Welcome to Februay 2010 

Wow! the year has bee a whirlwind so far with no slowing down in sight!

The biggest event of the year by far is our new family size! Ben and Jess married on January 23rd. The crowd of 230 was in the Park Ballroom in Paso Robles, and people came from all over the country! it was wonderful to see old friends and bond with new friends as our family tree has now been significantly increased. The happy couple took a short honeymoon in Cambria. Now they are building the new bonded life together. Ben is getting ready for his next work assignment on the east coast, and Jess is looking for her next new job! The great experience of life unfolds!

Our niece (Ben's cousin), Ellie was in for a week and the whirlwind tourist event included The Monterey Bay Aquarium (with a backstage tour), the elephant seals of San Simeon, and a Hearst castle tour.

The back stage tour at the aquarium is wonderful. wonderful. You get to see part of the support staff and equipment that keeps this world class operation going. If you haven't been, go soon. (don't save it for a bucket list) The Seahorse exhibit is STUNNING. The jellyfish tanks are mesmerizing. The big tank will open your eyes! Be careful, you may become an ocean advocate after seeing the shear beauty of it all and ..... need I go on! Become a member and support this one, it is really cool!

The Elephant seals  are in by the Thousands (or by the millions of pounds). The scene is like a discovery channel special (just add the narrator - docents are there and available - and add the background music - bring your own mp3 -). It will take your breath away to hear, see and experience this true life nature adventure.

At Hearst Castle we were lucky enough to get on Tour Two, which covers the towers and Mr. Hearst's private quarters. It is spectacular. The small tour group size made this a very memorable tour. The Museum in the visitor center is alway a cornucopia of information about an American fantasy life and how it was lived.