We recently returned from Carlsbad, CA, helping our daughter's family to
unload and unpack from their move. It's a really nice area, less than 2
miles from the beach.

We did a lot of forgettable informal meals, pizza, sandwiches, etc. but
my birthday and our 45th anniversary were celebrated while we were
there. We ate wonderful meals in local restaurants, Ocean Thai where I
had some of the best green curry EVER, and Fish House Veracruz (mesquite
grilled skewers of halibut and shrimp.)

The most fun part was watching our 10 yr. old grandson, whom I think of
as picky, eat Thai dumplings and drunken noodles and a three-fish skewer
assortment. He declared the house-made tarter sauce "The best fish sauce
ever. How come I never had it before?"

On the way home, wending our way through Zion and Bryce national parks,
we ate some really tasty smoked stuff at the Cowboy BBQ in the tiny town
of Panguitch, UT.

We arrived home to a lonely cat, huge golden zucchini, lots of laundry,
and home cooking again. (So far, roast chicken, spaghetti, and chicken
soup now simmering on the stove.

I'm trying to pick up loose ends before our Oct 1 trip to SE Asia. We're
looking froward to the food, of course.

gloria p