Make Me Laugh Again

My comments about the ski trip:

This was a great trip! This was the first time for Evelyn and Jacob to ski, Jacob only did it one day (not feeling well for the second one), Evelyn actually got as far as getting onto a lift and going down a green run. It was good to see Nate as well. No broken bones, no bruises even. A safe great time skiing with family. This is snow done right, you get up in the morning and drive to it with clear dry roads, ski, have a snow day where it actually snows a bit, then the roads are clear and dry for the drive home at the end of your time in the snow. No shovel, no chains required (had to have them in the car, but not on the tires). Just fun!

Renee’s comments.

The only hitch in this vacation was getting a Covid test with negative results prior to leaving Mazatlan (within 72 hours).  We had a Wednesday flight so we took the test on Monday (clinic closed on Sunday).  We got the results within 48 hrs thankfully.  The flight to Dallas was on a small plane with four flight crew and seven passengers.  Dallas airport was almost empty.  We arrived in Sacramento at 10:20 or so and Kyle picked us up.  We went to Mom Scheuerlein’s the next day to deal with the iPad issue.  The issue has something to do with the Apple ID and Apple’s broken recovery system.  2/05, Friday, we left for the snow.  We took the small Mazda and picked up Nate at the Reno airport.  Kyle and family drove the van.  Nate bought us all a delicious BBQ dinner that night (take out from the Fox and the Hound).  Saturday, Sunday, and Monday were spent exploring the resort, playing in the snow (sledding, building a snowman, and snowball fights).  On Monday, I, Reneé, enjoyed making valentines to mail and Valentine cookies with the grands.  Tuesday and Wednesday were ski days.  Heavenly is a huge mountain with lodges and runs in Nevada and California.  Coordinating meeting places, equipment, shuttles was a bit of a challenge but overall a good time was had by all.  Even Jacob, who came down with a cold and only skied one day enjoyed the movie day he got to have when he stayed at the room with mom.  Laura probably missed out most of all.  Evelyn loved skiing.  She didn’t fall the first day and fell getting on or off the lift the second.  Kyle is a great teacher! He skied down the bunny slopes with her facing backwards with her going forwards.  Nate injured his foot on the first run but recovered quickly.  Grandpa never fell…probably because he was so cautious.  I, Reneé, fell three times, each time I was stopped or stopping so no big deal.  The conditions were wonderful…temps in the 40’s, snow a little icy, but overall very nice.

On Thursday, it snowed.  The grands enjoyed going outside to experience this.  We played cards only twice and had two movie nights (watching the same movie, half at a time…Swiss Family Robinson).  Friday, 2/12, we headed down the mountain slowly.  It was a fabulous trip!  Saturday we headed back over to Tracy.  Neil continued to work on Mom’s iPad issue.  Dave and Robyn came over and we visited with them outside in lawn chairs.  It was nice to see them.

 

We got up very early (3:30 AM!) and went to the airport. Got our flight on time to Phoenix. We landed early, than taxied close to our gate and sat there, and sat some more. Finally the plane that was in our way left and we were able to get to the gate. We got off the plane and walked very fast to our next plane, which had already boarded and we were (I think) the last ones on the plane. Shortly after that we took off and headed south. We arrived in Mazatlan at about 12:30, and got a cab back to the marina. We had lunch at one of the restaurants near the marina then back to the boat.

Not much was done this day besides resting. We went out to dinner, since we did not have very much food on the boat, and even less that was out of the freezer.

 

We (of course) watched the movie! Finished packing and cleaning up the boat. Washing clothes, and putting together a list of what we had to get done before leaving for California. Finally, saying we were ready.

February 3, travel to California

This was a long day with some surprises. We flew to Dallas, on a plane with about 50 seats, and had 7 passengers and two flight attendants. Then sat in the airport for a couple of hours at Dallas, we saw that it was pretty well deserted, and most of the stores and restaurants were closed. The flight to California was pretty uneventful and we got to our destination in one piece.

 

This was scheduled for an to early start, we had an appointment to get a Covid test. We went up to the main road, and got a bus which took us down to the Malecón, but we apparently did not get the right bus, as it did not take us to the clinic. So, we got an Uber to go the rest of the way. We were a few minutes early, but were taken in anyway. Got our test, then took a hike. Found a place for breakfast (excellent by the way) then out again. Renee’s phone has an interesting way of making sure we get our steps in. On at least two occasions now, it has taken us around a block to get where we want to go.  After breakfast, we walked to a fish market, then out to the Malecón again. We walked for a bit. Finally decided on lunch. This was probably the worst service we have had at any restaurant in Mexico. It was so bad, I won’t even put the name here. Just not what we have gotten used to anywhere at a restaurant.

Then thought about a beer and looked up a brewery then we took a little white VW cab to the bar, which was closed (Oh yeah, it is a holiday, so many places are closed), then we had the driver take us back to a place on the Malecón. But it was also closed. About that time we decided to go to the aquarium where we spent several hours looking at sea life.  This was a great deal as it cost us about 115 pesos or about $6 each.  After this we walked back down to the Malecón, and walked to a Thrifty Ice Cream (Open)! Then got an Uber back to the boat and a nap.

Getting into the aquarium, only one of us could go buy the tickets, Renee’ went and had her temp taken, and hand sanitizer. Then we went to the entrance, and had our temperature taken then went through a spay sanitizer followed by sinks for washing hands, then a lady holding hand sanitizer before we could go in.  The aquarium was very nice…the fish were displayed nicely and the shows (native animals, sea lions, and birds) were enjoyable.

 

Then we took a short hike out for dinner. We went to a little place about a half mile or so away. Renee’ had a salad, and I had ribs. The thought that I had was ribs are usually a relatively small meal. This time it was huge! Pretty good as well, Renee’ said her salad was too expensive for what she got, but we are at a marina, so prices tend to be higher. Then back to the boat showers and bed.

By the way, we received an email from Vineyard church today to tell us about their bilingual service yesterday…a bit late unfortunately.