Sunday in Huntington Beach

After breakfast with Anola and Peter and terry and Johnny, we headed west on I-10 for the coast and Huntington Beach. we arrived a little before noon to find Galen and his family in a nice relaxed mode. Laura was busy with some extensive Halloween decorations.

We leave in the morning late for a 1:00 flight to Chicago with a connecting flight home that arrives around midnight. we have had a wonderful and active time. were it not for the fact that we both ate too much, we would be feeling perfect.

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Gerry and Kara's Wedding

Here is the reason we were in Southern California to begin with: to celebrate Gerry and Kara's wedding. We had a wonderful time. It was a special treat to get to meet Peter's brothers and sisters and to spend time with Anola and Peter as well as Terry and Johnny who were here as well.

It was a very lively celebration in a unique setting.

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Here is a video of Gerry speaking his vows to Kara.

Hike in Palm Canyon

After getting settled in Palm Springs at the Ace Resort and Swim Club, we took a couple of hours and went to Palm Canyon for a little hiking. This is unique area, really an oasis in the desert. As you approach, you begin to see palm trees clearly growing in the desert without the support of human installed irrigation. As you get nearer you realize that the natural springs and mountain runoff into the canyons provide the moisture needed for these natural gardens.

The Agua Caliente Band lived here and continue to manage the reservation that includes these sites and multiple hiking trails. We spent time in the main canyon, the aforementioned Palm, as well as another canyon, San Andreas, which has running streams all year round. One can see why these were special sites for the Agua Caliente, providing relief from the summer desert heat and water all year round.

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See a short video panorama.

Safari Park

After breakfast with Melanie and Candy at Mission-North Park, we drove north to spend the day at the San Diego Zoo's Safari Park, formerly known as the Wild Animal Park. We had two choices--actually Marilyn had them--either the Zoo itself in Balboa Park in San Diego or Safari Park in North County which was happily more or less on our way to Palm Springs. She chose the latter and we were both glad she did.

It was a cloudy and drizzly day in San Diego until mid afternoon when the clouds burned off. As a result, the park was not crowded at all and was easy to get around in. We went to the bird show which I remember as the Birds of Prey show. The current version is more diverse and even more interesting than the old show. I took some pictures but also some video which I will process and post when we return home.

Our big treat, however, was a two hour photo safari out into the exhibit areas complete with a guide. We saw many animals up close and personal and learn a great deal about them. The highlight was feeding a female giraffe.

After a full day, we drove over the mountains and into Palm Springs and checked in the ACE Resort and Swim Club. It has a retro 70's look. Very interesting.

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San Juan Capistrano and San Diego

We are in Southern California to celebrate Gerry and Kara's wedding Saturday in Palm Springs. We arrived Thursday on time and in first class thanks to Sean's generous use of his United miles to upgrade us. We stopped at San Juan Capistrano on the way to San Diego where we met Sean who was in town for a business conference. He treated us to dinner at Harbor House in Seaport Village, one of my favorites! We had coffee at the Upstart Crow where Sean worked during and shortly after his time at USD. Tomorrow we have breakfast with Melanie and Candy and then probably the San Diego Zoo before we head to Palm Springs.

Check out the photo album.