My trip to San Diego…

OCTOBER 12, 2016. Mum’s been the word about our future plans. But that’s only because we hadn’t formulated them until now. We’ve made some decisions and plotted our course, so in short order I’ll let you know “what’s next.” And perhaps after you know where we’re headed you’ll have some suggestions for us. What to see and what’s not worth the effort. Which restaurants in an area are special. We’re “all ears.” We value your recommendations. Over the years we’ve followed your tips frequently and been glad we did. So please leave your ideas as comments to this or any other post. Or send me an email. I’ll respond to your thoughts right away.

WHERE ARE WE HEADED? But I’m getting ahead of myself. Before I give you the “heads up” about our future plans, I’ll tell you about my recent visit to San Diego. As most of you know, we began our adventure more than three years ago as we left our home in San Diego, where we’ve lived for more than forty years. We’ll always think of San Diego as home, no matter where we decide to live when we complete our Great American Adventure. “And when will that be?” People ask us that question all the time. My answer is always the same. “Some day we’ll wake up and this gypsy  lifestyle won’t be fun anymore. That will be when our Great American Adventure will come to an end. That will be the end of my story.”

San Diego Harbor as seen from Harbor Drive. After arriving at the airport, this is the first sight one sees. It’s easy to understand why San Diego is called “America’s Finest City.” We’re lucky to call it home.! 

BUT FIRST, MY TRIP TO SAN DIEGO. I was in San Diego last week on a business trip. Florence stayed in Pensacola with Molly. The two of them are inseparable. When it comes to a choice between Molly and Greg, it’s a pretty safe bet that my wife will choose her new puppy any day of the week!

It’s not hard to see why Florence chose to stay in Pensacola with Molly. This is a picture of our puppy after her first haircut last month. She’s still got her puppy “fur” but you can see how she’s beginning to take shape. 

MY SCHEDULE WAS TIGHT. My schedule was tight, with almost no time to visit with friends. But I made time to have lunch one afternoon with Diane, a friend from San Marino High School and also from four years at the University of California at Santa Barbara, which we both attended as undergraduates. The next day I had dinner with my 15-year-old buddy Marymay and on the last day of my brief trip I spent an afternoon with my good friend Earl. “It was great to see you guys! With each of you, I have enough history that we could have spent days just catching up and telling war stories. But some time is better than no time and I thoroughly enjoyed our time together!”

I STAYED AT PARADISE POINT RESORT. These pictures were taken at Paradise Point Resort, where I stayed while in San Diego, Most of the bungalow-style rooms have a view of the bay. The landscaping throughout the property is lush and tropical. Beautiful gardens and meandering lagoons punctuate the grounds, located on a private 44-acre island tucked away on Mission Bay, minutes from the heart of downtown San Diego.

Paradise Point Resort. The lobby by day. 

Paradise Point Resort. The lobby by night. 

 

Overlooking Mission Bay from Paradise Point Resort. October 2016. I can’t think of a nicer place to sit in the sun and read a book. Or just take in the sights of birds on the shore and boats on the bay. 

THE RESORT IS AT MISSION BAY. As the largest water park of its kind in the world, Mission Bay comprises 4,200 acres in roughly equal parts of land and water, surrounded by 27 miles of bike paths and a meandering shoreline of sandy beaches. The beaches beckon water sports enthusiasts of every kind, from kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding on the calm waters of the bay, to surfing and kite boarding on the waves that crash on the Pacific-facing beaches, just across from the bay at Mission Beach. Years ago, we had three Kawasaki Jet Skis, and we spent many a day at the bay. And when we felt bold, we’d ride from the bay past the jetty and into the open ocean. I was always uneasy out there, as were my daughters. But my son Brad loved it! He’d have ridden all the way to Catalina if he had the time! Fearless. We had lots of good times with those skis at the bay and also on the Colorado River at Laughlin and at Lake Havasu.

Crew Practice as seen from Paradise Point Resort, at sundown. Mission Bay is one of the premier locations in Southern California for the sport of rowing, or “crew.” One of the largest rowing regattas in the country, the San Diego Crew Classic, is held on Mission Bay each Spring  and features two days of competition in the eight-oared boats called “shells.” More than a hundred college, club and senior crews participate in this nationally televised event. On a slightly different topic, take a look at the girl second from the right. She’s a bit overdressed for the beach. I mean, it’s a resort but really, wearing heels on the beach?  

ROOMS AT THE RESORT. Most of the bungalows have a view of the bay and some are right smack dab on the beach, just steps from the sand and the water. The landscaping throughout the property is lush, tropical and beautiful. Waking up each morning, fixing coffee and sitting on the patio looking at the calm waters of Mission Bay was pretty special.

A very private entrance to a very nice bungalow right on the bay.

 

The same room. The beach is just steps away. Take your coffee and sand chair and you’re set for the day!

 

Another view from my patio, with the bay in the background.

Bird of Paradise tropical plants are in many of the landscaped areas. 

Sailboats on the bay, as seen from the beach at Paradise Point Resort.  

Across the bay and past the trees is South Mission Beach. It’s on the ocean, not the bay. The boardwalk there is a great place to watch the “beautiful people” with their bronze tans and tank-tops. There are walkers, joggers, bicyclists and girls on rollerblade skates. The last group is my favorite! Hello, Florence. 

Rollerblading on the boardwalk at South Mission Beach, San Diego.

A couple silhouetted against the bay from Paradise Point Resort.

Day’s end on Mission Bay. I’ve been there a thousand times, but the view at this time of day never gets old. If I could afford one of the spectacular homes on Crown Point Drive where this is a daily occurrence, I’d be there right now. Not writing this post! 

Am I becoming “a country boy?” Until now, I’d never have believed that could ever happen. 

THIS IS INTERESTING. As much as I love San Diego and as nice as it was there last week, the pace now seems a bit fast and furious to me. The area is beautiful and the weather is the best in the nation, literally. I enjoyed being a lawyer in the city for more than three decades. We loved our “Wise Old Owl Ranch” in the back country. I definitely began to wind down while we lived there. But I think the last three years meandering down country roads and talking with “the folks” have changed me. I might just be turning into a real country boy! We’ll see how that plays out.  What about you guys, Kitty and Jim Wicklund? Is the wanderlust getting to you yet? Are you starting to feel as if Jamul is the big city? Just wait, my friends, just wait.

OUR PLANS FOR THE NEXT SIX MONTHS. As I mentioned at the top of this post, we’ve now got a pretty good idea of where and how we’re going to spend the next five or six months. The holidays will be special this year and we’ll bring you a heartwarming Thanksgiving story perhaps unlike any other. And Christmas will be especially meaningful this year. We’ll explain why. We’ll show you the sights and tell you the story.  I’ll tell you all about this and more when I publish my next blog post. Give me just a day or two. And thanks for joining us on our Great American Adventure. It wouldn’t be the same without you.

I’ll continue my story next time.