Big News From San Diego

      We've been here in San Diego, more specifically the Chula Vista RV Resort for just about a week now, and the weather has cooperated perfectly.  It was well into the 80's the first few days, but then it broke and has settled nicely into the 60's & 70's each day.  Probably not what me friends at home want to hear, as I see on FB that the nasty weather continues to plague NY.  But good things don't last forever, and I understand that we'll be pushing well into the 80's and 90's starting on Thursday. Spring has arrived out here, and the flowers are starting to blossom nicely around the park.  The desert out by Jacumba was nice and green when we passed through, and the Ocotillo Cactus were blooming nicely.  Unfortunately I didn't stop along I-8 for any pictures, so you're gonna have to Google Ocotillo Cactus if you want to see what they look like.

     Since Debbie had been waiting patiently since about December 1st to get to California and see her son, we quickly set up camp and headed north in I-15 for Scripps Ranch.  I'm not sure who was more excited....Jamo or Debbie....to get down to some serious visiting, when suddenly quiet hovered over the room. Being the trained investigator, I noticed nothing.  But Debbie did.  What could that be?  She looked at Ben....Ben looked back.  "Go ahead, ask your question!" Ben exclaimed.  Debbie looked again, not believing what she was seeing.  I, on the other hand, being the trained investigator, headed past everyone for the fridge for a cold beer.  Suddenly everyone was screaming!  What did I miss?  Everyone was jumping and hugging, and jumping and hugging.

Ben continued, "Go ahead, ask your question!"  FINALLY the "P" word came out.  It looks like Mrs Doody is going to be a GRANDMA!  Now the clues were everywhere.  Sonogram pictures of Baby Doody on the front of the refrigerator where I had just secured a beer.  The little belly bump now evident on Joanne.  More sonogram pictures on the kitchen table.  Yup, I'm a trained investigator alright.  Twenty minutes later, everyone finally calmed down, and now it was time for Ben to call his sister in Syracuse.  Can't do that though.  Gotta text her and include the sonogram pictures.  Soon the phone was ringing..."Shut the door"! Maryanne shouts.  And all the chatter starts again.  We're twenty minutes into this pregnancy, and I'm already exhausted.  It wasn't until the following day that it dawned on me.  I'm gonna be married to a Grandma!  Debbie was able to give Ben his 1/2 birthday gift, which is something his sister MaryAnne dreamed up.  Debbie's quilt was made completely from all of Ben's childhood t-shirts which she had saved.  It's amazing to see all the basketball camps he attended!  She made them all fit though, and even included a few from his time at Siena College and Germany.  Debbie did an incredible job, and you can see her love for Ben in each of the patches.
     To say the least, we're pretty excited.  We can see the excitement and the panic in their eyes, and we remember they were the same feelings we had many years ago.  But in spite of everything, Debbie did an incredible job bringing Ben into this world with very little help from me.  I'm sure Ben and Joanne will cruise through this.  Oh yeah...they're purchasing a new house also.  Nothing like that to add to the stress level.  Jameson, don't fail me now!
      On Saturday we ventured over to Shelter Island as Debbie had booked us onto a 3 hour whale watching cruise with H&M Landing Whale Watching. The National Park Service hosts the Cabrillo National Monument overlooking San Diego Harbor and the North Island Naval Air Station.  It's a wonderful place to view the harbor and San Diego Skyline, and during low tide, the Tide Pools along the coastline.

 Each year nearly 12,000 Eastern Pacific Grey Whales migrate past San Diego to mate and give birth in the warmer waters off of Baja.  As we headed out of San Diego Harbor, the captain provided interesting factoids on Point Loma and the arrival of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo in 1542.          We weren't allowed to venture any closer than 100 yards from these guys, but I did manage to catch a couple of shots as they breached the surface.  It was a gorgeous day on the water, and Debbie and I both spoke of our days with Captain Chris on his trawler.  Debbie really enjoyed the "blue water" and the gentle rocking of the boat almost put her to sleep.  We were able to get tickets for $20, over half off of their advertised price, so don't be afraid to haggle with them a little bit.  Debbie is a master at that.
   
     We're staying a few more days in San Diego, then moving up to Hemet, Ca just for a change.  Ben and Joanne will be working, and it's always nice to check out new places on this journey.  Should give us a chance to visit with Andrea also.
     That just about catches me up with all the news.  Departure dates from CA are starting to fluctuate, but we're still hoping to be home early June and get the camp open.  We'll keep you posted on our timeline, but this Journey Across America 2015 sure is getting exciting.  I'm gonna be a Grandpa!