San Diego and more!

After arriving in El Cajon Friday afternoon, Jeff and I have been going,going, and more! Friday afternoon we arrived at our campground by mid-afternoon and got hooked up and reconnected (Especially had to "Skypie" with granddaughter, Amilia!). We had so many things we wanted to see and do in the San Diego area in the two days we had, we fully intended to get right back on the road to venture into San Diego but....we were exhausted. Well, Jeff was just plain tired and I was battling the sneezies all day that had left me weepy eyed and pooped. So we warmed up some left-overs and (I hate to admit it), I was in bed by 8 p.m. And didn't rouse until 6 a.m. 10 hours of solid sleep did me a world of good and Jeff was ready as well to roll out by 9 a.m. We (I) had the day planned out on paper since we would have just Saturday in the San Diego area.

The Cliffs of La Jolla

Our first stop was La Jolla where we wandered on the beach walk-way and visited the "Children's Pool". This is a break-water built to provide kids a safe harbor to swim in but in actuality provided sea lions a safe beach to sleep on! Super cute downtown area blocks off the beach as well.

Clapping for himself!



After wandering around La Jolla we drove south to Mission Beach, where, again, we walked the beach and also stopped at a beach bar called The Sandbar for what is possibly the best Blueburger and Fries we have ever had.

Mission Beach and area is a labyrinth of sand bars and one giant main beach, complete with an amusement park, marina and multiple city park areas. And a lot of surfers!

After lunch we again, headed just slightly south to the next beach, Ocean Beach. Again, huge sand, good waves and a ton of surfers. Also at Ocean Beach, the longest pier in SoCal.

So we have hit three beaches in as many hours and now we ventured into San Diego to the Old Town area. To be honest, I don't really know the history of Old Town, but I do know it is a popular tourist destination and features hundreds of Mexican shops and restaurants. It was a very busy area and while we enjoyed wandering around, the goods really held no interest for me (not big into Mexican "crap", so to speak). But we did stop in a restaurant for a much craved drink and had some of the freshest and tastiest chips and salsa I have ever experienced. Yum!

After more wandering we weren't quite through with touring but, frankly, a bit to tired to tackle the parking and walking issues again so we did "drive-bys" through the Gaslight District and then the Embarcadero. Winding our way back up Marina Drive until we were actually past the airport and almost back in Mission Beach. Time for home! The San Diego area is really quite easy to navigate and before Jeff knew it, I had us back to the BP. We managed to lounge around long enough to make it to 11:30 (which I haven't seen in a loooong time!). Of course, we didn't get home until 8:30 so...

Don and I at Cheers

This morning we had a date with my cousin, Don and his beautiful wife, Charlotte, who live in Ramona, about a half hour north of El Cajon. We met at the local pub, Cheers, and had the required Sunday Bloody as well as some good grub and glimpses of the Packer and Viking games (Guess who won? Guess who lost?).

Jeff at Solerno

After "brunch", Don and Cheri took us to see their Antique Shop in downtown Ramona. They had a little business to attend to so Jeff and I got to snoop around the store, which is HUGE!!! After they returned, we went to see their house and then went to a local winery and vineyard, Solerno. Gorgeous little winery with a great outdoor tasting room and kitchen where the (very) Italian proprietors cook up wood roasted pizza's and incredible Italian bread loaves. And they also make some pretty fabulous wine, particularly their Merlot. Although the day was turning pretty cold and gloomy, we had a great time on the patio with a bottle of wine, a loaf of bread and good company.

A great day ended with another good bottle of local wine sitting in front of Don and Cheri's fireplace then we had to head home. Through the rain (it was pouring by now), up and over a little mountain and back to El Cajon, where it continues to pour and pour!

                                                         Xena, however, is warm and dry!