October 30th was the date of wedding number 2.  Jeff and I flew into Midway Airport.  We had not intended to be back so quickly.  It was only three months ago that we had packed up and headed west.  Chicago was welcoming; however in the short time we had spent on the coast we were…

Jeff had been very clear with both kids to warn against having children too quickly. He had told both Raun and Austyn to wait a few years.  Take time to get a little settled.  Austyn had said for months that she was afraid that she would get pregnant right away, this was not something they…

Rumor had it that a ring had been purchased.  Not just any ring, one that would last a life time.  Raun was asking Pam to marry him and yes there would be one more wedding these years. The date was selected and a beautiful venue was chosen in Lincoln Park, a short distance from where…

We had been in our new home about three weeks before we began to venture out. Less than a half of a mile in front of our home lies the Pacific Ocean. Less than three miles behind our home are the vineyards and they are beautiful. Most of them have a tasting room that for…

My total experience of being on the west coast consist of 3 days 28 years ago. My time on the coast has been primarily the Gulf off the Florida coast. I had expected warm sand, warm days, blue skies and beautiful sunsets. August in Pismo Beach was not what I had anticipated. There is this…

We settled into our hotel room in Pismo Beach. Pismo Beach is a classic beach town. Population 8,000 of which 40% are vacation homes and those people are not there year round. During the summer and on weekends the town is hopping with surfers and people from the valley coming to the coast to find…