January West Coast Trip

First....It was FABULOUS!!!!!!
Now the details.

San Francisco
This, of course was the reason I came west altogether.
To see one of the daughters I love so much....and to see the city I love almost as much.
And, I got Sandra and Eric as a bonus.......And 5 shots at Boudins. Not to mention deserts, dinners and sights galore. Great bookends to a memorable trip. Mira really knows the city after only a year + there.

Monterey
The beginning of nostalgia galore. What better place to start than in the home of Andy and Antonette Goroch. OK so, it was not the Salinas house I remember so well. And Antonette's parents are long gone. But, eating dinner that first night still brought home memories of happy dinners I had with them many years ago. Then it was a three generation family. Now it was just three good friends.
But, I am getting aheads of myself. Before the Goroch dinner was the visit to the Romeros, John and Sandy. To get caught up on Cassie and Jamie. All doing well. I was fortunate to catch them just before their departure to Los Angelos to visit Jamie and her family. They looked great.
Monday was quite a full day. Breakfast with the Gorochs, a warmly welcomed visit with Simon Chang at NRL, Monterey (Simon's pride in the achievements of his lab was a warm reminder of my days there), a few hours at the Monterey Bay Aquarium (the highlught if that for me was the spectacular sea horse display), an all to brief visit with the Schrams (Alas, not enough to get into any political discussions), and then a dinner with friends, many of whom I had not seen since I left Monterey 25+ years ago. But, you know, they had hardly aged at all. I wonder how much I have aged in their eyes.
A visit to Monterey could not end without a stop at the NPS. How fortunate to meet Ken Davidson on the grounds and have lunch with him at Herman Hall. A reminder of my first trip to Monterey and my first dinner at the School as a guest of the Pettits. Following lunch, I had to good fortune to find Rus Elsburry in his office for more nostalgia on my time at ONR, when we funded an experiment led by him on Pacific typhoons. It was nice to see him still in the harness with yet another ONR sponsored field program.

Seattle
Off the Seattle and the "Who'd a thunk it" house of the Andersons on Lake Washington. Who would have thought I would know someone with a house on Lake Washinton, across from Bill Gates. OK...so it is not DIRECTLY across. But, a 3500 sq ft house on the Lake? Thank you Microsoft. Couldn't have happened to a better couple. The Andersons are a picture of contentment. Parents of three boys, all happily married, and four wonderful grandchildren, who they see regularly. Alas, I did not get to see Dave and Patty. But, the four M's (Matt, Michelle, Mike and Meghan) all welcomed me to their familty birthdat party for Bob. Happy 71st Birthday, Bob. I am close behind. The bonus, of course was to bond with the grandchildren. Talking science fair with Hannah, letting Brady use my camera, bonding with Simon (As "Winalsten") at the Falls and holding Elliot, in my arms. All menmorable events in a wonderful 6 day visit. The sincere love in the eyes of the 10 Andersons for each other was a joy to behold.
But, wait, what about the long discussions, sometimes until 1AM, with Bob and Nancy...on politics, religion....and the good iold days at Penn State, Nothing has changed between us in the 50 years we havew known each other, I hope it never does.

Fresno
From the big cities of Seattle and San Francisco to the California valley town of Fresno. Little did I know that Fresno was the third largest metro area in California. Over 500,000 in the city and 750,000 in their metro area. Who knew?????
And right in the thick of it all reside the Ckarks, five of them. Led by Rosie and Fred. Pillars if their communitty. Joined by Cricket, Donna, and Kenny. Cricket, who rode on my shoulders at Grand Canyon is now a full grown woman. Donna, who still remembers my photos. Alas, I do not really have much memory of Kenny. But, all five welcomed me as a long lost relative. Just as Rosie welcomed me from the east, almose 50 years ago when I arrived in Pasadena, naieve, a bit homesick and looking for friends. They still are.
One day is hardly enough time to see Fresno or relive joyous times. But, it was enough time for me to realize the diverse life the Clarks have lived. World travelers from Fred's work installing weather radars, house and apartment development owners from screwd investing....and..... pillars of their community. Who could ask for a better life.
It seemed like every policeman in Fresno knows and loves Rosie (or Roz as they know her) and Fred....as did everybody at MRI.

Well, here I am back in Washington. It is midnight and I am reliving my wonderful trip.

Good night all......