"Sometimes the best moments happen when they are unplanned and unexpected.”
Our daughter Michelle decided to come over on Friday to work from our home and brought our granddaughter Lyla. This time Kyle joined her. We were thrilled. Later that morning Kyle, an avid cyclist and I rode to Lexington Reservoir vis a vie, the Los Gatos Creek Trails with a pit stop at the top of Vasona Lake. It was his first time there by bike and I was happy to lead the way. By the time we began to make our loop around the upper part, the temperature began to surge to 105 degrees. The ambient air from riding and the intermittent shade from the forested trees helped to provide some relief, and of course, we had water to drink. We returned 2 1/2 hours later and I headed for a scheduled half-hour outdoor lap pool session at the Bay Club Courtside. The water never felt so good. We also scheduled time to swim with the family in our gated community pool later in the day. The kids decided to stay the evening and we picked up three thin crust Cicero’s pizzas, watched a movie, and called it a night. Cecile made some delicious baked French toast for an early breakfast she prepared the evening before. Kyle and Michelle, and Lyla were invited for lunch with friends on Saturday in Santa Cruz. Our son Jason came over later in the morning and we had lunch and hung out.
Michelle, Kyle, and Lyla returned later in the day. Lyla was happy to see Uncle Jason and his dog Daisy. We scheduled another swim time at our local pool. Lyla got to offer some water to drink to the large decoy white swan that is intended to keep crows and other critters away. She also enjoyed some coloring book time, storybook reading, baby flashcards, blowing bubbles with Nana (Cecile) in our front atrium, hanging out with our white stone buddha statue on a pedestal, gently touching its ringlets (curls) on the top of its head and hugging it. Pointing to the world-famous icon, she said, “Girl!" There are indeed female buddhas in various Buddhist sects, but that's a conversation for when she is older. We ordered take out from Oren’s Hummus, whose specialty is Fresh, Authentic Israeli Food, with beer and Margaritas and talked into the night without ever leaving the dinner table.
Early in the morning, I awoke to flashes of lightning reflecting off our master bathroom mirrors and rain pelting the skylight. Lightning is rare in California. We were lucky the rotating Power outages that affected millions lasted only two ours.
Later that morning Kyle and I decided to ride our bikes again. We began with a road less traveled residential ride through some quiet, Saratoga neighborhoods, making our way to Big Basin Way for a gorgeous ride through the redwoods until we reached the Mountain Winery on Pierce Road. Kyle led the way from there to Mt. Eden Road winding up around the mountain where it levels out along some hillside vineyards with spectacular views of Redwood Gulch and Steven’s Canyon Road. The descent from over a 2,000-foot elevation on the way back was fast and furious, making the steep climb preceding it well worth the effort. Cecile had a wonderful scrambled eggs and chicken apple sausage brunch waiting for all of us, capping a wonderful weekend that seemed to unfold in the most fun and natural way.
