Temescal Canyon

It's Sunday night and the day is finally winding down. Its been a very busy couple of days and I have to admit there has been a lot to do, so much that I have found it difficult keeping up with the blog.


I feel toasted. This morning we met Gus, Vel, Nicolette, Janina, Ryan and Owen for a hike. It was challenging because quite a bit of us were still tired from the night before. It took us about 40 minutes but we made our way up the side of the hill arriving at the waterfall. It was even drier than the last time we were there, back in May? But it was a perfect spot to sit as we cooled down.

We leisurely ate our picnic lunch while the kids played nearby. Ryan and Henry get along really well. While Owen and Rhys continually battled out who was going to take Kitty's leash, but I am confident that the more we get together the two will become fast friends. It was very restful and relaxing way to spend a Sunday.

We finally got home about 3:30p. Both boys and Kitty were out, but once we got home Henry woke to play with Zach next door. Kenny conked out for a cat nap and I puttered around a very quiet house.




Last night we attended the Loyola High School Reunion. We made plans to make it a triple date with Gus, Vel, Mike and Maria. It was a blast! I cannot get over how high tech the school is. It is inconceivable that this is a high school because, gosh darn if it doesn't look like a college campus! It is gorgeous!


We arrived early and got to tour the school grounds. The tour was given by a man who was dean when the guys were freshmen. He eventually became the principal for a number of years before retiring the post last year. He is still very active at the school.

A very nice surprise was the arrival of Father Bennett, now Bishop Bennett who was the principal of the school while the guys attended. He was made Bishop by John Paul II and held a post in Boston for a number of years before being relocated to Jamaica! Wow. I guess someone has to do it! Sadly he became ill while in Jamaica and is now back in town recuperating.

Later in the evening Bishop Bennett got up and gave a very moving speech. I think for me that was one of the many highlights of the evening. He said that he occasionally goes through yearbooks reminiscing and offering his prayers for each and every student in the class. Kenny and I even got a chance to have some private words with him. When he asked if we had any children and told him that we had 2 boys he jokingly asked 'And where might they be attending High School?' Kenny did not hesitate before answering 'Loyola without a doubt!'


After mass we had appetizers and cocktails before we moved onto dinner. It felt like prom night! We had a lovely time chatting with everyone. Our table consisted of members of the triple date along with Jon and Greg. Two schoolmates the guys have not seen in ages. Jon is now in Northern California working as an economist and venturing into making documentaries, and Greg is in NYC working as a prominent designer for Gourmet magazine. He's a new father to an 8 month boy named Jasper! We also got a chance to talk to a guy named Ignacio who it turns out was well known to Vel and went to school with Janina. He is a civil engineer who had some very entertaining stories of his work travels, especially interesting were his stories of the 10 months he spent in Alaska.

Each and every person had such wonderful stories. We had so much fun that we were among the last to leave. It's amazing to think that these guys all went to school together and are all about the same age. Some have aged well and some well... some have aged. It'll be even more interesting for us to attend the next one in five years time. Can't wait!