After three glorious months in our summer home in Carlsbad, I am returning to the sweltering hot desert with my oldest daughter Sophia, our golden retriever Charlie, and of course, Pretty Bird (my wife's childhood cockatiel that won't die.) We had great memories this summer, including 1-1 time with Sophia in Legoland (yesterday), long walks on the Batiquitos Lagoon, and visiting with my old San Diego friends.