Side Trail: SoCal in Winter

M excitedly waiting at DCA

Who: M and I
What: Took a trip
When: February 4 to 12, 2015
Where: From Orange, VA to Valley Center, CA (near San Diego)
Why: To visit the boy and his girl
How: Fly and Drive on credit card points

Pre-Departure (Wednesday): M and I had arranged our trip to fly out of Washington National (DCA) at least that is what we have always called it, no slight to President Reagan. Old school I guess. In order to facilitate an early departure, we drove up to C, M & S's place near Springfield, VA, and spent the night. Planned our trip on a southern route with less weather concerns.

Day 1: M, the SIL, transported us over to DCA, temperature 20F, to catch our 8:45a flight on AA connecting through DFW. All travel went smoothly and we were blessed on our first leg with an empty seat in front of us to which our aisle passenger moved allowing us to sprawl across three seats. We had to change terminals in DFW which is pretty spread out. We took the SkyLink and then considered getting a bite to eat near our departing gate. We could just as well have stopped to eat before the gate and missed our flight; good thing we did not. As we approached the gate, passengers were boarding. I quizzed a boarder and, sure enough, this was our flight. Somehow we had consumed the hour layover faster than expected, so no lunch other than those useful power bars and "nabs". Both flights were on schedule and we arrived around 1:30p at SAN, took the shuttle over to the Budget lot and picked up our little Mirage. Sunny skies and balmy temps (70s) welcomed us; Google Maps on the iPhone guided us to Valley Center, an hour northeast of San Diego where W & C live. Arrival time was about 3:30p.

The Guest House: W & C live in a guest house on a larger property with main house and other outbuildings in a gated community. Though diminutive, they have decorated and arranged the house space quite comfortably and fashionably. After a brief walkabout on the property we snacked and chatted on the front veranda overlooking a well-tended green space bordered by the concrete drive, the house and the neighbor's fence. Well-tended is a salute to C's parents, who on previous trips from Desert Hot Springs (DHS), helped the kids to clear, plant, sculpt, refurbish, and beautify the space: a wonderful spot to relax. Later a pasta Carbonara satisfied our hunger and soon thereafter, we were off to bed on the fold out space foam mattress in the recommissioned laundry room, with private facilities. Cozy. 

We were reveling in actually being with them. Last time was in May of 2013 for our family trip to AL. The time before was the previous May when we descended on DHS for their wedding celebration. FaceTime is a wonderful, but it cannot match up to a bear hug, a kiss on the head or a gaze at a someone just to be sure this was real.

We have arrived to the veranda

Perfect for W & C

Feeling the love

Peace and beauty

Day 2: Up early due to west coast time adjustment for coffee and lounging around. When all were up a pleasant fruit breakfast was devoured as we planned for the day. W recommended a picnic and visit to Mount Palomar, CalTech's magnificent nod to the stars. We packed a lunch and headed for the 6183 foot peak of the  mountain range. We drove along tortuous roads down into the Pauma Valley and then up the South Grade Road, just as twisty, to the Palomar Mountain State Park. Remarkable views awaited us at the fire tower as well as picnic tables a bit lower down. A pleasant but windy day on top: invigorating and rewarding. After lunch we drove over to the observatory (actually there are four total telescopes in separate buildings); the biggy is the 200 inch Hale telescope which we ventured into. It is a marvel to scientific and engineering endeavor. We drove down the East Grade Road to make a loop around the mountain and re-entered the valley toward home. We were back by 3:00p and then settled into quiet literary indulgence. We are readers and are quite comfortable, drifting into separate corners and spaces to engage various media (it is amazing how many ways you can read a book these days) without being antisocial. An asian style meal and more quiet time finished off the day.

Observation deck at fire tower

Mountains to the east

Casino in the valley

Note about Indian Reservations and Casinos - There are numerous individual reservations, at least six in the valley, each with there own casinos. They vary is size and luxury but are popular tourist destinations. We passed busloads or foreign tourists (Asians in particular partake of these tours) traveling from one casino to the other. Regardless of one's position on gambling these casinos do bring in revenue to support reservation infrastructure and social assistance.

Agriculture abounds

Note about agriculture - volumes could be written about the bountiful harvest that arises out of these hills and valleys; I'll spare you. The soil is the richest I have ever seen: black, loamy, loose, and ubiquitous. Avocado trees massed on hillsides among rocks, lemon and orange groves lining the highway, strawberries and who knows what other kind of growing things everywhere. And the nurseries. I have never seen such expanses of potted plants, literally acres of trees, shrubs, flowers, basking in the sun and irrigated from aquifers that permeate  the valley, preparing them for shipment to who knows where. Everywhere I suppose. Check the price of a single avocado at your supermarket. Roadside stands were selling them fresh off the trees: a bag of 25 for $5.

It's a blueberry

Picnic in the state park

M hoofing it up to the big telescope

View of observatory domes - how many can you find?

Day 3 (Saturday) - We all needed a bit of a rest on this day, so no major plan arose. After a flavorful and satisfying cooked breakfast of eggs, hash browned potatoes, sausage, juice and, of course coffee we just settled into the quietness of our surroundings. After lunch, M, W and I ventured into Escondido for some shopping at Trader Joe's and Walmart. On our return we just hung out until a dinner of hot links with grilled peppers and onions and sauerkraut. We watched the movie "Field of Lost Shoes" on Netflix which dramatized the role that VMI cadets played in the  Battle of New Market. I had forgotten how essential the cadets were to the victory and the courage they exhibited in the face of superior Yankee forces and armaments. Then to bed.

Note on hospitality and cuisine - W & C are the consummate hosts and kitchen masters. We never lifted a finger (well, OK I think I put napkins on the table once), as they treated us like royalty. We enjoyed immensely the food they prepared together for us and since we are an extended family of foodies, we did not just eat but discussed our latest culinary adventures. They keep their space organized, exceptionally clean and bright, and welcoming. Refreshing aromas permeated the house. We just eased into the warmth of their tender care. And about that coffee, C has a single serve coffeemaker not of the K-cup style but nifty in its design and process. I love coffee and mastered the formula and process quickly and relished every cup I brewed over the time we were there.

C and I enjoying the cool of the morning with coffee and a chat
and look at that giant pine cone from Palomar Mountain

H on J & G refurbished bench soaking up rays
and some serious fantasy

About that cross on my forehead - it is not a newly acquired scab, though I did head butt the corner of an open cabinet door two days in a row back home (we are still learning about our new space in Orange) with smaller effect, nor an old man's age spot (I got plenty of those already) nor is it stigmata, though I believe that God could do whatever he wanted to with me. No, it is the shadow of the bottle brush tree under which I am nestled, but the significance of the cross is not lost however it occurred.

Note about books: In the picture above I am transcribing the titles of some 30 or so science fiction and fantasy (SF) stories mentioned in the book with the cover below. I gave the book 5 stars in my Goodreads.com review because it was one of the most enjoyable stories I have read lately. You can investigate the story further if interested but that which fascinated me was the author's own penchant for reading and especially this genre (my preferred), as well, her main character exhibited the same inclinations, which I also tend toward in my retirement. Part of the story revolves around a SF book club where discussions of authors, books, and series of stories (all real authors and published stories) take place. Since the novel took place in the 1970s and early 80s, the literary references predate that time period and for me would fall into the category of classic SF, some of which I was aware of but most not. I was so excited by the prospect of delving into some of this classic stuff that I just adopted the recommendations through the novel as a guide to future book selections (already reading "The Chronicles of Amber" which are 10 novellas by Zelazny which I had never encountered before). I won't list them here but if you want some recommendations let me know or check out what I am reading on Goodreads.

Tavi in the Poyang chair

Note about those cats - W & C love their cats. Tavi is the baby, newly arrived at their house six months ago weighing close to nothing. They nursed him to health and he is friendly and affectionate. His big brother, Otto, has trained him up well, showing him how to hunt, climb trees, sharpen claws and other cat traditions. Otto is not so engaging and was not particularly fond of M and me. He would skulk about and skitter off if we made any untoward moves in any direction. We did enjoy watching him and Tavi playfully scamper about the yard, truly enjoying each others company.

Life is good!

Day 4 - This was a big day! After another easy morning then lunch, we were off to San Diego! The day was pleasant and breezy as we headed for Point Loma, the western boundary to the San Diego Bay. It is the peninsula on the left of the photo that creates the mouth of the bay. We drove through San Diego and over near the beach on our way down.

The peninsula is primarily a military installation that encompasses Cabrillo National Monument. This marks the spot where the first Spanish explorers sailing from Mexico landed on the west coast of what would become the USA. We passed through a National Cemetery and entered the park on that fabulous National Park Senior Pass you can get if you are 62 or older for $10 that lasts a lifetime (predictably shorter than your average citizen) as long as you don't lose it. The park includes a monument, museum and gift shop, lighthouse, whale-watching station above the cliffs, tidal pools at the base of the cliffs, and expansive views of the Pacific Ocean, the Bay, and San Diego. The time spent there was quite educational and enjoyable: tax dollars well spent. 

Our plan had been to visit Point Loma and then head downtown to partake of Brazilian BBQ (ever seen those swords with glistening hunks of beef, pork, lamb, turkey, chicken and other stuff?). Our reservation was for 6:30p but we were finishing up the afternoon sooner that expected, so we decided just to go on over there and get an earlier start. We were glad we did. We arrived at 4:30p with hardy appetites and began the process of stuffing ourselves which as much MEAT as we could without strangling ourselves. The sides are tempting but only to be engaged with reservation least they reduce the amount of the truly savory carnivorous display consumed. We did well by pacing ourselves and limiting the amount that the wait staff delivered to our community platter, but we sampled just about all the meats that were offered, nearly 20. Most tasty for me was the rib-eye steak, then the petite fillet mignon wrapped in bacon and the sausages; the rest was just short of amazing. We somehow left room for dessert. W & C left the table a little bit overstuffed, but M and I managed to enjoy the very last bite. We were home by 8:00p with plenty of time to digest and relax before lying down.

Monument

Mouth of the Bay

Fuzzy lighthouse

Pacific Coast

Tidal pools abound at lower tide

Day 5 - About 10:30a we were packed up and headed for DSH where C's parents, J & G live at the Mission Lakes Country Club. The two hour drive over took us through mountain passes, desert expanses, and views of snow-covered peaks. We arrived at the house and enjoyed a delightful lunch of Asian style chicken wraps and various sides (C's family are foodies, too). We then went over to the clubhouse where our room awaited. On our trip three years ago for the wedding celebration we stayed here for almost a week. Since then the rooms have been updated a bit and they were everything a traveler could desire. We sat by the pool for a bit with temps in the 80s, W & C came over for a little while, and then we headed back over the J & G's to enjoy more hospitality with a dinner of steak and more delicious sides and dessert. For a little evening entertainment we watched the Virginia installment of Aerial America on Netflix. M and I were able to weigh in on much of the sights and history, though G is quite interested in the history of the this part of the country and well-versed in its geography. Afterward, we headed back to our room for a superior rest.

View from J & G's back garden

Another view

J & M, plus self-portrait

C and pop kitchen happy

Catching up with much love

Concentration

Ahh!

Foodie extraodinaire

Day 6 - February 10, the boy's birthday. The boy is 39 (no kidding and not holding). We tried to remember when was the last time we actually celebrated with him in the flesh and couldn't. Travel either to the east or west coast for us or him would not likely occur in February, so we surmise it may have been 20+ years since the last one. There was something uniquely meaningful, but nearly impossible to describe about being with him and his CA family for this one. Though we are not hung up on celebrating a holiday or special day on that day since our family have families and their own demands and traditions, when it does happen like this it's a blessing.

We were up an over to the house for a cooked breakfast including avocado slices and some family time. Then back over to spend the rest of the day by the pool. W & C plus G came over and we just took advantage of a day with 87 degree temperature and beautiful skies, slight wind. For dinner we all headed down to Palm Springs to frequent Peppers, a Thai restaurant we had visited twice before: once on our first trip with W & C to Palm Springs before they were married and then as the mainstay of their wedding celebration with friends and family. All were welcomed as if it were old-home week. The food and service were exceptional: Happy Birthday to our boy! We returned to the house to view the CA installment of Aerial America. This segment focused only on the Pacific Coast highway north of LA to San Fran and surrounds (CA is a big state, you can't do everything in 45 minutes). Then to bed.

Girl and Boy

The Fam: J, C, G, M, W, me

Day 6 - We packed up and enjoyed the pool until about 10:00a then descended on our hosts again. W & C were ready to depart (need to get back to those kitties) so we set out soon thereafter. We arrived back around 1:00p, had lunch and just dropped. All quiet on the western front. W & C had a dinner plan but at the last minute we decided to go out to a local Mexican restaurant, which ended up being a great idea. I had a hankering for some authentic cuisine and was not disappointed. M order chicken fajitas (very flavorful but not to hot), W order a carnitas plate (huge with beans and rice), C ordered a shrimp cocktail that was as much Gazpacho as cocktail (excellent presentation and so may shrimp), and I ordered a carnitas chimichanga (huge, fried to a delicate crisp, I ate the whole thing). A take-a-way box was needed to transport the remainder of W and M's meals: good makings for lunch tomorrow. With an early morning departure to the airport, upon our return we chatted for a bit and then hit the hay.

Day 7 -  We left with warm embraces and thankfulness for the visit, but ready to get home and leave the kids to their own devices. They expected to hit the ground running with much to do after we left. We were grateful that they could spend so much time with us. Our return to Orange was uneventful: rental car return, no problem; flights home, no delays; daughter C pickup at DCA, no mishaps; trip home on I-95, unencumbered; arrival at home (10:00p), no problems, house not freezing; bed ready and waiting.

The day after, Friday - nothing doing, just caught up on mail and home stuff, watched some TV, snuggled down, enjoyed memories, adjusted to time change, easy re-entry.