My heartfelt thanks to our readers regarding my last
post on my mothers passing. Your kind words and knowing we are not alone in this experience help ease the challenges we face as we move forward without her in our lives.
We're staying in San Diego until mid July, partly helping my dad with this transitional phase and also to house sit for some family members during an upcoming vacation.
One of our tasks is to make my dad's yard more low maintenance. The biggest project was to clear and level the former grass/dirt area in the center of the back yard and install Decomposed Granite. This new surface should prevent weeds for many years and will be a nice place to display some of the antiques my parents acquired during many years of travel.
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| Freshly laid decomposed granite...the job was easier than we expected! |
We managed to do some hiking in our local mountains before a heatwave enveloped the entire South West. Martin, Estella and pup Chelsea joined us on a long loop in the Laguna Mountains where we were surprised to still find lots of wildflowers blooming.
It can be difficult to find good online maps of the trails in the Laguna Mountains. The late, great Jerry Schad's
Afoot and Afield in San Diego County is the go to resource for all hiking around these parts.
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| Estella, Chelsea and Hans enjoy expansive views early in our hike seen from the Noble Canyon Trail. |
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| More fabulous views from the Pine Mountain trail. |
On warmer days we've headed to Coronado for walks along the beach.
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| Bayview Park is a cute little pocket park on the east side of Coronado that offers up wonderful views of downtown San Diego, a perfect spot for lunch! |
We also enjoyed several good surf bands at the
Surfin' Sundays Concert series at the Huntington Beach Pier.
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| Now that's a perfect venue for surf music! |
There was more hiking in the local mountains, this time in
Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. This is another San Diego County hiking area whose trails are poorly represented online. Again,
Afoot and Afield in San Diego County is your best bet for trail info and maps.
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| Lots of flowers in mid June. |
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| These two white horses got away from their rider (the second is a pack horse), and this woman called out to us to grab the reins of the horse in front...our good deed for the day! |
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| Crossing a big meadow on the Dyar Spring trail. |
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| Big views on the Juaquapin trail. |
When the latest heatwave hit the best place to be was the beach, so back we went to Coronado which has always been one of our favorite beaches for strolling and it's a relatively short drive from our current home base at Sweetwater Summit Regional Park.
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| On a steamy hot Monday in June the beach is full of colorful umbrellas, happy folks playing in the 65 degree water with the Hotel del Coronado as a lovely background. |
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| 65 degree water was too cold for us to swim in, but it was perfect for a long walk! |
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| After we walk the beach we take the neighborhood streets back to our truck, admiring the beautiful historical homes and lovely gardens all along the way. Check out this very cool VW trailer... |
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| Sweeeeet! |
And finally a spectacular sunset over our cozy home on wheels at Sweetwater Summit.
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| Sunset from our site at Sweetwater Summit Regional Park. |
Great to hear from you. Sounds like guys are keeping busy, and it's nice that you've been able to help out. Enjoy the rest of your time in San Diego!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'm sure the next three weeks will fly by...it will be great to hit the road again!
DeleteGreat pics - I'm getting homesick already! Nice sunset picture.
ReplyDeleteSaw that little VW camper, but with the top down - so much better with the top opened up.
Yes! We had seen the VW all closed up as well and thought it was super cute...but then the open version is just amazing, isn't it?!
DeleteAhhhh, a stroll along the beach in 65 degree water sounds really good bout now! That VW trailer is something! Looks like some enjoyable hiking:)
ReplyDeleteHaving the beach nearby is a wonderful perk of being in SD!
DeleteTotally understand about the transitional phase. After my dad died, I stayed with my mom for three weeks to help her understand all the places she needed to notify, and helped her with the phone calls and interminable waits on hold with government agencies. We're happy you're getting out and enjoying music and nature...two healing therapies.
ReplyDeleteThere sure are a LOT of places one must contact when a person dies...something you don't really think about until you have to do it. I guess it's not unlike moving from one state to another!
DeleteThat VW trailer is just amazing. Someone has some excellent skills to make that. The paint color is just perfect. Thanks for the tip on trail guides in San Diego, we were always wondering where people hiked.
ReplyDeleteThe heat is just crazy in CA and AZ. One can only hope that it breaks soon. It's been pleasant so far in the GPNW. It'll rain tomorrow, so there you go.
No kidding...that VW is perfection. I'd love to see the inside!
DeleteI was wondering what you guys had been up to! Glad to see you're still out hiking and braving the heat wave. Hope you are able to get back on the road again soon. Let me know if you still plan to head up my way.
ReplyDeleteWe will definitely be heading your way. We'll be in Portland the last 10 days of August and sort of in the vicinity of Portland for a couple weeks before. I've messaged you on FB so we can discuss a potential meetup in detail.
DeleteHi Lisa...thank you so much for the information on the hikes. I will definitely be checking out Afoot and Afield in San Diego County for our visit in January. I miss Coronado a lot...when we were not there with the pups on the beach, we enjoyed strolling the neighborhoods as well. It's so colorful with old and new mixed together...a photographers delight!
ReplyDeleteGlad to read all is good with you and Hans.
Yes! We love the combo of beach and beautiful neighborhoods in Coronado...one of our favorite places to walk!
DeleteThat is a nice area to be spending time in, looks like you went some fun places. And that VW trailer, how cool is that!?
ReplyDeleteSan Diego is not a bad place to be "stuck"!
DeleteBoy age is really getting to me. When I saw your comment and realized I hadn't seen you for a while I went back to see if I'd missed your posts and apparently just posted on one that I'd already posted on. Too funny that I didn't remember it especially since I found it so interesting this time too. Oh well........ Wonder of you both to help our your dad in this difficult time. The low maintenance garden seems a really good idea. Glad it was easier than you thought. Wish every town had a go to book for suggesting hikes. Thanks for the name of the one you use. Not sure we'll ever make it to San Diego at the rate we are going but if we do, we'll be prepared. Love the VW trailer. I thought they only made vans. Is that new?
ReplyDeleteI do believe that VW trailer is a custom job...created from two separate VW vans. So cool!
DeleteSo glad to hear from you. :-) Looks like you've been keeping yourselves busy—so wonderful that you have the option of long walks on the beach when it's too hot for the trails. I'm sure your dad is loving having you nearby for awhile—nice patio you made for him! Will he be caravanning with you when you leave in July?
ReplyDeleteYes, he'll caravan along with us for a couple of weeks then go off on his own to visit family as we meander through OR at a slower pace. We still intend to spend September in Bend at Crown Villa. Looking forward to meeting up with you if possible in that area!
DeleteWith all the heat in the southwest, the beach is the place to be! I bet the 65 degree water felt very refreshing:) Good to see you have been able to do a few other hikes, as well:) Does Sweetwater have full hookups? How does it compare to Santee Lakes?
ReplyDeleteYes, Sweetwater has full hookups. The sites have good separation and most have nice big views because the park is on a hill. You can only stay 3 weeks though, then must leave for one week before you can return. Santee is prettier...but no monthly sites available for the summer.
DeleteNice to see you enjoying the wonderfulness that is San Diego as you find your way through your own transition period. Getting things done with your dad is great too. Love the pics of Coronado beach - wishing there was one in Colorado :-)
ReplyDeleteHi, Lisa,
ReplyDeleteHope your Dad is adapting to the changes with ease. I know you guys will sure be eager to hit the road soon. It won't be long now! You are in my thoughts...
Suzanne
As much as you are itching to hit the road, Im sure you are enjoying at the same time being productive while helping your Dad. And San Diego is hard to beat especially that you are from there as well.
ReplyDeleteYou will never know we might catch up with you in Oregon this fall.
Beautiful photos, and I love the VW trailer! :)
ReplyDeleteHaving owned a lot of VW bus (1960-1967 models) I've never been a fan of modifications .... but .... that trailer is fantastic. I would have loved to see the inside of that. Your photos have made me miss my old stomping grounds of SoCal ... they were great.
ReplyDelete