Sanibel, Thanksgiving and the Clines

After our California adventure we flew down to southwest FL.  We were met by Mrs and Mr Cline (also known as my second set of parents).  This is the longest period of time I've spent with them for years.  On our first day in we went for a bike ride.

Vanessa and M Cline hit it off...although they had briefly met a couple times  in NYC.

Mr. Cline had me scheduled for a full week of tennis matches.

Then Pete (Pedro) arrived.  Although he had to work a bit the first couple of days, I still harassed him enough to make the most of the few minutes I saw him.  He always has something up his sleeve too.

M C is always in good spirits....and spoils us beyond belief.

We had epic battles of cards at night, yoga in the morning and other activities to fill the time between our 7 meals a day.

Warm weather and palm trees were very welcoming.

We got Sari Saks into Traders...our first Florida retail location.

Uncle Tony came down for a couple nights too. We spent a lot of quality time out on the deck....a great setting to let time slip away.

Age finally arrived and quickly took over.

We feasted for a full week, but especially with this meal of scallops, crab legs, muscles, corn, and lobster bisque.  YUM!  hungry just rethinking about it.

Notice that even Mr C and I dressed up. :)

M C taking a breather and cheering on her favorite team after warming up the troops for our big tennis outing.

Even if Pete's game is off, his socks make up for it.  He carried me to a victory.

The Dynamo Duo.  You would think looking at the photo that Age was focused on the match...I wonder what she was really thinking about?

Not just a family, but a ferocious team not to be messed with.   Pete wanted everyone to be clear about the fact that they were playing with a tennis ball while on the tennis court.

An awesome Thanksgiving that consisted of tennis, eating, more eating, watching football while eating, giving thanks and hearing Pete talk about his turduckin (a chicken stuffed in a duck, stuffed in a turkey).

They were thankful for everyone being around and in great spirits.  I am thankful for this trip, everyone who is in my life and the exciting unknown that the future holds.

I decided to buy a car; and with Mr. C's help, found a classic 95 convertible.  I have to say that I never thought I would own a convertible....not too shabby.

Farewell to the Clines and thanks sooo much for everything!!!!!!  It was a great week and a great Thanksgiving.

SF comes to a close...but treated us well

Vanessa's dad came into town for the weekend.  We met up with Isaac and his girlfriend and spent a rainy day down near Santa Cruz doing some wine tastings.  (I was designated driver)

She does this to the men she loves.  She is obviously just kidding....right?...I'm pretty sure.

As I went to spend the day with Pete and Mark, Vanessa spent a day with her Dad and brother.

The following night was Pete's birthday.  He threw a party.   It was a hit.  You can see Mark was loving it. Could Pete be telling a story?

Pete and Vanessa becoming friends....with each other, and with the bottle.

God only knows.

I know, I know...awe.

Mark wanted in on the action too.  I just looked so huggable on that couch.

Vanessa was bouncing all around the party, making friends, hearing and telling stories, while the wine was a flowin.

Jove in his normal smiley state.

It was then time for the shuffle.  If you don't know it, youtube it.  It's the new "in" dance.  Mark and Pete breaking it down here for you.

The following day I went to check on an old friend from high school, Mark Conrad and his beautiful little daughter.

Mark and I had a brother day.  We went to Golden Gate to golf on their par 3 course.  Why do we still get the same score as if it weren't a par 3?  I had to remind Mark to stand near the ball.

We had a great, sunny, quiet day for it.

We realized how not good we are at golf....but did leave with more balls than we started, so we considered it a success.

The three amigos...with the fourth lingering in the background.

Our final day of San Fran was spent with my parents who flew in as we were leaving.

Which do I look like?

It was amazing the haze over the bridge this day.  2 minutes off the bridge on either side and it was sunny blue skies.

Thanks so much for the hospitality and fun times to Mark, Ashley, Beth, Jove, Pete, Isaac, Travie, Timon and everyone who helped make our San Fran/Mendocino trip memorable.

Scary Holidays and up to Beth in Ukiah

We walked around parts of San Fran to check out some Halloween costumes.

This one was impressive.  Vanessa is the only one of our group that dressed up.

She then set off to see her brother while I stayed with Mark.  V took the camera.  This is Isaac, number 5 in the family.  He is an extremely talented artist.

We then all visited "Dia de los muertos"  =Day of the Dead.  This was awesome!

On our way north along highway 1, we stopped at some little towns trying to find good fits for Sari Saks.  This one turned out to be a perfect fit.

We stopped at this oyster place along the water to pick up a dozen fresh ones to take to Beth's.

Travie, Mark's dog, was our traveling companion.

Beautiful views along the 1.  If anyone ever has the chance to take some days and drive highway 1 along the california coast, it is worth the trip.

As we neared Beth's place, a rainbow broke free.

Our first meal, we had some Oysters for appetizers.  Shucking them was an experience.

Delicious!

Hi Beth.  This is Beth's place.  We got to spend a full week with her in Ukiah.

Which is part of Mendocino County.

Going for a good, long walk, near the lake and dam just near Beth's place.

Grape Vineyards everywhere!!!

Beth has old fireplace stove in her house, so I was in charge of chopping some wood to keep us warm at night.

Beth jamming for us, getting ready for her big concert in the near future.

We did a lot of cooking and eating!  This was a scrumptious pear crisp.

Before heading to our ultimate frisbee game, we stopped at the local farmers market.

The next day, Mark, Ashley, Jove and Ashley's parents came up for the day and to celebrate Mark's birthday.  We spent a good portion of the day at this marvelous winery...who now carry Sari Sak's.  Campovida.com
The two youngsters in the family laughing it up.

This was our crew for the day.

On a tour of the Wine Vats.

This is where they host wedding events and dinners.  An old, refurbished barn.

Mark and Ashley under there favorite flower.  ( I don't know if that's true, but as of now, we will assume it is)

Me and V...the trip and adventure continues.  So many faces, so many places.

The Howson's stomping some grapes.  Surprised?  I didn't think so.

This is what life's all about!

The we headed back to Beth's for her and her band to play a concert of a lifetime, in dedication to Mark's birthday.

Her band members.

Great company, great music, great day!

Even Mark got into it.

Ashley and her parents.

That's Jove, keeping an eye on me.

We went to support Beth in her championship game.

She was trying to use her intimidating ways.

Unfortunately, they lost. But they enjoy being teammates.

Our nightly fire.

We went to the local Buddhist Temple.

Where Peacocks think they are dogs.

Vanessa feeling the calmness.

Delicious Vegetarian lunch.

Sari Sak's at the winery.

Some more proof that we ate a lot.  At this point I weigh 20 lbs more that when we started 2 months previously.

Beth's place.  Thanks for a great stay.  Always good to spend time with family...especially because it isn't often enough.