California Dreamin’

Not long after I arrived in Southern California, it became crystal clear why so many people live here. While every other part of the country lay buried under snow, suffered from ice and wind, or shivered from the cold, the LA area basked in warm sunshine. I have a hard time realizing it is January and February. 

I’ve had a great time here. To reconnect with my brothers fills me with such warmth, I can not tell you how good it has been. I met with Don and Betty on Sunday and we enjoyed breakfast together at one of their favorite places. Afterwards, we stopped at 24Hr Fitness where Michele, Betty’s daughter works so that I could say goodbye to her.   It was cool and rainy that morning so I recommended we take in a movie. I had seen True Grit before, but it is so good I wanted to see it again.  I tried to get Betty to close her eyes in one part of the movie but it was too late. Her mouth dropped open and her eyes popped out as one of the outlaws got his fingers chopped off. It was a fun time we spent together and a sad goodbye when I left. When we got back to Don’s, Jennifer and Patrick were there, so I got to say goodbye to them, too. 

Richard, Dianna, and I had made plans to visit Griffith Observatory that evening, but the weather was dreary and we thought we would have to cancel. As the afternoon rolled around, the sun came out and the clouds broke apart, inviting us to see yet one more attraction. 

We met Diannas sister, Julie, and her friend Ron just before dusk at the entrance of the observatory. From the top of Griffith Park, the lights of LA were just spectacular. A cool front associated with the weather brought crystal clear air that made the city sparkle. We watched a fascinating movie about our universe projected on a dome screen surrounding the theatre. The laser projector used in the theatre is state-of-the-art, displaying a phenomenal, realistic picture.  As you recline in your seat, it feels like your right inside the movie. 
Fun on 0ne 026

There were all sorts of displays about astronomical things scattered throughout the building, and it seemed that Richard knew an awfully lot more about them than the rest of us did. He did concede, however, that Daryl might be able to correct him on some points.

After the observatory, we all ate at an Italian restaurant, recommended by staff at Griffith. Then it was time to leave and we said goodbye to Julie and Ron. Over the last few
weeks I’ve come to know Julie quite well. Through these hard times, I’ve moved furniture for her, worked with her through the yard sale, and enjoyed her company when we all went out to eat. She is a very special friend and I will miss her a lot. 
Fun on 0ne 022

Between Richard, Dianna, and Julie, I could not pay for a thing. They bought me gas, took me to expensive restaurants, and Dianna fixed home cooked meals every night. Helping with moving and using my van was something I would have been happy to give, but every time I tried to pay for something, Dick would pull the bill away and say, “Your Money Is NO GOOD In California!”.

Right now I’m at a campground somewhere on the Pacific Coast Highway. This is turning out to be one of the most awesomely beautiful trips I’ve ever been on, and I will tell you about it in the next post, undoubtedly by the length of this post, more than you want to know. 

6 Responses to “California Dreamin’”

  1. Dick says:

    We enjoyed spending time with you too. In some strange ways it seemed like we had never been apart. I was amazed at how easily we became so close again.

    You did so much during a time when we really needed help. We can’t thank you enough. And now we look forward to seeing you again in Arizona in couple weeks. Have fun on 1 and tell us all about it.

  2. Donna says:

    This must mean you’re headed “home” soon. Anxious to see you and hear more of your tales in person. Drive safe!

  3. Daryl says:

    Dale, are you going up Highway 1 north of Santa Barbara? I’ve driven that highway several times, but never camped along it. This time of year it should be fairly quiet. The ocean will be too cold to do more than wade or just watch, but hopefully a winter storm will create some fantastic waves for you.

    See you soon in Arizona.

  4. Mom says:

    It will be so good to see you again, but I hope you haven’t developed that California sophistication which compares every other place negatively to that coastal area. I personally think that AZ is a pretty good place in which to spend about nine months of the year. We don’t talk about the weather during the middle of June to the middle of September.

  5. Don says:

    It’s been so great to see you even the little bit that I did while you were here. I have been hoping that Betty will be well enough to come to Phoenix while Dave and Lisa are there but it’s not looking good.

    As for California I do like living here but mainly because of the weather. Most everything else about it(LA anyways) is negative but when you can drive a motorcycle all year long you can put up with some negatives.

    You are very near where I have spent quite a bit of time on the beach an in the dunes. Pismo Beach is right next to Arroyo Grande.

  6. Dianna says:

    Yep, now you know why CA is so over crowded. Between the weather and the gorgeous scenery and tons of things to do – too many people like to live here. I do enjoy coming back and doing cultural and just plain fun activities that you can’t find anywhere else.

    Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your help. Your companionship and your van made the last three weeks a lot easier and a whole lot more enjoyable.

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