#24: Orange County & LA

My time in Yorba Linda in Orange County was extended a bit longer than I had planned. No complaints here, though. That just meant more time with my friend Rich, his wife Jackie, and their twin daughter and son, Caitlin and Gavin. Amongst the COVID precautions, we were able to make a quick little afternoon getaway to Laguna Beach and get some local hikes in.

The rest of the time was spent simply hanging with them – swimming in the pool, helping home school the kiddos and enjoying family dinners. Rich is a friend from elementary school, so to be able to visit with him and his family and fold into their life for a short time was so special. Rich is in an EMBA program at USC, so I got to sit in on a few of his classes since he was taking them online. Oh! Also, it was in Yorba Linda when I also participated in my first-ever protest. What an experience.

While in SoCal, I spent a weekend with my dear friend from New York, Tahleen. She gave me a tour of her new neighborhood in LA (Redondo Beach area), we ordered takeout – it was like no time had passed since we last saw each other. She also took me to a stunning hidden gem of a neighborhood called Palos Verdes (or “PV” as the locals call it) – known as the Amalfi Coast of the area. It’s a beautiful residential town on a hill off of the ocean – like the Amalfi Coast.

A bit of “housekeeping” was done in SoCal as well. After leaving Texas, I had a few things that needed to be checked on my car. I made an appointment at a local VW dealer in the area as soon as I arrived in town. After the mechanics took a look, I was informed that it needed an entirely new fuel tank (long story). By the time the part came in, and they took the entire back end of the car apart to install the new tank, the car was in the shop for a whole week. My Certified Pre-owned Warranty covered all, so all I lost was some time. 

Then, one day I drove up the street to purchase a birthday card for my nephew. The store was only a mile away from Rich and Jackie’s house. All of a sudden, my gas pedal wouldn’t accelerate the car. I pulled over to the safest place I could and called for a tow - right back to the dealer from which it had just come. It was scary. Per Rich’s recommendation, I used my YETI cooler as a pseudo cone because my car was right around a corner where other vehicles were turning. I just sat and waited for the tow truck. Later I learned that something was loose from where they had taken the car apart to install the new fuel tank. 

Of course, my mind immediately went to, “Well, I guess I’m not leaving for San Diego on Thursday.” (The car thing happened on Tuesday). But I did not overreact. I remained calm. Hell, after sheltering in place for two months, my grand plan was already shot. Anything that happens after that is not part of the plan anyway! As luck would have it, I got the car back the next day and was able to leave for San Diego that Thursday, as planned.