Pasadena, CA Dan goes to work this morning. After breakfast Joan takes me and the kids up into the hills for a hike. I’m impressed by how easy it is for us to escape the city and be by ourselves on a trail twisting up the mountainside by a shady creek. The girls are having…

Pasadena, CA Another casual breakfast, then the two families disappear at different times to different churches. The kids will probably ask why I don’t go, but they don’t in front of me. I know Jeanette will be late, so I just enjoy the quiet morning in my own form of worship, awareness and amazement. Dan…

Pasadena, CA I awake and set forth to find my place in this household. So far all I know is that I’ve commandeered one of the girls’ bedrooms. The house has two wings. I’m on Jon and Clair’s side in Brooke’s room. Dan, Joan, and their daughter Jenny sleep on the other side. In the…

Dana Point, CA to Pasadena, CA I get up and ride to pretty Laguna Beach, where I find my way to my Uncle Jim’s place. It is just as it’s been described to me, lots of stairs, Aunt Tini’s art everywhere, messy – a senior bachelor pad. Uncle Jim is a friendly 85-year-old, suffering from…

Oceanside, CA to Dana Point, CA After a few bowls of cereal, Tom and I set off on our ride, an extended version of his usual commute to work. I know he’s a racer and I can’t help pushing a tiny bit harder than usual. But mostly we cruise and talk, much of the ride…

Oceanside, CA We have a light breakfast then go to Carlsbad for the day. We walk the beach, watching the girls out jogging, which Tom and I enjoy. We taste the wines at the local winery, which Patti enjoys. I have a delicious Mahi Mahi burrito for lunch, and we all enjoy a marguerita. We…

San Diego, CA to Oceanside, CA No one is awake in the morning, so I go out and buy groceries, then go to breakfast. Bill is up when I get back, so I say goodbye. I get Russ up and thank him too, then ride away into fog and light rain. I set up camp…

San Diego, CA Bill is the only one up in the morning, so I invite him out to breakfast. I like Bill, but we’re both quiet and don’t have much in common to talk about anyway. He likes sports and music and holds a different low-paying job every time I’m here. This time he works…

Borrego Springs, CA to San Diego, CA I enter the house just as Julie is retiring to “the sauna” for the day. I give her a last tender hug. then I gather my things, pack up, and begin the climb out of Borrego Springs. My body is feeling particularly good and the wind is gentle.…