Christmas in San Diego, 2013 Las Vegas Welcome and Phoenix

 

Hello Family and Friends,
When we last communicated we had left North of LA from Santa Clarita after our visit with friends in North Hollywood CA. The Lew Goldstein Family gave us quite the tour of their neighborhood which is the home of many TV Actors and Movie Stars. It was legendary being among the Rich and Famous. Their hospitality made our visit so much fun. Steve Carell's home across the street from Lew was of particular interest to Mike since he has an 18 car basement garage with a car elevator...some 6 weeks later, Mike has finally quit drooling. We were quite the sight pulling up in front of Lew's home in our 1991 Toyota Celica...I know security was biting their lip.





While in the area we made a quick trip to the end of Route 66 at The Santa Monica Pier.

We took the back way into San Diego, East to 210, Riverside and then I15 South to Diego. We were able to bypass LA traffic which when driving this motorhome seemed like a no brainer.

Found San Diego RV Resort adjacent to "The 8" and beside the 70th Street Trolley Station. The views were not what we were used to but the convenience was excellent. We utilized the Trolley System quite a bit...loved the convenience. San Diego has a wonderful transit system.
We quickly set up between 2 palm trees...fun time backing into that spot but Mike did an incredible job. Then headed to Cardiff By The Sea on 101 to meet Cousin Mike and family. Mike had Margaritas waiting for us when we arrived at Los Olas. Yeaaaaaaaaaaaa! We had many outings with Mike, Kate, Maddox and Sydney throughout the month of Dec. La Jolla Cove during unusual stormy10 ft waves was an extraordinary sight. Farmers Market, Beers and Burgers at our motorhome, Christmas at Rancho Bernardo Winery, many relaxing dinners (Cardiff Crack- a Tri Tip Roast in a Burgandy Sauce, was our favorite), Kate's Birthday celebration at Pacific Grill, Cardiff By The Sea and  watching the kids open gifts on magical Christmas morning. Cousin Mike, being the excellent host, took my Mike and his Best Friend Denny to Torrey Pines Golf Course for a round of golf. This course has been on Mike's wishlist for years.

 

 

Denny and Janet from Hershey, PA were in Carlsbad visiting their daughter Erin, while we were in San Diego. What an added bit of fun for Mike and me since they are both incredible friends. Although time with them was limited, it sure was special.

The stay in San Diego went fast. I, Debi, love San Diego and want to spend a few winters here in the future. Wink Wink. We visited all the usual Tourist spots- Old Town, Gaslight District, Balboa Park. Coronado Island, San Diego Harbor, Seaside Village and many beaches.

Lizi and Maxi loved going to The Dog Beach at Ocean Beach every chance they could. Lunch at Hodad's after hours at Dog Beach added to the interesting places/people. We also went to Del Mar Dog Beach which was even nicer. Ocean Beach is funky where as Del Mar Beach is beautiful.

We met many nice people at San Diego RV Park. Our neighbors Steve and Karin were fun and kind. They are in San Diego doing a mission trip for the Mormon Battalion, Old Town San Diego. We thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them. The Mormon Battalion is an integral part of California history when in 1846 the U.S. military enlisted the Mormon Battalion to march 2000 miles from Iowa to San Diego. The historic site was an interesting interactive tour.

Meeting the Dannas,  Paul, Tracy and their children at SeaWorld was a hoot. We went with cousins Mike, Kate and children so a fun day.

Mike found a way to investigate the area's health care systems with stops at San Diego's Kaiser Clinic and Hospital for abdominal pains which they thought was just a bug. After going to Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas, it was determined through a CT Scan that Mike had a kidney stone. He gave birth to several tiny broken up stones app. a week later in Las Vegas.

After a day in San Diego Kaiser Clinics with mega pain, Mike lost his mind and decided to trade in our 2003 Gas Itasca/ 2 slides Motorhome on a 2004 40 ft Diesel Pusher with 3 slides. La Mesa RV in San Diego turned out to be an impressive RV Dealership. For any of you thinking about purchasing, they really are a class act. They kept every promise...and more. Delivery was made in Yuma AZ to avoid CA taxes since we are non-residents. Mike loves driving a diesel pusher and we love the ride, stability and upgraded spaciousness of our new rig. Having a washer/dryer onboard is also an added plus.

Vegas is the next stop to meet Roger and Toshi to bring in 2013. It was quite the experience being downtown Vegas to bring in the New Year. Fireworks Displays were incredible and we all had so much fun. Roger and Toshi came over  to our motorhome New Years Day to have our traditional New Years Day meal for good luck...Pork and Sauerkraut. We had met Roger's friends at The Wicked Spoon Buffet Dec 30th in the Cosmopolitan....WOW ...what a spread! Angelina and Mark stayed at The Aria 53rd Floor, invited us for drinks and VIEW New Years Eve! INCREDIBLE!!!!! It was such a wonderful memory spent with Roger and Toshi.

Riviera RV Park....hmmmm...what an interesting place with "unique personalities" who reside there. We felt safe and enjoyed talking to the tenants but at first glance we were afraid we had made a mistake. The razor wire around the facilities reminded Mike of Camp George West. When Mike was so ill, our neighbors were all caring, checking on us. I am thinking of writing a book much like Cannery Row by Steinbeck. This is the real America. Many of those folks had very little but would have given their last dime to help a neighbor. Don made us laugh daily with his home cures for Mike, ie Southern Comfort daily and other stories. He now is an email friend who sends us daily jokes. His kindness and gentle nature was a comfort to me. Ricky would ride around the park on his Vespa in his bathrobe to come talk with us. Mike lives in a van on blocks that he converted to his humble home and was mighty proud of.... Barb, the manager of the park, is a feisty, tiny 82 year old. She kept us laughing with her antics and motherly advice. We had to extend our time in Las Vegas by a week until Mike could get rid of the kidney stone. We left Vegas on Jan 10th. for Phoenix. Jan 10th was Mike's 5 year anniversary of his heart surgery. Can you believe it?

I met my high school friend Deb DeBolt Gallaway in Henderson for lunch at PF Changs. We reminisced about old times, caught up with our present lives, children, hubbies, etc. The lunch went way too fast. I so enjoyed visiting with her.

We arrived at Dessert Shadows RV Park on Jan 10th for a month's stay. Such a cool place with lots of activities, including Sat night dances, Bingo, Line Dance Lessons, Indoor Pool, really nice exercise room, pool tables, library, dog park...just about everything you can imagine for a sense of community. We cannot take a walk without people stopping us to chat. The early morning coffee circle at the office fixes the "issues of the world". We have made many friends and wish we were staying longer than a month. This is definetly on our list of places to come back, possibly winter. Our neighbors, John and Val from Conifer are in Sun City for a few weeks. It sure has been nice being with them again. Mike and the "girls" held down the fort during the wierd cold spell while I made a trip to Shippensburg...met Brian there. On my return from Ship, we went to Papago Park, Hole In The Rock, Phoenix for hiking with beautiful views.

A trip to Freightliner, Tolleson had to be made to complete warranty work. What a phenomenal facility and operation. They have a RV Park on their property with full hookups which we utilized by arriving the evening before. Their garage is clean and organized. I have never seen a garage like it. They did the work in 2 and a half hours, no charge to us and we were on our way back to Dessert Shadows.

We have visited 89 year old cousin Charlotte with her children, Jay and Marlene twice in Pebble Creek, Goodyear and it has been fun. Charlotte never changes and is feisty as ever. We spent Super Bowl Sunday with them enjoying their company as well as the game. It has been nice getting re-acquainted with Jay and Marlene.

A day spent with 87 year old Aunt Jane in Payson happened this past week. We had a lovely visit and dinner. Times spent with her are always cherished.

The adventure continues....we have one more week here. We will be attending the Sat night dance, lets see if we remember any of the dance lesson moves. Hahahahaha.

We leave Friday the 15th for Tuscon to be with our friends Larry and Deb at Dessert Trails RV Park. Can't wait!

Love you all...Miss you all!