Sunburns and Sailors

Me and Dad: Imperial Beach

Dad and I spent Friday trying to get my kitchen functional, and unpacking more boxes. (I have to thank Desree for helping me pare down my kitchen stuff while I was still in Utah, otherwise I would have had way too much stuff.) Dad and I toured my new complex and checked out the spa/ pool area and the coin operated laundry. (Dad had spent every night in the hot tub and so he was and expert on how everything worked.) He then made sure that all my major appliances worked appropriately, including redoing the venting on my washer/dryer and straightening the handle bars on my bikes. He even contemplated rebuilding the track on my patio door, because it is very sticky.

 It took me a few years, but I now understand when Dad is fixing things it is his way of showing that he cares, he is not the guy who is going to say he loves you, he is the guy that it going to show he loves you by fixing/installing something. After another exhausting day of unpacking we were planning to go to the Zoo when Andy got off from work, but Andy ended up working late, so we decided to go have dinner. We went to California Pizza Kitchen. Dad had a BLT pizza and I had a chicken pesto pizza. Dad's pizza had lettuce on it, I had never seen that before, but he stated it was really good. We then went home and got in the hot tub.

Point Loma Lighthouse

Old Point Loma lighthouse

 We had determined that Saturday was going to be Beach Day. So Andy, Dad and I headed to Imperial Beach. Imperial Beach is the most south western corner of the continental US and you can see Mexico from there. (This was as close to Mexico as I wanted to get.) Before we left the house I put tons of sun block on and advised Andy to do the same, which he chose not to do. (Trust me was he going to pay for that later) We spent a few hours at IB wandering the beach, we saw a school of dolphins, and watched the surfers, surf. The beach at IB is different than La Jolla, the ocean is deeper and the surf is rougher, it feels more wild and more isolated. After we left IB we drove along the Silver Strand and decided to stop at Silver Strand State Beach for lunch. It is important to note that these 3 Utahans with a blanket and a cooler were woefully  unprepared to spend time on a real beach. Immediately, I noticed that everyone had some sort of umbrella or pop up shelter, we did not. We broke out the cooler  and ate some lunch. Dad decided to wander around and eventually, he found a spot to take a nap. Andy and I decided to walk along the beach and look for seashells. I can't prove it, but I think this is where Andy got really sunburned.  This is where I burned my feet by walking across the sand to the car, sand for those who don't know is hot, it is a lot like walking on fire, so shoes are highly recommended :)

The monument to Cabrillo

When we left Silver Strand we headed for Cabrillo National Monument. the view from Cabrillo was amazing! and I was so excited to tour a real lighthouse! Somehow I got separated from Dad and Andy so I was able to sit and remember my Mom for a few minutes. As I thought about her I felt various emotions, but I felt as I looked out over the ocean, that she was proud of me and Andy and wanted us to be happy, it was a very comforting feeling. We toured the old lighthouse, the monument, visitors center and eventually I met up with Andy and we were able to find Dad. We left Cabrillo with a new hat pin for me, a magnet for our fridge, and some new smashed pennies for our collections. We headed down towards the new lighthouse, but we were unable to see it due to the tide having come in and the road being closed so Andy and I will have to go back someday to see it and go tide pooling. We then did some more site seeing by car, and eventually decided to have some dinner.
  No trip to anywhere, would be complete for my Dad without a side trip to to Lowes. My Dad was able to see the differences between his store and the San Diego store and I was able to get some over the door hooks and a new lamp for the house, so all in all, it was a win win for everyone.

Dad and Andy: Cabrillo

Sunday morning dawned early, as Dad had to be at the airport at 5 am so he could fly home. I went with Dad to make sure that he got everything squared away for his flight. and I was able to say goodbye before he entered the security line. (Partings have become really hard for me since my mom passed so it was important to me to see Dad off in person.) Shortly, after I arrived home, my brother Nathan texted me and asked when Dad was leaving San Diego, I texted him back and told him Dad was supposed to be in Phoenix and Nathan texted back, he was in Phoenix also, so he and Dad were able to meet up with each other before Nathan flew to Russia and Dad flew home. What a blessing! I was really happy that worked out.

San Diego from Cabrillo

Later that morning, I set out to find my new ward. I had been told that our ward the Sabre Springs Ward met at 11 am, turns out this was not correct, but some very helpful people from the Del Norte ward helped me get in touch with my new bishop and get straightened out. I was really touched by how friendly everyone was and how strong the spirit was. It made me excited to connect up with my own ward.