Happy Birthday, Louise!

Louise Crabb Quick, Gene's sister, is celebrating her 80th birthday. We gathered at her nephew Mark's home in Laguna Beach for a big beach party.


Mark's home is on a cliff overlooking a sandy cove. The weather and water were perfect for swimming, kayaking and digging in the sand.


The four siblings: Linda and John, Louise and Gene.


Linda with her son, Mark, are all smiles on this gorgeous day. A sone staircase leads from the grassy backyard to the sandy beach.


Nanaette, Terri's daughter, plays in the sand.


A trip to southern California wouldn't be complete without a stop at the Dana Point Yacht Club. On the evening we were there with Glen, Terri and Nanaette, a gorgeous sunset highlighted the boats in the bay. The profile of the indian head on Dana Point stood out.

CMA Reunion

The California Maritime Academy Class of 1953 met in Pacific Grove, CA, from Sept. 21 to 23. Activities included an afternoon cocktail party hosted by the Venturini's at their home, breakfasts at the Lodge and a dinner the last evening. There was ample cajoling, laughter, teasing and story telling . . . a good time was had by all!


Bill and Donna Evans joined us on the "17 Mile Drive" from Pacific Grove to Carmel. We stopped at the Poppy Hill Golf Course for lunch.


Proof that the California Maritime Academy Class of '53 is still meeting and enjoying life. Next reunion: 2 years from now!

Monterey Jazz Festival

Call it dumb luck or just serendipity . . . but our good fortune had us arriving at the Monterey Pines RV Park a day before the Jazz festival was to begin. Even more fortunate, the RV park is right next to the fairgrounds where the event was taking place.

Now in its 53rd year, the festival draws thousands of people and features established jazz performers as well as "up and comers" in a main arena and on seven other stages. Picking whom to watch and listen to was no easy task. We attended on Saturday and chose Naomi Shelton and the Gospel Queens and felt as if we'd been to church; Dianne Reeves scatting and singing a softer jazz; a live simulcast of Delbert McClinton who looked liked he'd been out on a binge the night before; Septeto Nacional de Cuba, with sounds similar to the Buena Vista Social Club (that I love); and a young uke player, Jake Shimabukuro, who played everything from "Hallelujah" to classical to rock on just four strings.

But our favorite, and the crowd's and critics' too, was Trombone Shorty and his Orleans Avenue band from New Orleans. He rocked the house and had people dancing in the aisles. People were packed into the Garden Stage area and even hanging from the trees. He's only 23 years old (the oldest in his band is 27) and he was sensational!

Harry Connick, Jr. performed on Sunday night in the main arena. We could hear him from the RV, but I walked across the golf course to get a bit closer. It was almost as good as being there.

San Francisco Bay

Couldn't resist a stopover in the bay area. From our RV site in Redwood City, we made day trips into San Francisco and over the hill to Half Moon Bay. The above photo is Gene overlooking the entrance to San Francisco Bay from the Cliff House where we had drinks and watched the waves crashing on rocks below.


The day was sunny and bright as sailboats screamed under the Golden Gate Bridge. We counted about 20 kite surfers just east of the bridge in the Bay.


The city scape as seen from Lincoln Park. From here we drove past the St. Francis Yacht Club and over to Fisherman's Warf where we had dinner at Gene's favorite restaurant, Scoma's.


We read a San Francisco Chronicle review of Sam's Chowder House in Half Moon Bay and decided to try it. The lobster roll is rated as one of the five best sandwiches in the U.S. . . and it was!

Texas Hold 'Em

Gene with Marilyn and Don Romelli and Don's son Mark. He plays Texas Hold 'Em professionally and is known as "Mark the Shark".

I love Texas Hold 'Em. It's one of those games on TV that captures my attention, and like a nice hot shower, I can't turn it off! While we were in Bodega Bay, we met up with Marilyn, Don and Mark. He taught us the game, I got some lucky flops and in the end had most of the chips!

What made the evening even more enjoyable was Marilyn's minestrone soup. She started cooking it four days in advance, brought french bread to sop it up, and served some great California wines.

Mark lives atop a mountain just inland from Bodega Bay. We took a walk past vinyards, towering eucalyptus trees and views of the fog rolling in over the foothills below. Quite a location and an unforgettable evening!

Bodega Bay with Family

Bodgea Bay, just north of Point Reyes, has lots to offer, including whales that are feeding on krill just off Bodega Head. Crowds of people lined the cliffs to watch the whales spouting and slowing moving through the water. Crashing waves, sandy beaches, dairies and cattle ranches that run right down to the ocean, friendly people, seafood restaurants . . . we didn't run out of things to do!


My sister Carol flew up to San Francisco and joined us in Bodega Bay. Nephew Kurt Munzinger and his family, wife Lauren and three-year-old Max, drove up from San Francisco, too. Max is showing Carol how to select an app . . . he loves computers!


Lauren, Kurt and Max in front of a bell tower behind the community center in Bodega Bay. The bell tower is dedicated to children everywhere and built in memory of a seven year old from Bodega who was murdered in Italy by highway robbers. His organs were donated to seven Italians whose names are inscribed on the largest bell along with the boy who died. The bells were donated by churches and people from Italy, the largest of which was blessed by the Pope.


Max had fun in the RV!


On Saturday night, we drove to Tomales Bay and had dinner at Nick's Cove. The restaurant juts out over the bay and a long pier leads to a boat shack where there is a cozy fire and drinks are served. It's filled with old motors, fishing gear, a 1950s era gas pump, as well as a row boat that hangs from the ceiling.


The Munzingers stayed at The Inn at the Tides. The sunny weather was perfect for enjoying the pool.

The Redwood Highway

Redwood National Park and several California state parks protect the giant coastal redwoods that are the tallest trees on earth. We camped near Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, crossed the Smith River on a plank walking bridge, and walked among the giant trees of Stout Grove. The Redwood Highway (Rte. 101) starts near Crescent City and ends . . . well we haven't reached the end yet. We should on Friday when we leave Eureka and drive to Leggett, CA where we'll be for four days.


Each giant redwood soaks up about 500 gallons of water a day! A big percentage of that comes from coastal fog, common in the summer.


This golden bear greeted us as we crossed the Klamath River. There were many salmon fishermen here, too.


Herds of Roosevelt Elk are protected in the national park. Their numbers were down to only 25 at one time, but they are making a comeback.




We brake for berries! Picked these along the Klamath River and made cobbler.

Final Days in Oregon

Our final few days were spent in Brookings. The first day was warm and sunny with just a slight breeze. Day two was rainy and foggy. Day three . . . perfect again. We left Oregon reluctantly but with wonderful memories of incredible scenery and fun times with cousins and friends.


Oregon has wonderful state parks all along the coast. One overlook within easy walking distance gives you a view of three arches.


This single arch is one of the most popular sites visited by tourists.


There was a fishing tournament underway. As we passed over the Rogue River, we could see fishing boats below.


We spent the night parked near the Port Orford pier. From our front window we watched whales spouting in the bay, fishing boats getting lifted out of the water and locals walking their dogs on the beach. A true "room with a view".