Once Paul had the interior of our new motorhome done he was ready to tackle the outside painting...with a handy supply (50+ cans) of spray paint. He'd be up bright and early every morning trying to spray before winds came up and while everything was quiet and still in the camp park. We went from teal blues to a silver, gray and burgundy color scheme.
That same week we spent a morning in a Med Stop for a crazy infection in his foot. Seems that wearing sandals in a weedy area had allowed an inch and a half long fox tail to work its way deep into the side of his foot. It took a little convincing to get the Dr. to lance the swollen dark spot on his foot but once she did, the foxtail found its way out...she was totally amazed to see it, as were we! But for Paul the relief was immediate, and of course, he was back at his project later that afternoon.
With his foot 100% better the next day we took in another baseball game: Giants vs The Padres. Marcy and Bob Owens were also there in the park, such a fun experience. Yes...the Giants won!!!!
Since our days were winding down in San Diego we took advantage of a few last events; an evening at the Oceanside Museum of Art for a wonderful Jazz quartet, wine and appetizers. Warm evening with the doors wide open, such fun.
I spent an afternoon at the San Diego Botanical Gardens once more. This time I toured the palm and bamboo gardens.
And found these wonderful topiaries nearby
Our last outing before leaving the San Diego area was a walking tour of the neighborhoods around Balboa Park. As we walked the streets in the quiet, long established neighborhood of Bankers Hill we came to this suspension bridge built in 1911. From there we walked along the Maple Canyon Bridge and nearby hiking trail and learned about Kate Sessions, the "Mother of Balboa Park". In exchange for space for a nursery she agreed to plant 100 trees a year which have now become the lovely mature trees of Balboa Park.
Sunday, I left Paul to finish the details he was still working frantically to complete and grabbed a ride back to San Luis with Marcy and Bob as they were headed back home. I didn't want to miss saying Good Bye to my LAST class of second graders who were now leaving 6th grade. At our annual end of the year assembly we always end with our "Hugs and Handshakes". Teachers and staff form a line and every graduating 6th Grader walks along and says good bye, hard to realize it had been 4 years since I had left Los Ranchos for retirement. Saying good bye this time brought back so many memories of my career of 35 years at the school.
While staying the couple of days with Marcy, we took walks along the bay and the Elfin Forest, such beautiful days.
That last morning at Los Ranchos, Marcy and I had fun visiting our old friends and colleagues, congratulating two dear friends who were retiring; Kindergarten teachers Debbie Farmer and
Ruby Klatt.
I took the train back to Oceanside and helped PK pack up and start on our first move north. Before pulling out we hosted a Happy Hour to say good bye to the friends we had made during our 6 week stay at the Elks Lodge. We knew summer had arrived: our sunny skies were gone and the fog had moved in! Time to head inland.
The next morning we headed to the fun Graduation celebration of our nephew, Wesley Tanner, graduating summa cum laude in physics from UC Irvine. Wes surprised us with some fun mementos from UCI, a wonderful straw hat for Uncle Paul
A late afternoon nap for Paul between ceremonies
Mandy Mae and Wes
Friday evening we had fun at their cousin Becky's house in Laguna Beach starting off the weekend celebration.
Proud Mama Peg and sister Mandy!
Wes and Alena at the Awards Ceremony
Sunday morning after the Graduation we had everyone over to our campsite for a brunch and get together. Then Peg, Paul and I went to a fun local play house for a matinee performance of
The Great American Trailer Park while the "youngins" went to the beach
Wes and Alena were excited about their future life in Baltimore where Wes will attend Johns Hopkins for his PHD, Alena continuing in her nursing career nearby.
Monday morning was our last coffee time as everyone was headed out to the new changes the summer would bring. Peggy moving from Page, AZ to the Grand Canyon in her new position as Counselor, Mandy changing climates from Phoenix to Portland, OR and Wes and Alena off to Baltimore.
And Paul and I off to new surprises and travels!
I took the train back to Oceanside and helped PK pack up and start on our first move north. Before pulling out we hosted a Happy Hour to say good bye to the friends we had made during our 6 week stay at the Elks Lodge. We knew summer had arrived: our sunny skies were gone and the fog had moved in! Time to head inland.
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