Yuletide in San Diego

Concluding our Yuletide stay in Los Angeles, our next stop would be San Diego.

Jay is an excellent driver, always staying calm and patient in what can be very irritating traffic, making the long drive in their Range Rover comfortable and relaxing.

Timing our departure from Santa Monica to coincide with Owen's nap made for a very pleasant drive and meant Owen was in his usual jovial mood when we arrived in San Diego about two and a half hours later.

It was the kind of sunny day that makes everyone love Southern California weather. 

Darlene, Brooks and BG3 had decorated their gorgeous house festively.

Their new Pomeranian Teddy welcomed all of us, including Owen.

Teddy didn't seem to mind when Owen decided that his doggie bed was the perfectly sized sofa for him.

Owen loved the gift he received from my sister's family shortly after arriving, a sports court for basketball and soccer.  A big sports fan who often watches games with his parents, Owen loved it.

We enjoyed the tasty snacks Darlene had displayed for our arrival, but we didn't overeat, because that evening we had reservations at the San Diego Yacht Club.

Everyone enjoyed meals that fit their appetites and diets.  I don't recall what anyone else had, but I ordered the Catch of the Day accompanied by Michelob Ultra.  Fantastic!

All too soon, it was time for Jay, Sasha and Owen to depart to spend the night in their hotel.  The next day, they would visit Sasha's cousin's family who recently moved to Coronado Island.

Darlene, Brooks, Julie and I went to church the next morning.  Afterwards, we headed to Humphreys for brunch.  As at the Yacht Club, we had a beautiful bay view from our table. 

Darlene and Brooks said the Monte Cristo was delicious, and I proved that to myself by ordering it.  

We settled into all the great things we enjoy doing when visiting Darlene, Brooks and BG3.  We took many walks along the bay with the dogs, watched some sports and reality shows on TV, and discussed various topics. 

I brought my new guitar along with me, and like Steve Miller's "Joker," I played my music in the sun.

On New Year's Eve, we had another great dinner out at one of their favorite haunts.  Pizza Nova was busy, but we secured about the last table.  The pizza is excellent.

We managed to stay up late enough to see the New Year rung in on the East Coast, but we weren't partying hardy into the wee hours of the morning.

On New Year's Day, we had the Rose Bowl Parade on TV.  In front of their house, there was another parade for the people who lived on the street.  Mostly, the local parade consisted of kids on bicycles and parents walking near them.  Lots of the kids stopped to see Teddy.  They gave the tiny pup an appropriate winter nickname: Snow Ball.

Darlene prepared a true feast for dinner on New Year's Day.  

On looking at the photo of me carving the delicious prime rib, I realize I need to be more cognizant of my expressions when performing tasks.

On the Monday a couple of days before the New Year, Julie and I also had the opportunity to meet up with Julie's childhood friend Christy at Aquarius Bar & Grille, a nightclub with a retro vibe.  Or was it the dawning of the age of Aquarius?

The baby boomers all loved the classic sounds of Surf Birdz, who had the feel and sound of a garage band from our school days.  The casual food was surprisingly tasty and plentiful.  Happy hour all day on Mondays meant prices were very reasonable that evening.

The next day, we again met up with Christy, this time at Eppig Brewery in Point Loma.  This time, Christy was accompanied by her good friend Noel.  Her son Jessie, his wife Danielle and their sweet daughters soon joined us.

Julie's sister Jacque came over for a visit, too.

We had a long walk with her around the bay.  When our kids were young, we spent many happy days hanging out with Jacque's family.

She recently retired from decades of being a nurse.  It was nice catching up.

We thoroughly enjoyed our Yuletide stay in San Diego.