My friend Sjoerd took me for dinner on Sunday evening at the El Passeo in Santa Barbara. I had not been in there since we lived in Santa Barbara in 1963/64. His friend Uru came with us. Great company. One of the most beautiful women I have ever had the privilege of meeting. Uru is a Nigerian Ibo. The long legged Marathon champions. Her legs start 25 cms above my navel. She is a sought after model, a singer, poet, designer and more. Sjoerd records her music and acts as her council/manager. I told him that if he ever needs a break, I’ll be available.

I drove back to San Diego from Santa Barbara, by the scenic route from Ventura to Santa Monica on Highway One following the coast.  Very scenic but very slow. Then I got caught in the traffic jams of the Southern California freeways. I cannot figure out how these great fortunes are amassed in this part of the U.S.A. when you have to crawl from neighborhood to neighborhood at 5 miles per hour. I guess it is done over the telephone and internet at poolside and the peons/worker bees crawl along the freeways from pay check to paycheck stopping at McDonalds for their sustenance and Coca Cola fix.

I stayed with John and Jennifer again, turned the car in on Tuesday morning in San Diego. Marveled at all the new high rises built in San Diego. Took the 10.48 Amtrak to Annaheim and a taxi to the Long Beach airport. I would very much recommend my European friends to check this out. You can ride the Amtrak right to the Mexican border at Tijuana. And take the very scenic route to Disneyland at Annaheim or vice versa, by Amtrak. There is a local loop train at the San Diego station to give one a tour of the city. (see picture).

I heard on the news that the strong Santa Anna winds had started forest fires at Carlsbad. I got lucky and got through there just in time before the fires started.

I wanted to haul the boat out tomorrow but the marina is booked up. I am scheduled now for next Wednesday. Bummer. That means fast work because I start paying rent from June 1 at my live aboard marina and I want to be back in Gig Harbor by June 8th for the Blessing of the Fleet.

Uru and Sjoerd

The Carlsbad Marina from Amtrak train

Beach from train