CA

Jerry and I were blessed to be able to get away for a long weekend to California this past week.  We left Wednesday and spent the next 3 1/2 days in blissful sunshine.  Wednesday after arriving in LA we went over to a coworker of Jerry's from CAT for dinner.  Now, I know I can say this because he doesn't read this blog, but he and his wife have three cats who, let's just say, have the run of the house.  I watched one cat curl up in the bread basket that was out on the counter before our dinner was ready.  We had a fun time with them, but if it's even possible, I loathe cats even more than I did before last week.  Thursday we spent the day on our own and saw a lot of the sights of LA.  We went to Griffith Observatory which has amazing views of the city, then to the Getty Museum.  After lunch there we drove down to the Santa Monica pier and walked along the boardwalk and out along the pier.  We ended the day by doing a drive through of Beverly Hills.  Friday we spent the day with our friends the Elgersmas.  It was so great to catch up with them and see the places that they now call home. Saturday we drove down to the Newport Beach area where Jerry's cousin Jim lives.  We spent the rest of the day with him seeing the sites of his area.  We walked along Huntington Beach.  We rented a boat in Newport Beach area and cruised through the harbor looking at some mammoth houses and boats and wondering who can afford all of it.  After freshening up we drove into Laguna Beach where we shopped for a short time, and then ended the day with an awesome dinner.  I know some older actor was sitting at a table next to us, but I can't figure out who it was.  His face is etched in my brain so hopefully I will figure it out eventually.  I came home with two weird red marks on my neck which my mom thinks are hickeys, and I am truthfully denying.  I think my skin was just in shock from all the sunshine.  

 Jerry standing at the bottom of the Griffith Observatory.  When we were up at the observatory we saw a helicopter that was actually flying at a lower altitude than what we were standing!

 Van Gogh's Irises.  I could have stood and looked at this painting for a long time. 

Under the Santa Monica pier.  Lots of scary things happen under piers.  At least they did in shows like Baywatch and the movie Cats and Dogs.  

 At the Kimberly home (think Kimberly-Clark and now museum)  near Redlands, CA. 

 Jerry and Scott...no problem feeling comfortable with each other.

 I love this family!

 Huntington Beach

Cruising through the Newport Beach peninsula 

 Laguna Beach

 More beautiful Laguna Beach area

 More gorgeous views from Laguna Beach.  This was on the property of Montage which is the resort where we had dinner.