Farewell to winter!

We gladly put winter behind us a couple of weeks ago and came south to get El Gato ready for the next phase of our little travel adventure. Arizona, New Mexico and central Utah are targeted during the next 2 months.

One thing one cannot criticize about California is the weather. It has been truly spectacular! On the other hand, the place is a mess. Its over-taxed, full of illegals, gangs, unemployed and the earth shakes. It has a negative population growth rate which means people are fleeing what was once a prosperous and desirable place. The only population growth is in illegals and anchor babies. It is the home of Waxman, Pelosi and Boxer!

When we lived in Hong Kong we were impressed by how clean the roads were. In California it is just the opposite. The shoulders of the Interstate are peppered with trash—everything from shredded tires to burger wrappers. I-5 is crumbling... makes one wonder where all the gas tax money is going. The roads in Europe aren't trashy... nor are those in Japan, Hong Kong or Singapore. Indeed the roads in Manila and Jakarta are cleaner than I-5. Why can't we take care of this incredible asset? Oh wait... how foolish of me... the Interstate Highway System is a Federal government responsibility. No wonder it, along with Fanny, Freddie, the Post Office, Energy Department etc etc, are failing. What could I have been thinking to expect the leopard to change its spots... of course Health Care will be an exception.


OK, picture this. A large table that appears to have come from Andalusia on some ancient sailing ship, laden with exotic flowers, antique silver candle holders, cut glass and crystal decanters. High above dark corbels support huge beams against a 20 foot plastered ceiling. The white plaster walls are festooned with elegantly mounted big game trophies... eland, springbok, impala to name a few. A zebra hide graces one wall. A handsome man, his skinned tanned and veined by years in the outdoors, sits at one end of the table with his back to the fireplace. His silver hair and penetrating eyes are those of a big game hunter. At the other end sits a regal hostess who effortlessly supervises the soirée. After considerable wine, a Sambuca or two, followed by a couple of rare Italian Grappas, I decide I'm in Out of Africa waiting for Meryl Streep to start reading an Isak Dinesen novel to the guests.

By now you're thinking I'm practicing creative writing when actually the above is an accurate, although inadequate, description of a dinner party Friday night at Rusty and Lynn Mullin's beautiful home in Rancho Mirage California. I have been friends with Rusty since the 4th grade. My second oldest friend, Pete Rhein, and his wife Linda were at dinner as well. Sitting in such a refined, elegant environment watching the two people I have known almost longer than any other had a dreamlike quality to it. Three guys from the same screwed up part of California with the same socio-economic background 50 years later drinking stuff we couldn't even spell (much less afford) back then, discussing girls we'd had... or was it girls we "wish" we'd had... it's all a bit foggy.

This beautiful evening was preceded by two days of golf with Pete and Linda and another spectacular meal at The Tuscany where Pete fell in love with Maribelle our Italian waitress. It's a bit embarrassing watching a Jewish banker on his knees singing Volare in the middle of a crowded restaurant. It was a spectacular two days with long-absent friends. Hopefully it won't be another 50 years before we do it again.

We are very lucky to have many great friends. Janet and Peter Storton graciously allow us to use their beautiful place when we are in the Palm Desert area. Earlier in the week we enjoyed another outstanding dinner at Jim and Mary Montgomery's at La Quinta Country Club. To those who are shivering in the final gasps of winter, try to picture a salad Mary served of grapefruit and avocado using fruit from the trees in their yard! Gotta love some things about this state.