Day 482

The big items today: swimming and grooming. The first for the kids and the second for the dogs. Lynn and Jamie gave the TV series Skinwalker Ranch (a History production) a shot. Nah.

It's fun to see Lexi literally throwing herself into water games.

Day 481

One last visit before leaving California... Jamie and Lynn met up with Uncle Jon in Goleta on the way to the SBA airport. Had a great hour-long chat about life, particularly life with newborn twins! On the way home from the Denver airport we found a very cool bar/restaurant in Parker, West Main Taproom and Grill. Try the Agua Fresca sometime (gin martini with cucumber, lime, and mint perfectly balanced). The BLT salad is fun and the fish and chips are pretty darn good, too. They've got 54 beers on tap. Why 54? Fifty-four 14ers (mountain peaks over 14,000ft) in Colorado. The actual number varies a little based on exactly what definition is being used. Ever hear of "topographic prominence?" All the photos for the entire 2-week trip are here.

Leaving Denver airport for home...

Day 480

And on the 5th we rested. Well, not entirely. Lots of cards, mostly rummy, including "progressive rummy," a new style to Lynn and Jamie. What "last day" on the Central Coast would not include a trip to Doc Burnstein's Ice Cream!? And following that, we got a tour of Norgrove Railway, a new 600mm gauge tramway going in just south of Arroyo Grande, CA. Karl, thanks for the tour! Jocko's (take out) and strawberries for dinner and wrapping up the day with some more rummy, progressive, of course. Matt left Colorado Springs for the Central Coast (CA) today to see a friend who seemed to be having another stroke. Fortunately, it turned out to be "recrudescence," a return of symptoms without an actual cause. The day's photos start here.

Norgrove Railway: a steam roller powered by steam.

Hannah's work

Across the street from Jocko's

Day 479

The 4th of July in Nipomo started with Lynn's favorite - crullers from the Nipomo donut store by Starbucks. Breakfast included a cooking demonstration on making very thin omelettes. Morning chores included collecting eggs. Then off to Circus Vargas on the field at Madonna Inn. What a hoot! We were front and center! Seeing the various acts close up was amazing. Then home for the rest of the day, bonfire, sous vide tri-tip, some good wine, s'mores, and fireworks (including a good cigar). All the day's photos start here.

Meanwhile, back at the Compound, the rest of the fam camped out on the 18th hole for the Flying Horse Fireworks.

18th Hole at Flying Horse for the fireworks!

Lynn's fave!

Trevor's thin omelettes.

Chores include collecting eggs

Circus Vargas!

Front and center!

Now there's a lighter

Day 478

After a leisurely morning with Underwoods, including breakfast at Lido's, we headed south to the Fosters' house in Nipomo. Our room there for the next few days included a welcome note from Hannah. We checked out the property a bit, including a fresh peach right from the tree and the 30-some chickens. Then the adults were off to Daou Winery for a delightful afternoon of tasting and pairings. Then to Novo's for a somewhat-belated birthday dinner for Trev. Today's photos start here.

Breakfast at Lido's

"Welcome to Nipomo!"

The only tacky thing at Daou.

Day 477

We had two scheduled tastings today, Turley and Tooth and Nail. We found ourselves with a little extra time and Lynn thought to throw in Hunt Cellars where we found probably our all-time favorite for the trip, Cabovation. Dinner at Conners' house! Photos for today start here.

Meanwhile, back at the Compound, the rest of the fam went to a Rockies game. Tracy, Fina, and the littlest one met the rest of the gang at the ballpark after having the little one's arm casts replaced.

Hunt Cellars

Tooth and Nail

The rest of the fam at a Rockies game!

New arm casts (he threw up on the originals).

Day 476

Nana and Papa had a nice leisurely morning at Allegretto having breakfast and exploring the grounds. Then it was off to Sculpterra, a favorite winery for enjoying a bottle of their viognier while enjoying the sculptures around the grounds. Then back into town to meet up with Bob and Sandy at a favorite French place, Bistro Laurent (now renamed BL Brasserie). The first wine tasting for all four of us was at Epoch Estate Wines. Definitely worth the visit! We closed the day wine tasting out our own hotel (Allegretto) followed by a great dinner at their restaurant. The day's photos start here.

Labyrinth at Allegretto

Chapel at Allegretto

Sculpterra

A little bobble for Lynn

Then off to town to meet up with Underwoods...

Bistro Laurent for lunch, now BL Brasserie

Epoch Winery

Tasting at Allegretto