Hanging with Jenée's Family (and friends)

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It's party time! Make that a birthday party for our friend Rip. I don't have a picture of Rip and Karen, but I do have a picture of their fine pool. It may be too dark to see the DJ - or hear the cool reggae music.

Since my nephew Jonathan Fraine was visiting we brought him along to crash the party. Jonathan is our family Astrophysicist currently stationed at the Magellan Telescope in Santiago, Chile. Every family should have one, they KNOW how to party.

Jonathan also likes to ride, so we took my bikes out and went for a Harley run. We headed off into the hills until we came across this California State Prison. This is far enough.

Jenée and I buzzed by our old beach (Woods Cove) in Laguna Beach.

Jenée and good friend Jackie had a great dinner prepared by our friend and chef - Marc. Great evening.

Back on board Jungle in Glorietta Bay, a Coronado. Now that's a sunset.

And it's great to share it with Jenée's brother Mike and brother in law Brian.

And Jenée's sissy Sheri. The dinner table is set and dinner is almost ready

Never get tired of them sunsets.

The next morning we are back on Harbor Island (Jungle home) and planning a family brunch.

Jenée's niece Kendall is an aspiring actress and University of San Diego student. She's acting funny.

Jenée, sister Sheri and niece Kendall.

Kendall's friend Matt joined us at brunch - great guy.

There's a nice family photo; Jenée, Mike and Sheri. As you can tell, Mike is the baby of the family

Lovely morning and view across San Diego Bay to the downtown.

A Tall Ship passes by.

Katie is sitting out this trip to San Diego. She's managing and she is quite fluffy.

Jenée and I go for a bike ride along the bay.

This is directly across the street from our Marina. Nice view, eh?

A view towards downtown San Diego from our marina.

Later that evening, we have dinner with Jenée's dear friend, Martha. That's Martha, dear.

Martha, husband Carl and Martha's sister Allie leaving the restaurant.

Later that week, Jenée and I have dinner in San Diego's Little Italy. A fantastic dinner at one of the many great restaurants here.

Continuing the family theme, we are about a mile from our marina at the Rosecrans National Cemetery. This is a military cemetery on the lines of Arlington National Cemetary. It affords a fantastic view over the Pacific Ocean.

Interred in this cemetery is Jenée's Uncle Ed. Captain Ed Thornell was from the Boston area, moved to California met Jenée's aunt Marie in the 9th grade and that was that. They had four kids together when Ed was an F-105 fighter pilot in Vietnam in 1966. Unfortunately orders came in for a FAC (forward air controller) to run a reconnaissance mission. He ended up flying an O1E lightweight craft only three weeks into his Vietnam tour. The FACs missions had a 50% survival rate but he had to do his job. He was born and died on the same date - his birthday, September 10. We discovered where he was located around the same date, 47 years later. Below are additional pictures and information on Captain Ed Thornell as we remember another American hero. Ed's name is also on the Vietnam War Monument in Washington DC.

Edmund Francis Thornell

Captain

21ST TAC AIR SPT SQDN, 505TH TAC AIR CTRL GROUP, 7TH AF

United States Air Force

Redondo Beach, California

September 10, 1933 to September 10, 1966

EDMUND F THORNELL is on the Wall at Panel 10E, Line 85

He was a Bird Dog Pilot. Shot down and perished while serving as a Captain with the 21ST TAC AIR SPT SQDN, 505TH TAC AIR CTRL GROUP, 7TH AF, United States Air Force from Redondo Beach, California. EDMUND F THORNELL is on the Wall at Panel 10E, Line 85. May his sacrifice not be forgotten.

In addition to his flying career, Ed served at Langley and other parts of the globe in the USAF OSI which is the airforce version of the CIA. Pretty heady stuff. We plan to visit the site and Jenée's Uncle Ed soon. Until then.

Back to Boston and Fraine Family

Jenée and I went back to Beantown in early August to catch up with some of the Fraine gang in Marshfield, Massachusetts. While I grew up inside Boston, all our summers were spent here. Still is my favorite beach town in the world. And I sailed to many of them just to consider that point. Considering ..... Yep, this is my favorite beach town. Jenée agrees.

Guests of honor are Frank and Lorraine Fraine. My Dad is about to reach his 91st year. They are coming up on their 66th Anniversary. My apologies for catching them while eating.

My brother Tom is the family elder statesman and a great guy.

My sister Jean and brother John are chillin' on the deck. We can thank John for allowing us (family members in town) to come together. Jean and sister Laurie spend their scant spare time watching over Mom and Dad Fraine.

Bob just retired from 30+ years in US Airforce and Air a National Guard. Bob flew multiple F16 tours in Iraq and Afghanastan. Still looks like the family baby to me.

Grandkids and Great Grandkids are assembling for a family photo op.

This ain't all of 'em, but enough for now. Let's see, we have; (from top left) Jason, Jordan, Michael Jr, Jonathan, Jazzmine, Alexsyss, Jessica, Jaime, Eliziah, Shannon, Jacob, Bryce, Caleb, Marcus, Casey and Margeaux. Got it?

This is Bryce, Caleb and Jacob competing for cutest kids of the week award - I think they were winners.

Speaking of cute couples ....

My brother Mike and fellow world sailor is regaling some of his adventures at sea. The boys are locked in rapt attention.

... For a while anyways.

John, Ann and Jeannie are relaxing. That's how we Fraines roll.

Linda and Jenée have front row seats.

Is that a cocktail under there? No! Linda Fraine is a mother and artist. Check her out at; http://linsartwork.com

Jonathan and Michael learn so much from there elders. "Two shots vodka, one part cranberry juice ... Valuable life lessons indeed.

Michael showed me how to use the panoramic feature on my camera phone. I show how to float my hand and make a warped face. Oh wait maybe it's the camera (zoom in and check it out)

Ok honey, watch how John and I do it and make a goofy face. Oh honey, you didn't do it right!

I'm spending quality time with my neices Kelly and Laura Fraine

Bob and Karolyn are watching me with some concern. Can't blame them. Karolyn is also former USAF pilot, United Airlines Pilot, artist, mother and cancer survivor. Check her work out at; http://www.karolynfraine.com/

This must be a secret USAF kiss. Interesting technique.

We are out for a family dinner at Haddad's in Brant Rock. Best seafood around. This is my nephew Jonathan. Johnathan is an Astrophysist at the University of Maryland. As I write this, Jonathan is spending a couple of months at the Magellan Observatory in Santiago, a Chile. Link: http://www.lco.cl/. Evidently scientists dig fried seafood and martinis.

Jazzmine and Alexsyss are going incognito. Ahhh, kids!

My bride loves me, but she really loves lobster.

Martinis and lobsters for Jenée, Jessica and Mom Linda. This is gonna end well.

It did end well. The next day, Jenée and I took a road trip to Chatam on Cape Cod. It's the most southeastern point of the cape which we sailed by on our way to Boston in 2010. We had lunch in Hyannis and stopped to check out the Bass River in South Yarmouth. We are looking south to the ocean.

Jenée is walking down to the waterfront.

Looking north into the harbor.

A closer view of the South Yarmouth harbor.

Massachusetts has the prettiest marshland and harbors going. Did I mention that before? I should know, I grew up in Marshfield.

We are back home in Green Harbor and decided to do a little paddle boarding in Plymouth. There are many lakes in this beautiful countryside.

Jenée takes to a paddle board like a fish to ..., I forget, but she's good!

A lovely day.

We head back up to Boston for the evening before we fly home. Mom and Dad see us off. They love each other dearly and so do I.

We had a great dinner in Bostons North End before strolling around Fanuil Hall and under the Old Customs house. Tomorrow we will be back in Southern California.

No sooner do we land do we run into this crazy dude. This is Geoff Marsland from Wellington, New Zealand. We are at Tom Hams Lighthouse Restaurant with downtown San Diego in the background.

Geoff and Sam McLean are on their way back to New Zealand after a few months sailing the Caribbean Sea on Sam and Dad Peter's Swan 61 also named Jungle. How can that be you ask? Go ahead ask.

The Mcleans were the previous owners of my Jungle. Sam knows the boat quite well. They like the name so much, they used it on their new boat. Eventually, they will sail their Jungle back to Picton, South Island, New Zealand. So Jungle will be back home in NZ as well as San Diego. Sam is taking a few pictures for old times sake.

This is Geoffs boat sitting back in New Zealand. Very pretty boat and background.

What does this wild ass looking Bloody Mary have to do with this update. Hell if I know, but this was one great drink - with some kind of meatball. See you soon after a Jenée family get together in San Diego.