14 February ‘08

Thursday

Two days ago we drove up to Oceanside and took a left…yep; we wanted to drive the coastline all the way to the border.  The weather was wonderful, with 75 degree bright sunny day and a slight breeze that kept the wave action great for surfing.

  It is amazing how many surfers are out there catching the waves.  Heck, I thought surfing was big but the amount of surfers that we saw in just this one day was amazing.  We really enjoyed the drive, with stops at just about every little village, town, or city that we came to, just to get out and walk some of the piers and beaches.

  We even made a stop at Torrey Pines Golf and Country Club and the glider port next door.

  We weren’t too sure what a “glider port” was but we soon found out.  It couldn’t have been a glider port at an airport as we were at the edge of a huge cliff overlooking the ocean.  What it turned out to be was a jumping off place for those that want to don a parachute and run off the cliff.  As it turns out, this cliff has almost perfect currents so that those that want to jump off can have a very long flight and then come right back to where they initially left the ground.  Driving by San Marcos on our way to Oceanside, we saw Campersworld.  Wednesday morning we drove over there to see if I could pick-up a piece I’ve been looking for.  As it turned out, we didn’t find what I wanted but we were able to spend some money anyway…we always seem to find a way at this store.  Today (Thursday) was one of those days that we decided to stay around home and maybe make a quick trip into the grocery store.  Just before we were to take off for Ramona, we were “shocked” to see it start to SNOW !!!  As they’re telling us over the TV tonight, it was a “surprise” storm that caught everyone off guard.  We must have had at least 2 inches drop this afternoon.  Our neighbors George and Sharon Langton were out all day and got caught it all this mess.  Fact is, they even got caught in a “Road Closed” situation because of a large mud slide.  Fortunately they were able to make it home before dark and all was well. 

9 February '08

Saturday

After breakfast, we took the winding road out in front of the campground to Julian.  Julian is one way and the road to Ramona is the other so we decided to follow the "locals" and visit Julian.  There was a very short "gold rush" around Julian and at that time the population was about 600, today it's about half of that.  The draw is the distance from the larger towns, driving through some beautiful landscaping, it's up in the mountains (just over 4000 feet), and they are supposed to make the best apple pies in California.  Well we joined the mass of motorcycles, antique cars and trucks, and those that just wanted to get out of the house on a great sunny day and head up to Julian for some apple pie.  We got there just before noon and walked the town.  Now walking through Julian and taking in some of the local stores doesn't take too long.  Very soon we found ourselves looking for lunch, and with lunch some of that famous "APPLE PIE".  Once the time came to order I saw the "Apple/Cherry Crunch" and knew right then and there that I had just found "my pie".   All I've got to say about that is, you've just got to take the ride to Julian, the pie's "that" good.   

8 February '08

Friday

Louise must be feeling a lot better...she wanted to spend the day at the beach.  One things for sure, San Diego has some great beaches to chose from.  One that stands out in our memory is the beach resort of Coronado.  It has been a very long time since we were here last and we were excited to see it again.  First on our list was to walk the boardwalk in front of the Coronado Resort.  The "Del" (Hotel Del Coronado) has been "The" resort to visit and enjoy since 1888.  With it's Victorian turrets and cupolas it is a very special place to see and be a part of, even if it is just for a "Latte".    Sitting just inside of the door was a great looking espresso bar...well for those who know me, know that I've just got to try one.  Ordering my Double Latte and a "treat", Louise joined me by the pool to "enjoy" my new find. 

I think I have finally found the "Best" Latte and Treat to have ever been made, and it was mine...  Saying it was good is an under-statement.  Well we hadn't come all this way just for me and my coffee so I turned to Louise and told her it was her time.  She led the way to the sand and surf while I grabbed the sand chairs and lunch she had packed earlier.  What a day, it was one of the best "beach" days we have had since last year when we spent 4 months in the Baja.   As the day started to fade away, we decided to take a drive across the bay and take in the Cliffs, Tidepools,

Lighthouses, and Military Cemetary of Point Loma and Cabrillo National Monument. 

In 1520, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo was the first European to set foot on the west coast of what is now the United States.  He is recognized as the founder of what is now San Diego.  We did enjoy this park very much and would like to return for a hike of two a little later. 

7 February '08

Thursday

Lou was feeling much better today so we decided to take a drive into San Diego and take in the Mission Basilica San Diego De Alcala.

  This was the first of California's missions ("The Mother" of California's missions), and was founded in July of 1769.  It has to be moved once and rebuilt totally 3 times because of different wars (Indian and Mexican).  At one time it also was even a military post and then President Lincoln signed it back over to the Catholic Church.

  We didn't want to stay out too long because of it being Lou's first day out so we headed back.  On the way we took time to do some shopping at Costco and Trader Joe's...love them both. 

6 February '08

Wednesday

I had a slight cold that lasted about 3 or 4 days and now Louise has caught it and unfortunately has made it much stronger.  She is really suffering with it.  This morning we drove into Ramona (about 5 miles south) and picked up some "medicine" in hopes of getting her some relief. 

6 February '08

Wednesday

Well it was time to say "Goodbye" to Mark, Susan (see their new home???), Yuma, and Pilot Knob again for another year.  I also had a wonderful birthday celebration to be thankful for this last Saturday...number 68 and it's going to be great to have the rest of them going backwards in the future (I'll look forward to seeing 67 again).  As we pulled out of Pilot Knob the weather was getting better and we were heading into the California mountains were it was to be getting cooler...what is this????    We traveled west on  Hwy 8 until we were about 20 miles east of San Diego and then we turned north and headed another 25 onto Ramona.  The mountain pass topped out at 4200 feet and there still was some snow up there.  Ramona is still up in the high hills east of San Diego and is supposed to be a little cooler but fortunately it hasn't proven to be.  This whole area was hit hard by one of those tragic range fires that was driven by the 100+ Santa Anna wind storms.

  All around us is evidence of huge losses, even here in the campground.  Then to top off the fire damage, the following rains have swept in and caused a lot of damage as well.  There is a small river that flows into a small lake here in the campground and the color of both is "dirt brown"...not too pretty.  On top of that the trees have all been touched by the fires and have left the leaves dead on the branches and the trunks blackened and still smelling a little bit of a wet fire pit.  There are many homes around here that were lost in the fires and even some cars and pickups are scattered here and there looking like they were caught in a war.