Poof!

I disappeared, but I have returned. We went to LA for about a week. The main event was the scattering of my in-laws ashes, so it was a sort-of mix of family obligations and relaxing vacation. On the way back, we stopped overnight in the Monterey area, then spent a day there doing 17-Mile-Drive and going to Point Lobos Nature Reserve. I've been both places, but not for a very, very, very long time, and T had never been to either. The scenery was gorgeous, and we saw many birds and seals, as well as a few otters bobbing around in the kelp (sadly too far away to get a good look or any pictures, but just knowing that I am in the presence of otters makes me happy). T got some seal pics, which I will share once they're ready. I put a few bird pics on Twitter.

Now I am home, probably until the end of September although I'm hoping to get together a houseboating trip sometime before then. Work is ramping up again, though -- my main project was ending, so I lined up some new ones, and then they all got going at once. Isn't that always the way? I even had to turn a couple of interesting things down.

But anyway, I'm glad I got at least one bit of a summer vacation, even if it wasn't entirely a vacation.