Carnival Cruise to Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico

Last Sunday we drove down to the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to pick up our good friends from Seattle, Mark and Susie Johnson.

The reason? A fun-filled three day, four night cruise aboard a Carnival cruise ship from Long Beach, California to Catalina Island and then on to Ensenada, Mexico.

It turned out to be as much fun as we thought it would be!

But first, an epic breakthrough . . .

Chocolatine
French Pastries and Tea Room

This is not a good picture but it serves a GREAT croissant!!!!

In nearby Thousand Oaks, we found a French restaurant that has just been sold by a man from Bordeaux to a couple from, of all places, LYON!!!

We had read about the sale in last Sunday's newspaper and decided to stop by to sample their wares on the way to LAX.

Their buttery croissants are, to say the very least, WORTHY!!!

I foresee many side trips to Thousand Oaks in my future . . .

HEAVEN!!!!!!!! 

Meanwhile, at the Port of Long Beach, our cruise began late Sunday afternoon.

Mark, Laurie and Susie

Did I mention that it is all-you-can eat aboard ship.

Love that Shirt

On this first night, we opted to just sit, talk and nosh instead of going to the dining room for a more traditional dinner experience.

We were all good with that.

Snail Art with Towels

On every cruise that we have ever been on, the room steward does these nightly, artsy towel sculptures.

By the way, we ate some very good escargot on our final night at sea.

Our first stop on Monday, only "26 miles across the sea" from Long Beach, was Catalina Island's Avalon Harbor.

We rented a four passenger golf cart to tour this delightful little community.

Mark and Susie above Avalon Harbor

Our Cruise ship in the distance

Picturesque Avalon Harbor with

their famous Casino on the far right

Hijinks at the local pet cemetery

Sassy Island Cat

Cool Mosaics at the Casino

The Chicago Cubs held Spring Training

on Catalina Island from 1921-1951

Not surprising when you consider that the Wrigley family, of chewing gum fame, owned both the Cubs and Catalina Island.

They still own over 90% of the island but no longer control the Cubs who they sold to the Tribune Company in 1981 after 65 years of ownership.

The Casino up close

This Art Deco structure first opened in May of 1929 and originally it was used as a ballroom and theatre. Today it also houses a museum.

There was never any gambling in this iconic structure. The Casino gets its name from the Italian word "casino" meaning simply a gathering place.

Not Real

On the other, much less inhabited side of the island bison do indeed roam. This is not one of them.

Avalon is one continuous postcard

Catalina incorporates tiles like these

into the architecture of several buildings

Our first day was in the books and it was a good one.

Now, it was time to head South of the Border to . . .

Baja California, Mexico

Only in Mexico

NO!

"When in Rome . . ."

After touring an interesting fish market near the harbor and doing a little shopping, we opted to grab a sidewalk table at a local watering hole and share in some of the local mores and folkways.

Oh boy . . .

The PC Memo has still not arrived

in Ensenada

A traditional Ensenada Hotel,

Restaurant and . . .

. . . Bar

I first visited the Hotel Bahia in the late 1950s with my family while vacationing in Ensenada. I remember it as having good food and a great floorshow featuring Aztec warriors and maidens performing traditional dances.

As an 11 year old boy, I was impressed!

On this nice Tuesday afternoon, we had the bar to ourselves and rekindled our friendship with many new and incriminating escapades.

I do have several nieces and nephews

We made it back to the boat with plenty of time to spare. I do not know if a cheeseburger ever tasted any better than the one I consumed once back on board.

Bayside Soccer Field

I took this picture from the ship's Deck 10, the Lido Deck. That soccer field you see is indeed, 100% dirt. The locals are dedicated to their national sport I would haste to say.

All that was left now was a very slow day at sea on Wednesday as we returned to Long Beach. 

Cruise Ship Smokestack

This was the view from the Pool Deck on our last night at sea.

It was great seeing Mark and Susie again with lots of time to catch up.

Good Times Indeed!!!

Reading Is FUNdamental!!!

The Sixth in Martin Walker's

"Bruno Chief of Police" Book Series

I have read them all and while this book would stand well on its own, it was a bit disappointing in its spot as the latest tome in the series.

Still, Walker took us on another fun trip through the landscape, wine and food of his beloved Périgord area of France's Dordogne département which is found in the Aquitane région of Gaul.

Available on-line only

A short story, it was a straight forward read about a minor crime in the Périgord at Yuletide that Bruno handles in his usual folksy way.

UCLA American Football Clinic

I attended my first UCLA Spring Football Clinic back in 1971 when Pepper Rodgers was their Head Coach. The Bruins were being introduced to what became a very successful version of the Wishbone offense, the first of its kind on the West Coast. They would be led by a JC transfer QB from Pierce College. His name was Mark Harmon. I wonder whatever happened to him after leaving UCLA?

Homer Smith was the Offensive Coordinator at that time, what an incredible football mind! 

Their line coach was a very young Terry Donahue who would eventually become the winningest Head Coach in Bruin history from 1976-1995 with a record of 151-74-8. At that 1971 clinic, Donahue gave what to me is still the best talk on offensive line fundamentals and the famous Crowther Sled Progession drills that I have ever heard. It was incredibly valuable information to this young and inexperienced coach at that time!

This past Friday and Saturday, I ventured down to Westwood to again learn some new concepts from both the UCLA staff and a line-up of very successful high school speakers from all over the USA.

Our list of speakers included:

Noel Mazzone, UCLA Offensive Coordinator

"Bruins' Up-Tempo Offense"

Verlon Dorminey, Trinity Christian Academy

Jacksonville, Florida

"Advanced Shotgun Unbalanced Wing-T Offense"

Jason Negro, St. John Bosco H.S.

Bellflower, California

"Strength and Conditioning - A Year Around Approach"

Dan Quinn, Seattle Seahawks Defensive Coordinator

"Fast and Physical - Creating a Defensive Style"

Tony Sanchez, Bishop Gorman H.S.

Las Vegas, Nevada

"Defensive Drills for a Winning Edge"

Jason Mohns, Saguaro H.S.

Scottsdale, Arizona

"Inverted Option Reads in the Spread Run Game"

Troy Thomas, Crespi Carmelite H.S.

Encino, California

"Building a Culture"

Overall, these speakers did an outstanding job with their presentations and made the two days on the UCLA campus more than just a bit worthwhile.

One of the highlights was getting on the practice field to go over some of UCLA's basic position drills and see their passionate staff and players in action.

I have posted a series of videos from the Bruins practice session on Saturday that will not be visible if viewing them on a tablet or smart phone, only computers will do the trick.

Defensive Fit Drill

Slow paced but insures that players know where they fit into a defense and how this attention to Gap Integrity can stifle a running game

Kickoff versus . . .

 . . . Kickoff Return

The CLUB!!!

Punt vs. Punt Return

REALLY loud music at practice is now a staple at NCAA DI practices it seems. I could barely here myself but it is a must to keep the player energy up at practice and prepare for the eventual rowdy and hostile road environments that the Bruins will face this coming Fall.

Linebackers working on Agility

and Low Pad Level

Linebackers Shedding Cut Blocks 

Defensive Linemen Staying Low Too

DL Get-Off

Pass Rush: Club and Rip . . .

. . . with POWER!!!

Here is the DL Pass Rush Drill

It was SO much fun to see Coach Jim Mora's UCLA staff coaching with unbridled enthusiasm, passion, toughness and attention to fundamental details.

I think that UCLA will be a handful this year for the rest of the PAC-12.

Visitors

One of the fun things about our time coaching in Europe is the occasional hosting of old and new friends when they visit California.

The last two days were good ones as a former opponent and and also a teammate from Sicily, Arturo Sanchez, joined us with his wonderful girlfriend Yazmin.

Palermo Sharks vs. Catania Elephants

2008

In our two games against the Sharks that year, Arturo passed for about 8,000 yards and 73 TDs in typical Italian Football League style. Somehow, we won both games that season by scores of 41-34 at home and 48-28 in Palermo, but I was still very impressed by the Arturo's poise, leadership and play.

In 2009, we got the the chance to hire Arturo to play for us in Catania at mid-season after an injury and "The Case of the Missing QB" as Dr. Watson would have named it, caused us to search for yet another QB, our fourth of the campaign, at mid-season.

Arturo answered the call, left his job in Mexico City and then helped us finish a tough season on some high notes.

 Arturo and George

2014

With the lovely Yazmin

It was great to visit with them. GOOD PEOPLE!!!

Reading Is FUNdamental

A must read for all coaches in all sports, I believe.

40th Annual California Lutheran University Scandinavian Festival

On Saturday, Laurie and I headed up to Thousand Oaks to re-establish our deep cultural roots we grew regarding everything Nordic while in our wonderful six months living and coaching in Hässleholm, Sweden.

. . . or at least have some FIKA!!!

Lots of people wanted to enjoy a

sunny day in Scandinavia

Can you name the five Scandinavian countries? Answer at the end of this blog.

All the Nordic countries were represented,
these flags may give you a clue
to the question above

We got to hear each and every country's National Anthem to properly start the day off.

 SWEDEN #1!!!

 So many great people, places and memories!

Yes, we've been to beautiful Vinslöv . . .

"Plötsligt i Vinslöv."

Just after you entered the campus, you had to walk through a . . .

VIKING WAR CAMP!!!

Boars are plentiful in Skåne

 Viking Weaver

How do they do it?

Viking Booty

Sleeping in Comfort 

 The 13th Warrior?

Something about him is just not

resonating as 100% authentic . . .

GREAT Storyteller

His tales of Thor, Loki and Giants had us absolutely spellbound.

Uh-oh, a Raiding Party on the prowl!

What was he looking for?

More Booty?

Why he raids!

 The Vikings were always in

need of more clogs I am told

Or perhaps they were in need of provisions . . .

Viking Dogs on the Grill

Sliced by a Master Viking Chef

YUM!!!

Two orders of Swedish pancakes with whipped cream and lingonberry jam please.

While we were at it we also split a Viking Dog (nowhere near as good as the one's at the Finja games) and an order of Swedish meatballs, potatoes and even more lingonberry jam. 

Some coffee and a sweet Danish cinnamon crisp cookie and we had a California version of the Swedish tradition of afternoon FIKA!!!

It turned out to be a wonderful day!!!

Trivia question answer: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden 

Mike's 38th Birthday

Thursday, April 3, 2014 was another milestone day in Contreras family history . . .

The flowers were blooming

It IS Spring in Southern California after all.

Jacob was ready to orchestrate

the festivities

What festivities you ask?

Our youngest son Michael was

celebrating his 38th birthday Thursday

Why all of the little mustaches you say?

Well, take a close look at Michael

standing up on the right

Laurie broke out our FINEST China

Vanessa opted to take over the photography duties for the night, thus she is not to be seen in any of the photos of her husband's special day.

 "Hey Poppo . . ."

" . . . I have more hair than you!"

 DIG IN!!!

Laurie made a very tasty cake and the chocolate ice cream was a perfect compliment!

Two happy parents

So let me get this straight, we have two sons who are now 40 and 38 years old and two two year old grandsons. How can this be when mentally we think that we are still in our early 30s? 

Reading Is FUNdamental

This was my first dive into the world of author Clive Cussler. I found it to be, on the whole, somewhat average.

Live and learn.

Eric Marty and the Small World of EuroBall

Wednesday night was the last of the Ventura County Football Association's annual Wednesday Night Football Clinics.

Our speaker last night was the Offensive Coordinator at Moorpark College, Eric Marty.

With Moorpark College

Coach Eric Marty

Eric being our clinic speaker was yet another example of the small world that is America football in Europe.

In 2009 when I was coaching Sicily's Catania Elephants in the Serie A Italian Football League, Eric was the QB of the Bolzano Giants.

Our teams met for a game in Catania on April 25th of that very difficult season for those of us wearing the Mt. Etna molten lava red and black uniforms. The Giants were 4-1 coming into that game while our beloved Elephants were struggling in every way possible as we kicked off with an 0-4 record.

Predictably, the Giants cruised to a 54-9 victory on that day, helped in no small part by their defense scoring and incredible four consecutive TDs off of Elephant miscues.

Flashing forward to the 2012 IFL season, Eric was now the QB of the Catania squad and them to a 10-2 record and a spot in the IFL's Super Bowl held in Varese that Laurie and I witnessed. Eric was asked to also play Free Safety and kick PATs that night. Unfortunately for our favorite Sicilan eleven, the Parma Panthers proved to be the better team that night in winning the National Championship in a typical Italian defensive struggle by a final count of 63-41.

Besides being a good guy, Eric is also a tremendous QB coach who gave a splendid talk that left all of us in attendance very happy with what he taught us.

Small world indeed . . .

Reading Is FUNdamental

Louis Zamperini

Now and Then

The incredible, real life story of former Torrance H.S., U.S.C. and American 1936 Olympic track star Louis Zamperini's amazing World War II survival after the crashing of his B-24 bomber in the Pacific Ocean, nearly 50 days adrift in a raft circled constantly by sharks and finally the hardships endured in a brutal prison camp. 

A truly excellent read.