It never rains in sunny California

They say it never rains in California; however it is cloudy at times, in the morning - and that's okay.  It seems that in the Huntington Beach area, during June, they get what is called the "marine layer" in the morning - a gray, cool cloud cover that, if you were in New Jersey, would be followed by a gray, cool, rainy day; but we are not in New Jersey - this is sunny California and by mid-morning to midday, the sun is out and the sky is blue. SO...you don't really think about it - dress for the day and get on with it.

We are finishing up our fourth full day visiting with Kate and all is well.  We've seen the ocean, driven through LA (not too impressed; however we did see the "Hollywood sign", took a picture of Colin Firth's star on the Hollywood 'walk of fame', drove past Graman's Chinese theater), visited the Getty Villa

(a recreation of a Greek/Roman country villa) in Pacific Palisades, near Malibu, , and attended a LA Angels versus Chicago White Sox baseball game at beautiful Angels stadium in Anaheim - a mere 35 minutes from where Kate lives and is really beautiful.  Of course, all I have to compare is our stadiums in NYC which have an inherently different feel entirely.  Bottom line, if I lived out here I could become an Angels fan fairly easily.

This morning we drove south into Newport Beach to shop at an upscale outside mall complete with stores like Niemann Marcus, Bloomingdales, etc. - not Rodeo Drive but also not a Monmouth Mall.  Definitely some fancy residences right on the beach in this community.  Still trying to get used to the ocean being on our right as we head south. Good thing we have MapQuest on our phones. I never know what direction we are heading out here.

And speaking of the beach, while it is beautiful, there's always a breeze off the ocean and is often cooler than inland - so the sun is hot and the air is cool (no humidity) - a formula for a sunburn if you don't take care to use that sunscreen. Dianne - you would love living here. NO HUMIDITY!

Kate and Chris live in a very nice townhome community. Quiet and friendly and close to many amenities, including the ocean, which is a mere half mile walk.

Tomorrow, Ed and I will head to San Diego for the night with plans to visit the Zoo and a panda or two, the Hotel del Coronado, and perhaps take a tour of The Midway aircraft carrier before returning to Kate's on Wednesday.

Needless to say we are totally relaxed and so enjoying our visit with Kate and Chris, although Chris is currently out in the field - we look forward to visiting more with both Chris and Kate when we return from Hawaii.