Saturday, July 02, 2011

Family Girls' Reunion 2011

Family Girls' Reunion 2011

Claudia, Alison, Clover and Pat

Alison, (my daughter) had her last day of work and then grabbed an early morning flight from Portland to San Diego. The plane made a stop in Sacramento and (having driven from Redding) I joined her and we flew the rest of the way together. My two sisters picked us up ( Clover having arrived a few days earlier from Texas) and we drove to a Mexican restaurant for dinner on the patio. Don (Pat's husband) joined us. Great way to start our vacation!

The second day, we four girls drove to Santa Monica, we visited the home of our grandparents and then drove to the J. Paul Jr. Getty Museum. Since we did not have a lot of time this day, we simply wandered around the grounds...

and through garden with plans to return the next day.





We found our hotel quickly changed and took the special bus to the Hollywood Bowl. What a night, we heard Hugh Masekela and then Wynton Marsalis with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. Both were so enjoyable.

( google photo)



We had grabbed some dinner from the vendors on the way in, as this was new to us, unlike the two couples in the row in front of us. They had an incredible picnic spread out, ranging from wine, candles, cheese, bread, salad to cake and coffee for dessert. Apparently, they have season tickets and knew "how" to do it right!
The following day we went back to the Getty Museum and visited the art! It was so amazing to see the marvelous masterpieces. I specially like two of Monet's and Van Gogh's "Irises".
Monet's "Ice Cathedral"


Monet's "Haystacks"

Van Gogh's "Iries"

Later that afternoon, we drove to Seal Beach (a darling beach town) where we met a couple of Pat's friends and enjoyed an fantastic dinner. After dinner, we walked along the pier.
Joan and Bob

The next day, we drove to Newport Beach did a little sight seeing and had lunch before driving back to San Diego. We picked up Don and drove out to meet high school friends for dinner. (You may notice a theme here of "eating great meals") So fun to visit with them.
Pat, Claudia, Dwight, Clover, Kathy, Alison and Don

The following day, Clover's flight home was canceled so we all took the day to
relax and cooked a meal at home. After dinner, we laughed ourselves silly playing
"Statergories".

Clover was able to fly the next morning, and after wards, we three made our way to La Jolla Beach. The weather was lovely so we went walking along the beach enjoying the sights and then...

On the way
Heading toward the beach
La Jolla Beach
Pat & Alison
Claudia

Alison
shopped in the cute stores there. Sadly, the next day, Alison and I returned to the heat of Redding. Besides seeing her brother, he spent her time visiting old friends here and then was soon flying back to Portland. I wonder where we will go next year? So glad Alison is with us to drive, read signs for us, and help us remember what we need to remember.

Alison and Christopher

Now for some "out-takes"!