Marla wanted a good base in the East Bay to make it easy to see friends she missed seeing last year due to her heart failure. I rented a fabulous AIRBNB in Walnut Creek which we were very lucky to find availability! There were two bedrooms, so our friend Lea joined us as well.

We are off for a morning walk in the area. One of these days I may even learn how to use my new camera!

The COVID era gave us new incentive to take walks.

Marla and Lea drove to Sacramento to see Susie Wainwright Tune, a college sorority sister and good friend. They are so used to me taking pictures that they forgot to do it! I spent the day on my own “nostalgia” tour. Casper’s Hot Dogs in Pleasant Hill, a family favorite for years, hasn’t changed a bit!

I drove by my old high school after lunch. The school is now used for adult continuing education.

Looking at my high school track brought a flood of memories! I’m almost amazed it is still here! Without running on this track I would never have gone to the University of the Pacific where I met Marla.

Running the 440 yard dash was my favorite!

I ran a 1:58.6 at this meet!

I discovered Lar Rieu Park up the hill from our rental while on a morning walk.

The Girls enjoyed it as well!

What a fantastic spot with Mt. Diablo as background for a photoshoot!

The Ladies head to…the bar!

We were interrupted by the sound of a bunch of turkeys!

We really enjoyed our morning walks up here!

I never miss a visit to my Mom’s grave on trips to the East Bay.

Marla is next to the grave of my Mom’s grandfather.

We met our dear friends Alex and Chris, and daughter Aimee, along with Alex’s parents from Bouzy, France, at Reve Bistro in Lafayette. It was a wonderful reunion with Francoise and Pierre! We had lunch with them last July in Reims, France. Click on my blog post to see how we first met Alex and her family in Cannes.

I knew they featured Alex’s Champagne on their wine list. Her 2013 Millesime Grand Cru is sensational!

The garden at Reve Bistro is lovely for dinner!

We all joined up again the next evening at Alex and Chris’ beautiful home in Walnut Creek.

“Ah yes…more fantastic Champagne!” Alex’s parents have their own Champagne business, Andre Clouet, first begun in the 18th century. It is now run by Alex’s brother, Jean-Francois.

Pierre does the honors by pouring a nice Bordeaux for us.

“Bubbles” loves visiting us when we are out on the terrace!

Our hearts overflowed with happiness on this trip! We loved our Walnut Creek rental and having our friend Lea with us was a nice bonus!

Photos: Dick Gentry. Not to be used without permission.