While on a home tour in El Dorado Hills last year, I discovered mystery writer, Cindy Sample, and was intrigued. How can you not be intrigued by a series with titles like Dying for a Dance or Dying for a Daiquiri? I invited her to speak at the library and spend the night with us. She accepted both invitations.

Cindy delighted us by introducing her characters and sharing her pothole-filled path to publication. Afterward, we spent a few hours on our back deck, drinking wine and learning more about this incredibly interesting woman. On her bio she wrote, "And there’s nothing better than the joy of bringing laughter into the lives of my readers." I can attest to the fact that she brings laughter to the lives of her hosts as well. I can't wait until she returns in August.

My last day in Southern California was spent at my son's in-laws' oasis. This is one of my favorite places to just linger.

I awoke to Brady cooking coffee cake and proclaiming that we were going snorkeling.

We were excited to see the Garibaldi, a species of bright orange fish in the damselfish family which is the official marine state fish of California. It is protected in Californian coastal waters. Interestingly to me, (an Italianphile) its common name is a reference to the Italian military and political figure Giuseppe Garibaldi, whose followers often wore a characteristic scarlet or red shirt.

Brady and Eric are awesome hosts with the best backyard ever!



This was the perfect way to start the day!!!

Brady had never been to the Moonlight Amphitheatre... So after a day of work for her and errands for me, tonight was the perfect opportunity to be there.

All Shook Up is a fabulous musical play about a small town whose view changes once a recently released from prison roustabout arrives. The story line is enriched by numerous Elvis songs.

There was a great deal of laughing, singing along and dancing in our seats. It was truly summer exemplified.
An evening under the stars with Elvis music and a talented cast. It doesn't get much better than this!

I'm in SoCal for a long weekend, and Brady has graciously offered me her guestroom. How totally awesome. After departing NorCal at 3:15 AM and depositing my daughter-in-law off at her folks', I arrived ready to explore.

Brady never lives far from the sea. A walk to the Oceanside Harbor and time on the jetty is part of her itinerary.



It was pretty special when a pod of dolphin swam by, as a welcome to me.
The day concluded at the Main Street Sunset Market, a bright spot in downtown Oceanside since August 2007. This weekly gathering is so much more than a Farmers Market. Thousands of residents and visitors alike gather each week to enjoy the varied hot food offerings, the eclectic merchandise selections, the gourmet packaged food section and the live entertainment.
Brady's 'varied' dinner choice was stuffed hash browns. Surprisingly unique and delicious.

People watching, unique food, good company... all just steps from the beach. I've missed SoCal because of nights like these.

We headed west for a busy weekend away.

First stop was Placerville for some shopping. Too bad we will miss their big Beerfest weekend. Maybe next time.
Keri and family just moved from Temecula to Folsom. We were their first guests. How fun to have new NorCal 'neighbors'. What a lovely visit.
The afternoon was then spent delighting in C's garden.

As we left our local bowling alley, this beauty was parked outside.

According to the auction company who sold her in 2013 (for $49,500), "The 1957 Chrysler Saratoga was one of the first models to get Virgil Exner's Forward Look design. Incredibly stylish at the time and flat-out gorgeous today, there is not a single line on the car that doesn't work. Powered by a 354 Spitfire V8 making 285hp. The body is 100% original sheet metal from nose to those glamorous fins. It has had one repaint in its original color of black. Gauguin Red had been added to highlight those glamorous fins. She has power brakes, power steering and floats along like a butterfly. All of her chrome has been replated and her stainless steel moldings have been buffed to a high luster. Her interior is drop dead gorgeous all done in NOS fabric with NOS silver chrome piping."
I was born in the wrong decade. I really do believe this car is the most glamorous car in any generation and I so want it!

The Lake Tahoe Golf Course was the location of the first of four concerts presented by OnCourse Events and the perfect place to celebrate Father's Day.

All the fathers who couldn't be with their children gathered together.

Bison, a local Bluegrass Band, rocked the green.
It's official. Summer is really here!

Our responsibility for Race Day was to check people into the after party at the Hard Rock's Pool. Oh man, tough duty.

It was pretty rewarding to hear how this brand new Tahoe event was viewed as a really positive experience. We were the first people to greet the finishers and they were thoroughly excited, if not a little sore.
There were 800+ runners enjoying the pool and rocking to the live bands. As volunteers, we were allowed to laze in the glorious sunshine when our shift was over.
Lee and Margaret actually did the run part of the event. They not only loved the day, but they had great running times. How totally awesome.
We hung around with them while they embraced the purpose of pool time: rest and recover. This was an incredible event for our town and we are so glad we were a part of it all. It is said, "Those who can, do. Those who can do more, volunteer" and get truly rocking t-shirts to prove it.

We are so excited to be a part of this inaugural event. You have to love their tagline, "Run, Rock, and Recover in beautiful Tahoe!"

The Rock Tahoe Half Marathon starts at Spooner Summit and drops over 1000 ft as it winds its way down Highway 50 along the stunning East Shore of Lake Tahoe to a finish line directly in front of the brand new Hard Rock Lake Tahoe.

This is the closest we will ever come to a podium. Great photo op though!
Our job was to greet the runners, give them their drop bags and help them sign up for the shuttles. There are 2000 competitors from 29 states and 3 countries. Tomorrow's sold out event is going to be amazing!