of Marty’s glass, and other things I have no idea what they are)

Monday morning Richard asked what we would do if the two GPS take different routes.  We laughed and said go with the front vehicle.  And we pulled out.  Less than 1/4 of a mile a car pulls in front of me, and Marty is out of sight.  The dumb woman in front of me stopped in the road to text.  She had no idea I was behind her.  I honk, yell at her and head for the highway.  No sign of Marty.  I get on 94, and head to LA and all points north.  I was hitting 80 and still no Marty.  Wouldn’t he have driven slowly until I caught up?  NO.  I phoned him and asked very sweetly, “Where the hell are you??!!”  He is on 8.  I should get on 8.  Well, I had already passed that exit.  I was headed for 5.  He then said I should get on 805.  Really, passed that one too.  One hour and a half later we found each other, on 405. 

I was mad as a wet hen.  And in full panic attack mode.  Agoraphobics do not do well when the plan fails.  We are terrified, and have been known to pass out.  I held it together and only cried a little.  By lunch time I had decided to let him live. 

The drive continues I led some, he led some.  And then it happened.  Marty is leading, we are on 5 and the road splits to go to 99.  I see the sign, hear the GPS, and watch Marty stay in the left lane and we are taking a right exit.  I honk, and honk and then leave him and go on 5.  I called and, oh I won’t say what I said.  It was rude and ugly.  He didn’t know I wasn’t behind him, he didn’t know he was on 99.  He was just driving north.  That time he caught up with me in about 20 minutes. 

Now none of Marty leaving me behind was a surprise.  He had done this for 45 years.  He drives and you better keep up.  Before GPS and cell phones it was really terrifying. When I told our son, Erik, about the trip, he said, “That sounds like Dad.”  And I said, “ He is consistent.”

Just a little info for you all

I am sure you regulars are asking where did Guest Blogger Joe vanish to?  Why no wedding reports?  Well, Joe sent me word why no dispatches from the Marriage Factory for the last two weeks.  I believe this is a direct quote: "They were all boring."  I think that translates to of the wedding ceremonies he performed none were strange, none were  funny, none had wonderful shoes or outfits.  Joe had high hopes for today's group of couples.  I sent back word to him, if nothing is worth blogging about, make something up.  Maybe he will write about some of his early weddings. 

I may not have many posts the next week.  My brother and his wife (these are the parents of The Colonel) arrive tomorrow morning from Louisville, Kentucky.  The four of us plan to tour San Diego.  We will see gardens, pandas, museums, sea views.  We also plan to drink, eat, and be merry. I will try to post about our tourist stuff.  But you notice I said drink, eat, and be merry.  The drink and be merry part could hamper my ability to type.

The Truth Must Come Out

For years and years I have heard that San Diego has the greatest climate in the United States.  It is always mellow, pleasant, little rain, no extremes.  Also I knew that like the Bay Area every mile away from the coast was warmer. 

Well, where are Mythbusters when you need them?  This is what history says about the weather.  Be sure to click on that link.  I have doubts about this.

I have been in San Diego since August 26, no low 70s happening here.  It has been high 80s and 90s.  It has been hot and muggy.  Our hosts have run the AC night and day.  We have had thunderstorms all around us.  We even have had sprinkles.  I keep hearing how unusual the weather is.  Really? 

I think a tall tale has caught up with the residents.  Some one is now here long enough to spot a trend.  A hot trend, maybe.  Tourists come and go, they aren’t around long enough to realize the hot weather stays. 

I am here until December.  I am watching the weather San Diego.  Today is foggy and cool.  I am loving it.   But can you do that again on Wednesday?  Let’s see just how wonderful your climate is. 

 

Thanks, but no thanks

This morning I was in the pool walking my laps and doing my arm exercises.  Marty comes down to the edge and says my phone rang and it was San Diego County.  Then he holds out the phone, over the pool , to me who is shoulder deep in the pool!  I told him to get my towel and I got out of the pool. (I drowned one phone here a year and a half ago.) If you missed a blog two back click here for background.   It was the clerk who had interviewed me and piled on all the paperwork.  Her supervisor told her that my blogging was a conflict of interest.  Thank you for offering to volunteer. 

Well, I wasn’t surprised.  I knew they couldn’t make an exception for me.  I do find it strange San Diego has all these restrictions, rules, medical checkups, and background checks. 

In Alameda County all the way to the top they know I blog.  I have given the link to some high ups.  The clerks know I blog and some read the blog. They know I won’t hurt the County’s image.  They have read enough to know I tell how hard the clerks work, how they handle the public (which is just a little difficult).  I try to share the joy of the weddings, the zany couples, and the sometimes sadness of the weddings.  I try to show my respect and love for the wedding business.

I admit I have gone off on a clerk or two.  But never have I identified who ticked me off or the Clerk from Hell.  And to give that clerk credit, she has improved. 

The staff in Vitals is stellar.  They handle everyone with respect and kindness.  They strive to do a good job and usually succeed.  I miss my Vitals’ crew, the deputies, the staff I pass in the hall who thank me for volunteering.  I miss everyone at the Alameda County building.

 

Why we continue to have a regular guest blogger

Today we are again enjoying guest blogger Joe.  Joe has agreed to blog regularly about the Marriage Factory for me.  Marty and I are entering a new phase of our life.  We have sold our house.  We are now packing up, selling, donating, and putting out a bulk pick up of all our worldly goods. On August 24, we leave the Bay Area and head to Southern California.

We will be living in Le Mesa, CA for 3 months.  Wonderful, loving friends have said come and stay with us: relax, calm down, take time to figure out the rest of your life.  La Mesa is just outside San Diego, CA, a great beautiful city.  Then we will come back to the San Fransisco area and find a place that has no steps or has an elevator.  Oh, it must be pretty inexpensive too.

I know most of you want to read about weddings.  Joe has agreed to post every now and then about the weddings he does.  You will get your wedding fix.  I will sit around the pool and miss doing weddings.

I will post about our life as the house guests who will not leave.  We plan to visit museums, cook some great meals, read a lot of great books, and have a nervous breakdown.  The last three years have been hell.  During those three months we will plan out the next phase of our life.  Seniors living on a fixed income, and still having a good life, that is our plan.

Joe, you are on:

This week was another busy one at the marriage factory.  Miss Janet already described the media swarm that engulfed our little office a couple weeks ago.

The only anecdote I can add is the couple who had attended the same high school years ago.  The bride had asked the groom to the prom and he had declined.  To make matters better/worse, he did not remember that until a friend of the soon-to-be bride brought it to his attention - after the couple had started dating for a while.  Luckily, the bride had a good sense of humor, and the groom certainly seemed to regret his earlier decision.

There was a couple with a large party waiting when the doors opened. I hadn't arrived; luckily, we have an enthusiastic intern who loves doing weddings.  From then on, the couples kept coming.

Some highlights:
The couple was in their 60s and their ceremony was in Spanish.  They were so in love they began kissing before the vows were done.  No worries about those two.

The bride and groom were 30 years apart in age.  He was dapper in a pin-stripe suit and she lovely in a purple dress.  She was trembling throughout the ceremony, and couldn't wait to hug her new husband.

Since Janet occasionally focuses on fashion, I will do the same.  The bride wore a STAR WARS T-shirt pattern on a mini dress, even though she was born after RETURN OF THE JEDI came out.  No one mentioned it.  She also had a flower in her hair.  Coolest thing ever.
--
Joe Mallon

Road Trip!

sub title:  Get out of the fast lane, you are only going the speed limit and slowing me down.

We spent 6 days in San Diego visiting friends who live there.  It is a long drive to San Diego from Oakland. Long and boring.  We left home at 9:00 and arrived there at 5:30.  After you leave the Bay Area it is nothing but farmland and 18 wheelers. I took several pictures (remember to click on the pictures to enlarge them, click twice to get them really big)  for facebook as we went down I 5.  They all look the same.  Trucks, cars, grass.

Here we are in OUR fast lane.  Marty is driving so we are probably hitting about 85.  I drive much slower, only 80.  We averaged 72 miles per hour.  Stopping for gas and road hogs who won't get over ruins your average.

It was our host Richard's birthday, his little nephew's birthday, Cinco de Mayo, Derby Day, and Mother's day all in one weekend.  On Saturday there was a huge party, lots and lots of appetizers and a huge buffet of great Mexican food. Oh  beer and wine were served also.

 Just so we could post it on facebook, we had Richard get in the kids' jumper castle. 

Tables are set up all over the patio and around the pool. The theme was some game ,Special Ops or something like that.    There were at least 60 people at the party. Half of them were little children.

 Staying with Richard and Luis is like being in a fine resort.  The view is incredible. Our suite was 5 star with chocolates on the bed. We had champagne and chocolate dipped strawberries on Mother's Day. We did nothing but relax and enjoy being with our friends and their family. 

 The outdoor kitchen, where we spent a large amount of our time.

 Marty and Richard having coffee on the patio.

 This is the cross on top of Mt. Helix.   This is a privately owned park with an amphitheater, great views, and the cross.

 We are at Mt. Helix looking at Mexico. The international border is just over the hill you see.  It was a ugly day, rain and lots of clouds.  But the clouds did make interesting pictures.

 Here we are looking at downtown San Diego and the Pacific Ocean.  I promise you, there is an ocean.

 On the road again heading to Oakland.  We are just trying to get out of the L.A area.  It takes forever to go through L.A.  It has to be the longest city in America.

Heading up The Grapevine. We climbed 4000 feet and then just dropped to the Valley.  And as you can see, trucks.  Lots and lots of trucks. 

We had a wonderful relaxing time with Richard and Luis.  We really miss them.  When they lived in San Francisco we saw them every week.  Now we see them if lucky once a year.  Thank goodness for Sykpe.  We do see them that way regularly.

Thanks Richard and Luis for the great vacation.  We love you.

FINAL PICTURES FROM SAN DIEGO

Below are more pictures from our trip to San Diego. They are a mixture of people, house, and yard art.

Even the big boy cousins like a rope swing. This is in the entrance courtyard.

Soccer on the patio above the pool.

Small planter



Bench in the courtyard

Art in the courtyard

Sitting room off our guest room

The rest of the pictures are of the master bathroom and the bedroom. Love this area of the house. Below spa tub with a killer view.

Shower area

Do click on the sinks for a close up. They are wonderful.

Master bedroom. King bed, 7 foot couch, balconies on each side and you saw the fireplace a couple of days ago.

This is the end of this trip to San Diego. It is a lovely gracious home to visit. Richard's and Luis' extended family treats us like family. That could be a good or a bad thing. They do like to tease and mess with you. But that is what family does.

FINALLY, PICTURES

Marty burned a CD with the San Diego pictures. They just wouldn't work through email. There are 129 pictures on the CD. Don't worry, I am only going to use a few of them. And spread it out over a couple of posts.

Richard and Luis host Luis's family many Sundays. Food is very important to this family. Good food, spicy food, lots of food. The children play or swim. The teenagers play videos games or swim, and the adults watch them have fun. And all eat. Different families bring parts of the meal. They cook, they eat, they laugh, they tease. It is a good family to spend an afternoon with.

Below is food from the appetizer table. The left, celery and peppers stuffed with pimento cheese and with Benedictine. I made those two spreads.The large plate to the right is jicama with lime juice and some wonderful spices shaken over it.

More appetizers

Enjoying the food

Luis's Mom making rice for dinner, great rice!

Quality control

Pork cooked in banana leaves and then shredded.

Buffet line

One of the tables with family

A FEW PICTURES

Marty took some great pictures. Blogger does not like the format. So all we have now are a few taken with my Palm. Not great, but pictures. Below is the garage with the master suite above it. There is a tower to the right. The courtyard looking toward the tower.

More tower and drive way.

Marty with the dogs in the courtyard.



Guest bath. Bright tiles, green cabinets, mosaic mirrors. Orchids.

Inside the tower, it leads up to the master suite.

Fuzzy pix of the fireplace in Master suite.

View from balcony in master suite.

If we can get blogger to accept Marty's pictures, I will post them also. He has the wonderful flowers, pool and view, and yard art.