Thanksgiving in the Desert

Like the swallows to Capistrano, each Thanksgiving the WINs return to Borrego Springs. This year 95 of our closest friends joined us in a scrumptious feast, complete with entertainment. It just doesn't get any better than this!

Back to our Travels

For the few readers who are not interested in Diana’s children and grandchild, thanks for hanging in there! While Diana was in San Diego, Randy escaped the heat of Indio at beautiful Pinyon Flat campground, up scenic Hwy 74 at 4000 feet. Diana joined him there later. We met several interesting folks--Randy is a master at “getting the story.”



When the weather cooled off, we went down to hill to Painted Canyon Road near Mecca, CA. We settled into a wash for the night and hiked the canyon the next day. Impressive!


This tiny town, Mecca, is all Mexican in population, language, flags and flavors. Like a Mexican village transplanted.

Mark Arrives

My son Mark arrived last night from Virginia for a week-long computer training. Today we all went shopping at Seaport Village on the San Diego Bay. As we pulled into the parking lot, Mara remembered that they had a merry-go-round, even though she had only been there once before!

Permanently parked in the Bay is the USS Midway. This aircraft carrier steamed through a 47-year career of service to our country. She was commissioned in 1945 and served as a flagship in Desert Storm in 1991. No other carrier has served as long as the USS Midway.

Wow! Once again I have run into some WIN members! Paul, Linda and Tom were also shopping and met the family.

After shopping, we went out to Cabrillo National Monument. We timed this so we would arrive at the tide pools during a super low tide. Apparently, everyone else did too...

Check out the size of Mark's camera lens. To see some of his great pictures, go to www.tolerico.com or www.flickr.com/photos/mtolerico

Diana

Seals, Giraffes, and a Cute Ladybug

I'm in San Diego now visiting with daughter Corrie and her family. I got there in time to go trick-or-treating with my granddaughter Mara, who's 2. She had a great time, but couldn't figure out why all these people were giving her candy!


The next day we went to the Children's Beach in La Jolla, where seals congregate on the beach. Mara was a little disappointed there was no sea lion show, but enjoyed it none the less.



Then on Thursday, Corrie and I went to the Wild Animal Park. We didn't take Mara because we had tickets for the Photo Safari, and young children are not allowed. There were plenty of photo ops, especially with the overly friendly giraffes. The baby elephant here is only 7 weeks old.

Diana