Globetrotting with Olivia de Lopez

Of the special things we're taking with us to Spain, Olivia de Lopez is one of our favorites.  Olivia, after being found by our friend Judy, spent her first years at the entrance to Judy's parents idyllic cabin on Lopez Island in the San Juan Islands north of Seattle.  After a winding drive through tall trees, lush rhododendrons, and scatterings of daffodils, we were greeted by Olivia's weathered and haunting visage.  Judy named her.

OLIVIA'S ORIGINAL HOME ON LOPEZ ISLAND.

Late in life, Judy's father decided to sell the cabin on Lopez.  It was right around the time Jerry and I opened Viola's Resort in Palm Springs.  On Judy's first visit, she brought Olivia with her and we immediately placed her right inside the main gate.  It was a drastic change for Olivia — going from cool, shady, and damp to hot, sunny, and arid — but she adjusted perfectly.

OLIVIA DE LOPEZ.  IRVINE, CALIFORNIA.

Olivia traveled with us from Palm Springs to Santa Barbara to Las Vegas and, until last week, she watched over us from an eight-foot height in our kitchen here in Irvine.  She is now waiting to be packed for her longest voyage yet, to Malaga.  Given her Spanish heritage (the name, the name), it seems fitting.

OLIVIA AMONG FRIENDS.  GETTING READY TO SAIL TO SPAIN.