Ah San Diego....

Amidst nervousness and jitters to once again return to the place of my birth, and of so many haunting memories, I set afoot to San Diego and have been no more happy than to have a couple great sunny days with friends and family, a huge family turkey-day feast, some goof off time with a couple awesome kids including a sweet 16 birthday party, and some all round amazing views on life. Here is a quick look at the last couple days...those of you from northern Colorado, try no to get too jealous of the sunny shores...remember you have your shredding.

La Jolla Shores with the rice kids on day one..what a way to return right?

no sooner than we start having fun....ah California and your rules of engagement...

and your Spanish architecture...

waves at the shore were almost perfect...

we almost got pinned by this wave...watch the video.

Headed across town rappin to some Dre to get some food in the park, enjoy some playground antics, and visit with Cousin before heading back.

Another great video of the Rice Kids jumping off...

The next day was Aubrey's Sweet 16 Birthday Party, and although I do not have any pics, here are the highlights...

- Tammy was asked to dance by a senior...not citizen...a HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR! yeah for cougar friends

- Loads of kids dressed the theme which was a freezing "under the sea" and managed to not be too cool to play a round of Chubby Bunnies, and Pass the Orange. Aubrey ended the night counting her dough, and getting sassy...

while I think Tammy drowned the sorrow a mother must feel when her daughter turns 16 the best way she knew how...

While the cats pretended nothing was new...

The next day was Turkey-Day and dressed in some fancy duds, we went to Tammy's Moms house after mimosas and home made Scrapple, where 2 birds awaited consumption, coupons waited to be cut for Black Friday, kids waited to unravel, and parents knocked out some vino...

Kids tables...

where not all flavours are appreciated...

decisions had to be made...

as well as toasts...

then we played with the camera a bit...

and shot an amazing lipsynch video...CLICK THIS!

All in all a really fantastic day with the Nugent family, who always makes me feel welcome and warm, and tells a great dirty joke. I think even the Thanksgiving Toast involved a lightly masked sexual innuendo. love em.

I made my way back down to Cousin's place where I spent the rest of the weekend catching up with friends. A bit overwhelmed with reunions I made my way back to the moto to get it started without much ado, and saw the baby Zoe who has been watching over it for me for the last and first 4 days of her precious life...

while her puppy watches over her with crossed eyes...

Today I had a very productive day securing a wheel building internship with a master wheel builder here in San Diego, and fixing the motorcycle's cooling problem with nothing more than a silly little fuse.

I headed through the city to the beach to do a little yoga on the beach as I was still sore from the mere two climbs and a lite hike on Saturday at Mission Gorge with Cousin and her climbing buddies.

This is a fine yoga mat don't you think?

All stretched out I made my way to the season opener for Bri's water polo team.

I'm loving it here, but with talks today of the year to come and my job offer from the Tour Company on the heels of it all I'm torn again between the place that feels most like home, and the loved ones I leave behind to go there. For now, Italy feels more right for me and I cant ignore that fact, but the heart strings being pulled back to the place of my birth are taught like a classical guitar and playing a pretty little tune...

S.

another short story finished...

A huge thanks and much love to The Professor as I leave the fine state of colorado. That guy has come through for me in bigger ways than I ever expected! Funny thing I reminisced this time round was not meeting him, but meeting his BIKE. I remember one of the first days at the brewery on a cold but sunny day in March of 2007, walking up to the front of the building and seeing a few bikes parked out front, bikes of the core group who still rides in that weather one of which stood out. It was an old motobecane with moustache bars and downhill pedals converted to a one speed. I remember saying to someone, "Im gonna be good friends with whomever owns that bike." Truer words have only been spoken by the Professor LaVanchy himself, and as different as two dudes can be from the outside Im gonna miss that Gerry jammin', cowboyshirt wearin', bike lovin', Gatsby livin' old soul.

The last three weeks have been busy with getting things sold and the storage unit cleared out, sharing stories and pictures with all the other road warriors I know, having some fun in parks and on trails, in backyards and basements as the weather turned cold. A delicious nite out on the town in Denver and a couple late nights here in the fort.

All in all Im leaving this joint with a pretty solid appreciation of the folks I know here. These are good People. And Im going to miss them on the next little short story through california, and in the euro chapters to come.

See you all soon,

S.

thanks everybody,

Scott

Ode to Chichiolina....

You carried the weight of summer

And stood readied by sorrow's heavy door



With happiness light as air



You contributed to my demise



And helped me rebuild my soul

You fed me when I was hungry

And provided refreshment when I was thirsty



We shed tears for Mom

And laughed our asses off



From dusty mountain peak

Dirty with sweet sweat and trail



To warm sunny seasides



Coast to coast



From rolling Tuscan green



To lakeside repose





From swiftly curving farm roads



To secret bubbling swimming holes

You showed me your Italy



With an eye for the sacred





And the profane



Twas you who shaped my summer

And etched a place in my heart's history.

Thanks Chichi!
See you next spring

S.

total recorded distance - 2627.2 KM (1642.36 Mi)