Lopez Lake, Arroyo Grande

A night drive around Lopez lake, (if you look really hard) a lone cloud drifts across the lake highlighted by the moon. I guess you had to be there!

Sunday Morning Run, Pismo Beach

Summer fog clings to the coast line as a trailer full of toys pauses at the southern entrance to Pismo Beach. This is one of a very few beach areas in California open to motorized vehicles, so even on the foggy days, folks come to cruise the strand and play in the sand dunes.
We're out for our Sunday morning run. We like running during low tide on the long and flat stretches by the surf. (It's about 6 miles from Pismo's cliffs at the north end to where large signs and large fines protect nesting plover at the south end.) During the week it's more efficient to stay home, put our shoes on, run out the door and around our neighborhood,
but it is fun on the weekends to run while watching the fishermen pursuing their catch. The miles go by more easily
watching the surfers play on the breakers. Occasionally, our paths cross as they enter and exit the water.

We come across sandcastles in varying states of construction or destruction, depending on the change of tide. I snap pictures on the fly, never knowing for sure what I've gotten till later at home.
Like this one of a legless Case, some how making strides down the beach!
Another kid surfer crosses our path as we near the Pismo Beach pier.
We continue under the pier a bit further before turning around,
now heading back we notice more traffic on the beach as the sun gets ready to break through the fog and the tide begins to rise.
Completing our goal distance, we kick off our shoes,
and cool off our hot feet in the very cool Pacific! I love running here!

Hemingway

The back of the book reads:

The best American novel to emerge out of World War I, A Farewell to Arms is the unforgettable story of an American ambulance driver on the Italian front and his love for a beautiful English nurse. Hemingway's frank portrayal of the love between Lieutenant Henry and Catherine Barkley, caught in the inexorable sweep of war, glows with an intensity unrivaled in modern literature, while his description of the German attack on Caporetto--of lines of tired men marching in the rain, hungry, weary, and demoralized--bears comparison to Stendhal's depiction of the retreat from Waterloo. A story of love and pain, of loyalty and desertion, of serene beauty amidst a world of chaos, A Farewell to Arms represents a new romanticism for Hemingway. Richer in language, more subtle in expression, and emotionally astute, it also symbolizes Hemingway's farewell, as Malcolm Cowley remarked, to an attitude, a time, and a literary method. Published when Hemingway was just thirty, it conformed his stature as the greatest single influence on the American short story and novel.

As for me, Jolene, I enjoyed it. The pace of the story kept me engaged, the writing style was short, clipped, and direct, but that worked for me. A very teary Hemingway ending!

The Baskin Family Visits

Bill, Angela, Mia and Mika Baskin drop by for a few days stay, on their road trip from Anthem, AZ, to San Diego and north along the California coast.

Bill and Mika try out the roasted corn at San Luis Obispo Market night.
Mia and Mika select pieces of fine balloon art.
I joined them Friday for a visit to Hearst Castle. Here is one of the two fabulous pools that Mia and Mika would have found much more fun if they could have spent the afternoon swimming, rather than on the adult tour were they must not touch anything!
A glimpse of the gardens on the Estate.
Angela, a long time friend from dental / dental hygiene school era at Loma Linda University,
snaps a picture of William Randolf Hearst's home and work of a life time!
Mika feels a bit bored but was a trooper, making it through the whole tour.

We enjoyed your visit! So good to meet Mia and Mika, catch up a bit since it has been so long, as well as hanging out and make new memories. Continued safe travels!

Case's Gang from Work

A party at Alex's BBQ in Shell Beach, a send-off for Ryan who is heading back to school for more advanced training.
Left side, from the foreground: Greg and Sheri Marquez, Chris-man, Chris-miss, and Ken. Right side: Case, Ken, Ryan, Stephanie and Launi.

These quick snap shots of Case's office don't show well -- not easy photographing a small-ish office -- but better than nothing.
I've been wanting to make Case's office more pleasant and presentable ever since we arrived in January. Case has been holding me off, waiting for the paint crew that was promised to paint the interior of the building.
Case requested a soothing green, and we were able to come up with a wonderful color that complemented the carpet and (accidentally) tied in the upholstery on the the chairs. The painters I'd been waiting for arrived in June, (that was six months of patience on my part) and soon afterward we did a bit of decorating to make a more comfortable work environment.
Comfortable, but not too homey, as I am hopeful he will not be living at work! Apparently the gang at the office has admired my decorating and are hopeful I will take on redecorating the whole office. It's a very nice compliment, but I've decided my interior design abilities end with Case's office; a professional might be a wiser choice!

Ride to Avila Beach

Looks like a great day to ride to Avila Beach!
Leaving home in Arroyo Grande it is down hill to...
Pismo Beach.
This Cafe usually has a line out the door...hmm...I am not a fan of clam chowder, but maybe they have something else worth lining up for!
My trusty steed on the Pismo pier. We left home in the sun, but the fog is still clinging to the coast line.
The pelicans sit near the fishermen on the pier, occasionally sneaking in and stealing a freshly caught fish.
Very tasty cinnamon rolls. I somehow resist the temptation today, to indulge guilt free tomorrow!
Cruising along through Shell Beach and over the hill to the Bob Jones trail.
I've never taken this trail before...good day to check it out.
It meanders through a resort or two
before crossing a bridge, through a golf course,
and arriving at Avila Beach. Home of the Hula Hut!
I like to grab a bite to eat here and I am always a fan of their homemade fudge!
Fueling up for the uphills on the return ride home. I am still looking for the path that is down hill both ways!

Pismo Beach Fireworks

We joined the masses crowding onto Pismo Beach to watch Fourth of July Fireworks.
Unlike the previous two years, the fog stayed away and the evening was clear. We had heard reports of spectators seeing only dull flashes as the fireworks burst deep in the overcast.A patriotic "Fourth of July tree" (Christmas in July?) at Zion National Park this past week.

Happy Fourth to all, and thank God for freedom!

Emerald Pools Trail, Zion National Park, Utah

Spent the day hanging out at Zion National Park with the Navion Society Members. We enjoyed a little hiking, socializing, shopping, food and bus travel together. Maybe we'll meet up with this group again next summer at the, as of yet, unannounced location on the east coast.