Jake and Linda, I have to thank you AGAIN for this wonderful community you have created. Meeting folks from BT, really is indeed a pleasure. Sherry and Barry arrived at my house, and we headed down to Dana Point (I kept calling the Catalina Express to see if the boats were running and was assured they were, it would just be a "rough ride.") We get there, and there were gale force winds in the channel, and 10 foot plus seas, and NO boats were heading out anywhere...ok, so here are sherry and barry in front of the boat that didn't take us to catalina...


we walked down to proud mary's and had some breakfast while we chatted (it was pretty windy)...next we drove over to the ocean institute where i volunteer, and this sign usually says "breakwater, use caution." however, notice that barry has one foot illegally beyond the sign...what a rebel!


next we headed down to laguna beach and walked through some art galleries...and...gee, we were getting kind of thirsty so we headed to one of my favorite beach cafe's and barry had an AMSTEL...see, we have it here on the left coast!


now, just to prove that i was on this adventure, here are sherry and i...


headed south to the san clemente pier, and barry checked to see if his ship had come in...


now these so ca birds are pretty smart, they just go to the fish cleaning stations on the pier to get a drink!


well, we got thirsty and hungry again, and here is barry with his first green beer


it was a very relaxing and fun day, and was nice to spend it with such wonderful folks (who thankfully carry cash), of which, again, would not have been possible without the efforts of jake and linda's help.

i look forward to their next visit west, and hopefully next time we can do some kelp diving!

oh, and that last picture is the best one of the day

The last one was the "catch of the day" so to speak. Nice, nice folks and a wonderful time...what more can anyone ask for? Thanks for sharing your day with us, Cynde, Sherry and Barry.....nice, nice folks, indeed. Carole

Cynde....we can tell which one is the Californian....she's the one with the winter coat on! LOL. Notice how Sherry and Barry are dressed....they are from Colorado visiting California during the "Left Coast Winter"....so funny! carole

carole, i know...i asked barry if he had a coat and he said he had a sweatshirt...notice he had shorts on too, and i had my winter pea coat on! lol!

hey coo coo,

nice story;)

that bird (at the "water fountain") must have been from up the coast (stanford?)

"A" for effort!

Cynde, Thanx for sharing. I've met Aquaman and bubbels in may 2002 and we shared a drink at the small wall cafe. They are really nice people. It's good to see people who don't really know each other can meet and have fun.

'Cachoo,

More vicarious fun for BT :-)... Sorry about the stormy weather. Know what that's been like, that's for sure.
Hi to Barry and Sherry too. Glad you guys had fun!

fabulous pics, and good to hear how we meet via this site, thanks to Jake [& co] and then get to make friends with people from all over the world.

Glad you guys finally got together and had such a fun day!

Wonderful story Cynde! THank-you for sharing! I love the photos as well!

"I laughed. I cried. If you only see one thread this year - make sure it's Aquaman and Bubbles Take L.A. You'll find yourself returning again and again to share the angst, the beer, and the eventual triumph over adversity." Rating:

Great story and pictures. Ditto what Rusty said. One complaint thou, you didn't get any pictures of Barry's hair. How could we check out his hair cut?

They need to come to the right coast and do some man's diving. Forget that wussey 55 degree water, my shower water is not that hot.

Wonderful "Trip" report!! I think Aquaman had ALL his hair cut off!!!!!
One question though....
Cecil is there any reason WHY you take
showers????

mornin' gang, and yes we did have a great day. they dropped my off at the house around 5, we sat and talked for another hour, then they headed out...go figure that you could spend a great day with folks you had never met! martin, barry told me about your drink in front of the cam...must go dig that pic out...rusty, thanks for the "rating"

to those of you who are wondering about the length and color of barry's hair...only those who have seen him sans hat know for sure, and ..."i take the fifth."

Thanks for sharing, Cynde. Great trip report! BTW when Barry & Sherry return to Colorado (today I think???) they will be hoping they left very, very warm coats in their car at the airport. We are having the next stage of the storm that ruined your diving, I guess. Many, many inches of heavy, wet snow - schools closed all along the Front Range...hope their flight plans work out. We are supposed to be getting lots more snow over the next day or two.

Glad you guys got to meet in person!

Great pictures!

Jake

Ya know, it's kind of funny about how people say that the weather in "Sunny" Southern California is so mild and nice the year round. We get here on Saturday morning just as the rains are starting and they do not quit until late into the night. Find out later that this is the most rain the L.A. area has received at one time since 1930. According to Bubble's Aunt's brand new rain gauge, over 4 inches.

Also did anyone ever tell you that the wind blows constantly in California. We learned that boats are used for nothing here except to decorate the marinas and the beaches are only for those who wish to have their cars, bikes and selves sand blasted in some sort of local cleaning ritual.

Actually Cynde Lee turned out to be the most wonderful tour guide. We got to her house in the morning and met her and her wonderful animals. We then left for Dana Point and like I pointed out the marina decorations were out in force. We had a nice breakfast and then she proceeded to show us things that were of interest to here such as the downhill port-o-potty ride and where the all the people of alternative life styles hang-out. There was some quick talk of a purple thong and then that was dropped rather quickly.

We toured some shops in Laguna Beach area which were nice and then had a few drinks as we watched another ritual as young people on long flat boards were continually pounded by the sand under the water. Once again there were a few cars next to the beach with no paint. It was at the point of leaving Laguna Beach that another strange custom of the locals reared its ugly head. It appears as though they find it "untrendy" to carry cash. Will have to research this one some more before commenting on it further.

Then it was off to San Clemente Pier where once again we were treated to the local winds of Southern California as we held on for dear life as the waves threatened to remove the pier from its pilings. After dinner on the pier I realized that this is were the locals actually get their cash. They convince tourists that they should give them some of theirs. I also realized the foam on the beer was not from the pouring but from the vibration caused from those waves (and all this time I thought it was CO2). We then decided to go back to Dana Point and look at the marina decorations again.

After verifying they were still there we then had to look at the downhill port-o-potty ride again, (this must be one of Cynde's favorites) we then went back to her house to drop her off. She graciously invited us back in and we got to know her puppies who seem to really like Bubbles and Aquaman.

Thank you Jake and Linda for giving some people who would never had met a chance to get to know each other. Hopefully we will get a chance to come back to "Sunny" Southern California and see this fabled place called Catalina and actually get to dive. As this was primarily a trip to see Bubble's sick Uncle, we were not that disappointed. Cynde is a wonderful host and tour guide even though it was kind of on the spot. We really enjoyed her company and we feel that we have made a new friend.

I'm just wondering if Cynde Lee is actually triplets. Every time we see her - her hair is a different color.

Loved that shot with the green beer, Aquaman!

Is the beer really green? For St. Patrick's Day? I've never ever ever seen green beer!!!

Cynde, here's Aquaman having a nice wine with me...

barry...you have revealed one my secret joys...downhill port-o-potty ride...we really should have stopped and taken some pics for memory sake..oh wait, i will do a drive by on my way home tonight and if it is "still there" take a pic so everyone can see the public place dana point has for visitors to "relieve" themselves

now as for the cash carrying (or lack thereof)...explaination...(clearing my throat here)...i had my credit card and 20 bucks when we left the house (cecil, i know you can do a lot on 3 bucks, but i figured a 20 spot would be necessary)...i think barry must have pinched the 20 from my backpack when i wasn't looking (must have been the diversion when you were talking those nice policeman into NOT frisking you)...either that or the wind blew it away...nothing like trying to "put on your best" and when cash is needed, cynde proceeds to dig...dig...dig...deep into her pockets, backpack, camera case for the 20 dollar bill she was sure she had when she left the house...notice how i am referring to myself in "third person?" anyway, aquaman and bubbles were very gracious everytime we needed MORE quarters for the parking meter, and for finally breaking down and giving me cash...which i could then continue to reiterate that "i have cash."

it really was a fun day, michael would have enjoyed it. next time you and he can exchange beer recipes

jenni, green beer on st. patty's day is a tradition in many bars in the U.S...i did ask for green wogga, but they didn't have that!

Barry - just heard on the radio that all flights in/out of DIA are canceled until tomorrow at noon. Might be a good idea to call before you head to the airport out there...we are actually having a storm like everyone here in Colorado has been saying we need this year.

oh, martini, thanks for finding that pic

aquaman and bubbles, i feel i have made a new friend too

ginny, they are leaving tonight (or were). barry and sharry, have a safe trip back...if you have to stay longer, you always have the cards and "conversation."

We just got a call from Bubbles daughter saying that American had called her to say the flight was cancelled into Colorado Springs. I then called the airlines and confirmed that the flight in fact has been cancelled. We are leaving tomorrow, same time same place.

Aquaman

What a great thread and great folks in it. New faces, new friends, new experiences, new memorie...can't ask for much more....oh, yes...new diving experiences, too! Carole

Ooops....I meant "Almost" new diving experiences! Carole

aquaman and bubbles, better break out a new deck of cards

Aw, come on Cynde, the surf isn't really high unless it's breaking over the pier, it doesn't look like it's breaking over the breakwater. You aren't even looking up at the surf in the picture of you and Bubbles. Come on, lets do some flag pole diving (hang on a rock and make like a flag in the surge) after finding the bottom by running into it.

lol linnea, it was actually crashing over the pier but i really couldn't get a good pic of us running down the pier at mac speed

Good luck, Barry & Sherry, trying to get back to Colorado today. The Front Range is just about shut down completely, still snowing & blowing. Right now DIA is closed, don't know about the C Springs airport...stay in touch with your airline.

Every school district, community college, university, county govt, etc., is closed today. Many major businesses also. (I work at a family practice doctors' office - not closed, but I doubt I'll be able to get there today.)

Hope it's sunny in SoCal today!!!

well, drove by to see if the portapotty ride was still there, no luck...but i did find a better picture of sherry and i on the beach, see linnea, the waves WERE really big! (unfortunately the hats became a casualty after we got mowed over by the wave)



(Message edited by cyndelee on March 19, 2003)

You are still not looking up at them, BIG waves are when you stand on the beach and get a crick in your neck trying to look up at the top. If you are in the water, you put your head between your knees and kiss your a** goodbye.

Hi Barry,
I was in San Clemente on Saturday and Sunday, March 15th & 16th just missed y'all. I have a friend that has a condo that looks over the pier. Next time your in So. California sent me an e-mail.

Rob

Purple hat ladies?? Great shot of the two of you! Is that the wind in your sails (pea coat)about to take you into orbit, Cynde?? Wow! Carole

Well, Bubbles and I are back to work today. Got into Colorado Springs airport about 9:30 last night and there was no snow. The drive between Co. Springs and Denver was a different story, it was one lane and four wheel drive the whole way.

Finally got to our road and no luck, the plows hadn't been through yet. It would be about a 1.5 to 2 mile walk through thigh deep snow to get home and we would have to leave the truck parked on the highway to do it. So we drove back to town and got a hotel room (not cheap).

May be able to get home tonight maybe not we will see.

Aquaman

What's a pea-coat??? My mind boggles trying to work it out!!!

a pea-coat is typically a heavy wool, double breasted, coat worn by sailor types...cynde has one on in the photo.

the coats have been in/out/in of popularity with non-sailor types as long as i can remember.

i don't think the jackets were/are very practical - high maintenance, smelled bad wet...really, the navy should be looking at gore-tex or something a little more high-tech...

whatever,

here ya go Jenni...
Pea Coat
Sailors who have to endure pea-soup weather often don their pea coats but the coat's name isn't derived from the weather. The heavy topcoat worn in cold, miserable weather by seafaring men was once tailored from pilot cloth — a heavy, course, stout kind of twilled blue cloth with the nap on one side. The cloth was sometimes called P-cloth for the initial letter of "pilot" and the garment made from it was called a p-jacket — later, a pea coat. The term has been used since 1723 to denote coats made from that cloth.

and yet another version, maybe some of the Dutch speakers can join in on this one...

"The "pea" in "pea jacket" almost certainly comes from the obsolete English word "pee," which meant a coat made of coarse cloth. "Pee" in turn probably came from the Dutch word "pie" ("pij" in modern Dutch) found in the term "pij-jakker," meaning a coat very similar to our modern pea jacket."

Freddie, I must admit, most of the word origin sorcs I checked had your origin, word for word, including the US Navy.

cynde, it was grand meeting you and we had so much fun that day, even if the weather had changed our plans..the food,drinks and company was great, even if we were abit wind blown !!! loved the photos and my new hat.... (so far my email is down here at work today.) you are just a delightful fun person... so glad we were able to get together-hope we can again one day.

barry and i had a very short night-couldnt get home after we landed.. so after nearly 4 hrs of driving, which should be one hour- we got a hotel for acouple hours, hope we can get home tonight. lucky we had my daughter at home, she took care of things and fed our horses etc. & she cant get out to go to work either. we were lucky not to look electricity, alot of folks still have no power. my grandsons had been playing accross the street-then the storm hit hard -stayed with the neighbor kids over 2 nights--( and the snow got so deep-about 3 feet, they couldnt get home) so today she saddled up our big long legged horse, rode over and picked one up at a time and got them home... guess the horse came in handy.

hardly any one here at work today, roads so bad, except for the few main roads.. the foothills got 7 ft of snow... we got about 2-3 feet but it drifted into deep snow banks.. plus its a heavy wet snow.. but we are happy to get the moisture
maybe i can go tobbagganing this weekend!!! been waiting a couple years for enough snow to do that.

Here is are 2 pictures that a friend stuck at home in the foothills sent us.

Here is are 2 pictures that a friend stuck at home in the foothills sent us.

Here is are 2 pictures that a friend stuck at home in the foothills sent us.

barry and sherry, you must have taken the weather with you because it is back to sunny california as usual

sherry, was a pleasure to meet you as well (glad you like the hat!) sorry you had such a hard time getting back...glad your daughter is there to take care of your animals as well...barry, those pictures are amazing...hope you make it home tonight, bet you will be glad to be there after all you have been through! gale winds in california, storm of the century at home!

oh, minor note on my "pea coat." it isn't wool, i bought it at the sporting goods store, and it is a fuzzy kind of material, but warm!

Barry & Sherry

Just Looking at the photos makes me cold. That is why i live in Sunny So.California.

rob

well, it isnt all that cold out, melting.. but with the snow being so deep the only place for water to run is down the roadways.
however our last 2 miles of county gravel road off the main highway still are 3 ft of snow.. no plows there.. so we will not be getting home tonight the way it looks now. oh well, guess we will roll with the punches. would have to get some snow shoes and hike in if nobody home to care for the animals but since we have that covered.. no problem.

sherry

Wow! Now THAT'S snow! Makes our 25 inch blizzard look like a pipsqueak!! I do hope you guys get home soon (Sherry and Barry) and that your critters will be veryyyyy happy to see you again. Good old horses always come thru when you need them! Unbelievable pics from Colorado. Carole

Good luck with the snow plow/melt. Our data center is near DIA and they have been stuck there for 2+ days. No place to sleep, food from vending machines, and no showers. So glad I'm a living in Alta California Sur.

we made it home last night. the plow went through before dark.. but then barry spent until nearly midnight using the snow blower and making tracks with the truck to get it in and up the driveway and opening a path so sheila can get out and to work today... but we are fine and here at work again...

traffic wasnt bad coming in to work today, its not very cold so the roads are not icy, slush and melting snow everywhere. supposed to get up to 50 this weekend so i am sure things will be a mess. but we needed all of this so -NOT COMPLAINING.

sherry

sherry, glad you guys made it home...how much did you get at your place?...bet you are looking forward to the weekend after this week! stay safe, and give shiela and the boys a big hug (and barry too...his nice big bear hug has held me over until michael gets home tonight)oh, and i still think you should post a pic of the sleeping kittys on your horse...i loved that picture!

(Message edited by cyndelee on March 21, 2003)

total the foothills got about 7 ft of snow, we got 2 to 3 feet on the praire, and of course have high snow banks in places.. looks cool

it is melting and sinking fast-lots of slush, since its not very cold out. just a wonderful batch of moisture, we have to expect things like this unless you live-- say on Boniare!!!lol!

hope you all have a great weekend!!! wish i were on bonaire,, well i will dream on.. bubbles

What to do with a lot of snow. No, I didn't do this but I thought it was funny...

lol barry! wonder what the topic of "conversation" was?

Looks like quite an intense game going on there! Is there any dip for the chips? (potato chips, that is!) Joe says someone must have had a little too much time on their hands.....I guess so, if you are held captive in a blizzard. LOL. Carole

greetings from belgium
groetjes uit België

picture of my little beauty filly

Francois, Sherry and Barry will just fall in love with your new little filly...she is so beautiful! Congratulations and may you have lots of fun with her in the future. Sherry and Barry (Bubbles and Aquaman) are horse owners and lovers, but I guess you already know that. So beautiful, she is! Carole

love your filly.. and what a beautiful girl she is. do you have other horses?

thanks for sharing the photo. i could just hug her. bubbles