from coast to coast

We've had a fabulous past week traveling and visiting family from Briantree, Massachusetts to Encinitas, California. 

Our long train ride from Lynchburg to Boston area was uneventful.  We spent  a relaxing 4 days in Braintree with Moonshine's family, which consisted mostly of gorging and napping, and a little bit of walking and sightseeing.  Exciting news- Moonshine's mother and stepfather welcomed their first grandchildren into the world while we were visiting (twins, a boy and girl)...congratulations to the Crispins!

On Monday, we flew to San Diego (a gorgeous 6 hour flight with phenomenal views of the Rockies and the Grand Canyon), where we were greeted by Moonshine's Uncle Bruce and his very hospitable family. 
I am just awestruck by southern California!  The weather is normally a pleasant 70ish degrees (our visit was no exception), colorful blooming plants abound, the landscape is so beautiful and varied with sandy beaches, rocky bluffs, and mountains covered in chapparal.  Everything even smells amazing!  The Dugmores fed us well and drove us around their town of Encinitas.  I touched the pacific ocean for the first time ever!  We also had an opportunity to do a presentation about the PCT for Brian's cousins' boy scout troop (hello and thanks to troop 669!).  We stayed  up to watch the complete lunar eclipse/blood-red moon ( which meant we were awake for close to 24 hours!).  Many of you may know that we have an obsession with craft beer.  We were able to visit Stone Brewery in Escondido, which was very exciting, as Stone was pretty much both of our intros to craft beer.  Stone has an amazing brewpub with an expansive garden out back, where we sat and had a pint.  Thanks Dugmores for a great time!

Next stop...Southern Terminus of the Pacific Crest Trail!