two lower back fusion operations. One 20 years ago and one 15. I am in constant pain to one degree or the other every day. Most of the time it a low grade pain in the back of my mind and I use drugs to mitigate it as needed. Give her my best and tell her to live with it for as long as she can before she decides on an operation. She should go see a neurosurgeon and not an osteo guy. As for San Diego, I have to admit that it's about as good as it gets. The average summer, winter temperature difference is about 8 degrees. Last time that Denny and I were cruising in Mexico, people would ask where we were from and when we told them they would ask why we were cruising. Of course, most of these people were from Washington, Oregon or Canada. The cost of living, the taxes, and the traffic jams are all good reasons to cut and run and maybe I'll arrive at that point of diminishing returns at some time. My plan is to spend 6 months moving the boat in seasonal jumps but we may end up staying in Mexico. Off seasons we plan on getting a fifth wheel and pick up truck and see what's out there. Maybe we'll end up as your neighbor.