Our family on the west coast

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Our longest stay yet had come in San Luis Obispo with the Dwyers who are my (and now Megs officially) aunt, uncle, and cousin. It was very nice to be somewhere for more than two days and relax and hang with family and friends for a bit. The evening that we arrived Meg and I were taken out to dinner by Tom and Nancy to an amazing restaurant in downtown San Luis Obispo. There are not many cities left where you can walk from your house to downtown and be sitting in the middle of a very lively city having dinner. The city consists of unique books stores and local shops that are flanked by Gap,  Banana Republic, and Jamba Juice type stores. Tyler explained yo us the morning we all walked downtown that the original name of the corporation “Jamba Juice” was the “Juice Club”, which duplicated the name of a gay club where men would be initiated into said club after hours on the dance floor. “Not that there’s anything wrong with that.” Tyler said.is and I have both agreed that if we didn't have Syracuse, we would both be raising families in San Luis Obispo. my good friend from work Adam Lutwin rented a car and drove down from Salinas to stay with us for a cool 36 hours at the Dwyers and experience the west coast treatment we always receive when we are here. The Dwyers, Lutwin, and us newlyweds were all invited to a cookout at Tom's friends house...Niels and Bimmer Udsen. They both own the extremely successful "Castoro Cellars" winery in Paso Robles, CA. We swam, ate fantastic food, and sat around the campfire with our castoro wine in hand and listen to Luke (their son) play some of our favorite songs. I sat there thinking about how Meg and I had received all the advice to stop and take a second to take everything in at the wedding...because it will go too fast. They were right. I found myself doing it again that night...3000 miles from home I was sitting next to a campfire with some really good music, awesome wine, Lutwin, the Udsens and friends, Tyler, The Dwyers, and my amazing new bride and I sat there looked around and took it all in. Needless to say that Meg and I were so grateful for the treatment that the Dwyers and friends always show us when we are out here. Tom, Nance, and Sarah...we thank you for by far (no kidding) the best part of our honeymoon yet. It was also great to see Lutwin on the west coast and good luck to him as he finishes his final week at the Steinbeck institute up in Salinas. (See you back in the 'Cuse) It was tough to actually leave San Louis, as Meg and I could stay there forever if we didn't have another life back home (which is just as awesome). We finally said our goodbyes on Monday as we drove away and Tom waived goodbye from the door (just as my grandma Grace used to do) and headed down down the coast to Disneyland and to Meg's cousins house. We are here now in San Diego and will update before we leave. Meg and I are having the times of our lives on our honeymoon and still keeping all of you at home in our thoughts.

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ALSO: If anyone needs to reach us via phone (which you can do now....we have been on our honeymoon for 16 days already!!) please call Meg's phone. I won't go into detail but my phone is very sick right now, as it fell into the hot tub and is having a tough time recovering.

There are not many cities left where you can walk from your house to downtown and be sitting in the middle of a very lively city having dinner.