B & D's USA Hideout: California, Wedding Things and WINE

Just like anything that is highly anticipated and seems so far away, the wedding has come and gone in what felt like a nano moment. Brian and I arrived in San Diego on May 15th and spent the week catching up with my sister and future brother-in-law and helping them with last minute things for the wedding. We didn't have too much time for sight seeing but Rick took us to the San Diego Padre's game at his company's box suite, which was sweet. On Thursday the guys flew to Vegas for just a night to celebrate Rick's last few days as a bachelor. I took the camper (all by myself) to an awesome campground in Temecula called Lake Skinner, in preparation for the wedding weekend. On Friday, I threw Val's bachelorette party. A group of five fabulous ladies took a trolley wine tour of some of the top vineyards in the country. We had an absolute blast. Later, we crashed in Val and Rick's wedding suite they reserved for the weekend at Ponte Winery. Ponte is their wedding venue; a breathtaking winery with fantastic wine, an awesome cellar bar and a heavenly view. Each morning we watched hot air balloons float majestically over the grape vines.

Most of my family arrived between Friday and Saturday. We enjoyed seeing everyone all together so much. Thanks to Rick's parents, Sandy and Mike Turturro, the two kindest people on this planet, the MacPhees' and Turturros all sat down to the rehearsal dinner. Dinner was delicious, steak and mashed potatoes with fresh vegetables paired with Ponte's Angry Wife red and white wines and tiramisu for dessert. Rick also has two lovely sisters, Becca and Katie, two of my favorite people. Brian also really bonded with the guys on the Vegas trip. Rick, Brian, Josh and Jose all came back calling themselves the "Wolfpack" and laughing at endless inside jokes from the trip.

Sunday was the big day and I have to say, from the bottom of my heart, my sister was the most exquisite bride I have ever seen. She looked so happy and so beautiful. I stood by her side as the matron of honor with bridesmaids Becca and Katie while Brian was on Rick's side with Josh, the best man and Jeff, Becca's fiancé. I got through my speech, shaking like a Chihuahua, then enjoyed the rest of the evening eating cake, dancing and drinking wine with my awesome family. Everything was beautiful and absolutely flawless.

Val and Rick took off for their honeymoon in Cabo San Lucas on Monday morning after breakfast. We helped them pack up and bring things back to San Diego and said goodbye to Rick's family. Most of my family was flying out on Tuesday so we had one last she-bang at Val and Rick's house. I always hate saying goodbye but we had such a great time with our family and friends, I know I will think about this joyful event often.

Well this is me signing out, as we have reached the last destination for this trip and Brian has flown back to work for another tour at sea. If you are not aware already, I am staying here in San Diego at Bernardo Shores RV Park, two blocks from Val and Rick and a couple more from the beach, until July 15th. On July 16th I am flying back to Alaska, I took a 6 week fishing job with the Sitka Sound Science Center. I will be working as a fisheries technician collecting data for the hatchery/wild project from post-spawn Chum salmon. Brian and I will meet back here in San Diego the first week of September. We had such an incredible journey from Florida to California and loved every minute of it. Though it is nice to get back to a routine, we are just as excited to get started on our next trip in the fall.

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