Back in Oz (continued, CA edition)

......So I picked up Nathan at the airport in a cheap off-airport rentacar. The airconditioner sounded like a jet and the engine light came on approximately 30 minutes from the airport.
Nathan had a horrible flight (a tale that I will let him tell...as his bad luck continued on the way home too) so he really just needed it to be over.

We drove up to Santa Rosa to meet Deb & Tim at their new house. Deb & Tim greeted us with a fantastic BBQ (Australian style) to relax to before Nathan collapsed of exhaustion. Conveniently, Deb & Tim's next door neighbor was out of town and Gretchen got to house-sit, and we were invited as guests too. It was really nice because we could walk over or Caitlyn could walk over whenever she wanted, but everybody got enough space.

Gretchen had come for a visit around Easter, and kept extending her stay to house-sit for this friend and then that one....before finally deciding to move to CA permanently. She'd been talking about it for ages...so Nathan and I were happy to help get her set up if we could. Since we currently do not own a house, we thought we might finance a little "investment property" in Santa Rosa...while housing prices were down. So we spent a couple of days investigating the property market. We even put in an offer on a place--a cute little apartment above a 2 car garage (that could be used as a second living space). BUT, sadly other people wanted a cute little investment property too and we lost out to someone who was willing to pay cash (and have no inspection).

We spent a few days visiting with Bill & Ethel, Missy & Molly, Debbie & Tim, even spent a night with David playing Trivial Pursuit (which Gretchen & Molly won!). We got to watch Caitlyn's TBall game and play rook as a family, even took a picnic up to the COOLEST playground. Nathan was energetic so he ran the 3-4 miles from Deb & Tim's house to the park...we just didn't tell him we had planned family pictures after that! Deb & I snuck away for a birthday treat for me--a trip to the spa for a massage. it was amazing (why don't I do that more often!?!?!?)

After a very relaxing couple of hours, we drove up to see Mike in Fort Bragg. Nathan was dying to see his Dad...so much so that he was willing to drive the 2 hours through gorgeous CA mountain scenery while GAME 7 of the Stanley Cup was being played. Mike must know he is loved for Nathan to make this sacrifice.

We connected at Mike's for a pizza dinner and late night gab session. We met a very hyper dog (OTIS) and tried very hard to catch up on all that's happened while Otis begged for attention. The next morning we took a trip to the Dog Beach, ate a Giant burger (Not to be missed on the RoadFood Guide to Fort Bragg), checked out Mike's logging truck (family photo!), and then went to explore the Hidden Coast. Mike drives this way regularly in his log truck but doesn't get to stop and smell the flowers. So we did--we smelled the flowers, explored the tidepools, took pictures, and explored the coast all the way to Usall. Usall is a place up the "hidden coast" accessible by a poorly maintained dirt road, which our rental car struggled up valiantly. We arrived to a campground full of big trucks and dirt bikes, family picnics, and a few hippy, funky artist types (who made this door "art" on the beach).
By the time we made it back to Fort Bragg, the fat from the Giant Burger and fries had made its way to my arteries and my stomach was ravenous. We made for instantaneous gratification...a chinese buffet. My arteries were pleased to see the wontons and honey-walnut shrimp.

On Sunday, Nathan took Otis for a run before we piled in the car for a trip to the Ranch. We hiked around the place look for artifacts...the Swoos(sp?), an old car, Deadhorse flats. After finding multiple ticks (of which I have a phobia) I retired to the mountain house for a little time to work on a puzzle. I couldn't resist this picture of the big Medrone tree outside. Our time with Mike was WAY too short, (and we didn't even get a chance to see Terry), so there's nothing for it....he has to come to Australia. (After a brief return trip to pick up the camera we forgot) we headed back to Santa Rosa.

While we were away, Gretchen had left for Minnesota to start packing for her move to CA. Even though our quest to buy a house was unsuccessful Gretchen had arranged to rent part of a house with Nathan's aunt Molly.

On Monday, Nathan FINALLY got to watch the GAME 7 of the Stanley cup (can you believe we went the whole weekend without anyone spoiling the result!?!?!?). We spent the last day with Deb, Tim & Caitlyn relaxing (and making a few essential purchases like new shoes!). We crowned our evening with a memorable Thai dinner and a final game of rook.

On Tuesday, we said goodbye to Deb & Tim, drove to San Jose where we met Alan, Masami, and the boys for lunch. Nathan dropped me at the airport before driving to Fresno where he met his high school classmate Zach Reagle for dinner. Nathan hadn't seen him since our wedding (12 years ago). Despite all this time they both had lots in common (medical school, scotch, triathlons, and amazing, talented wives). After catching up, Nathan headed for the airport to fly back to MN to see family and friends and make the scenic drive back to MN......
(to be continued)