San Diego, Graduation and Catalina

 Congratulations to Daisy! 

Daisy's graduation was a joyful event, and we were so grateful to be there to wrap her in happy hugs on her big day. We weren't the only ones there to celebrate with Daisy and Warren: Daisy's mom and dad, her sister, niece and nephew, four friends (and a baby) from Chicago, and Daisy's aunt from Mexico made up Daisy's cheering section in SDSU's auditorium. Daisy's got a bright future ahead of her, and we're excited to find out what's next (SDSU article).

Backing up a bit in our story... we've come quite a long way since our last blog. Here are some highlights!

As we moved from Arizona to San Diego, we started seeing signs for creatures that made us think twice about trekking down a trail. Or sitting down on a remotely located toilet, for that matter, just in case a creature was enjoying the shade of the seat!

We passed through the inland desert regions and took in the Glamis Sand Dunes, where dry sand was all there was to see for about 20 minutes of our drive -- and then we were on to a different climate zone!

Then we were on to California and huge boulder piles!

Before graduation day, we had some time to check out San Diego Bay, Point Loma, and the city of Chula Vista where Warren and Daisy live. After the heat of the desert it was refreshing to enjoy the beautiful Southern California climate. 

Palm trees!

Ray POSED with the hot dog but did not EAT the hot dog.

Point Loma - overlooking the bay on one side

And tide pools on the other side

And remembering the many who've served our country:

Chula Vista:

Here are a few more photos from Daisy's graduation!

Warren and Daisy's yard and house look so nice!

After about 30 minutes of dancing, my watch asked if I wanted to "Record Outdoor Walk?" I wasn't walking, but I WAS moving my feet, so I clicked yes... after the party I'd "walked" 6.2 miles! Such a fun night!

Finally, after 3000 miles, even the car got a break with an oil change and much needed car wash.

Time to say goodbye to Warren and Daisy...

Traveling up the coast, we stopped at San Pedro near Los Angeles. The battleship Iowa is there for tours. It had served in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and in the Cold War. Ray realized that compared to the USS Iowa, the USS Fletcher had some luxurious features (like reverse osmosis water filtration -- and therefore unlimited showers!)

From San Pedro, we took a ferry boat out to Catalina island. If you have ever taken a cruise ship and visited a small coastal town to see the restaurants and shops, Catalina has that…but there is also so much more. 90% of the island is conservation area created by the Wrigley family (think gum and Chicago Cubs) who had bought the entire island. 

There are many trails on the island, including a 38 mile hike that many folks use to prepare for longer hikes like the Appalachian Trail. 

We saw beautifully preserved landscapes with bison and an eagle’s nest on a conservation tour. 

With the clouds resting on top of the peaks we were driving over, the temperature dipped to 52º during our tour... hot cocoa and soup for lunch afterward!

Of course, we also took in a semi-submersible tour of the kelp forest and fed the Half Moon blue perch and the Garibaldi (California state fish). So fun!

Before leaving California, we had the chance to visit not only with Warren and Daisy, but also with our friend Mila (whom we've known since she and Marty, Ray and I were all newlyweds), Atul (Ray's CEO from Cambium) and Uncle Vern, with whom we got to see a beautiful concert at Stanford. 

We've had a wonderful chance to reconnect and catch up!

Now we head toward to Grand Teton!