This year we added a house/pet sitting gig to our San Diego layover. After a month at
Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve we headed for Hans' brothers driveway in Poway. While their family spent a week in Utah we enjoyed the perks of a big kitchen, good water pressure and large shower, free laundry and got to spend quality time with Bentley the sweet pit bull and Tabby the kitty who loves to be brushed more than any animal I've ever met.
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Our home tucked away in a deep, peaceful cul de sac in Poway. |
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Loads of room for the truck and trailer! |
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Our morning view includes a flock of Nutmeg Mannikins and Mourning Doves by the dozens. |
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Bentley is a happy boy and and so good on a leash! |
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Tabby is a sucker for brushing and massages! |
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Martin and Estella joined us for dinner and pool one evening. |
Our driveway docking coincided with Christmas and New Years so lots of partying was on the agenda...
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Dinner at Annie's with good friends.
Back to front: David, Hans, Lisa, Annie, Martin, Estella, Mary. |
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Christmas Eve dinner with Hans' parents |
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Christmas day at Lisa's parents.
Kylie tries on her new dress up clothes while Brother Travis, Grandma Rebecca and Mom Crystal look on. |
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Hans demonstrates how the tutu should be worn... |
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Lisa's dad and Hans start the Christmas buffet line! |
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And a belated Christmas dinner with Hans' family when they returned from their vacation. |
It wasn't all partying during our Poway stay. One day we did a short hike with Bentley at
Sycamore Canyon Open Space Preserve. This trail system is at the North end of the canyon we hiked from Santee Lakes.
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Like most San Diego County canyons, Sycamore Canyon consists of rolling chaparral covered hills. |
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Recent rains have brought out a lovely green palette to the landscape. |
We also enjoyed a walk and lunch at Del Mar with Hans' parents.
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Hans, Turid and Fritz enjoy a perfect Southern California December day. |
Another day we dropped by our old neighborhood and thoroughly enjoyed the ramen and craft beer at
Underbelly in North Park.
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Tasty vittles at Underbelly in a stylish, mostly outdoor, venue. |
2014 was a wonderful year on the road, and once again we spent it entirely in the West. We traveled just under 5,000 miles and landed in only six states, with a few one month stays and plenty of one week stays, allowing us to explore many places in depth.
Some of our favorite stops were our month near gorgeous Sedona, AZ in March,
slot canyons and other
natural wonders in Escalante, UT in April,
bubbling pits in Lassen Volcanic National Park, an
amazing bear sighting and
incredible beauty in NE Oregon, and visiting
Mt St Helens up close,
We'll be in San Diego for another month; tomorrow we give up our posh driveway docking site and move on to Mission Bay RV Resort. Beyond San Diego, 2015 promises lots of adventure and new-to-us sights...we hope you'll follow along with our travels!
HAPPY NEW YEAR to all our readers and friends we've made on the road!