Roger is 65!!!!

Roger turned 65 and is now all enrolled in Medicare---at least we think he is!! I am still working with Blue Shield to confirm automatic payments are in place. We may have to come back to the states just to get it all sorted out.

Rob organized a family present for Rog --a new rod and reel to replace the one that went with a fish on our last Ha ha adventure. Rob decided on a Shimano 2 speed gold reel and Shimano Tallus rod. He loaded this with 150 lb test after loosing another "big one" on the trip from Long Beach to San Diego. Rob does not really want to be a catch and release expert. Now there are no excuses expected. More to follow on this subject.

Joe had a great chat with Ina and got all caught up on family details including what she might be knitting next!!

We were lucky enougth to get the family together for a brunch at the Long Beach Yacht Club. You will notice that they seated us outside so we could make as much noise as we wanted. Beautiful day for the celebration too.

Ina brought Nolan down to celebrate. He is looking very strong and added great merriment to the gathering. Ina did not bring her famous brownies down.

Joe also got to hug Grandmother Mary. Don't ask about the get up he has on, way too long a story. He gave one of these T-shirts to Rog who said he would never wear it however he did and has never had so many positive retorts about a shirt he was wearing. Since then we have gone out and bought the video Fast times at Ridgemont High just to understand.

We all got to talk to Jennifer while we were gathered around the table. Jen had decided not to fly in for the event and we all missed her terribly. Roger just did not want her taking any chances because he has already bought Di a plane ticket for March of next year.

We loved having our new family join us for the party. Melissa, her mother Betty and sister Liz all enjoyed the beautiful sunshine we had. Yes Fred came down too

Somehow I did not get a photo with Gail and Bill Silva together so here is one with Gail, Roger and Fred--all parts of our new expanded family.

Paddle Boarding

After an afternoon on shore with the kids we decided it was time to try paddle boarding. We had a great time and shared many laughs. Rog was an instant hit--as in hit the water just moments after standing up. Stacy was the lucky photographer that captured this Kodak moment.

No Harm done. He would manage to get back on board.

Liz had the best balance of the group. She didn't fall until Joe just managed to nudge her board just a bit too hard Di even gave it a try!! Notice, I hold the paddle just like I am trying to stir a pot. Later I learned that one hand goes on the top of the paddle, who knew. Di did stay dry because she knew once she went down there would be no getting up.

Joe had a rather wet start, falling repeatedly at first. Although Joe is a fabulous surfer who would have thought paddle boarding could be different enough to be challenging. Melissa only went down in order to cool off. She wanted to check out this beautiful Stevens that had just arrived at the harbor

Stacy was the one who organized the activity and we were glad she did. You do notice that there is no picture of Rob on a board--he was over on his boat getting the traps ready to go out for lobster. We wouldn't see him for hours.

We finally decided it was more fun to sit on the boards than try to ride out the wakes from all the boats going through the harbor. Paddle boarding for novices should be done in a vary quiet bay not where there is as much activity as Avalon. Think we will all try this again one day behind Jen's house in warmer water.

The Fishermen Arrive

One of our goals while heading to Mexico was to spend time with all our family in Southern California. The kick off party was held over at Avalon and started on Friday late in the afternoon. We had expected the boys around 1pm but did not know in fishing talk that meant when they ran out of bait or lost the big one. Yes Rob had Walter on the line and he kept insisting he was a 50lb white sea bass. Rocks or seaweed would have never made the line run out like the hit Rob said he took. This was the only fish we saw all weekend and a great deal of time was spent fishing!!!
Actually, Rob and Joe went out for lobster on opening night and did bring home one legal size lobster that we enjoyed after all the kids went home.

Joe arrived with the perfect beer cozzies--Volcom in Paradise in teal to match the boat. Mom quickly absconded with all he had.


Heading to shore was always a big production, no way you could get seven in our dingy and the shore boat was way to expensive for all of us. Maneuvering around the dingy dock took some expertise so Rog was always willing to escort the girls.

Once we got ashore one of our goals was to find the best "Buffalo Milks" and Rob was convinced it took an entire pitcher to properly test the mix!! We found the best were at the Dollar Taco-$2.00 beer stand next to the golf course. Unfortunately we found this spot after the kids went home so we tested it with Marilyn and Eric. They also agreed that these were the best drinks on the island. Tacos were very good too!!

Stacy came over on a later ferry than Melissa and her sister Liz but was quick to get caught up on all the family gossip. It was here that we decided to rent paddle boards later in the day and I will post those pictures later.

Sleeping arrangements were a little tight with 5 guests on board but it worked. Rob and Stacy took the dinette while Joe slept on the two reclining chairs after Roger laid out a cockpit pad for him. Melissa and her sister Liz were very comfortable in the forward berth. Di was just grateful that no one came to visit and saw how quickly our boat turned into a college dorm room.

Yes, Joe is sleeping on the reclining chairs!!!

Sunday morning was spent catching bait fish for the trip back home. Stacy had wisely taken the 10am ferry because she knew there would be some stopping at kelp paddies if she had taken Rob's boat home. As it turns out, at one such stop a very large whale decided to make an appearance right next to Rob's 17ft boat. That is no fish story. Melissa and Liz spent the morning on a 3hr bike ride up and down the hills of Catalina Island that left them a bit exhausted. They recommended Di not try the trip.

The weekend came to an end just as it had started, the boys leaving in Rob's boat. Lots of fun was had by all, the boat could be cleaned and was no worse for the wear. Mom will recover from an evening spent with her sons at The Marlin Club.