Sometimes a small week-end trip, close to home is just the right prescription for body and soul…So we packed up the RV with a few clothes, too much food and our bikes and headed for Mission Bay. We had plans for meeting some friends at “Campland by the Bay”. We were surprised by some unseasonable, chilly wind for the trip, but outside of that, we were ready for enjoyable company, bike riding, and big time RELAXATION. “Campland” was a great place to stay with something for everyone…views of wetlands and the bay, a beach for sunning, boat and wave-rider rentals, pools and spas, a market, food and ice cream concession, skate board park, basketball, and horse-shoes!
We arrived on Friday afternoon and got settled. Our space was right next to the beach area…only steps away from the sand. We visited a bit with our friends and just settled in….ahhhh.
After a nice, refreshing nap, the excitement of being in a new place set in, and we jumped on our bikes to do some exploring. We tootled around the campground checking things out, and then Tom set out alone to find the trail we planned to ride the next day, while I started the spaghetti sauce and relaxed with a new book. That evening we sat around a windy campfire until we froze and called it a night. Our cozy RV welcomed us in with her thermostat set at 72 degrees and fluffy comforters waiting to give us a hug.
We slept-in Saturday and treated ourselves to chocolate chip and banana pancakes for breakfast (something we reserve for trips). We drove over to a nice parking spot on Mission Bay near the entrance to the trail. In spite of the windy day, we watched people unloading barbeques and flying kites. One family reminded me of a line of ants as they carried containers of food, one after another, to a large picnic area depositing it on the tables. Riding along, we spotted joggers and walkers, wind-surfers and wave-riders, volley ball players and birthday partiers. Everyone seemed carefree …unleashed from their week-day routines as laughter and squeals filled the air.
Our route took us past Sea World, where we observed cars and vans unloading their passengers prepared for adventure. Further on, we passed an “Iron Kid” event being set up and organized for fun and fitness on Sunday. With our faces pointed into the wind we forged ahead on our trail until we came to a spot where our attention was diverted to the sky! Electric, “hobby craft” airplanes zipped past overhead, making death defying maneuvers. This was something to check out more closely! Seeing them in the sky, they don’t look very large, but as we approached the staging area, we found to our amazement that they range from about 3 to 4 foot long. I watched with fascination as these pilots flew their planes with such precision and speed. I found myself riveted to the “show”. Speaking to some of the men congregated around the planes, I learned that a couple of them were world class competitors.
We finished up our day with BLT’s for dinner and “cruising” neighboring Pacific Beach in our RV…now that’s a trip in itself! Driving an RV in this funky, eclectic beach town on a Saturday night is about as cool as grandma wearing a bikini! It’s amazing how many different types of restaurants and businesses can fit in one town…almost like an explosion of entrepreneurs randomly landed on the streets of PB. It would have been fun to park and walk around soaking up the flavor of the town…but we didn’t even see a parking place for a car, let alone an RV…we were prisoners of our vehicle! Driving along, we were easily able to identify the “hot spots” …the restaurants with sidewalk seating spilling over with customers. The beach culture here had its own unique brand, one I’d like to explore more in depth some day soon.
We came back to find our friends gathered at the campfire. Slipping into a couple of camp chairs, we joined them by the fire. A little Merlot, and the warmth of the fire encouraged us all to share stories and laugh at old jokes that weren’t too funny. We had a wonderful time getting to know each other better and hated see our “get-away” coming to an end.
Sunday morning was colder and windier, making it a lazy, mellow morning of breakfast and reading together. I’d brought along some cookie dough, and a baking sheet, so we tried out our oven…a first for us in the RV. We usually do stove top cooking or barbeque. It took a few tries to get the oven lit, and another couple of tries to k e e p it lit. We had to alter the baking sheet by bending up the sides a little to get it to fit the oven, but we finally got our cookies… a few of them were even edible!
Check-out time came way too fast, we said good-bye to our friends and as we headed for home we knew we’d return another time. Whether you like camping…or picnicking, water sports…or just a day at the beach, Mission Bay has much to offer. The Hilton sits on its shores, if you prefer the ambiance of a hotel. It looks like a wonderful place to stay and offers its own menu of attractions. It’s comforting to know Mission Bay will be waiting for us… and its waiting for you too!
A Look at Mary Lou Heard’s Garden Tour May 2010
On Saturday, May 1st, Tom and I and my daughter, Diane and her hubby, Jeff went to see just a few homes on the tour. Our day was bright and sunny, just perfect for viewing gardens. I brought my camera and took several candid shots! I hope some of you took some time off to enjoy the tour in your area. It is quite extensive going from San Clemente up through Orange County into Long Beach and even clear over into Yorba Linda. Enjoy!
SAN DIEGO ZOO February 2010
Well, for sometime now, I’ve been thinking it might be nice to spend a day at the zoo. So, we chose a Monday when it wouldn’t be crowded! Problem was, we chose President’s Day… OOPS!!!
Despite the crowds, we had an adventure. In fact, the crowds added to the fun. People watching can be as much fun as animal viewing! I watched families with their kids and it transported me back to the days of taking my own girls to the zoo… such fun!
We started off a little before noon by having a hot dog and fries with a cold drink to sustain us for our trip. It was very tasty, but I think the cost should have engraved our names in gold on a bench somewhere near our favorite exhibit. Oh well, all part of the fun.
The weather was very nice and we decided to explore the Lost Forest on foot. So, we jumped into the closest moving group of visitors and were carried along through a botanical delight. We saw some very interesting, goofy looking specimens of the animal kingdom as we traversed in and out of the sunshine and shade. So many BIG things, HAIRY things…FEATHERED things!!!
When we came to a cage of tigers, and found a seat by another couple. Everyone was squeezing up to the window to try and see…but as we sat, we had a surprise. By sitting, you actually had a better view! We observed the cats together, and studied our maps to navigate our next destination- the Polar Bears.
Surprise, again… the exhibit was under construction and for some reason, I had the impression that we could see Penguins! No PENGUINS… It was time to hop on the bus. We did get sky ride and bus passes with our general admission. We bought some frozen Strawberry Lemonade to share and took our seats up on top deck for the view. Once seated with our snack, off we went…passing the Elephants, and Giraffes. I was impressed with the “comical” beauty of the Giraffes. They almost look like they are wearing their pajamas.
We hopped off the bus near the entrance, so Tom could visit the reptile house (yucky snakes). I opted for people watching. I viewed the hungryopolosus as they lined up to be fed, and tired, stooped-shoulder beasties huddling together to be photographed… and juvenile sticky-fingered jumpers being herded by their elders, while I kicked off my shoes and sat in the shade.
We poked our noses into a gift shop and found a couple of stuffed animals for two, very special, little friends and then we viewed Koalas napping, Iguanas being fed grapes and tucked into their caves for the evening, Galápagos Tortoises pretending to be large rocks, and lizards basking in the sun.
Well, after 3+ hours, I’m good now for a few more years, but if you’re in need of an urban animal-viewing (people watching) adventure, the San Diego Zoo awaits YOU!
