a few (more) days in Laguna Beach

how it looks to us as we wander around towards evening

PJ and I started visiting this hotel back in 2010, and have returned most years since.  Laguna Beach isn't our (at least my) favorite type of town - but the hotel's positioning atop the Pacific Ocean is nothing short of astonishing, and we've found favorite restaurants, and we much enjoy just wandering around oceanside and up in the neighborhoods.

So we returned for 21-24 March and had our usual delightful time.

Something unusual - rain/temperature conditions have caused pretty much a wildflower explosion in Arizona, and it's incrementally more dramatic in California.  Made for great scenery along the I-10.

perhaps this is how the view looks from a cruise ship?  when the tide comes in, it
is crashing against the base of this building.  sounds effects = overwhelming.

evening wandering with a fine traveling companion

and then there's our daily lunch stop at Nick's, where I eat the same thing every single time,
perhaps you can see why (also it stands up against beer quite nicely)

peak flight

At the Modern Times brewery in San Diego - on Saturday 18 August (day after the Stone festival) - I ran into or constructed what I'm pretty sure is the finest beer flight I've ever had.  Perfect composition:  small servings of intense, complementary styles of which ordinarily I'd be reluctant to order a full pint.  Exactly what I'm looking for in tasters!

Not only that, don't they look rather amazing?

L-R:
--"Sea of Tranquility" (Fruited Super Berliner) (Special Release) 6.5% ABV
--"Nectarnomicon" (Raspberry & Guava) 3.6% ABV
--"Factory Cathedral" (Super Gose) 8.5%
--"Suggestion of Mass" (Imperial Stout) 11.3%

Stone - San Diego

PJ, CPG and I drove over to San Diego on Friday 17 August; met up with PJr, NRG, and Romie (who were spending the week in SD); then Michael C joined.  From there - drove up to the Stone tasting event - our fifth time (PJr's sixth).  Beer, food, weather, company all delightful.  This continues to be a fine event.  Smaller group nice but we missed some of the energy of the bigger group! 

On Saturday morning we three met up with PJr/NRG/Romie at Broadway Pier for coffee and donuts and fun (including scooter test runs).  After lunch we went to the Modern Times brewery and found it highly acceptable.  Back downtown; met up with Naseem; we eight walk to the D'backs-Padres game (thanks POC for lining up tickets).  All good there other than final score.

Easy return drive on Sunday except a little more freon, or whatever automobile A/C systems use these days, would have been a plus.

Meghan & Scott wedding/weekend

Friday 13 April - just five days after wrapping up the Jon/Jaz wedding weekend, we all (except Romie-minder Nedda) gathered in Santa Barbara for Scott Turner - Meghan Stern wedding. Nicole & POC and Chris & Dharma are on our flight; at airport we run into lawyers from Nedda's new firm plus Melaine and Daniel.  Lunch at a public market in downtown Santa Barbara.  PJ and I join up with the group involved in the rehearsal (PJ being a reader) - lovely church up in the hills.  After, we meet up with a bunch of wedding folk at a bar, followed by the rehearsal dinner (at Santa Barbara Wine Collective) - nice event.  Back to hotel for chatting etc. 

Rehearsal; interior of 1930s church

Saturday 14 April - a group of us wander around looking for breakfast and end up having a fine if gluten-free time of it - lovely morning.  The ladies go do hair-stuff; the gentlemen gather for light lunch back at the public market, which fits the bill.  We prep and jump on a bus for the wedding ceremony - all quite lovely - then there is some time to kill prior to the reception, which is accomplished by a bus tour down to the beach and around (and around) downtown - but this is quite fun as it's a good crew and definitely in the mood. 

Bus ride with marachas and hydration options.

Bus people

Outdoor reception venue and it really is quite excellent (including, surprisingly, the meal) - very nice speeches, lotsa dancing.  Walk over to the "Wildcat" lounge for post-reception ear-splitting fun; then we walk back to the hotel.  Some late-night dining in our room and that's it.

With the mother-of-the-bride.

Sunday 15 April - a nice brunch is hosted down in the pool area - this was one of the better opportunities of the weekend to just sit around and talk (which was the idea).  Kerry & Luis with early departure time, unfortunately; also PJr.  Later the rest of us walk down pretty much all the way to the water; our group looking for lunch; enjoyed a tapas place; then it was back to the airport.

Fun to be together; nice to show up for the Sterns after the way they supported the weddings in our family; everything was so well arranged; nice.

San Francisco visit

PJ and I had a delightful visit up to San Francisco (Sept 13 - Sept 19).  Here's what happened -

Wednesday, September 13

Easy flight (after a 3+ hour delay).  Lunch with EPG at Starbelly's; grocery shopping and some errands; we get to EPG's apartment. Nicole arrives there just a bit later (by fortunate coincidence she was in the Bay Area for work this week); then we go over to Shane's place to celebrate his (very recent) birthday.  Had a lovely evening, met family; Hayden leads the decorating; charcuterie, pasta, chicken parm, chocolate cheesecake; gifts; lots of talking; fun night.

b'day party!

Thursday, September 14

In late morning NOC and PJ head downtown - Diamondbacks (including POC) are arriving in SF and staying at the Westin in Union Square so NOC has a room there - the two of them do prep stuff for the evening's events.  EPG, Shane and I do some errands and go to lunch at [don't remember the name but it was maybe my best lunch of the trip]; then we get dressed and Uber down to the Westin.  San Francisco Orchestra has a "gala" event to launch the new season - a pretty fine evening for the five of us (later six).  Drinks and appetizers at the lovely/historic City Hall; followed by dinner there; then we wander over to the orchestra venue where there is a performance headlined by Yo Yo Ma.

Red carpet etc. on arrival at City Hall

EPG lines up almost the identical seats we had for Faure's Requiem - first row behind performers and facing the conductor - this is a location that makes a difference!  For me the concert highlight, surprisingly, was Ravel's Bolero - I had been disappointed to see it on the program as it seems like a cliche-for-a-fundraiser type piece - but with our vantage point, some effective lighting, and a pretty amazing orchestra - it really worked.  We test a couple after-parties and end up spending most of our time in an outdoor setting (where POC joins us).  PJ and I did go into the performer's after-party - took a picture with Michael Tilson Thomas, however Yo Yo Ma didn't show there.  This was a really fun evening.

Great company, great seats, great performance.

PJ 'n me collar MTT, who is gracious about this sort of thing.  Cello music at after-party was a nice touch.

Friday, September 15

We meet POC and NOC for lunch at Coqueta (Pier 5) - ok, this really was my favorite lunch of the trip.  Then wandered the pier area a bit, some had ice cream, then POC had to go to work.  Errands and miscellany ensue.

Between Coqueta and our ice cream.  Perfect weather.

In early evening the five of us meet Meghan Stern at Flour and Water - where everyone knows EPG's and Shane's names (and treat us great) - a wondrous variety of pastas, they continue to hit the mark.

Shane running stuff in theater lobby.

After this we head over to opening night for Reefer Madness at the community theater Shane supports. Joined by some SF friends; we had a good group.  Very good crowd, responsive; we liked the performance; some snacks (and Lagunitas) at the concession stand.  POC joins us after the game.  Shane gives us a tour of the old theater, which we also liked.  Enjoyed talking there with everyone in our group for quite some time; then we head back to EPG's apartment.   Yup, another fun day.

By now POC has rejoined us; our theater tour has reached the stage.

Saturday, September 16

We meet POC and NOC downtown; they were having brunch (we had already eaten breakfast); then POC gets on the team bus (we felt rather surreptitiously) to head to the game.  Today was our unscheduled day - devoted to walking around town and checking out eating/drinking places.  Which the five of us did, in fine form.  And we brought along "Five Crowns."  Chinatown - where we were less impressed by the pork-buns than we were on previous trips; but the DIY fortune cookie shop made up for it.  Little Italy - we stop for pizza, pasta, beer, Five Crowns at Il Casaro - had a great seat at the window.  (Weather, BTW, was gorgeous throughout our entire visit.)

An ideal Saturday wandering, and wandering, around SF.

Then we walk up to Coit Tower (but, there being a line, we don't go in).  Then we walk down toward the waterfront and make our way up to the Fisherman's Wharf area.  Lots o' tourists walking around (ok, including some of us).  We're getting hungry and thirsty again; end up at Blue Mermaid (selected mostly for outdoor seating that accommodated Five Crowns, but the food also was fine).  Onto EPG's place for games - Five Crowns and Telestrations - plus some pretty wonderful charcuterie, beer, etc. As we enjoy that view. POC again makes the effort to join us after the game. Fun day.

Sunday, September 17

EPG, PJ and I get organized and start working our way downtown for D'backs-Giants game (thanks for tix, POC!)  Walk to Spike's for coffee/pastry; meet Shane and a short walk with him to the muni; after arrival in Union Square area we pick up NOC; then a lengthy/nice walk to the stadium.  Beautiful day!  Giants stadium was great - pretty much unbeatable setting (McCovey Cove etc.) - POC is familiar, and walked us around the place.

Very fun hanging around there (plus they have plenty of good beer and food).  By the way the D'backs were beaten.  After the game we walk to a couple POC-recommended places and end up at Black Hammer Brewing - which we really liked for light-duty sipping.  The place keeps a bunch of games on hand, we had a fine time playing "Anomia" (ok I was terrible) - a new game by us but the Amazon orders went in as we played.  In the evening we head over to Shane's place for drinks, supper, games (Telestrations round 2).  Fun day throughout.

Telestrations medalists, with participation-trophy-ists.

Monday, September 18 

EPG, PJ and me to Boulangerie for breakfast; then pack/prep.  We decide to do a little wandering in the Golden Gate Park area; walking near the California Academy of Sciences, and we decide to go in - we pretty quickly determine this place is quite the gem.  Lots of neat stuff, we were rather amazed by the coral displays - which somehow I've never really seen, or perhaps never paid attention to?  Planetarium show always impresses (this one on earthquakes).  Etc.

We liked this place, a lot.

Then a fine lunch at Nopalita followed by a bit of ice cream at Hometown Creamery.  Back to EPG's place; Shane stops by to see us off; EPG drives us to the airport (as he then heads to LA).

Our "closing lunch" for the trip was pretty excellent - except we weren't happy that the trip was ending.

PJ and I were lucky to enjoy another wonderful visit; our out-of-town kids treat us great; this trip on its face looked to be pretty heavily scheduled, but it never felt that way.  The five of us found it really easy to hang out together (unsurprising), POC made a great effort, and it was fun to meet Shane's family.  Yay.

Birthdays etc. (July-August)

2017 is a year filled with celebrations, observances, etc.  Here are four that took place in July-August (sorry to say we missed Kerry's and Luis's birthdays, which were observed back in VA; we shall remember this when we visit them in October):

1.  POC's 40th birthday was celebrated with a weekend in Portland (not involving PJ 'n me).  But we also had a fine gathering for POC at our house on July 9.  Chicago style pizza, Portillo's, fun crowd; NOC had coordinated video clips from family and friends unable to attend in person - with an editing assist from NRG, this was a highlight of the evening.

Observing POC's 40th birthday in fine style . . .

2.  Patrick's 31st birthday coincided with a visit to Phoenix by he and Shane.  Lots of events scattered across several days, fun throughout.  Shane got the VIP tour of all sorts of Valley spots, including a few of our favored restaurants.  Lots of work was done organizing various games for Patrick's b'day party, was a great evening.  The time went too fast, glad we will visit SF relatively soon.

EPG and Shane (clockwise from upper R) - Chris & Dharma prep'd dinner; Parlor;
a rather amazing post-Parlor bowling picture; Richardson's.

Games at 31st b'day event. (Mike B. carried our team.)

The crew observing Patrick's 31st birthday.

3.  A group of us attended the Stone brewers' reception event - fourth year running - remains a nice late-summer break.  CPG, PJr, PJ and I drove over with Lon and Emily (Friday 18 August), returning on Sunday.  Nicole was already in CA on business so drove down with Patrick and Shane.  A major surprise:  Kerry made the trip - though work stuff prevented her from arriving until after the brewers event.  Wasn't expecting to have all five children there, that was a nice surprise.  We made up for lost time into Friday evening, then Saturday-Sunday as well.  As we were belatedly marking PJr's 30th birthday, Michael C. made sure we had bus transportation up to San Marcos, etc., all worked really well.

San Marcos, CA

Now with Kerry!!

Saturday in San Diego.

All seven in one spot - nice.

4.  The Phoenix crew gathered at the Rokerij on August 26 - a more focused observance of PJr's 30th birthday, v. nice.  PJ and I drove down with Mina and Saeed; the evening started with a visit to Chris & Dharma (wedding planning in full swing, initial unveiling of items purchased on Dharma's recent India trip!)

Lovely evening, fine planning by NRG, lots of nice comments for the birthday boy . . . 

some April - May - June wanderings

PJ and I had some fine wanderings recently.

To Flagstaff in late April for a Gregory Alan Isakov concert.  Stopped in Sedona on the way up to try out a new trail (a loop on the "Hogs" trails) - lovely as always in Sedona though this particular route won't go top of our list.  PJ and I had a great dinner at Brix in Flagstaff.  CPG, PJr and Pat Herrera joined for concert - fun day - including some phone time as CPG and Dharma wheel and deal on house purchase.  Dark Sky Brewery impresses.  But Isakov has lost his way, at least in our view.  Hiked on Mt. Elden as well.

McMillan's (Flagstaff)

Not much photography, here's a Sedona trail look:


via GIPHY

Dark Sky Brewery was a success; better-than-expected dinner at some new Italian place (Flagstaff).

Cooperative weather allowed us another trip up to Spur Cross on May 7 - and this time we did the full Elephant Mountain loop.  A favorite place.  Cloudy/cool conditions.  Epic brunch follows at Richardson's - green chili pork eggs benedict, yes!  Pairs well with Sculpin-on-tap.

Elephant Mountain - Spur Cross Nature Conservancy

We get out to the Superstitions on May 16 and hike the Peralta Trail for the first time in several years.  Supremely cooperative weather.  We agreed that this trail is even nicer than we recalled it.  Mid-week hiking kept the crowds down and simplified parking.  Amazing place.  Followed by lunch at another amazing place - Arizona Wilderness brewery.  My little designated driver was quite helpful (not to mention a fine hiking companion).  Here's Weaver's Needle:


via GIPHY

Superstitions + AZ Wilderness = strong combination.

Unusually fine atmospheric conditions in the Superstitions.  We need to get out there more regularly.

Celebrated wedding anniversary #37 with a road trip to our favorite Laguna Beach hotel - three nights, great weather, we walk the town relentlessly but offsetting calorie intake not a problem for me.  Meals at our usual favorite spots.  Shopping trip at the outlet malls on the way home.  Another delightful trip.


via GIPHY

So many meals at Nick's . . . 

A short staycation at FoundRe hotel in downtown Phoenix over 10 June weekend.  The usual:  wandering, eating; weather warm but manageable.  Much enjoyed our walk (and visit) to the Phoenix Art Museum, then light rail to Arrogant Butcher for a surprisingly good lunch.  Our favorite dinner was at Breadfruit.  Had a tour of the Cafiso's construction site - pretty fine location (and basically next door to our hotel).  Fun getaway.

Top - Match restaurant (in the hotel).  Bottom - life on the rails.

Stone, Round 3

Seemed like we had a pretty good trip visiting the Stone anniversary brewing reception in 2014, and then again in 2015 - so we went for round 3 on Friday, August 19.

Bros(?) + PJ @reception.

PJr drove to San Diego with PJ shotgun; CPG 'n me holding down backseat.  Nice and early start such that we made it for lunch by noon (despite too many stops enroute for some reason) at some BBQ joint ID'd by CPG.  POC (already in town with D'Backs), NOC and EPG (arrived Thursday via driving down from LA together) met us for lunch.  We heard that the three of them had an entertaining evening prior.

NOC hoping to be invited into photo.

Transportation up to U Cal San Marcos always requires a bit of planning; PJr and I score with Gaslight district Tahoe rental; PJ as always graciously DDs us back to San Diego after the event.

EPG's patented selfie technique.

The reception was, I think, the best yet for us.  Better organized as to food.  Better weather (the inland location sometimes can be a little hot).  EPG creates spot-on tasting-tracking sheet.  Beer is always good; I particularly like trying the casked versions.

Was it really "last call"  if a relief-pourer volunteers to fill the breach?  Love the "a lot more/big pour" compliments starting around 0:19 of this short (CPG-captured) clip (gratitude from patrons otherwise expecting their night was over):



Just a delightful evening.  In addition to our group:  Michael Cafiso for his third straight year of this, plus Chris Wagner - who puts up with, or promotes, our group's shenanigans and fits in seamlessly throughout.  POC finagles the night off from his D'backs duties to join, unexpectedly.  Nice.

NOC's Instagram compilation . . . 

After the reception - PJ and I get the Tahoe returned - then join the group at a Gaslight area bar - lots of D'backs folks, a nice finish to a fun day.

NOC had a fine idea for belated PJr b'day observance -
cupcakes from a fancy cupcake-vendor - but the evidence
suggests the cupcakes didn't quite survive Wednesday night.

Saturday: PJ and I (joined by EPG) go for coffee/breakfast.  Our entire group then gathers for lunch; we lose POC to work; lunch is followed by a Cafiso-sponsored afternoon of games/sipping/food at some Gaslamp place that worked quite nicely.  Back to hotel for game prep, where we do a little in-house tailgate (NC-style) courtesy of Chris W.  Petco Park - across the street - is quite lovely - we arrive in the 5th inning of a fast-moving game.  The stadium is its own beer-heaven.  D'backs win; we are able to make a bit of strategic racket at key late moments.  Fun.  Then we get a very late dinner - that's it for most of us, EPG/NOC/POC continue.

Sunday:  coffee/breakfast for PJ 'n me (joined by PJr).  Meet with the group and recap recent doings; then we go to lunch (a Greek place, really good); EPG napping in Audi as we hit the road for Phoenix.  NOC joins us rather than waiting for team plane, which we like!  Fun ride back, fun weekend . . .

We spent hours here on Saturday afternoon.  Pleasant hours.

Thanks for the tix, POC (per usual).  Lovely Saturday evening, fun game, D'backs win.

observing EPG's 30th

EPG was hitting a milestone birthday - #30, believe it or no - so we all (except Europe-touring PJr and NRG - who will visit SF separately and soon) gathered to make sure the event was celebrated properly.  I'm pretty sure we succeeded.

Closing stages of "opening night" for the weekend - EPG apartment (Wednesday)

Sacramento stop-off:  "Cielito Lindo" - b'day cake caps epic lunch. (Thursday)

PJ and I flew into SFO on Wednesday, July 27 - easy trip in late afternoon after abbreviated workday, Uber up to the Corwin Street apartment; CPG and NOC already there with EPG; also got to see Shane; dinner at Zuni (of course PJ and I reprise the roast chicken), where Kerry and Luis joined us direct from the airport.  FUN.  Sing the HB song to EPG (round one).  Eventually back to the apartment where we enjoyed a nice bottle of champagne (even though at least one of our group somewhat discreetly mused about whether it might be just a little late to bust it open).  PJ and I were done for the night at this point; others did a little scrambling to establish sleeping spots.

Cielito Lindo  photo #2 - just before onset of food comas

Views from the deck of the rental home - nobody wanted to leave.

Some of us were up for coffee and breakfast on Thursday, July 28; back to apartment for final prep; picked up a cleverly-sized U-Haul trailer and the seven of us headed toward the Lake Tahoe area in a single vehicle-with-trailer.  EPG drove the entire way.  Pulling the trailer slowed us down a bit, which the passengers (especially the veterans of KHG's 30th b'day trip to Ireland) agreed was just fine.  Quite a bit of traffic at various points, but things moved quite nicely.  There is a new game called "Pokemon Go" which is wildly popular - some of our passengers found it an amusing way to pass the time.

View of Emerald Bay from trailhead (taken right after our hike) (Friday) . . .

. . . beginning of hike . . .heading down toward Emerald Bay . . .

. . . random spot along trail, enroute to "Viking House"  . . . 

Quite a bit of time in the Sacramento area - but it was well spent.  CPG's usual and thorough Yelp research had identified "Cielito Lindo" as a lunch target - we drive up to a nondescript building and some (esp. me) wish to just drive right by - fortunately, we enter.  Personable waiter, interesting food that also tasted really good.  Fun.  Then a very long stopover at Costco.  Then a stop for CPG to grab some SmartWater for certain thirsty travelers.  Then a longish slog through increasingly lovely (mountains, streams etc) country, and we're into Tahoe.  Another long stop at a supermarket and then, finally and properly supplied, we advance to the rental property identified by EPG.  This place was an absolute winner - don't think it could have been  nicer.  Unpack, settle in.  Food coma induced by Cielito Lindo eventually eases, and we move onto a very nice dinner - featuring grilled salmon - nice work all weekend by the cook-and-clean folks (pretty much all are useful 'cept me).

. . . trail comes complete with fancy waterfall (naturally) . . .

. . . me 'n NOC at hike's end - lovely - 

Onto Friday, July 29 - fun day, lots of action.  Coffee and some breakfast on patio overlooking the lake (and enjoying perfect weather).  We head out for a hike - EPG wisely selects Emerald Bay area, including lovely waterfall, stream, Viking house, etc.  Warmish day but beautiful conditions throughout (once we found parking).  Back to town for lunch at a brew-pub - good but not great.  We relax back at the house for a bit; then drive over to the staging area for a boat cruise on Lake Tahoe - the lake really is quite gorgeous - much larger than I knew - we actually (surprisingly) enjoyed hearing the boat operator's spiel about size of lake etc.  Smallish boat and very nice; converted from 3M corporate use and POC speculates that his grandfather probably was on board way back when for a corporate event or two (which is an amazing small-world story if you think about it).

B'day honoree possibly recreating a scene during Tahoe cruise.
Water was SO BLUE (not really shown here due to backlighting).

Boaters.

Then we hang around the dock area for a bit, mostly haphazardly tossing "the pigskin" around.  Decide to order carry-out pizza - which required a little delay so we hung around a shopping plaza area - nice but sort of standard-issue ski village feel - the pizza was really good however (downed back at the house).  Feeling a little tired after a lot of time out in the sun.  We play games for a while; K makes some chocolate chip cookies; we take a break to sing "I sing my song" at midnight, and then to chat for a while; then we resume the games (Five Crowns); wrap up maybe around 2a?  I slept well.

More boaters.

Billiards expertise shining through . . . 

And now it's the official birthday (Saturday, July 30) - made a pot of coffee and lingered on that amazing patio again, wow.  Patrick drives to boating area to try to retrieve a lost backpack (which later turns up in POC/NOC room!); his retrieval mission of course fails but we get McD's b'fast out of it.  Then we decide to take the gondola ride to top of mountain and do the various activities up there.  This turned out quite fun indeed.  Gondola ride portion is much steeper/longer than I would have guessed looking from bottom - great view of Lake Tahoe and the town (though a bit obscured via smoke from a distant fire).  Spent a fair amount of time in line, as one would expect on a lovely Sunday afternoon in prime season - but with this group, even that (non)activity is really fun.  Ropes course and the downhill/sled ride - whatever it's called - both entertaining.  Lunch place came up with surprisingly good stuff - BBQ/smoked pork was excellent, also good beer.  Nice!

Celebrating triumph over the ropes course . . .

. . .  while others are still navigating. 

Back to town where PJ and I ditch the youngsters in front of the casinos and the two of us go to grocery store to pick up stuff for dinner.  Then we drive to the rental house - weather was a bit cooler and the place was of course incredibly quiet with just us there - opened all the windows and doors, listened to the wind move through the trees, all that kind of thing.  We worked on food prep (I mean PJ did, I just cleaned up some sweet corn).  Then our gamblers returned, though without riches, or even their opening stakes (I heard they had a cooler with).  We spend delightful time on the patio as evening sets in; some are working on food prep; POC had a interesting+ Stone stout that MOC had identified, nice; eventually the table is set.  Food prep was a huge success - a mixed grill of tuna, chicken, steak; grilled vegetables; etc.; everything just right.  EPG brings a red and a white wine - souvenirs from trips with his visitors (including Viansa on this trip) - nice.  Then we go 'round the table and discuss the birthday honoree - not surprisingly, folks had a lot to say - nice.  Singing; dessert.

This guy's 30th birthday!!

The clean-up crew does its thing with high efficiency (POC's time to shine!)  I had spliced together some video clips from EPG's younger days - which I truly loved watching-repeatedly-while-editing - the group watched this, plus various other videos that are sitting on youtube (including Emma Jahns).

Already rather late by now; PJ gives up; I end up at the pool table.  Round 1 is a game newly-invented by NOC and KHG - certain never to be played again - balls are set in middle of table, two teams of two line up on opposite ends of the table and go for the balls on count of three; then the teams return to their respective ends, with the goal being to fire the balls into the corner pockets on the other end of the table (and defend your own corner pockets).  Luis was The Natural (and my teammate), and therefore he and I won.  With only minor bruising and no lost digits.  POC takes shoulder hit from a reckless player.

After that:  normal pool games (CPG, me, Luis) for a long time, followed by normal pool games for a long time (CPG, me).  Dart players (POC + KHG v. NOC + EPG) in continuous action throughout, though eventually that advances, or degrades, to POC v. EPG with feats of skill.  I'm done around 2a and don't really know how long the rest continued.  Fun b'day observance night.

 

Sunday, July 31 - lingered on that patio again for coffee etc. for as long as we could possibly get away with it before it was time to pack up the place, organize our trailer, and hit the road.  Which we were sorry to do.  POC heads to Reno airport, the rest of us re-create our long road trip from Thursday.  CPG Yelp-finds "Crystal Basin Cellars" (Camino, CA) where we have a fine lunch.  Some Pokes are captured.  Slowish traffic at various points but lovely scenery throughout.  Return the trailer.  EPG, PJ and I take a trip in EPG's new, and fine, Audi (his 2003 Kia having expired, finally) to "The Spice Jar" for carry-out Chinese.  Played some games but most or all were pretty exhausted after several days of continuous action.



Now it's Monday, August 1 - EPG and Luis make a coffee run; the rest of us are in travel-prep mode for return flights.  We go to Nopalita's - lunch was just excellent, plus we got another chance to sing to the birthday boy.  They drive Kerry, PJ, CPG and me to the airport where we say our goodbyes.  We hear K has a smooth return flight; after some uncertainty, our Frontier flight to Phoenix works out just fine as well.  Luis and Nicole staying in town a bit longer for business, or monkey business, or both.

Nopalita!

Great travel companions; excellent planning by EPG; a group excited to celebrate EPG's #30, and this aspect definitely showed throughout.  Fun/memorable!