DECEMBER 2nd 1999
Today we awoke to a horrible smell in Ventura. I may not have mentioned it before but we are once again next to the commercial fishing fleet and the stench it produces. To make matter worse there is a mushroom farm down the road, which trucks in loads of manure to use. I guess when the winds are just right the 2 smells converge into something unexplainable! Well this was it. We couldn’t take it anymore. We decided that we would go back to Santa Barbara today. So we put away all breakables and off we went. I steered the boat out of the harbor today and pointed us back to Santa Barbara. The ocean was pretty lumpy and soon Dewey and I were not feeling too good. I tried not taking any Dramamine this time, not a good idea. Dewey, poor little guy, got sick too…. So captain David had to steer the boat and take care of a couple of sick passengers. I never lost it but when Dewey did I came pretty close.
AHHHHHHH…
Back in lovely Santa Barbara… and on the nice dock with the new bathrooms! The simple pleasures of life. We now got settled back in and drove back to Ventura to get David’s car. Called my mom and my dad is doing somewhat better. He may get to go home on Friday.
FRIDAY DECEMBER 3RD, 1999
Last night a terrible storm came through Santa Barbara, trees were blown over and power went out. I was awoken about 4:00 am to the wind and the waves lapping up against the boat. The windex on the top of the mast broke off during the storm.
Today we went back to our favorite track to attack the 480 stairs and walk/run around the track. I didn’t get too excited until noon when I could go back to that wonderful swimming pool. Swam another 55 laps today. Hard to believe December 3rd and I’m still swimming outside! Do I love California!
Tonight they had a 2-hour Christmas parade down State Street in Santa Barbara. It was very cute. Lots of cute kids and high school bands.
Well we have been living on this boat for 100 days now, actually 101 today! What do I think? Well, it’s pretty cool for the most part. The hardest thing is missing all my friends. I miss going to Starbucks for a latte and a good chat, the Crab Cracker for happy hour long island ice teas and lunch and dinner get together’s with my design and pottery buddies. Sometimes I actually miss the running around between ASID meetings, showrooms and work. But then I go swimming in December and realize it’s a good thing. I’m getting to see so many interesting things and spend some quality time with David, which is something we rarely did in Seattle. We are still unclear of our plans. We have a little bit of work to do on the boat yet, but not sure where we want to spend our time until we leave for the South Pacific. So I guess we will just play it by ear.
Didn’t hear from my mom today, so I’m not sure what’s going with my dad.
TUESDAY DECEMBER 7TH, 1999
We drove back up to San Simeon to tour the Hurst Castle. We arrived around noon and the tour left at 12:20. We loaded onto tour buses and were driven the five miles up the mountain with a tape-recording about the Hurst family and the sites along the way.
Once we arrived at the castle we were unloaded at the rear of the castle to meet our tour guide. We looked at the terraces and the outdoor pool and then went inside to the main entry room. This room was filled with Italian Renaissance art, paintings and sculptures. The walls were paneled with antique choir stalls from different churches in Europe. The main hall was very grand and the tour guide entertained us with stories about the Hurst family and who the entertained in this room. From this room we went to the grand dining room. The table was set with silver candlesticks and paper napkins. The table, which would seat around 40 people, was lined with Spanish Danteska chairs. This room as well as the grand entrance room was highly decorated for Christmas. Two huge Christmas trees were in the entrance room and several small trees were in the dining room. Then we went to the theater room and watched homemade silent films that were made at the castle while Mr. Hurst lived there. From here we went to view the indoor pool. It was totally lined with blue Venisian glass and gold mosaic tiles. The inside of the pool, the floors and the walls were all covered with these small little tiles. It was pretty breath taking. That was the end of the tour. After we unloaded back at the visitor center we viewed an Imax movie about the Hurst family and the castle that was built in partnership between Mr. Hurst and Julia Morgan, the famous women architect.
The day ended with a drive back to Mooro Bay for dinner and then another nice visit with my friend Rene Delk.
THURSDAY DECEMBER 9TH and 10th, 1999
David and I head down to L.A. today to pick Nick and Victoria up at the Burbank Airport. They arrived around 2:00, we then headed over to the CBS studios for the taping of Politically Incorrect with Bill Maur. We actually were seated in the front row. They taped two shows while we were there. One was a fairly normal show. The only guest I knew was the one who used to play Cliff in Cheers. The next show they taped was one about wrestling and had all wrestlers on it. It was very entertaining. We drove back to Santa Barbara in time to see the show on TV that night. The next day we got up and headed back to L.A. to go to Universal Studios. We rode several rides and took the tour of the studios. It was so cold! We were all wearing shorts and the wind was bitter cold. So we didn’t do much exploring after the rides. We did receive a pass to the taping of the Dharma and Greg Show, so we headed over there. We got there just in time for the start of the show. It took about 3 hours for the taping and Nick and Victoria became part of the entertainment between takes. They gave the comedian plenty of material to work with. We didn’t get home from this day of excitement until 1:00 am.
SATURDAY DECEMBER 11TH, 1999
Today we met Victoria’s sister Kate for breakfast. Victoria went off with her sister for the day while David, Nick and I just hung out. We had Mexican for lunch (margaritas, tequila and chips) then we came back to the boat and watched a movie. We went to Sharky's for dinner. Nick discovered the 80-ounce bucket of Mai-Tai. We got one to split, but they announced happy hour and two for one drinks. Next thing we knew Nick was bellying up to the bar getting two more buckets! He drank one all by himself! David and spilt the other. Needless to say…. Fun was had by all.
SUNDAY DECEMBER 12TH, 1999
Up early to head to Magic Mountain. I think we rode just about every ride there!
Except for the one that was broken down (SUPERMAN)
We left the park around 4:30. I was totally sick from rides but I think Nick and Victoria could have gone on 3 more hours. We made it back to Santa Barbara in time for the Christmas boat parade of lights. It was a fun day
MONDAY DECEMBER 13TH, 1999
Not up so early today. Victoria went to the top of the mast to help us fix our wind vain. She actually enjoyed it! Then we hit the road to head to Venice Beach and then to the airport to wish our friends good bye.
TUESDAY DECEMBER 14TH, 1999
We slept in late today, I guess we were both exhausted from keeping up with a couple of 21-year-olds. I did manage to make it to swimming but my back was killing me. Only 70 laps today. As the day progressed so did my pain.
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 15TH, 1999
Today I could barely walk. I made it up to a phone and found a chiropractor. Yea, he could get me in. David and I drove a car down to Ventura because once again we have to leave. When we got back I went to the chiropractor. He said I had 5 vertebra that were locked. So he sat me in a massage chair and then gave me an adjustment. Then I had some electric stem treatment. So hopefully this will let me move again. Mailed off Christmas box to Iowa today. Also we called Carolyn to wish her a Happy Birthday. Today is also Nicole’s Birthday. I hope she got my present.
THURSDAY DECEMBER 16TH, 1999
A rough night trying to sleep, my poor back is killing me. Today we left for Ventura. It was a beautiful day and an easy motor down to the Ventura Isle Marina. We got settle in, bought some groceries and took it easy.
FRIDAY DECEMBER 17TH, 1999
Up to do more chores. First it was laundry and a shower. We took down the mainsail cover so I could extend the top. When we got our new sail it was too short.
Later in the day I drove back to Santa Barbara for another chiropractic treatment. My back is feeling better, but I’m not moving very fast.
MONDAY DECEMBER 20TH, 1999
Today I drove back to Santa Barbara to get a treatment for my back. I arrived early so thought I would go to the post office. There was no place to park so I parked at the chiropractor and walked over. As I cross the parking lot I found a large wad of money blowing around. I picked it up and counted it, $168.00. Wow this is a lot of money. This had to be someone’s Christmas stash. I quickly started asking around to see if I could find the rightful owner. No luck. So I thought I’d just hang out in the background and see if anybody comes along that looks like they lost some money. Ten minutes later an older gentleman came around and got on his hands and knees looking under cars and looking all throughout his car. I asked him if he lost some money. He said yes. I asked him how much. He said $168.00. So I guess the rightful owner had been found. He was so happy that he gave me five dollars reward. Off to the chiropractor I went. He decides that I would need a brace to help stabilize my back. He said unfortunately my insurance wouldn’t cover it and it was going to cost $40.00. He would like to have me pay for it today. I didn’t have that kind of money on me. I said this is funny, I just had $170.00 in my hand. So I told them the story. I was settling up my bill the receptionist when the doc came back out and said “ Lisa, don’t worry about paying for the Brace, it’s a Christmas present for being so honest.” Can you believe it? Instant karma! Now it really is starting to feel like Christmas.
TUESDAY DECEMBER 21ST, 1999
Today is a great day! It is the last day of fall meaning that the short days start getting longer. We also left Ventura, our banishment from Santa Barbara being over. We went west again to Santa Barbara. Surprise, we got our same slip back. It’s nice to be back. Everything is decorated so nice for Christmas.
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 22ND, 1999
Today David I drove to Dana Point to check out the marina down there and the availability of space. They may have an end tie for us. We were going to check out some other places too, but the traffic was so bad on the way down that we ran out of time before we were to meet my friend Krysia from Colorado. We did stop on Balboa Island in Newport marina to check out the Christmas lights. Never have I seen anything like it. We met up with Krysia and her boyfriend in Newport Beach at the Marriott suites. We went out for dinner and had a nice reunion. Then it was the long drive back through L.A.
FRIDAY DECEMBER 24TH, 1999
Still nursing my sore back. It’s pretty bad today, but I’m going to try to swimming. I picked up two packages at the post office. That’s always exciting. One package from my family and one from my friend Karen. Full of Christmas goodies I suppose. I did make it to the pool, but I was in so much pain from my back that only a few laps were done and then I just stretched for a while. Later that afternoon David and I walked downtown to have a nice Christmas Eve dinner. My brother Brad and my Dad had both sent us some cash for Christmas so we had a nice dinner on them at the Santa Barbara brewing company. We walked back by the ocean looking at all the Christmas lights on the decorated Christmas boats.
Back at the boat we turned on our Christmas lights that we hung inside and outside the boat. And then it was time for the traditional Jimmy Buffet Christmas Music. We sat outside in the cockpit, enjoying the tunes, lights, the warm air and the full moon over the mountains in the horizon. Reflecting on the day and the past 123 days I realized how truly blessed and lucky I am to finally enjoy what life has to offer.
As Jimmy buffet says " a sailor spends his Christmas in a harbor under the stars, a sailor spends his Christmas in a harbor having fun"
SATURDAY DECEMBER 25TH, 1999
Our first Christmas on the boat. When I awoke David had already started breakfast and had it ready for me when I sat down. My back is feeling much better today. Yea! We opened our presents. And then relaxed awhile. Around noon I gave my parents a call. David and I then took a long walk down the beach to check out one of the fancy hotels in town. We sat in the lounge and watched football and had a Christmas drink.
Back at the boat for some reading by David and dinner preparation by me.
We went back up to the beach at sunset to watch the beautiful pink and red sky topped off by a Christmas feast of salmon, roasted rosemary potatoes and asppergrass. Yum! It was topped off with some pecan pie. I called my family since they were all gathered at my brother’s house. I got to talk to everyone. David and I finished off the day watching a movie. While it was different not having our family around, it was nice not to have the hustle and bustle and run around like crazy people. It was nice to really enjoy the day!
MONDAY DECEMBER 27TH, 1999
I awoke to terrible back pain today. Not being able to stand it anymore and my chiropractor on vacation I was forced to find another solution. I called an orthopedic surgeon to see if they could take a look at me. They could get me in later that day. I did go swimming and then to the doctor. He examined me fairly well and then suggested that I get a CAT scan and some injections for the pain into my lower spine. The next trick was to get into to see the injection doc. Apparently he is the only doctor within a 200-mile radius that does these injections. I can’t get in to see him, but he does agree to give me the injections on Thursday morning. So I’m looking forward to that.
TUESDAY DECEMBER 28TH, 1999
Still having severe back pain. Found a new chiropractor to go to. This guy went to Palmer and was better then the previous doc. He seemed to get the spot in the hip that was making it hard for me to walk. He did warn me that I was in big trouble in my lower back and that I need to take special care of this lower back. Went swimming later this afternoon and felt much better.
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 29TH, 1999
Up at 6:00 am to get going to the hospital. I was to be there by 7:00 am to get ready for the injections. David stayed home and I drove myself there. The doctor who gave me the injections name was FRANCIS. What a weird quirky dink. Anyway he was pretty wacky. They laid me out on my stomach with an I-V and began the injections with the guidance of and x-ray machine. While under x-ray, the doc discovers that I have a fracture in my vertebra. After 5 cortisone shots and one epideral they wheeled me out to recovery. Now they tell me I can’t drive myself home, so I have to take a taxi. It was a very painful and long walk back to the boat. Spent the rest of the day with and ice pack and painkillers. Ed the Hollywood director in the boat next to us came over a visit. He has sailed around the world twice, so it’s always fun to hear his stories.
FRIDAY DECEMBER 31ST, 1999
Well it’s New Years Eve, the last one of the century. What will we do to celebrate? I’m feeling a lot better so we venture downtown to the post office to see what’s happening. Not a lot going on. We received a big box of mail today so we spent the better part of the afternoon going through bills, letters, Christmas cards and junk mail. We also watched the celebrations going on all over the world on the TV. Later on we decide to walk downtown to see what’s happening. We couldn’t get into any bars. The ones that weren’t charging a cover charge had huge lines. So we skipped that idea and went down to the park where they were having a huge celebration. Well, when we got there only one band was finishing up. We stayed for the next one, which didn’t start until 11:15. But it was worth the wait. It was English Beat or also later known as Public Image Limited. That was fun. But we decide to walk over to the Warf to watch the fire works. What a view we had. Those were the best fireworks I’ve ever seen. Then we walked back to the boat and went to bed. HAPPY 2000!!!