Out with the old, 2010 - In with the new, 2011

Christmas is over! Yay! We did have a very nice Christmas day. Dad and brother, Carl, came over to our house. I made the full turkey dinner. I bought the turkey just before leaving for New Zealand, I just can't pass up the discount price on turkeys at Thanksgiving. We had a really pleasant evening, discussing all of the world problems and solving very few.

On Wednesday (29th) Carl and Lili and I left for Pismo Beach to ring in the New Year. This has become a tradition for us, joining our neighbors, the Britt family. They have been going to Pismo for either Christmas or New Years for ten years or so. We decided to join them a few years ago and we're hooked.

We found a nice motel on the water that allows pets. The entire motel is full of dogs, but it's very clean and nice, no poopies anywhere. Our room was a small one with a double bed. We stayed one night in that room with Lili sleeping between us. Between the snoring (Carl) and the panting (Lili) I had an extremely bad first night sleep.

We went to the Britt's room, overlooking the water, with a full kitchen.... Well! I immediately went to the front desk and upgraded us to the same size room, but without the view. Our accommodations were perfect from that point on.

This is the view from their room, the sun setting on Thursday night.

It must be a great surfing spot, there were plenty of surfers.

Thursday night was our "Jocko's" dinner night. An 84 year old Santa Maria-style steakhouse in Nipomo, with a bar full of locals, cowboys, families. The drinks are way too strong, I had to dilute mine after sipping it down a bit. The meats are perfectly cooked over an oak wood pit BBQ. They melt in your mouth....

Carl and Brandie were lucky enought to snag a couple of bar stools, but that meant they had to order drinks for the rest of us.

Stephanie and Sean, lovie dovie =).

The big drawback of the evening was.... we waited 3 hours for our table. We had reservations for 7:30, arrived at 7:00 to start early at the bar, never sat down until 10 pm. By then we were all starved, and drunk, and I was a little beligerant (so was Joni for that matter).

We didn't eat until almost 11 pm. But.. I must say, the food was delicious as usual. Next time we're going to make our reservations for 5 pm; be the first ones there. The problem was that the large parties before us didn't want to leave. We were about all ready to go pull them out of their chairs.

The happy group, seated and awaiting the big meal.

I finally took two forks and shredded my placemat in frustration. Then ordered a Corona.

Now I'm happy.

Lili had such a great time in Pismo. She's suddenly just like a young dog. She walked for miles up and down the beach. She hasn't moved that much in years. Something about the sand and the birds and the fresh air inspires her.

Here's our new room, so nice.

A kitchen, fresh coffee, a fridge instead of a cooler.

Friday, New Year's Eve, we headed to the beach for the big fire and fun. It was pretty cold and breezy. Sean and Neil built a warm fire and kept it going until about 10:30, when we all decided to go to our warm hotel rooms.

Carl and me, burrrrrr.

Brandie hosted the wood, thanks Brandie. I was a designated driver so I didn't drink. Nobody had too much, just enough for some pretty good laughs. We made S'mores, hosted by Cathy and Tim Peron. Thanks C & T.

Another wonderful adventure in Pismo, was had by all. A great way to say good-bye to a year and welcome in a new year. There was friendship, laughter, good food, cocktails, all in a beautiful central California coastal town. I can't wait for next year. We will make it up there before that.

A healthy and happy 2011 to all.

Kathy