Home Again, Home Again

We are now back home in Phoenix after spending five months on the road. Our last week was spent in the San Diego area. Gene loves it there having lived in San Diego off and on during his Naval career. He zips around town with ease, and I get to go along for the ride.

We visited our friends Ellie and Dennis Knight in Fallbrook for a few days, lounged around their pool, picked avocados and fruit from their trees, and headed back to Fiddler's Cove near Coronado with bags of goodies. The Knights have such a beautiful home and property . . . it's always a treat to visit them.

As we were sitting in the RV gazing out the front window at San Diego Bay, the Coronado Bridge and the city and mountains beyond, we began counting our blessings. Safe travels, good health, five years of marriage, visits with family and friends, and a "room with a view" wherever we go. We love "RV-ing". And the climate in San Diego is the best in the country. We truly believe that.

Which is why we decided to make a donation to Friends of the Orphans. We are enjoying ideal conditions while the children's home in Haiti has been damaged by recent storms. Four storms, some hurricane strength, to be exact. Despite their own problems, they extend a helping hand to their community by delivering water and supplies to areas of their country that have been totally wiped out. Hundreds have died. Thousands are homeless and without food and water. Crops and houses have been destroyed. So, if you, like us, have much for which to be thankful, consider sending a donation (any amount will help) to: Friends of the Orphans, 85 Algonquin Road, Suite 395, Arlington Heights, IL 60005. Mark it "Haiti Flood Relief". I know firsthand that it will be put to good use. Thank you.

For a report on the damage in Haiti and what FOTO is doing to help, go to: www.friendsoftheorphans.org.

A Rose Named "Sue Streeper"

How'd you like to have a rose named after you? Barbra Streisand, Rosie O'Donnell and Queen Elizabeth are a few who can claim that honor. So can a friend of ours, Sue Streeper. Sue is married to Dick Streeper who grew up with Gene in the foothills of Pasadena. He also attended the California Maritime Academy a year after Gene, along with another buddy, John Cade. John contacted Dick, and the six of us, including John's wife Phyl, spent an evening together in the Streeper's backyard garden this week.

Imagine this setting: a yard 200 feet deep terraced with block walls, fences and wood trellises; a sun getting ready to set and long shadows playing across the lawn and glancing off an array of colors; hundreds of rose bushes lining winding paths and climing over walls; and a table set with candles aglow waiting for twilight. It was magical.

Dick is an expert rose grower (there must be a more professional title). For years he's written a column for the San Diego Union-Tribune and is known internationally as a judge in rose competitions and a designer of gardens as far away as China. He was a founder and inspiration for the rose garden at Balboa Park, one I've visited again and again. Sue is his partner in this labor of love. They bought their home in El Cajon over 40 years ago and slowly turned the garden into the showcase it is today.

Each morning Sue is outdoors early, weeding, trimming, feeding; Dick comes out a bit later, heads to the potting shed or greenhouse where his genius takes over and he creates new varieties . . . like the "Sue Streeper", a living, growing reflection of his love of life and the love of his life, Sue. I am jealous!

I can imagine my roses in Phoenix in shock and suffering through the heat of August while the Streeper's garden is flourishing. I can't imagine what it must be like in Spring at its peak bloom, but I hope we can get back to see it.

A Tug Boat Ride

Our main purpose for being in San Diego this week, besides NOT being in Phoenix where it is still too hot, was to attend a reunion of the California Maritime Academy, Class of '53. The classmates and longtime buddies are all in their mid 70's and they have vowed to get together every two years while they are all still mobile and eager to do so.

The Pete Mattsons and Lou Tejedas (photo attached) organized this year's events, the first being a cocktail party at the Mattsons in Coronado, CA. They live on the water in the Coronado Cays area south of Fiddlers Cove where Liberty Call once was berthed. They have a dock right off their back patio where they tie up "After Hours", their Nordic tug.

On day two of the reunion, those who wanted a ride across San Diego Bay showed up at the Mattsons. Many of these grads had careers on the water . . . Gene in the Navy, others in shipping or engineering. They took turns at the helm and enjoyed being back at sea, if only for a few hours.

We visited again that night at the South Bay Fish & Grill in Chula Vista and selected Tom Hunter as chairman of the next reunion. Out of a class of 61, 17 attended, 25 are deceased, 4 can't be located and 15 were unable to attend. Attached are a few photos from the reunion.

Thanks for the Memories

There are a few great new sculptures next to the Midway in San Diego. One is of Bob Hope standing in front of the troops. All are bigger than life size and all branches of the military are represented. Another is a GIGANTIC sculpture of the sailor kissing the nurse which was from a photo taken in NYC at the end of WWII. If you get a chance . . . stop and see these great pieces of art.

A Day at the Races

Their slogan is "Where the surf meets the turf---in Del Mar!" The month of August is racing month at the famous track. I remember visiting here as a teenager. My Uncle Jack and Aunt Margaret moved here from Chicago. He had been transferred by the USPS and ended up delivering mail in La Jolla. He was lucky not to have been restationed in Phoenix. We always wondered why Mom and Dad stopped in Phoenix (in August 1956) and didn't keep driving to the coast.

Each summer promised one or two weeks at the beach. My cousin Carol was a year older, so I buddied up with her. Everyday we'd grab our beach gear, head down the hill, cross Highway 1 and then billy-goat our way down the steep bluff to the shore. I tried to learn body surfing and more than once got pounded into the sand by a misjudged wave. A healthy fear of the ocean is still engrained in my psyche . . . pun intended.

Yesterday, Gene and I picked up my son Glen and his girlfriend, Julie, who is visiting him for the weekend. We headed to the race track with Glen humming the "surf meets the turf" tune. He's heard it over and over on the radio. Attendance is way down this year. A day earlier they'd had their lowest attendance in years.

It turned out to be a fun afternoon. Glen had never been to a horse race, and Julie had a perpetual "glad to be out of hellish Phoenix" grin on her face. Gene and I each bet $2 per race for 7 races. Total spent: $28. We had two small wins early and then picked the winners in the final two races. Total winnings: $33. Net gain: $5 and lots of laughs. Pretty cheap entertainment. Maybe next year we'll double our bets.

The RV is parked at Adm. Baker Recreation Area in Mission Valley. We'll be here until Sept. 7 and then move to Fiddler's Cove near Coronado for four nights. On Friday, September 12, we'll head to Phoenix. Hope it's a little cooler by then!

Have Your Cake and Eat It Too!

Having grandkids in an RV can be interesting. After a big breakfast of scrambled eggs, sausage, toast and juice, Shawnda bet Riley that he couldn't eat a HUGE piece of cake (left over from the anniversary picnic) in five minutes. If he did, she'd give him $5. I think the money was the big incentive. As he struggled with the final bites, I grabbed my camera. A great photo op! Here are photos of Riley eating the cake and waving his winnings.

Fifth Anniversary Beach Party

The big day finally arrived. We spent the morning running errands . . . picking up the catered food, cake from Costco and a fish balloon. Got to the beach and had help setting everything up. We counted 60 people . . . family, friends and DPYC buddies. Everybody had fun visiting, eating and drinking and enjoying the beautiful day. Some swam in the ocean, a few played bocci ball, but most of us just sat around talking and catching up. Wendy gave the boys some money to rent bikes (see photo of Riley). Dave Booker took the boys out fishing that day and they caught lots of fish!

We sang Happy Birthday to all those with August birthdays, then cut and served the anniversary cake. Dennis and Ellie Knight brought avocados from their grove to share with the crowd. Toward evening, we built a bonfire and, of course, made s'mores.

Thanks to all who came and shared this special day with us. We loved it!!!