It is a glorious morning at the Zinfandel Estate in Temecula California. All the various travellers stumble into the great room in stages. Jake is the first up and has showered and made the coffee. He is quickly followed by his sisters Abigail and Darcy. Darcy was seen dancing to Whitney Houston early on. We are not sure whether it is the climate, the sunshine or the trip to the “dispensary” yesterday that accounts for her wonderful mood!
Today is the relaxation day for this Covert crew. We are free until the evening and plans are made. Dad got to experience the amazing multi-head shower in the master suite that he and Deb occupy. The shower room is almost as large as their entire bathroom at home. 
Ever the property manager, he is already making suggestions to improve the area, starting with a plastic chair or stool as a place to wash one’s feet or to shave legs. Maybe a retractable shower mirror for face shaving. If we are talking luxury, it is the little things that count. Still, it was a great experience. The space would be truly conducive for a pair of bathers, just sayin’!
Jake assumed cook’s duties for the morning, preparing a veritable feast of roasted potatoes, scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, bagels and toast. Post breakfast the crew turned to cleaning the mess, straightening the domicile and then retreating to their suites to dress, shower, or just to grab a late morning nap. Audrey fired up the jacuzzi so those wanting to partake of the relaxation could do so. Jake competed home computer work, Spenser, Avery and Chris put on their bathing attire and lounged in the jacuzzi hot tub, Abby and Audrey took long naps. Darcy and Avery took off later to scout out the legal (yeah!) dispensary stores, and Ed returned to offer Mark a spin in the mid-life crisis toy - his sparkly dark blue
Mazda Miata convertible. Dad eagerly accepted even though a bit sceptical as to how he was going to disembark when done.
Mazda Miata convertible. Dad eagerly accepted even though a bit sceptical as to how he was going to disembark when done.
Lunch plans were laid and Abby collected individual In & Out Burger orders. She and Darcy took off for the revered establishment and finally returned with the burger order, some tacos from the neighboring Del Taco Restaurant and we all sat down at the large outdoor patio table to enjoy our late lunch. One would think we had not eaten some three hours prior. Although lounging in the jacuzzi pool or sunning in the chaise lounge chairs can be exhausting, especially when accompanied by an adult beverage or a finely compounded gummy!
At 5:00, everyone went in to clean up and prepare for the evening festivity. Tonight is the first grand meeting of the families - easily the most fraught affair of the weekend for the celebrants. Both Ed and Meg have two sets of parents; the families have never met one another, and the group is large. The event this evening is a hamburger, Hot Dog barbecue hosted at the AirBNB of Meg’s family, about 30 minutes drive from where we are staying. The home is within site of the coming wedding venue and will be convenient for Meg’s extended Morman family, of which there are more than for the Covert side.
Their BnB is a large, multi-storey abode, with untold and probably undiscovered bedrooms, the obligatory pool, this one with a slide, multiple balconies and a large number of gathering rooms and a big kitchen. The place is packed, and now there are 3 and 4 year old children scootering through the crowd. Everyone does their best to introduce and remember names and relationships. The cardinal rules laid down by everyone’s family are observed, to wit: no talk of politics or religion, and please, stay sober! It worked! We all had a very pleasant time, the hamburgers, Hot Dogs, potato salad, macaroni salad, baked beans and other sides were gobbled up and the crowd mingled well. By 8:30, the Covert crew was taking its leave, saying goodbyes in the normal midwestern fashion, that is, taking forever to straggle out the door, and then we were off and headed back to the Zinfandel. We were home shortly after 9:00. We spent some time dissecting the evening, agreeing that everything went off without a hitch. Groom and Bride appeared to have weathered it well and we all are now looking forward to the next few days.
