Los Angeles, California: Instead of returning home from San Diego, we went to LA to see our only child on her birthday. Just invited ourselves. Lisa had to work on her birthday and no one would be home until late afternoon, so we took our time (no other way in I-5 Los Angeles traffic, anyway), and made a pitstop in Anaheim for lunch at the Anaheim Packing District, an old citrus-packing warehouse now housing many shops and restaurants. It was surprisingly quiet at a noon-time Friday. On our other handful of visits, the place was packed (pun intended) with people.
The burger was super good and not so huge, but I’m still glad we split it, and for some reason DT asked for garlic fries full knowing he would be stuck in a car with me on the freeway for several more hours.
We arrived to Lisa's house, just as she finished with work, everyone was home so we had a little catch-up since Leo's Bar Mitzvah and headed out to a wonderful Italian restaurant for dinner. We ordered so many things, and shared them all. The wine was delicious, the children were perfectly behaved and the restaurant brought our baby a special dessert, complete with a candle.
Actually, I should say birthday girls. Lucy turned 11 three days ago! Lots of celebrations for the 4L's in August.
Since the family were going surfing and were up early, we left Los Angeles at 8a Saturday and were home in two hours.
The only other excitement I have to report is my Baby Bro, Steve (and Kris), flew to Orlando to see the Hemisphere Dancer - fully restored and re-installed at the Margaritaville Cafe at Universal City Walk.
For those not in the know, The Hemisphere Dancer is a seaplane from the 1950s, originally used by the US Navy. Jimmy Buffett bought this boat in 1995 and used it for years as (one of) his personal aircraft. This little plane has a piece of fame attached to it though, as Jimmy was flying The Hemisphere Dancer into Jamaica (with Bono, and Bono's family) onboard when the Jamaican military began shooting at the plane, thinking it was a drug-running craft. Oops! Of course, legendary storyteller Buffett turned this could-be tragedy into a song, Jamaica Mistaica, on his Banana Wind album. No one was hurt, but the bullet holes are still visible in the newly restored plane.
Until my next update, I remain, your home again correspondent.