The Best of Times
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United
Airlines and the North Dakota weather tried to delay my journey off the prairie,
but thanks to the use of some assertiveness training, I was able to touch down
in California only an hour behind schedule. Brian Champie (chauffeur
extraordinaire, tour guide supremo, and a heck of a good friend) picked me up at
San Jose and after a quick stop at Shoreline (Danny, where were you?) headed for
the kiteflying nirvana of Berkeley. Ah sunshine and a
sweet breeze. "Cool Thunder" was given its maiden flight and Brian launched his
flying saucer. Way cool kite! Dan B. was there flying also so we chatted and
flew until the sun set. Then the three of us headed to Genghis Khans for
SUSHI!!! Nummmmm. The rest of Saturday was spent getting reacquainted with
Roxanne and moving into my new laptop. My webmaster is always looking out for me
and the gift of the vehicle to get me out into cyberspace when on the road was
greatly, GREATLY appreciated. Sunday began as a shopping day (you gotta feel the
new shirt that Brian bought) then a road trip to Napa for the Champie Christmas.
Thanks Mo and Dave for your hospitality. Monday was driving day. Brian's niece,
Gina, hitched a ride with us to San Diego. She is such a bright, intelligent,
fun person and her company was great. I look forward to seeing her on stage
someday...she is a talented actress for sure. We arrived in San Diego without
mishap (good defensive driving Brian) and settled in for a night of rest and
relaxation.
Tuesday was the day of firsts for this prairie lady. We drove to
La Jolla to tour Ron's home and then the three of us loaded into Vanna for a fun
journey south. Way south. All the way into MEXICO. It was a blast. Just crossing
the border was a thrill and then ending up in Puerto Nuevo for lobster was a
dream come true. And the lobsters
there were as big as cats and YUMMY!!! I found out that I adore the taste of
lobster. Don't know that I'll ever find Baha lobster on my prairie but at least
I will always remember that I started with the best. The guys humored me and
walked the quaint streets with me searching for shopping opportunities. The
store owners were a giggle and I even learned the fine art of bargaining. I'm
not very good at it but at least never paid the first suggested price for an
item. And I now have silver, gold, jade, pottery, leather, textile, and tequila
from Mexico. Whoo whoo. We did more shopping at
Rosarito (ask Brian about his new knife) and then headed back across the border.
Talk about a slow process and enlightening. Mothers with several children at their
side walking the slow moving traffic asking for money. Merchants carrying their
wares right out to the vehicles. And one ice cream salesman that had the best
ice cream imaginable. Numm. Oh yeah, and NO bathroom opportunity. But it was a
phenomenal day. Thanks guys for sharing the experience with me. We headed over
to Susan's when we got back into the country (oh that sounds so cool) and
enjoyed the best lasagna ever with Susan, Al, and the Gibians.
Wednesday and Thursday were kite flying days. Photos are available on the
San
Diego 2004 page. Jane and Jim opened their home for a great
New Years Eve gathering and then Lolly had a bunch
of us over after the fly on the
1st. Thanks so much for the hospitality.
Spending time with John and Mary Gabby was great as was chatting with all the
other great people there. Friday morning we met the Gombergs for breakfast and
then took them over to Susan's. Al worked on my laptop for awhile, (thanks Al),
and then Brian and I headed back to San Ramon. Brian dropped
me off at the Oakland airport at noon on Saturday and I was back on my snow
covered frigid prairie nine hours later. I WANNA GO BACK!!! I really did have
the best time. Thanks everyone for making the week so special for me. Thanks
again Brian for the gifts, the touring, and your friendship. You are the best!!!
skydance@bis.midco.net
United
Airlines and the North Dakota weather tried to delay my journey off the prairie,
but thanks to the use of some assertiveness training, I was able to touch down
in California only an hour behind schedule. Brian Champie (chauffeur
extraordinaire, tour guide supremo, and a heck of a good friend) picked me up at
San Jose and after a quick stop at Shoreline (Danny, where were you?) headed for
the kiteflying nirvana of Berkeley. Ah sunshine and a
sweet breeze. "Cool Thunder" was given its maiden flight and Brian launched his
flying saucer. Way cool kite! Dan B. was there flying also so we chatted and
flew until the sun set. Then the three of us headed to Genghis Khans for
SUSHI!!! Nummmmm. The rest of Saturday was spent getting reacquainted with
Roxanne and moving into my new laptop. My webmaster is always looking out for me
and the gift of the vehicle to get me out into cyberspace when on the road was
greatly, GREATLY appreciated. Sunday began as a shopping day (you gotta feel the
new shirt that Brian bought) then a road trip to Napa for the Champie Christmas.
Thanks Mo and Dave for your hospitality. Monday was driving day. Brian's niece,
Gina, hitched a ride with us to San Diego. She is such a bright, intelligent,
fun person and her company was great. I look forward to seeing her on stage
someday...she is a talented actress for sure. We arrived in San Diego without
mishap (good defensive driving Brian) and settled in for a night of rest and
relaxation.
