Recently we went on a Princess Ship to Hawaii and Gerry was the Bridge Director so our trip was free. We met some very nice people and Gerry was a "hit". I played a good second fiddle as "Vana" . The highlight of our trip was a helicopter ride. Hawaii IS beautiful ...especially the waterfalls but our California coast line can not be beat!
But Hawaii coastline is very beautiful too!

Dinner for 2

Best Seat ...front and center. They weighted everyone for seat placement. No comments please:)

Hawaiian waterfalls are beautiful! We flew so close and then above the clouds where it was raining!

Malibu Fires
This has been an experience! The first structure to burn was our church in Malibu Canyon. We were to be greeters last Sunday but while watching TV early I heard the canyon was burning beginning inland at the tunnel. We called around but no one had heard anything. While Gerry called I watched. The steeple was on fire and the winds were traveling at 80 miles per hour tunneling down the canyon. The church is about 5 miles away as the crow flies.

All of Sunday the winds were so strong that the helicopters could not pick up water for firefighting from the ocean so they flew over our place and sucked water from the water storage area behind us. It sounded like we were in some war zone. Reminded me of Robin Williams famous line' "Good Morning Viet Nam" The church was engulfed in less than 40 minutes. Only charred remains now. I am sure most of you saw the church on news so I will show only 2 photos of the clouds over our little canyon coming from Malibu and a fire copter flying over head.

We have been very fortunate! So many families especially in San Diego have lost their homes. Our area is free of fires now but it would seem now the hard part begins for families who have lost all they owned! Our church will rebuild and is receiving many offers of help and support. One of my friends who is in her late 80's was at the burn site reliving memories of meeting her husband there, getting married in the church, raising children and their weddings there etc. The firefighters have worked long hours often without beds or food. There is a sense of real people to people touching and many signs posted thanking everyone for their efforts. How hard it must be and so many aspects of lives touches.

Our church was a day care for 50+ families who now are out searching for a place for their kids. In 93 the fires burned up to the 101 behind the condo where Adam, Steven and I lived. Gerry has been through 2 fires that came either up Palisades Dr or behind on the ridge line. This was more than close enough for me! It does work as a reality/value check! We will be apart of a Thanksgiving Food drive for families and have boxed up blankets etc.