Summer comes to Moss Beach

We have had a bit of summer, here - it's been Moss Beach, HI!!

We had sunshine on Sunday, and Monday, but it really got HOT on Tuesday.  We took advantage of the wonderful warm weather, spent lots of time on the deck, and ate all three meals outside.  It was glorious!  But, alas, it didn't last long - the fog has moved back in, and we're back in the low 60's.  Poor Andy and Linda - they're going to freeze when they get her on September 1st from Australia!
Also, we've now had several successful bike rides, and we're increasing our distance each time.  We're really enjoying adding bike rides to our regular walks.

Here's the temperature on the deck at 6:30 pm on Tuesday!

Lee, enjoying the wonderful, warm weather

Bistro table set for dinner.

Life is good!

Moss Beach Improvements/Acquisitions!

Improvement!!

The following agencies have constructed the "stairway to the sea" at the south end of the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve!  The stairway leads down to a great beach, lots of sand, and waves.  The problem was that it was very difficult to get to!  We used to be able to walk down the beach to it from the Reserve, but a few years ago a "club" of harbor seals decided to make the beach just south of the reserve their home, which made it off limits to us humans.  Now everyone can enjoy the beach!  Great improvement!!

The organizations that funded this project

At the top - looking down!  You can see that there is a look-out point to the right of the first set of stairs.

And down some more!!  95 steps down, to be exact!

Lee, coming down the stairs.  You can see that it was a gray, cool day!

And back up!  The 95 steps down and up provide a mini work-out!

Improvement!!

In our quest for additional storage space, we decided that the tall cabinet by the stove was being under utilized.  We remedied that by relocating the ironing board, and Lee added two shelves for additional storage.  I painted the inside of the cabinet, and put contact-paper on the shelves, and then we were ready to reorganize!  We love it!

Acquisition!!

As you know, I have not had very good luck with bicycle riding - having had zero successful bike rides in the previous two attempts.  To say that I'm leery of bikes would be an understatement - they just don't like me!  However, I decided that I just didn't have the RIGHT bike!  I stopped short of an adult tricycle, but I got this great Schwinn "cruiser" style bike - NO gears, high handle bars, comfortable (relatively!) seat, and most important - the "step-through" feature.  In other words, a "girls bike".  And, it's PINK!  We've been on two bike rides now and I haven't crashed!  My confidence is building (slowly) and we are enjoying biking the Coastside Trail.  In time I might even be confident enough to get out on the road....  hey - it could happen!

On the Coastside trail

How could you not love this bike?

I enjoyed our ride more today - I didn't feel like I was going to die at any minute!  And I know that it's just going to get better and better!

Lee is a pro on his bike!  This is a great shot of him next to a stand of "naked ladies" on the Coastside trail

Acquisition and Improvement!!

We got a dishwasher!!  There's now something here  besides us that washes dishes!!  It's a portable, full sized dishwasher, and fits quite nicely next to the cabinet.  The top of it is very similar to our counter tops, too.  It's great to not have the dish drainer out all the time.  We actually have more counter space now!  Our table that has occupied that space for 13 years has found a new home, courtesy of Freecycle!  The dishwasher ran it's first cycle last night (two days worth of dishes), did a great job and is really quiet!!  I'm THRILLED!!

Our new toy!!

Jim's visit and birthday...

On Friday, the 13th, Jim and Rex came for a visit, and to celebrate Jim's birthday!  We were so pleased, as it had been more than a year since they had been up our way.

This was "plan B", as we had all planned to converge at Gary and Joyce's house in the mountains, and celebrate together, but unfortunately, Gary caught a cold, and was feeling miserable, so we decided it would be much better for him to rest, and the rest of us to not be exposed!  Since Jim had already gotten Friday and Monday off from work, he came up here, instead.

It took Rex a day or so to settle in, but then he was right at home - as long as Jim was in sight!

We teased Jim on his birthday - we still had the i-Pad box that Alisha's i-Pad had come in, and Lee had told Jim that he was thinking of getting him one, too.  Jim told us in no uncertain terms that he did NOT want an i-Pad.  So, we got him a t-shirt, and wrapped it up in the i-Pad box!
He didn't look overjoyed when he saw the i-Pad box, but was much happier when he found out that the box actually contained a t-shirt!  Sorry, Jim - we couldn't resist!

The other gift we got him was actually for me!  I enjoy cooking when we are down at Jim's, but his large skillet was badly needing replacing!  So, we did.  I'm looking forward to using it the next time we are at Jims.

We really didn't do much while Jim and Rex were here.  On Saturday we went into Half Moon Bay and had a wander around there.  It had been ages since Jim had been there, and thought that HMB is becoming a small Carmel.  We picked up some bread at the bakery, and had a frozen yogurt at the new shop that has opened up on Main Street.

On Sunday we walked up to the lighthouse.  You can see that it was ANOTHER gray, foggy, gloomy day!  We were all in jackets, as it was windy, as well.  But it was good to get out and get some fresh air, if not sunshine!

Jim left after breakfast on Monday, to go home and get ready for reality on Tuesday!  I remember what that's like!

Thanks for coming to visit, Jim, and happy birthday!!  Remember:  Old Guys Rule!!

Jim and his "i-Pad".  You can see that he was not very excited about it!

Yay!  An "Old Guys Rule" t-shirt!  Much better!

As Jim is opening this large box, he's telling us that he doesn't need anything, and that he doesn't have any place to put anything this big.

A 12 inch skillet, with lid!  As we say:  "brick in - brick out".  So this skillet can live where the old one did.  No extra room required.

Up at the lighthouse - you can see that the ocean and sky are nearly the same color - gray and drab!  The flags are standing out in the wind, and we were all bundled up!

Dylan and Haley's visit

Our grandson, Dylan and his girlfriend, Haley, came for a visit!  It was their summer vacation, before Haley's senior year in high school, and Dylan's freshman year in college.  Dylan had been working a lot, and they were both ready for a holiday!

They flew into Oakland on July 26th.  We had lots of activities planned for them.  High on their list was a trip to the outlets, for some serious shopping, some of the tourist attractions in San Francisco, a Giants game and Teatro Zinzanni.  We managed to work all of that in, as well as some other activities that we came up with.  We also made sure that they had plenty of beach and bike riding time.

Unfortunately, they left warm, sunny Aldergrove and came to cold, foggy Moss Beach, but we made a point of searching out the sun, so we could make sure that it was still there!  We had a great visit with them, and enjoyed having them here!

Here we come...

This is a required photo opportunity - Dylan and Haley with the giant century cactus bloom!

A nice shot of the kids with the sun going down behind them.

Dylan and Haley at the beach

If you enlarge this picture, you will see the harbor seals dozing on the beach behind them.

The tide was low enough that the little sea creatures were exposed.

Haley spots a sea anemone!

And gets a closer view

Beginning a sea glass hunt!

Haley's looking for sea glass.  The kids looked for sea glass every evening, and gathered enough to make a mosaic on a piece of drift wood - a great souvenir

A beautiful sunset

Watching the sunset

Dylan, relaxing with his new laptop

Haley, having some quality reading time

Playing in the trees

A great backdrop for a photo!

Dylan, Haley and Grandpa

The giant coke bottle and baseball glove at the Giants ball park.  It was a great day, but, sadly, the Giants lost badly - they were shut out!

There's nothing like eating at the ballpark!

We found some serious sun and warm weather in Santa Cruz!  We went on a Friday and in addition to all of the rides and surf, there was a free concert!  Who remembers Eddie Money?  Grandpa and I spent the day on the beach, soaking up the sun and reading.  You can see our umbrella in the middle of the picture.

Dylan and Haley rode all of the rides - most of them multiple times!

Off to the beach!  The kids were really looking forward to swimming.

It didn't take them long to decide that the water was for watching, not for swimming - it's really cold!

But here's a good way to warm up!  And yes, they had sunscreen on!

Ok, it looks like we had one good day while they were here!  The kids took the buckets and shovels, and headed to the beach to build sand castles!

And here's the results of their labor!

On Sunday we went to the zoo!  It was pretty cold, but we had a great time.

I love this picture!  I have one just like it, with Patience and Jordyn!

We took full advantage of all of the photo opportunities!

Haley, on the lioness

And, Dylan, too!

Fun in the gift shop!

Riding on the bear

Haley didn't look too excited about being a spider!

Here's Dylan as a spider, too!  He's a bit too tall.

Another pose with the baby elephant

We went to Pier 39, and saw this sign, posted in front of this:

It looks like a very large macaroni noodle - not sure why!

Lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe.  It was really good

While shopping at Fisherman's Wharf, Haley and Dylan found these great Sesame Street sweatshirts!

At the Hard Rock Cafe!

Watching the sea lions at Pier 39 - It was a bit cold and windy!

We went to the Hyde Street pier, and toured some of the old sailing ships moored there.  Here are Haley and Dylan in the bunks!  These were not cruise ships!!

This ship was build in England in the 1800's.  Here are Dylan and Haley doing their "king of the world" imitation!

We took a drive down to the Monterey Aquarium, and went through Castroville.  Dylan LOVES artichokes, and wanted a shot of this sign.

Here's Dylan with the giant artichoke.  Of course, we brought home some artichokes for dinner

Dylan was a happy camper, with three artichokes to start with for dinner

A picture with the penguins at the Monterey Bay Aquarium!

This was a great shot, with the jelly fish in the back ground.

Dylan and Haley in the giant clam

The Monterey aquarium has a fabulous sea horse exhibit.  This is a model of a male sea horse, giving live birth!

Dylan starred in a commercial for saving energy!

Oops!  this is sideways for some reason!  Dylan and Haley took a picnic lunch and hopped on the bikes for a ride into Half Moon Bay.  The Coast side trail is a great, flat trail that goes from Miramar into Half Moon Bay

Haley had a bike crash!!

NOT happy!!

Dylan on his bike

On the last day of their visit, we went to the Academy of Science in Golden Gate park.

The albino alligator with the kids in the background

And then we reversed the shot!

We saw the exhibit of Extreme Mammals - this guy was one of them!

This gives you an idea of the size of this beast!

Watching the tropical fish feeding

We went to Teatro Zinzanni on Thursday night.

Teatro Zinzanni is a dinner theater, with a fabulous revue-type show.

In the lobby, before the show starts

And here are the four of us at our table.

And then, it's time for reality!  Dylan and Haley, checking in at the airport.

At this point, we were hoping that their luggage wasn't overweight!  And it wasn't!

Sad to have the vacation over!

As you can see, we had a great time!  We kept busy and did lots of thing, but also had some time to just hang out and relax.  There were many times that there were four laptops going at one time, as everyone checked e-mail, facebook, etc!

And now Dylan is back in the groove at work, and Haley is looking for a job as well.  They will both be starting school in a few weeks, so it was great for them to have this opportunity to play tourist in San Francisco and environs!

Thanks for coming, kids!  We love you!