Tag Archives: hermosa beach

Happy Hermosa Beach, CA

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I needed a boat break in the midst of all the boat work.  So, I headed to Hermosa Beach, California to visit my family during the Christmas break.  It was a very short trip but well worth the miles!

Both of my nephews were home for the holidays so we had lots of family time. We enjoyed many walks along the coast, strand, green belt, and beach.  

When the sun is out it is not just pretty but gorgeous!

We took another walk along the coast near the Point Vicente Lighthouse which is reported to be haunted by a lone female spirit.

We passed by an information center that told us about the gray whale migration and gave us stamps.  And a beautiful peacock was roaming the streets on our way home.

My sister’s dog Luke is part shepherd and husky and requires several walks a day. So, we visited lots of fun little parks.

Cameron’s 22nd Bday

Cameron turned 22 on 29 December!  We celebrated him all day and took him to play Top Golf in the evening.  Can’t say that I was any good at it, but it sure was fun!

My trip was super short so I was only able to see one friend…Deborah.  We went to a new restaurant called Tiki Kai which was so cute!  It had marvelous decor and atmosphere.  The food was excellent but ridiculously expensive for small portions of food.

Kimberly’s Bday

My sister’s birthday was on New Year’s Day!  We celebrated her all day long too. We started out by watching the Rose Parade which was rained upon (only 10th time in 150 years). 

Since it was raining, we decided to go see Song Sung Blue (movie) but it was such a sad movie.  It had great acting, a good story line, fabulous music, and overall aa great movie — but super sad.  Then off to dinner at Tin Roof Bistro. 

Featured Image: Cole, Kimberly, Troy, me, Cameron

I go through moments where I really miss land life and my family.  These moments are coming more frequently.  Unfortunately, we are sailing further and further away making these trips really difficult.  But I will keep flying back to stay grounded and fill my cup up! 

Our blog posts run 4-6 weeks behind actual live events. I was in Hermosa Beach the last week of December 2025.

Don’t miss all the quirky things to do in Whangarei – check out our last blog post.

Busy, Busy, Busy in the States

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A visit to the States is always challenging as we try to squeeze in errands, chores, friends and family across 3 different states.  But this visit is even more difficult as Matt is returning to the U.S. for the first time in 6 years!

Our priority items for this trip are:

  • Trip to Ohio to clear out house
  • Doctor visits and scans
  • Renew Christine’s driver’s license
  • Renew Matt’s driver’s license (brand new driver as license expired more than 2 years)
  • Repair watermaker clark pump
  • Resize wedding rings
  • Pick up huge order of boat parts

California

We arrive in LA around 10:30am after traveling (20 hours).  My dad picks us up and we head straight for San Diego to drop off our Spectra Clark pump (for the watermaker).  The distributor is in San Diego and will be repairing it as it is only producing at 50%.  We also pick up a new membrane and end caps for the watermaker.  A pricey visit.  We grab a quick bite to eat and head back to Hermosa Beach.  Just a 8 hour diversion.

Ohio

The next day we fly to Ohio where we meet Matt’s brother and his family.  We spend the next 4 days cleaning their mom’s 5000′ house (plus the basement and attic).  It was a tough job working 13-15 hours a day, but we were all super productive and got a lot of work done.  The weather surprised us with a few days of snow!  We were ill prepared for this part of our visit to the States!

Matt’s family: Mike, Kim, Preston, Clara, Will and Haddy and cousin Margaret.

I even get an opportunity to visit some of my family in Ohio.  My uncle Mike had a stroke a few years ago and although he could not speak, he had a lovely smile during our entire visit.  Thank you Kathy for making this happen.  It was incredibly special to see you both.

My cousin Devin is pregnant with her first child and we got to meet her husband Skylar. Yep, I am wearing multiple borrowed sweaters.

Texas

Our primary focus in Texas is to renew driver licenses and see doctors.  My license was easy as it does not expire until January 2023 (15 minute appointment).  However, for Matt we had to jump through a lot of hoops as his license expired more than 2 years ago and he is considered a brand new driver.  He had to take the written test, an online “Impact Driving Test” and the road test again!  But he passed with flying colors.  We celebrate at Hula Hut one of our favorite eateries.

Our friends the Nelson’s were visiting from the East coast so it was truly a grand reunion.

Jamie flew in from Oklahoma in a surprise visit for our big reunion at Heather and Michael’s house.  I just love this girl!

We gathered a spectacular group of people. It has been many years since we have all been together.  What a special treat to see everyone.  The girls (top: Diana, Barbara, me, Lisa, Missy, Kim, Heather, Marcie, Amy, Jennifer, Heather, Stephanie, Traci, Tiffany) and the boys (Matt, Kevin, Daniel, Matt, John, Larry and Chris)

Love the new iPhone 13 Pro Max which takes amazing photos at night!

Heather and Michael created a Cinco de Mateo theme in honor of Matt’s 55th birthday.  Everyone contributed food, beverages, coozies, and lots of good fun.

I had not seen Brian in well over a decade and I got to meet his new beautiful wife.

We got a little obsessive with the girl pics.

The Austin skyline has changed a lot – but what hasn’t changed in the states?

California

We spend a week in Los Angeles so I can see my family.  My dad is still battling cancer, but he is strong and fighting every step of the way.  We  visit him and his side of the family (uncle Joe, me, dad, Kelly, Adrian, Day, Kimberly).

My dad is a fighter and I am so proud of him.

Somewhere between all the travels in 8 cities, in the snow and in the pollen infested city of Austin, I catch covid.  Seriously!  Somewhat of a mild case, only 2.5 days of real sickness, body aches, sore throat, coughing, stuffy/runny nose.  But it prevented me from spending more time with family and seeing a lot of friends.  

Matt sees our friends Yanell and Missy.  They moved to El Segundo after they sold their beloved boat Hoodoo.

And Matt gets in several long bike rides (35 miles from Hermosa Beach to Santa Monica).

I’m Out of Isolation

Finally after I receive a negative test, I get out.  We visit with our friends on Hoodoo (Yanell and Missy) and our friends on Sea Jay (Fred and Chris) who were all in California (we met in French Polynesia).  What a small world!

Super tasty dinner at Palmilla on the Hermosa Beach pier.

Another celebration of Matt’s birthday….and it continues on and on…

We go for a small hike around Palos Verdes to see a beautiful light house and come across a lot of goats brought in to mow the grass.

So many baby goats!

Such a beautiful day!

Visiting the states is always hard for me as I want to see everyone and always end up spending a little time with many people vs quality time with a few people.  But what can you do?  It is nice to feel loved that is for sure.

Our good friend Deborah came to visit me.  (We know her from Austin)

My aunt Donna drove up from San Diego and spent the day with us.

We both get to see Cameron (my youngest nephew and a senior in high school) in his volleyball playoffs.  He is a rock star and just kills it!

Traveling Back to French Polynesia

When Matt left he carried back (2) 50lb bags and a 30lb back pack.  When I left I had (2) 50lb bags, (1) 30lb bag and a 20lb backpack.  Talk about a lot of “stuff”

A quick 9 hour flight from the States to Tahiti, a 3 hour layover and a 90-minute flight to Raiatea.  During my layover, my good friend Eve brought me a beautiful floral crown.

Now back to the boat on the  hard.    Hope to splash soon.  

Sugar Shack goes on the hard at Raiatea Carenage to get lots of work done.  Events from this blog in early April, 2022.  Our blog posts run 10-12 weeks behind our adventures.

Hermosa Beach

Living it up in California

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Trips back to the U.S. are both exciting and nerve racking.  Yet, always full of love and laughter.  You are probably asking how can that be? Well, exciting because I get to see my family and friends that I have not seen in years.  Nerve racking because I have loads of doctor appointments, errands, and orders to be placed and received.  My first stop is California.

Hermosa Beach, California

I arrived in California on a bright and beautiful day.  My dad made the long drive to visit with us and we got to spend the entire day with him despite his ailing health.  He is a rock star for making the journey, but next time I will make the drive.

My sister spoiled me the next day. I had not had my hair done in almost 3 years and it was looking a little long, but ratty.  Since I wear a hat all the time, the crown was my natural dark color, but from the nape of the neck down it was a sun kissed light brown to blonde.   The stylist said I came in with “charcoal” hair because of my long grays.

Before look known as "charcoal"

Before look known as “charcoal”

After 7 hours in the chair, a full color and then balayage it turned out way redder and lighter than I wanted.  She worked tirelessly to fix it and used toner 3 times.  By the time I left I was exhausted, cold, hungry and ready to cut it all off.  I decided to “sit” with it for a few days before making any rash decisions.  I will say that the color was beautiful, my hair was full, shiny, and super healthy looking.  It was just much lighter around my face than I anticipated.  I did not take photos of the front top where it was really light as I did not like it.

After Look

After Look

Several days later I wash it for the first time.  Part of me hoping the light color will wash off near my face, but knowing it won’t.  I am getting used to it…

Family Visit

Most of my family lives in California, but they are all spread out.  So, it is always fun to get together.  My 2nd cousins Jean and Ken, my aunt/uncle Diana and Mark, my uncle Matthew and my sister’s family all enjoyed tasty enchiladas, salad, and desert.

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Kimberly, my sister is such a goof ball – man I love the heck out of her!

My dad is battling colo-rectal cancer so my goal was to visit him as much as possible.  He is a fighter and is not relinquishing to this disease.  I am so proud of him and is courage!

My dad, his wife Kelly, and my uncle Adrian

My dad, his wife Kelly, and my uncle Adrian

My dad added to his family – a new malti-poo – so cute.

Family Fun

Family Fun

Squeezed some time out for my good friends.

Kathryn is one of my dearest friends and always brightens my day.  She is such a bright star in my life!

Kathryn, Kimberly, and I - California Girls

Kathryn, Kimberly, and I – California Girls

Deborah took me out to an amazing dinner at Shade in Manhattan Beach and it was amaze balls.  The drinks were spectacular!

Deborah and I

Deborah and I

Kimberly rides English style on a beautiful horse called “Spade.”

Kimberly and Spade

Kimberly and Spade

The Packing of all the “Stuff”

It is always a challenge to fit all of our goodies into our luggage.  You have to ensure that each bag does not exceed 50lbs and are evenly packed.  I decided to divide our loot into 3 sections.  First is coming back with me (urgent items), second will come with the Konis family (planning on a visit in mid-July) and the third will come with Wayne (planning a visit in mid-August).

The four boxes (lower photo) contain water pumps and weigh 12lbs each!  They have to be separated because they are so heavy.  

Some of the above items can be found in Tahiti.  However, they run anywhere from 3-10x as much money.  For example, the SUP leashes are about $65 in Papeete, but only $18 on Amazon.  Some of the above items just can’t be found in French Polynesia (fire blankets, ice cube balls, quick dry towels, waterproof backpacks) and some items are just pure luxury (GoPro, comfy flip flops).

Our Texas dad sent Matt and I some amazing goodies!  He spoils us so.  He sent hot sauce, julio’s seasoning and these cool thermal mugs that we so desperately needed.

This dog greets all the people who pass by on the Hermosa Beach strand.

Lots of flowers in full bloom

Abalone Cove and Reserve – Rancho Palos Verdes

Kimberly took my uncle Matthew and I to a cool place called Abalone Cove and Reserve in Rancho Palos Verdes.  Had we gone during low tide we could have explored the cool tide pools.  But as luck would have it, we arrived at high tide so we just enjoyed the dolphins playing the water at the beach.

Beautiful beach in California

Beautiful beach in California

My welcome home upon entry into French Polynesia.

The events of this blog took place the end of June and early July.  Typically, our blogs are 6-8 weeks behind actual events.