Drifus' Travels

Well I got up and headed over to grandmas and had breakfast, eggs and toast since yet satisfying. Then Alan and I headed out to the Ramona airport to work on the Sonex airplane that he has been working on for 2 years. We started about 9:30am and finished about 2:30 that afternoon. We were fitting some aluminum on the top of the wings near the fuselage. This required drilling about 200 holes, plus measuring and then de-burring them. Alan said that we made great progress and that I do nice work. I am not sure whether I would ever spend the time and money to learn to fly but I did like working on the airplane. After that we went home and then I headed back to my RV. When I arrived back at my RV I opened the door to find myself inundated with Argentinean ants. I quickly grab a bottle of Simple Green since I did not have Raid on board. This stuff killed them instantly but since it is water based it would evaporate and then eventually the ants would show up again. While I was killing ants I mopped the floor and dusted since Simple Green is multipurpose. I then left for a minute to go across the street and get some Raid Ant killer. I returned and sprayed around the base of the RV and then lightly fogged the interior and then shut the door and left for my brother’s house for dinner and some good stimulating conversation. I arrived at my brothers and we sat a round and chatted and became reacquainted, then Heather (his fiance) called and said that she was almost done getting the tires put on the Beamer and she would be home soon. Well about 30 minutes she arrived and we all started to chat and then the subject of dinner came up. There we two choices since they were close to their house, Pizza Port and Sushi House. Well Pizza Port won, and we headed down the 5 block walk to the restaurant. Once we arrive we ordered a pizza and some Caesar salads, the pizza was half garlic vegetable and half sausage / mushroom. Again we talked about everything you can imagine and maybe a few topics that you can’t. We eventually headed back to their place and they decided to light up a hookah pipe with some vanilla tobacco. They passed it to me and I inquired on how to use it. They gave me the highlight instructions and so I indulged. I did not know what to expect but none the less I felt nothing. So we chatted some more and then Heather went off to bed and Jason and I stayed up another hour of so continuing to talk. Well it got late and Jason had class in the morning so I departed. I arrived back at the RV about 2:10am which was 4am back home in the Midwest. I talked to Beth shortly and we decided to talk when it was morning for both.

I headed off to grandmas and had breakfast and again worked on the computer then Alan decided that a trip to Fry’s was in order. Well Alan picked up a DVD-ROM drive that writes Dual Layered media and a switch box for controlling 2 computers I tried to find a few things but couldn’t and we were only going to be gone a short time. When we arrive grandma offered me lunch which I declined and said that I had some things to take care of and I could meet them back at their house for dinner, she agreed and said dinner would be at 5:30. So off I went in search for a US Bank, a Chevy dealer since the vans blower motor hadn’t really worked since left KC. Well after driving around I learned that car dealers were not allow to do business in San Marcos, CA. I finally found my bank and did my business and then since a local car dealer wasn’t close I headed to Beaudry RV dealership. I again looked Montana’s; this dealership had floor plans in stock I had not seen in the flesh. So after looking around I think I made my decision on which model I liked but wanted to confirm with Beth. I then headed back to Fry’s and found the things I was looking for and then it was really close to dinner. I did not mean to be long but I did arrive early and we had dinner. Grandma made pot roast, backed potatoes, peas and a fruit cup on the side. All of it was very nice plus having a home cooked meal wasn’t bad either. Well after dinner we chatted some more and then I headed back to the RV.

I woke up to a nice beautiful morning, neither hot nor cold. I got my stuff together and just as I was about to leave grandma called to find out where I was. I told her that I was on my way and I would be there shortly. I arrived and she made Alan and I breakfast. Next Alan and I headed off to the airplane hanger in Ramona where his latest project is. Well about 2 years ago he sold the plane we went up in and bought a kit, Sonnex. It’s about 18′ long and has a top speed of about 160 and a stall speed of about 38mph. So we looked it over and then a guy by the name of Neil stopped in and we chatted for a few minutes. We then left the hanger to head home. We came to a traffic light and there was a corner vendor selling bouquets It was funny I was thinking of buying one if it would last until I got home in 2 weeks, then at the last minute Alan decided to stop and purchase one from the vendor for grandma. Well we got home and showed the flowers to grandma and she was delighted. Well a few hours went by and then Jason and Heather showed up. This is the first time I had met her, she is a tall slender woman, medium length brown hair. Well we moved out to one of the decks at the back of the house and had h’ordurves of cheese, crackers and a salmon dip. Eventually the discussion of dinner came up and it was decided that we would go to a Chinese restaurant. We each order our food and decided to have it family style (where each shares what they ordered). The food was good, we headed back home and Jason and Heather left shortly after we arrive back home. I stayed another hour or so and then headed back to the RV

Well I woke up and got ready and said goodbye to Larry and thanked him for their hospitality and head off to pick up my RV. Next stop San Diego to see more family. Well it took a while since there was a car fire that I got a picture of on highway 5. I arrived at the Escondido RV Park and really love it, each slot has native California plants around it and it looks much undisturbed. Well I got setup and called grandma and let her know I was coming over. I noticed while driving over that things have been really built up since I was here last 4 years ago. Well I arrived and grandma had a plate of snacks that she whipped up quickly since I mentioned that I hadn’t eaten all day and it was about 2:30pm. So we talked and got caught up on things and then had stir-fry for dinner, which was wonderful. After dinner, Alan and I headed up to his computer to see if I could fix it. Well the end result we formatted the drive and started over with Windows 2000.

Well I awoke about 7am and then lay in bed as I am really tired but I want to see some other things here in LA so I must get up and get motivated. Well Pat and I went to Subway for a light lunch and brought it back home. We then went to Fry’s Electronics, my favorite stop while in CA. When then headed to the Hollywood walk of fame. We walked down about 5 blocks and read all of the stars on the walk and then we crossed the street and read some more of them. We stopped in a great costume place that had some great costumes and Halloween decorations. They also had some plastic model kits. I found a Peanuts model that was licensed in 2000 to add to my collection. This store was so amazing that I had to take pictures since it was that unique. Along the way I took pictures of the stars that I thought Beth would like to see. We then headed home since we were going out to a late dinner at Mandaloun, a Lebanese restaurant. Well I rested while Pat took Pogo out for his exercise. Then Larry came home and we eventually went to dinner. The restaurant is supposedly decorated in authentic Lebanese tradition. It’s kind of semi-Arabian semi-French. You first start with a basket of pita bread with about 7 items that you can add to make little sandwiches. Things like beef tartar (although there is another name for it) some various mayonnaise like substances like humus, and some vegetables that have been marinated. While you are indulging in this there is a musician playing a guitar with some pre-recorded music. He was quite good, singing in French and then in Armenian. I really enjoyed the music and would have like to see subtitles so I could understand what it was about. Then the main course comes out, you have choice of beef or fish. Since I was new beef was the recommendation. Well the plate came out and there was for lack of a better word, some mushy pita-like bread on top of some beef and chicken. Next to it was rice and an unusual vegetable. While the beef was a little chewy the chicken was very moist and delicious. During this time a full band is now playing and the patrons sometimes join in with clapping. Eventually the band takes a break and we are entertained by belly dancers. This is somewhat entertaining since I have only seen this on TV. I enjoyed watching it very much. Next they dance around the restaurant and you give them a dollar bill as a gratuity when they dance next to you. Eventually they leave and you have basically two choices you can go to the smoke room and smoke apple tobacco in a hookah or you can leave. Well we were going to go to the smoke room but we ended up leaving. Well when we got home I said goodbye to Pat and Larry as they would not be home when I got up.