Last day and trip home

We loved our place so much that we hardly left it Friday. Just hanging out on the deck alternating with working on a jigsaw puzzle (though I did make one foray to acquire wine and cheese for the evening deck sitting). Happy to spend hours watching the water, the sky, the light, and the marine life. Who knows what new level of relaxed we would have reached with another week?  



Sadly we had to come home, but I found an all Aretha, all day channel on Sirius which made the flight better


Few more shots from Half Moon Bay

There were some great bakeries and shops in town , including a sweet bookstore and a lot of outdoor spaces to relax. They also have an atrium "Piazza" that has small concerts and other events. 



Don’t know what exactly their business consists of here



Thursday - the day we actually made a plan (sort of)

Despite our commitment to perfecting the art of lounging, Thursday we decided perhaps we should explore a little so we took a drive to Half Moon Bay. It would have been a lovely 15 minute drive ...



except we overshot and ended up in coastal farmland instead. We did make the acquaintance of some geese who demonstrated their right of way while a goat, 3 horses, and a llama looked on, cheering. 


Finally made it to Half Moon Bay which was a cutesified, but pleasant little town. They had a fun spot for kids - an old ship cut in two surrounded by little craft stations. Looked like fun


By then it was time for lunch at Chez Shea with a sweet patio in back. I had grilled fish tacos while Linda tried the East-West fish taco - fish rubbed with harissa and served on pita with tzaziki. Both excellent. 

Uneventfully Delicious Wednesday

Wednesday we had an even more laid back day - slowly, surely shifting to lower gears. Spent a good while sitting on the deck watching the birds, Humpbacks, and even a pair of dolphins. Linda took her new and oh so appropriate sweatshirt for a spin. 


Then we mustered the energy to get ourselves into town for massages. While waiting for the other, each of us moseyed around the local farmers' market.  Then back to the deck for wine and

cheese and more communing with our marine-dwelling friends. 

Whale watching and old friends

Tuesday morning we suited up for the chilly deck, started up the fire pit and settled in for morning coffee. We were treated to quite a show - a pod of humpback whales was feeding right in front of us. Almost impossible to capture a photo because they’re so quick that they’re back down as soon as you train the camera on them, but imagine the scene: chilly foggy AM snuggled in toasty clothes, dancing flames and out on the water whales cresting and breaking through the water line straight up as they feed. [Linda tells me they swim around in circles to gather the fish and then launch themselves upwards to gobble as many as they can. ]

Pretty great!

In the afternoon, I drove down to Palo Alto to visit my old and much loved friend, Elisabeth.  Once again could kick myself for not taking a picture , but as always, we started talking and I forgot everything else. 

Fwd: Day 3 Pacifica

We had a good visit Sunday with Jim and Louise who drove over from the East Bay to see us. Sadly I forgot to take pictures (though being me, I did manage a previsit picture of the appetizer I made).  

Today we woke to a chilly, foggy morning, but went out on the deck anyway, dressed as if for an old fashioned ocean liner Atlantic crossing. 


Just as we were deciding perhaps it was too chilly after all, our neighbor showed up and lit the gas firepit for us. Ahhh, much better as well as mesmerizing. 

Exploring the neighborhood

Yesterday afternoon we took a walk along the water and explored the pier. Stopped in a cafe that has definitely not had the hipster makeover. A bit frayed around the edges, but cozy and the service was friendly. 


Then we went in search of cannibis salve which is supposed to be good for arthritic knees. The unfortunately, all three of the local marijuana dispensaries listed on Yelp were closed for good. More to that story I'm sure. Meanwhile we came upon a very strange business of a different sort. 


Waking up in Pacifica,CA

Bad weather for air travel Saturday morning. But after some delays and fretting at JFK, we finally boarded our plane, waited a while longer on the tarmac and eventually took off, arriving about 3 hours late. Not too bad in the end, and one flight attendant made it her business to keep everyone informed while we waited. Information makes these things so much easier to take. Why it’s not offered more often is one of those mysteries of life. 

By the time we’d figured out how to manage the rental car’s doodads, found the place, worked out how to get in, and foraged for dinner, there was only time for a brief appreciation of the sunset (will be remedied tonight I’m sure). Now we’re happily ensconced in our beachside apartment, drinking coffee and tea on the deck In the sea air (and needing fleece!). We chose this place partly for its temperature which is lovely after the terrarium-like conditions in NYC. 

We’re looking forward to seeing my brother Jim    and meeting his new girlfriend  later today. 

One more (or actually two)

The last night in Siem Riep we were hanging in the bar waiting for the bus to take us to dinner. This bunch of "women of a certain age" started dancing - to the chagrin of some of the other guests.  Didn’t dampen the enthusiasm though. The singer and piano player seemed to enjoy the participation. 

Travel offers many puzzles, among which were these perplexing buttons to call the elevator(?!?!)