This weekend was the annual Hickman-Webster trip to St. Joseph, MI. We had to deal with some rain and the threat of rain this year, but we ended up with a couple of nice days playing in the water and relaxing on the beach. I’ve been spending some time on the beaches of San Diego, and I have to say that I might just prefer Silver Beach.

I missed the excitement of an opening night showing, but last Thursday I finally got to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2. I’ve enjoyed the earlier movies in the series, but I was really impressed by Deathly Hallows, Part 1, so I was expecting Part 2 to really blow me away. Unfortunately, I left the theater thinking that Part 1 was the better film. Part 2 was good, but I think the action superseded the storytelling. In any event, at least I left the theater with some cool Harry Potter 3D glasses.

The fireworks are set to begin, and I have my spot on the bay. For my first Fourth of July in San Diego, I passed on the main display over the downtown harbor. I heard reports of massive crowds and crowded beaches-neither of which I favor. I’ve opted instead for the smaller crowds along the shore of Sail Bay and whichever fireworks are visible from here. And here they go …

For the first time in probably 20 years, I went fishing and faced my fear of fish. I don’t like things that wiggle and writhe, so I don’t like fish. When my sister and brother-in-law were making plans for their anniversary trip to San Diego, they asked me if I would like to join them on a fishing charter. It sounded like fun, but I was nervous because I don’t like fish. I went, and we all enjoyed ourselves, catching some barracuda and calico bass off shore from La Jolla. There’s a little dispute over who caught the biggest fish, but I know the real truth.

It was really nice to spend a weekend with my family. At the beginning of May, I drove off into the proverbial sunset, and I returned home for the first time a couple weekends ago. It was great to be home again and see my family. I spent almost five full days at home, and most of them were packed with things to do: a graduation party, a movie, a trip to the zoo, and more. It was a fun weekend, and I look forward to seeing them all again soon; the next time will be in St. Joseph, MI for the annual family getaway.