Sunday, October 11, 2009 Saying goodbye to Julie and Patrick

We get up early to attend Unity of Marin, where we have been before and we take our friends, Julie and Patrick there. A wonderful church and the people are so very genuinely friendly. It is located in an beautiful old Spanish style building that used to be part of an army facility, we find out. Our friends like it too. And with the service is a special guest – a mountain lion! Right on stage, to illustrate the fearlessness of Daniel in the lion’s den. Sure made some people scared!

Someone comes to buy our bike rack. And now it is time to return all the wonderful stuff our friends lent us for our journey. Thank you to all our friends who have made this trip so easy, fun and a joy for us. We say sad goodbye to our dear friends, Julie and Patrick. (Whom we find out are old dear friends with our friends, Tara, on Maui!) They have been such great gracious hosts to us and we have had the pleasure of calling their house our second home We were happy to participate in and witness the amazing progress they have made on their goals since the beginning of the summer. We look forward to hearing more good news in the future!

We arrive at our other “home” with Caterina and Eric for the night. After hello’s we stop over for a visit and movie at Myia’s old, friend, Suzanne’s,

Friday, October 9/10, 2009 Harbin Hot Springs, visit with Unmani and Dharma and John Lennon’s Birthday

Friday: Getting up early after a wonderful very dark and very quiet night FULL of magical stars, we arrive at Harbin early and attend a most amazing yoga class – perfect for us and what we need. We find our friends, Unmani and Dharma, at breakfast and then spend the day visiting, hot pools and wet saunas. A little lying in the sun to tan Gerrit’s face. He shaved!! He has to get a new passport and Driver’s License in Holland and he doesn’t want to look like a terrorist! It is John Lennon’s Birthday! Celebrated by movies about his life. So moving. He was such caring and committed man. So sad to loose him! Saturday: We awake early after another very dark and very quiet sleep at Harbin. We intend to go the fantastic yoga class in the amazing temple building, but decide the 4 hours yesterday was enough and head up to breakfast at the restaurant.

We decide to wake up our friends, Unmani and Dharma before we leave for San Rafael. They let us wake them up and we have fun in bed pretending to be John Lennon and Yoko Ono having a BED IN for peace!

Then for more breakfast for them at the restaurant. And who do we see? Our friend, Vision, from Maui whom we saw in Laytonville at Shanti and Bob’s! Nice connections. As they say, Harbin is where you see everyone!

We arrive In San Rafael in late afternoon and begin a closing visit with our dear friends and hosts, Julie and Patrick. We again do the John Lennon Thing and take Bed In photos again to remember these dear friends.

Thursday, October 8, 2009 Napa Valley

After the good day yesterday, in the knowledge that we are now sure of our car sale we can head up toward Harbin Hot Springs via Napa Valley and a much deserved rest and relaxation. We visit Berringer and Mumm Wineries on the way.

Tuesday, Wednesday October 6 and 7, 2009 Cleaning car day, Post Office Selling Van!

Tuesday: Getting ready for our Van to go to its new home. And sending packages of “too much to carry” home to Maui. Easy day.
Wednesday: Day of administration and taking care of business. And the new owners wire us most of the money. Yea!! And a big day as Gerrit cuts his beard! In preparation for new passport and driver’s license photos.

Monday, October 5, 2009 Our wedding anniversary

We arise early and head out for a great morning bike ride on the bay! We start from under the Golden Gate Bridge at Land’s End and ride almost to the Fisherman’s Warf. Such a great coastline and a great city which has kept so much of its natural beauty for all of us to enjoy. We look for a new camera in several places (our old camera broke, that's why there is no pictures today) and then up to San Rafael for a visit with our friends there. And then up to Santa Rosa, shopping and driving.We sleep in our friends, Caterina and Eric’s house we have come to call home in California. We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends. Thank you all.

Sunday, October 4, 2009 Third and last day of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass

Morning shower at our sweet friend, Eleesa’s. Then to Unity Church.

Then to the Festival to see the Cheiftans of Irish Music fame. They were there with Irish dancers and Mexican musicians and dancers too, as well as Scottish bagpipes and drums.

Then in the evening we saw one of the last acts to perform and the best one we had seen, perhaps ever – Little Feat. An amazing old, long standing, rock band who did what they said they would play the good old fashioned rock and roll. And with everybody in a great mood after 3 days of great music, fun and stoned, what do you think?!!

Saturday, October 3, 2009 Another day of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass at Golden Gate Park

We awake to people walking behind our van where we slept. It is “Breast Cancer Awareness Walk”! And lots of people mostly women wearing all kids of pink. We move for breakfast at the beach. Spend the morning blogging at Peet’s coffee shop.

Then take in Nick Lowe, Richie Havens, Rickie Scaggs, a great new group we did not know called World Party