Day 49: 08/14/09

Vince writes:

            “San Diego, mmmmm, drink it in it always goes down smooth…It's the greatest city in the history of mankind. Discovered by the Germans in 1904, they named it San Diago, which of course in German means a whale's vagina.” – Anchorman (2004)

Driving in south from the Barstow area it’s hard to imagine why anyone would want to live in Southern California! The smog, the traffic, the terrible roads (the worst we’ve seen in six thousand miles), gas prices (a dollar more per gallon than any other area we’ve been in), obnoxious drivers, and a 9 percent sales tax to boot. Then you get to the coast and realize what lures Californians in and keeps them here even though the livin is easy elsewhere. We pulled in to Mission Bay and parked in an RV park next to the bay. After a brief tour of the bay and Pacific beach, Mel and I awaited the arrival of our children Lindsay and Andrew who drove out from AZ for David’s wedding.      

Day 50: 08/15/09

Vince writes:

            Andrew and I got up early and took a long bike ride along the esplanade in Pacific Beach and around the Bay. There was a lot of activity in the parks around the bay, fitness boot camps, yoga classes, runners and party goers setting up for the day. We decided to get in the water before we had to get ready for the wedding so we hit the beach. After body surfing for a few hours we got showered, changed and headed up to La Jolla for the ceremony. Let’s just say that four people getting ready for a wedding in our trailer was a bit of a circus act. We managed though.

            The park where David and Maria got married overlooked the ocean and was set in the middle of an upscale neighborhood. The telltale sign of the affluence was the black Ferrari parked on the curb. The view was very special and the park had sentimental value to the bride and groom. The ceremony was very unique, from the casual dress to the hammer dulcimer playing songs from Metallica and the El Ultimo Mohicano. It was also a very romantic wedding ceremony. There was a rose petal alter where Dave and Maria shared their poetic vows and not too many eyes were dry by the end of it. A great start to the rest of their lives together. The reception was great fun and a delight to meet Maria’s family and spend time with friends and family.

            We leave tomorrow for home after a brief celebration of my grand-nephew’s 1^st birthday. Once we get home we have twelve hours to park the rig, pack our gear and catch a plane for Anchorage. The remainder of our adventures will be in South Central Alaska and the interior.

Quote of the day: (Vince’s Cousin Laurie McCargar and 2^nd Cousin to Andrew): “Are you Andrew, I’m Laurie from Facebook”!