Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

In the wee small hours of the morning, before the sun was even awake, we headed down to Temecula for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.  This is our 4th year to participate in this awesome event, but the first time the weather wasn't exactly cooperating with us.  The drizzle began as we drove south on the 15, and it continued for most of the day.  But a little wet weather isn't going to stop us, and it certainly can't dampen our spirits!  We are ready for anything!

We arrived in Temecula, pinned on our bibs and "In Memory" and/or "In Celebration" cards, and we were eager to begin!

We were all walking in memory of someone who had lost her life to breast cancer, or in celebration of someone who had won her battle against this horrific disease.  Including our own 12 year survivor, Joy V.!  Yay Joy!

A closer look

Before the race, we walked around the expo

To check it all out

And collect our "goodies"

This is what it's all about

To end breast cancer forever

The Start Line

We're Ready!

And We're Off!

The drizzle was getting a little more serious by race time, and some of us broke out the umbrellas - others of us just braved the wetness.

Well on our way now

There are always interesting T-shirts to read along the way.  Loved this one!

This was fun - a whole regiment of Riverside County Sheriffs running and singing cadence passed by us

You go guys!  And girls too!

Almost at the half-way mark - Not as many walkers this year - probably due to the weather

Singing in the Rain?

Almost Done!

As we got closer to the finish, there were more and more groups cheering us on to the end . . .

Brave little kids out in the drizzle encouraging us to finish strong

Chickens too!

Crossing the Finish Line!

Woo hoo!  We did it!  And we raised $875.00 to help towards the cure!  Good Job FRIENDS!

We spent some more time walking around the Expo while Joy V. checked out the Survivor's Tent.  Then we headed off to Wilson Creek Winery for our picnic lunch.  Shelly's hubby, Bob, met us there with all the yummy food Shelly had prepared.

Wilson Creek Winery, Temecula

Getting the food ready

Toasting Queen Shelly and Hubby Bob

Bob supplied an Easy-Up to keep the rain off our lunch!  Thank you, Bob, for looking out for us!  And thank you Shelly for the scrumptious Chinese chicken salad, fruit salad, and yummy rolls!  So good!

During lunch we enjoyed this gorgeous view of the stream

Another section of the stream left this poor crocodile and elephant wondering where the water went

What would a winery be without wine barrels . . .

Beautiful vineyards . . .

And delicious grapes?

Carol, Tina, Annie, Joy V, Barbara L, Joy N, Shelly, Debbie

Let's do this again next year!  And let's try to raise at least $1000.00!  Go FRIENDS!!!!!

The Beat Goes On

Talk about inspiring!  We had such a good time today!  We got all gussied up and headed to Hollywood to see "The Beat Goes On" . . . a lively musical production where all the performers are at least 60 years old.  If only we could move like they do!  It was wonderful!  The story was really cute, and it was filled with both new and old songs - of course, we knew all the words to the old songs and were singing right along with them - at least in our heads.  So much fun!

The theatre was really small and really old, and there were only 4 or 5 rows of seats.  We were in the very first row!

Theatre of Arts - Arena Stage - Hollywood

Inside the lobby, we posed with photos of the performers

And after the show, some of the performers posed with us!  The little guy in the red/white stripped jacket used to be Mickey Mouse at Disneyland

There were several other Red Hat groups there, and we had fun talking to them after the show.

 Then we walked across the street for dinner at . . .

Miceli's Italian Restaurant

We were seated under the Mona Lisa . . ..  Well, maybe . . .

Our meal was good, our conversation and laughter was better, and it was a really really fun day!

Shelly, Barbara L, Joy, Annie, Carol, Barbara G, Debbie

Anyone for dancing lessons?

Disneyland!

There is nothing like a day in the Magic Kingdom . . . and when a bunch of FRIENDS get together and go, it's all that much better!  Today we are using the free tickets we were given at the Tinkerbell Half Marathon back in January for our adventure filled day.  But first . . . .

We started our morning at the Corner Bakery.  The Sew Blessed Quilters arranged for Tina's sister and daughter to fly here as a surprise for Tina on her birthday.  What fun to see Tina's look of complete and utter delight to see them . . .

Susan (AKA Molly), Tina & Laura

Enjoying a delicious breakfast at Corner Bakery

After breakfast, we were off for our day at . . .

Disneyland

We decided this would be the perfect day to break in our new Red & Purple Sketchers . . . 

Aren't they cute?  Especially with the added touch of B-Lo's white sneaker

We parked the car, took the tram to Downtown Disney, found a classy ride for Barbara, and headed over to California Adventure to explore the new Cars Land . . .

Checking the map for the proper route

Cars Land - Here We Come!  See the cute little Minnie Mouse bows in our hair?  Those were our "hats" for the day! 

Found It

We thought we would be smart and head straight for Cars Land and get ahead of the crowd.  Silly us!  Everyone else had the exact same idea, and the place was really hopping.  It's a really cute area and it feels like you have stepped into the movie as you walk along seeing the "sights" . . .

Check out all these places in the town of "Radiator Springs"

The Original Radiator Springs

After waiting in line for about 1-1/2 hours or so, we finally got on the ride - and it was really fun.  Next we checked out Mater's ride . . .

Fun! 

We took a tour of Bugs Land and ended up on this silly little ride  . . .

Flying around like bugs

We ended the first part of our day by Soaring over California, then headed over to Disneyland . . .

Shelly, Annie, Joy, Carol, Debbie & Barbara

Entering the "Happiest Place on Earth" . . .

Love this sign!

Heading down Main Street, we were enjoying all the fall decorations and of course, we had to pose by the biggest pumpkin . . .

FRIENDS and Pumpkin Mickey

Decorations along Main Street

We ate lunch at the Plaza at the end of Main Street, then headed over to Space Mountain . . .

More Fun!

Our adventures included "Finding Nemo", Thunder Mountain, The Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Jungle Cruise (not necessarily in that order) and of course . . . .

It's A Small World

Seema and Iris caught up with us after "Finding Nemo", and we enjoyed having them along for the afternoon . . . even though we forget to take a picture until it was pretty dark.  We took this pic at the end of our day together . .  .

Shelly, Iris, Annie, Carol, Seema, Debbie, Joy & Barbara

We had such a great time.  Sure hope we get invited to cheer at the Tinkerbell Half again next year, so maybe we can do this again!