Cactus League Spring Training, home to the World Champion San Francisco GIANTS

I'm not quite sure how long I have ben going to Spring training.  I'm thinking it's been about 15 consecutive years or so.

I know we spent many years at the Hyatt in Gainey Ranch

This year our games were:

Monday, March 16th at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, AZ 

Oakland A's vs. LA Dodgers

Tuesday, March 17th at Scottsdale Stadium 

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. San Franciso Giants

Wednesday, March 18th at Peoria Sports Complex

Oakland A's vs. Seattle Marniers

Thursday, March 19th at Maryvale Baseball Park

San Francisco Giants vs. Milwaukee Brewers 

Sunday brunch with family prior to drive to San Francisco

On our trip back up to SF we planned to have breakfast/brunch with my sister Dayna, my niece Danielle and maybe my brother Dean and his son Drew.  As it turns out my brother-in-law Mike Lemmo also joined us.  Mike and Dayna own Lemmo's Grill, cheek it out if you are in Moorpark, CA.

We all met at a new delicatessen called Lovi's Deli.  A funny thing happened as we arrived, I have my car voice set up as British.  So as we arrived in Calabasas my British women says we are arriving in CALABissis….it was just so funny how the British would pronounce this town.`

It was wonderful to see everyone and get caught up.

Our "Double Departure" from Tecate, Mexico and the trip to LA

As I noted earlier we choose to leave our car on the US side in order to avoid the car lines to re-enter the US.  Rancho La Puerta drove us to the boarder helped us with our bags through Immigration, etc..  Once we got all our bags into my car the RLP staff, told me, do not turn left from the parking lot as that CHP might give you a ticket.  Turn right then make a left prior to entering Mexico.  Well I did why he told me and just as I passed a metal gate I noticed there was no place to turn left BEFORE MEXICO……..yes you guessed it we mistakenly got duked into entering Mexico you can image how PISSED I was…..long story short it cost us about a 45 minute delay.

Once on our way to LA on a Saturday I was surprised by how much traffic there was……we got to West Hollywood and check into our "HIP" hotel the Pali Hotel on Melrose Ave.  Either we are getting old, which is true and or we are just not that HIP anymore……I like services and here the staff had to do everything…..need ice…..ask the staff…….need to turn down the 72 degree temperature……ask the staff to do it….but it was close to where John Vergara and Michael Hayden live.

So after having a bit of the bourbon, to clam my nerves after the Mexico departure and rive to LA. John and Michael picked us up.  Michael Hayden wanted to stop by one of his fellow artist exhibits prior to dinner.  Her name is Lisa Bartleson.   You can check out their Art by clicking on their names.

From here we went to one of John's favorite Spanish restaurants called Tinto Tapas Espana.  We had wonderful meal, although quite expensive.

All and all a great day/night and so nice to catch up with John and Michael again.

Sample of our daily routine at Rancho La Puerta

We chose to visit RLA during their "couple's week".  This was an excellent decision as most of the time RLA is majority women….it was wonderful to have other men in the classes, etc.

Here is an example of my daily routine:

6:15 am - Mountain Hike - Pilgrim (3.5 miles about 700 feet elevation climb)

8:00 am - Breakfast

9:00 am - Into to Pilates Mat Fundamentals - Level 1 - progressive

10:00 am - Some type of Dance class (Cardio Hip Hop, Zumba, African & Hula Hoop)

11:00 am - Prime of Life Yoga - Teacher Larry Payne

12:30 pm -  LUNCH

2:00 pm - Hydro Fit Deep Water Training or maybe some type of Art Workshop

3:00 pm - Crystal bowl: sound healing or hang out at the pool or read and relax, sometimes we would go to a class like - Ayurveda: The Science of Life and Longevity - Carla Levy

5:00 pm - The Technique, Practice, and Three Stages of Meditation Practice by Elliot S. Dacher, MD

6:00 pm - DINNER

8:00 pm - Attended different discussions.  For example the Owner Deborah Szekely spoke with us, here is a little about her and the heritage of Rancho La Puerta.  We also attended the Key Elements of Great Relationships with Linda and Charles Bloom.


Here are more of my photo's of Rancho La Puerta