The Trip Begins

Dear Friends and Family:

At long last, "The Trip" has commenced. For those of you who have been living under a rock the last few months, this refers to the around the US trip upon which I have embarked. The loop started early on the morning of March 31st in Tracy at the home of my friend Karen. She is a very close friend and golfing buddy, and we definitely needed an evening to reminisce, plan for when I'll see her next, and joke about the trouble I'll get into as the trip gets underway.

I left at about 7 am, and the traffic down Interstate 5 was pretty light, so I made great time. I didn't know my sister Kit had left me a detailed message about how to get through the Mojave Desert on my way to Rancho Mirage (near Palm Springs), so I simply took 5 to 210 just north of LA, and then across to San Bernardino and connecting to Interstate 10 to Rancho Mirage. The whole trip took about 6 1/2 hours at 75 miles per hour, and while there were a few sprinkles, all in all it was lovely.

The hills south of Tracy were magnificent, emerald green, rolling, with no hint of the golden color I know will be their hue in just 2 months. There were occasional patches of bright yellow, as significant patches of the hillsides were erupting in mustard. As I got below Coalinga however, there were some patches of golden tinge, just creeping in. Surprisingly, LA itself was pretty green, as they had just had a series of relatively heavy storms.

It was a thrill getting to Rancho Mirage. I was still elated from two recent parties. One was with the staff from the clinic in Redwood City. It's really hard to leave people you love working with, some of whom I've known for 25-28 years. OK, it's true that retiring takes a little of the sting away from leaving, but it doesn't change the genuine affection for wonderful people who have been your mates for a long time.

The other party was a surprise birthday party, hatched by my devious and sweet daughter, and aided and abetted by a wonderful friend and colleague, Enid, and two of my sisters, Kit and Marti. I found all of this out later, as I thought Enid, Tuija and I were going out to dinner together. Tuija opened the door at Enid's house, and the shout of "surprise" took me aback, followed by shock at seeing face after face of beloved friends and family. Even my aunt from Tucson had traveled all the way to Oakland for this, along with my niece, and 5 of my 8 siblings. It was so great having my Mom there also, and more people from work, those who I'd worked with in the Regional Office for many years. So to all of you, you made my departure so special, when I left on the 31st, there was so much warmth in my heart, I just bopped down the interstate, listening to the CD's Tuija had made for me with all of my favorite artists.

Since I got to Kit's, it's been lots of laughter and so far two rounds of great golf. I've been so busy with getting all of the details of the trip together that I haven't played for two months, quite unusual for me. But the Palmer course at Mission Hills yesterday, and then the Dye course today, have rekindled the spark and the mixed emotions of frustration at this impossible game, which has moments of sheer elation. One of the beautiful times is pictured above from the round today on the Dye course. Too much water, but just lovely and verrryy challenging. Kit, Lynda and I played, and of course, giggled our way around the course, when we weren't cursing.

After each round, we went to the Kraft Nabisco LPGA Tournament, and got to see all of our favorite players. I'm an ardent Lorena Ochoa fan, but it was great to see everyone, and at least today, Lorena and Karen Stupples are tied for the lead.

It's going to be a simple dinner tonight with Kit and Jim (one of the neatest guys in the world), Lynda and I. Grilled chicken and grilled asperagas beautifully prepared by Chef Kit. I'll be commenting along the way on my cooking exploits, but with a kitchen as beautiful as hers, I can see why Kit also likes to spend a little time with food.

Tomorrow it's a very early tee time back on the Palmer course, and on Monday there are plans to go to Joshua Tree to take desert pictures. The flowers are supposed to be breathtaking right now, and I'll share what I have with you. For now, enjoy, and keep safe. (See, a whole blog with not a single sarcastic comment on political issues. Won't last!)