Tidings of Joy: Catching Up With Chitlins in California

Holy humidity! As we threw lines at Oxnard at 0630 it was already thick and pasty with humidity. Are you sure we are in California? Our 5 hour cruise was easy with tons of dolphins accompanying us and we timed it perfectly to arrive at Burton Chase Park in Marina Del Rey with Izzy and Ingrid's plane which landed at 12:30. The plan was for them to come right to the marina to see us and then all go to lunch. We couldn't have timed it better. As we secured the lines Izzy was calling saying he was en route. We had a nice visit with them and showed Ingrid the boat. We decided to bring lunch in at their house so we could relax and spend more time together. Izzy's house has really come along since he purchased it last year and we were excited to see all the new additions. We spent the afternoon chatting and catching up and waited for Sam to finish work. Dinner was at Pura Vida a vegan pizza and pasta restaurant. It was delicious and it was great being around another vegan who chose all the restaurants according to our dietary needs. Not usually the case when it's just Jeff and I. Sam met us and the four of us had a long leisurely dinner with lots of laughs.

Leaving Oxnard

Venice

Entering Marina Del Rey

Burton Chase Park Marina

Izzy & Ingrid Arrive

Full and exhausted we said goodnight to Izzy and Sam drove us back to the marina where she would sleep over since she had the next two days off of work. We enjoyed a very slow morning which worked perfectly for all three of us. Sometime before lunch we made our way into Venice and went to a vegan market that Sam knew and got deli sandwiches and perused the cute market full of vegan food. We enjoyed sitting outside and eating on the patio and chowed down on our sandwiches. After we strolled along the boardwalk of Venice which was quite disgusting. The boardwalk was covered in sand and everything around it felt dirty and seedy and wasn't the picturesque beaches we have been used to. The area in general makes you feel like you want to shower immediately. Sam was nice enough to take us to Whole Foods for some fresh food provisions before returning to the boat. Izzy and Ingrid joined us a little later for some Thai Vegan dinner and it was nice to all be together not at a restaurant where we could relax and enjoy each others company without feeling rushed or pressured to leave. Since it was a work night Izzy and Ingrid left after dinner and Sam slept over a second night.

With Sam at Burton Chase

Walking Around Venice Beach

Sam Spotted a Cute Dog

Dinner on the Tidings of Joy

Izzy is in the tech industry and conveniently has an office in Marina Del Rey within walking distance to the marina. This morning he stopped by with bagels for him and Jeff to have a nice bagels and lox breakfast before he made his way into work. Sam slept and I drank coffee and once again it felt good to go slowly. Izzy headed into work and then at some point the three of us made our way to a vegan restaurant called Squirrel. I swear all we did in Los Angles was eat and catch up. Or catch up and eat. Afterwards Sam went to a dance class and we attempted to walk around her neighborhood and I got a coffee which was a big mistake because it was so bloody hot I thought I was having a stroke. We heavily made our way back to her appointment where the only air conditioning unit is a single wall unit only in the living room so Jeff and I blasted it laying on her floor cause she has no furniture and waited for her class to be over. We grabbed vegan furniture food from Cena a place hidden in an unmarked warehouse that was excellent. Sat at a park alongside a freeway (a long way from our beautiful Seattle parks) and ate our dinner.

Laying in Sam's Hot Apartment

The next day which would be our last in Los Angles was another hot one. And when I say hot I'm not whining that we aren't in the PNW anymore it's 95 plus degrees with zero breeze and no shade. It has been mind blowing to me the lack of trees and shade in Los Angeles. I guess I either forgot or we were so spoiled up north to have plentiful shady walks and abundant parks with views. Walking this morning to see Izzy's office was torchere. Jeff was constantly wiping his brow with his sweat towel and me looking for shade trying not to pass out. We arrived red faced and dripping with sweat. Izzy showed us around giving us a grand tour of his nice new office. We were amazed at the size and all the fun amenities such as two slides and a fully stocked kitchen for all the employees to use. At some point after cooling down in the nice a.c. we said our goodbyes and made our way back to the boat to finish up laundry and get ready for our departure in the morning. After Izzy finished work he swung by to pick us up and take us to our final dinner together at Avant Garden a fun vegan outdoor restaurant full of fake plants and trees making you feel you are dining in a wild garden. The food was great and the company better and it was a perfect capper to a nice four days in Los Angeles.