Friday, March 3

    Although the cruise was a year in the planning, we managed to keep it a secret from Ern.  He left the desert for a weekend in San Diego with the Sullivans and McClains.  On Friday morning, he answered the Sullivans' door bell fully expecting Mike, who supposedly was joining Ern and Dan for golf.  Instead he saw a sea of family and friends singing happy birthday.  He truly was stunned.  To his immense joy, the final person through the door was Susanne, all the way from Germany.

    Nina had picked up all the food on the way over, and brunch was set up in quick order.  Everyone had several hours to visit before the bus arrived to transport us to Long Beach, where we boarded the cruise ship. We set sail at 6 P.M., and dinner was wonderful.