I am sitting in the patio in the center of the motel. There is a thick layer of fog. Got to be good for what fires remain. The breakfast bar is in the process of being set up: cereal, muffins, toast, juice, coffee. Looks good. And I am sitting at a table next to the pool, with my laptop and a cup of coffee. This motel is a winner. For those who want to know, it's a Quality Inn on La Brea just up from Sunset. Good location, clean well-equipped rooms, nice-looking pool (none of us brought suits, though) and the free breakfast. I also got the senior discount, which shaved about $8 off the price of the room.

We will take a little hike in Runyon Canyon park after breakfast. My right hip, for the first time in quite a while, is bothering me. I hope the hike evens it out a bit.

Mary and Joey got in at about 10:30 last night. A real drag of a trip for them, much longer than mine was.