And there was a little knitting too!

I just got back from California and a good time was had by all. This was the third reunion trip with friends from college. We met 40 years ago this fall at UCONN as freshmen: Candy and I were roomates and Donna and Cathy were friends in their dorm. We all pledged ADPi as freshmen and when we moved into the house the following year we were inseparable as a foursome. As things turn out, through the years we went our separate ways, but an internet search brought us all in contact again (actually, I had maintained a casual contact with all) and we decided to get together for a reunion in 2006 for the first time. Struggling to come up with dates is the only hard part. The rest has been pure fun. Donna is now in Santa Barbara, Cathy in the Napa Valley (St Helena), Candy is in Broomfield CO and I am in Centennial CO. One would think, with Candy and I in the same region, it would be easier to meet more regularly, but life seems to get in the way.

This year we went to Carmel California and stayed in a rustic cabin up a canyon about 11 miles south of the city of Carmel. I had been to California several times, but this is the first time I experienced the magnificence of Big Sur.

We drove quite a bit up and down Hwy 1 savoring each vista and view.

We saw the Monterey Aquarium and my favorite part was the Jellyfish exhibits.

We saw nature in the wild: sea otters and sealions and lizards.

The wildflowers were in bloom, especially the sedum, ice plants, and Calla Lilies.

And we had tons of fun, laughing, reminiscing, and drinking good wine. Cathy's husband is in the wine industry and can be counted on for supplying wonderful bottles of wine, far better than I can afford for everyday. It makes our gatherings pretty special!

On Sunday, the four of us walked about a mile to the start of the 10.6 walk of the Big Sur Marathon at the Rocky Point Restaurant. For a bunch of old broads, we are in good shape and each of us excercise regulary. Candy and Donna are really fit, I am ok, and Candy was my prime worry. She has had some problems with her feet and ankles and only felt like she could make it halfway. When she started aching, she stopped at one of the first aid stations and inquired about a lift to the finish line. After being told it may be a few hours, she said, "Hell, I can finish in a few hours by walking!" So we trudged on, slowly, but steady. Donna and Cathy were far ahead of us, but waited for us to catch up every mile or so. I stayed with Candy and it was exciting for the four of us to cross the finish line together. We didn't break any speed records, as our finish time was nearly 4 hours and 3 minutes with over a 22 minute per mile pace, but we all finished....even Candy. Of course, stupid me forgot the camera (I left it by our knitting and forgot to put it back into my fanny pack!) so I will add photos once I get some from Donna, whose camera came along for the walk.

We celebrated by going to the Monterey Plaza Hotel Spa to relax on the penthouse patio, eat lunch, sit in the hot tub and treat ourselves to spa benefits. I had the best massage ever! and was so relaxed, I felt like jelly when done.

And yes, there was some knitting too! I brought some needles and cotton yarn and cast on for a dish cloth. I managed to teach Candy and Donna and they humored me by learning! I believe that they will continue to complete this project and whether they pick it up again in the future is yet to be seen. Cathy wanted nothing to do with this activity at all so I made a cloth for her and forgot to photograph it before handing it over.

Making good progress on the shawl. Making mistakes still, but plodding along.