San Diego

Morning, everyone

I'm writing to you poolside at the moment from the cozy and luxurious Casa de Hartman in Santee, California.  It's my sister's place, in truth, but there is a very lovely pool to my right and separate guest quarters and all, so I think the luxurious label fits.

For those of you interested in all things Rachel, I can't really help you.  We have had only one communication from her after dropping her off at Biola.  This is all according to plan, however, as we knew she would be crazy-busy this week with Torrey orientation and Diane and I welcomed the chance to get off the road for a while.  Her one communication was very upbeat.  She loves her Torrey group, and is exhausted but happy.

As for Diane and I, we got to see some of the sights of San Diego yesterday with my sister, Melinda

The Coronado from the beach.

and her kids Kyle and Allison.  The highlight was a visit to the Hotel de Coronado on a peninsula named Coronado directly across the bay from downtown San Diego.  It's a grand hotel in the Spanish style that has quite a bit of history.  The film 'Some like it Hot' with Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon was filmed there back in the 50's.  We looked around at the elegant building, then wandered down to their private beach to dip our toes in the blue Pacific (it'd be a shame to come all this way and not do that).



 Then it was back to Melinda's house in Santee, just east of the city.  The big entertainment of the week, other than the backyard pool, has been a new dog in the house.  The Hartman's already had a lovely, lanky greyhound-sheppard mix named Lacee, and just added a little Chihuahua called Dolorous (Dee Dee for short).  It's been fun watching the dogs play and frolic as they figure out who is alpha. 

Dee Dee & Lacee around the pool.

Tomorrow, Diane and I head back to LA for the general university orientation at Biola.  This will be our chance to see the Cinema and Media Arts department where Rachel will be doing most of her non-Torrey work, and to spend a couple more hours with her before heading back to the hotel.  On Saturday, there will be a number of parent orientation programs on campus followed by a worship service on Saturday evening.  Bright and early Sunday morning, Diane and I will head out for real and start back to Minnesota.  More on that as it comes up.  See everyone soon.
-J