June 13, 2023

 Tuesday June 13, 2023

Blog time 1630 on June 16, 2023 at Hampton Inn

Since our arrival in LA area we have visited Steve and family in Long Beach. Attended a Graduation party on Sunday for Grandson Lucas.

The Graduation party was well attended.  We met Veronica’s cousins and their spouses.  Lucas had many friends.  We spent time with his girlfriends parents.  Nice couple.

Veronica and Steve hired a couple to prepare tacos. The tacos were great.  But my favorite was the churros. 

Wednesday is big day for Alessandra who is graduating from middle school.  Grandson Lucas is graduating from Long Beach Poly HS also on Wednesday.

We hung out on Monday and Tuesday getting ready for big day. Monday Steve took us on a tour of UCIrvine.  Tuesday Nancy and I took a walk to n the beach with Missy and AJ.

June 10, 2023

 Saturday June 10, 2023

Blog time 1600 on Friday June 16 sitting outside Hampton Suites.  Yes I am way behind.

Travel day.

Loaded up Debbie’s Honda and headed to LA.  We drove I5 to Missy’s condo in LA.  Debbie and Nancy in front and I sat in back with Violet.

Pleasant drive of a little over four hours.  Drove through the valley.  Signs everywhere saying to protect agriculture’s water.  The environmental lobby is against large agriculture using water for crops.  

We arrived at Missy’s Brentwood condo in early afternoon.  Dropped off Violet and headed to Hampton Inn in Long Beach. We will stay in LB until the 18th. 

June 9, 2023

 Friday June 9, 2023

Blog time 1730, sitting at Debbie’s dining room table.

Up this morning at 0600.  Sunrise today in SJ was at 0546, temp in 50s.  

Debbie is working at home today.  First thing Nancy and I took Violet on a short mile walk.  

Later we walked to the Donut Shop for coffee and donuts.  Great donuts.  Nancy and I were the only English speaking customers.  Steady stream of customers buying donuts to take to work.

At home I put on bike clothes and took a ten mile ride on the Los Gatos Creek trail.  Once again traffic was heavy on the trail.  The first 5 miles I am pedaling uphill.  The trip home is downhill. Took a quick shower followed by short nap.

Spent quiet evening.  We did take Violet on a mile walk.  Another cool day.   The locals call it June gloom.

June 8, 2023

 Thursday June 8, 2023

Blog time 1030 at Debbie’s house in San Jose.

Woke up to sun and mid 50 temps at 0600.

Both Nancy and I slept well.

Debbie worked at home until early morning then headed to Apple’s office.  Will return later this afternoon.

First thing I put collar on Violet,  Debbie’s dog and took her for a 90 minute walk.  

At home (Debbie’s ) we locked up and Nancy and I walked to Donut shop for coffee and donuts.  It was sunny but cool.  Temp in 50s.  We overindulged in our selection of baked goods.

At home I started getting caught up on blogs. Also read the morning papers.  

Last year I had Ada Bike box up my Nishiki single speed bike and ship it to Debbie in San Jose.  Today I opened the box and started putting it together.  I did make a FaceTime call to Ada to make sure I had the handle bars attached properly.  I did.  

Pumped up the tires and took an 8 mile ride on the Los Gatos Creek bike trail.  The trail is flat so I had no problems with the single speed.  Traffic on the trail was heavy.  Great ride.

At home showered and shaved before a light lunch.  Debbie got home from work about 1700.  We took a short ride to a sports store.  I am looking to replace my Chaco vented walking shoes.  No luck.  I did buy bike shorts and gloves that I had left at home.

For dinner tonight Debbie and I had salmon with pesto sauce.  Nancy only had toast.  

After dinner we took Violet on a short walk. Spent the rest of the evening talking.

Nancy and I were in bed at 2130.  A very pleasant day.  Temperature was in 50s at bed time.  San Jose’s weather has been cooler the GRs.  

June 7, 2023

 Wednesday June 7, 2023

Blog time 1000 on Thursday sitting at dining table in Debbie’s house in San Jose.

Wednesday Morning June 7, big travel day.

Up with alarm at 0500.

Arrived at airport at 0630.  No problems checking in or getting through Security.  

Plane was right on time.  Trip to Denver went without a hitch.  Smooth flight.  Layover in Denver about 2 hours.

Boarded plane to San Jose on time. After being seated we’re told a slight delay for a maintenance issue.

An hour later were told the problem will take some time to correct.  However, they found another plane.  We got off and headed to new plane. Our bags were transferred, as was all the food. 90 minutes later we were on our way to San Jose.  Just like the song.

Debbie met us at the airport and drove us to her nice home.  For dinner tonight Debbie cooked a salmon with pesto sauce.  Very good.

I opened a bottle of red wine and we all sat at the dining table and talked.  We were in bed by 2200 PDT.  

June 6, 202

 Tuesday June 6, 2023

Blog time 0945 on Thursday sitting at dining room table in Debbie’s house, San Jose, California.  

Tuesday morning up at 0715.  Temp outside in 50s with sun.

Because we must spend time packing for our trip to Ca I am going to do my exercise routine at 50%.  

Took short bike route to MVP.  Calisthenics as mentioned earlier at 50%.

Stopped at coffee shop in Talsma’s Furniture Store.  Purchased coffee and bagel.  Read the Mi newspapers.  Before heading home.  Total miles 7.5.

Nancy and I started packing.  We are going for 14 days.  It is difficult deciding what to pack.  Bike clothes for San Jose.  Nice clothes for Grandkids graduations in Long Beach.  We also are meeting with Missy and AJ.  We hace a set of white tail deer antlers for AJ.  We both are taking our large suitcases.

We finally were packed in late afternoon.  I put the bags in the Escape before going to Happy Hour.  Spent 45 minutes at HH before before heading to Dining room.

I had made reservations for Monday and Tuesday dinner using Cook Valley’s app.  Both were for 0545 seating.  

When we got to the dining room we could not find our name on any of the tables.  I showed the manager our reservation on their app.  She said that for Tuesday I forgot to push confirm.  They would not let us have dinner.  Bummer!  As you might expect I was not a happy camper.

We were in bed by 2200.  Busy day tomorrow.

June 5, 2023

 Monday June 5, 2023

Blog time 1635 sitting at desk in sunroom.

Up at 0725.  Dressed in bike clothes, had an apple for breakfast.  Today I am attending the Cook Valley Men’s monthly meeting at 1100.

As usual I biked to MVP.  Normal Monday crowd.

After workout I head straight home.  Total miles 9.

 Quickly showered and made it to the Men’s meeting at 1100.  About 20 men attended.  Coffee and rolls were provided.  

Several men had questions about the new meal plan for long time residents.  The new costs are significant.  However, being new residents we are not impacted.  The best part of the meeting was the joke session.  Bruce Barnhart was on top of his game with several great jokes.

Lunch and then brought up suitcases from locker.  We started packing for our trip to CA on Wednesday.

Tonight we attended Happy Hour followed by dinner in the main dining room. 

We watched an episode of “Happy Valley”.  Of course we must wait another week for another episode.

Warm sunny weather continues tomorrow.