This year, we weren’t sure if we would make it to California to visit family and friends. It is rather hard to leave the boat anywhere, and with our two cats, it is harder still. Our location in Panama is rather calm though and we were able to arrange a stay in a marina two times for us to leave the boat.
Trip 1
The first trip back home was just me. The return home wasn’t planned, but unfortunately after decades of health problems arising from OCVMs, and heart problems, my step-dad, Tom (AKA Papa), died in mid August. Grete’s mom and sister had just arrived in Panama for a visit in early September but I flew home to be with my mom and to attend the memorial service.
Doctors have been telling us for 25+ years that Tom likely didn’t have long to live. He fought and his loved ones, most notably my mom, fought like hell right there with him (and for him). I’m thankful that he survived long enough to not simply meet my kids, but to also get to know them, and they, him.
I made it to California and only spent a few days there, trying to help with last minute prep for the ceremony and also to stay with my mom and hold her when the dust settled afterward. I’m very thankful to have been able to be there with her, crying together…and eating loads of gluten free pizza (I can’t keep it too serious for too long). I got to spend time not just with my mom but with both of my brothers, both step-brothers and my step-sister as well.
We didn’t do much, other than talk and eat, but I did manage to get my mom out of the house and up to Garin Park for a long walk in the meadow.
After less than a week though, it was time for me to get back to Grete, the kids, and the Hoss. It’s strange; after nearly two years of living tightly coupled in this small boat being with each other all day, every day, I felt their absence deeply pretty much every hour I was gone.
Trip 2
We kind of thought of my short trip away from the area as a test. Did the marina keep a good eye on the Hoss? Did they communicate well and seem trustworthy? Yes, all around. So, we discussed it and were able to arrange for a return stay at the marina during which they would watch our cats, allowing the whole family to go to California for a proper visit of 2-3 weeks.
Since we had more time and no real events planned, we were able to visit with my mom and other family in the area and even get some time in with friends of mine. We went to the Japanese Gardens that are about 15 minutes from my mom’s house and none of us had ever been to before. It was small, but beautiful and since the wet season hasn’t started yet the weather was perfect.
The parking lot for the garden is also the parking lot for the senior center. We decided to step inside to see what was available. They had some puzzle pieces out on a table (among other goinz ons). We decided to fit a piece or two before moving on. Then we all sat down and puzzled until all of the pieces were fitted. The puzzle was missing a lot of pieces, so it was very unsatisfying. It did, however spark up a desire to puzzle and we ended up doing four at my mom’s house during the rest of our stay.
My brother Kevin and his wife Kelly were also able to visit for a couple of days while we were there as well, and this crew of dog-lovers got to get a fix with their two poodles.
We also took advantage of the ease of making appointments so we got eye exams and I saw a podiatrist and other doctors for my nagging stuff.
One bright day we went to one of my favorite places growing up in the Bay Area, Great America. It was a great time, though the reduced operating capacity (shoulder season) was a bit frustrating at times. In addition to riding rides, playing video games, and eating junk food, we got to spend some time with my old Navy friend, John and his two daughters. We all had a great, and exhausting, day.
We arrived shortly before opening and got to be there when they dropped the rope. Fira and I ran hard to get to the front of the line of one of the top coasters in the park. When we got there we were told that the ride wasn’t open yet and that we would need to come back later in the day. It was a Wally World moment, to be sure. So we went over to another coaster and were still able to do so ahead of the longer lines.
The kids all wanted to hit up the carousel, so we did. After one lap, somebody in the downstairs portion fell off or something so they stopped the ride and kicked everyone off. Like ride #1 that never happened, it was very frustrating.
At the end of the day, rather than eat way overpriced, and rather bad, food we decided to head over to 5 Guys (I realize it is also pricey, but not amusement park pricey). Great burgers, fries and shakes and a last 90 minutes or so with John and the girls before we parted ways for who knows how long. It was great spending time with them and by the time their heads hit the pillows, the kids had completely forgotten about the stuff that didn’t go right that day.
As always when in the bay, we were able to stop by my Uncle Tom and Aunt Sue’s house for a visit and some of Aunt Sue’s amazing cooking. Visits are always too short and the traffic in the Bay Area makes it so that we have to leave before we’re ready or risk adding 1-2 hours to the trip.
At about the midpoint of our trip, it was my mom’s birthday. It was her first one as a widow and I’m so very glad we could be there smothering her to help soften the blow of her recent loss.
One evening we met up for dinner with Aunt Candy and headed over to the Candlelighter’s haunted house in Fremont. This haunted house is where I went when I was the age my kids are now. It’s still very well done, and not overly corporate feeling.
It’s a great charity and they are still scaring the crap out of kids, young and old. About 10 feet into the scary path, Fira was having a breakdown and I had to carry her the rest of the way through. We had bought two tickets since there are two routes. My mom doesn’t do haunted houses but agreed to take Fira with the good fairies for her second pass. When you go with the good fairies the people wave and say “Happy Halloween”, etc. rather than take it as a personal challenge to scare the daylights out of everyone.
While waiting in line, Dublin was able to get a picture with a friendly goblin (probably the wrong name for what he is, but I’m not that kind of nerd) and even got to hold his staff.
Thanks to my brother and his wife who had a gift card for a fancy steakhouse, Grete and I went out for a really nice steak dinner while in the area. The food was so good. Oddly, at the end of the meal they bring your check and a big thing of cotton candy. Unlike the classy guests that made up the rest of the public that evening, Grete and I ate pretty much the whole thing. At one point Grete got up to go pee and set her napkin down. One of the waiters quickly came to the table and folder her napkin just so. I was like, “Who are you, my mom?”
On previous trips to California, Grete and I go for a run around Lake Chabot. It’s 13 miles or so and we are both in terrible shape so that was not in the cards. I did find out though that we could rent a pontoon boat at half price since I’m retired military. The weather was just right and we packed along candy and cold drinks.
The boat was in surprisingly good shape and although the lake level is a bit low I managed to not run aground. Also, I had been off of boats for too long and needed a hit of the wheel.
Side note, the East Bay Regional Parks System keeps actual phones in the parks. The phones work, but exist primarily for amusement purposes to the new generation who wouldn’t have the slightest clue how to use one.
As with any visit to a place with abundant gluten free food, we ate pizza several times. One such place was an old school pizza joint with several 30+ year old games. After $20 in quarters, the kids and I (as mutant ninja turtles) were able to stop the evil Shredder from his antics and beat the game.
It was getting close to time to head back to Panama but we were able to spend one evening having dinner and playing games with several of my friends from high school. We checked out a small rose garden nearby but it’s not really the right season for them.
We got very swept up in the insanity of various card games and conversations, but luckily Kelley’s husband Jeff (along with making the delicious meal) had enough wherewithal to take a couple of pictures. Thanks again.
On our last day, we had to do some packing, our stuff into our luggage, and a bunch of pizza into our bellies. We also had to return the massive stack of library books we got for this visit. Libraries are getting very high tech. Fira and I enjoying putting them in the fancy new slot.
And that’s pretty much it. We left my mom, which wasn’t easy with our eyes full of tears, stomachs full of pizza and hearts full of love. We had a rough day of travel but got back to the Hoss and our cats and moved back out to anchor. No issues and now it’s back to cruising.