I had a few meetings first thing then we headed down the 5 to the 405 and the 710 to Long Beach.  It took more than 2 hours, even though it should’ve taken one hour.  Not a fan of big city traffic, how does one accomplish anything around here?? By the way, I’ve been told several times that, around here, you do not call it Interstate 5, or I-405, etc…  It’s called The 5, The 405, The 101, and so on.  When in Rome…

Google maps, below, is great in that the app shows you where there are slow downs (orange) and stops (red) along your route.  Yeah….so nope….

Our planned RV Park didn’t pan out so we called around and found another down a ways in Newport Beach.  It’s further from my family which annoys me but it’s my own fault.  Reservations haven’t been needed in months.  Guess 85 degrees temps in mid-December is desirable for Snow birds.

Joe and I enjoyed Taco Tuesday with my uncles Mike and Vinny, my cousin Vickie, and my Aunt Frankie.  I’m ashamed to say I did not get one picture.  Not one.  I guess we were enjoying ourselves so much we didn’t even think to.

It was unexplainable seeing family after so long.  Seems last time I spent time with Aunt Frank my sons were babies and she and MeMaw (short e) were living together on Brown St. in Princeton, WV.  Early 1990’s.  I was a confused, young mom and those two were a hoot, I assure you.  My Mother, their sister and daughter,  was gone by then and these two hilarious, often inappropriate, strong women were my harbor in the storm.  She won’t likely understand how important she was to my mental health then.  It’s a gift to hug her neck now. I feel a kinship with mom’s sister and am thankful to see her again.

I worked a lot this week but we took the late afternoons to wander around.  Newport Beach downtown below was a lot of fun and absolutely beautiful.  The weather allows us to ride the motorcycle which always makes the hubs happy.

This is a nice campground, it’s on a marina. There are some quirky campers here which is cool.  Lastly, camping requires improvisation.  We’ve found so many workarounds once we realize all the things we forgot.  lol

I got to spend one afternoon with my momma’s beloved brother, Mike.  He’s known as Michael here in California, but he’ll always be Mike to me.  Way back in 1976 (or was it 78 Mike?), he spent his last day in West Virginia teaching me how to ride a bicycle in our neighbor’s yard, The Pearman’s.  There’s even a pic somewhere.

He’s the Pennington’s unofficial historian and shared many memories with me while there.  It was soothing, much needed few hours with a loving, gentle man.  Our family is so blessed with our men.  All gentle souls.  He shared this article about his mom, my MeMaw.  Although tragic, I’m here because she didn’t become Mrs. Tickle.  MeMaw was a force to be reckoned with for sure.

We enjoyed an evening with my family.  These folks live in paradise and I can’t think of many who deserve it more.  They are all so loving and welcoming.  Plus Frankie got to practice her flirting on Joe (she’s very skilled from way back-Ann would’ve LOVED her), ahhhh, good times.

My cousin, Vickie, is my oldest sister’s age.  I find those two are very similar.  Very loving and sweet.  Vickie is a midwife who has delivered more than 4000 babies.  She is bilingual and a dynamo.  We’re so privileged we get to call her our own.  xo Vickie

I was fighting an overall tired feeling and random pain in my face the last two days.  So I settled in the camper and used my Neti Pot (thanks for the tip Vinny and Mike) like a madwoman.  We headed out, determined to take a left back across the south.  We missed San Diego and The Grand Canyon but Joe’s dad is unwell and so we are headed toward home.