Beaches

San Diego Metro KOA
Chula Vista, CA
January 25, 2017


In between rainy days, we have had a couple of fun sunny days. Monday, Jan. 16, we met Lisa and Hans  at Ocean Beach for a walk and lunch.  It's always fun connecting with them and catching up. So much so, I didn't get many pictures of us !  

OB is home to the OB Municipal Pier which is one of the most visited landmarks in San Diego.  It was officially christened in July 1966 and just celebrated its 50th anniversary. 

The pier extends 1971 feet.  Hans informed us the pier is the longest concrete pier on the west coast. 

It's unique T-shape at the end of the pier adds 360 feet to the south and 193 feet to the north.  

There is no fishing license required to fish from the pier.  Herring is the most common fish caught and there is no limit.  But, the only fish we got a glimpse of was a shark !












I love this view of the pier from the south end extension.

The tide was in so we strolled through neighborhoods.   It's so diverse and charming.  According to Lisa the streets have changed very little since the time she grew up here.






 

  

 Walking and talking always works up a good appetite. I love fish tacos so Hans and Lisa suggested South Beach Bar and Grill...great company, awesome view of the ocean, and yummy food.  

The next day on Tuesday, we enjoyed a nice easy bike ride along Mission Beach - Pacific Beach Boardwalk, also known as Oceanfront Boardwalk .  We ride south to north about 4 miles one way. 

Biking along the boardwalk has it's challenges...dodging bicycles, skaters, and walkers...there is an 8 MPH speed limit. 


The south end of the boardwalk (on the right side with wide open beach views) is residential with quaint old homes, apartments and condos. I dream every time I ride by there !






About halfway, is Belmont Park...home to the Giant Dipper.   
 It's a historical wooden roller coaster located in Belmont Park on Mission Beach.  This piece of history was built in 1925.  With high speed and exciting dips,  it's a favorite among locals and tourists.  

The Giant Dipper was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.  It consumes 2.8 acres, is 2,600 feet long, it's 70 ft high with a 60 ft maximum drop. 



Unfortunately, the Dipper is closed this time of year for maintenance.

Up next is Crystal Pier, where the boardwalk changes from residences to shops, hotels and restaurants with outdoor seating.  


Construction on the pier, which started in the early 1920s, progressed in stops and starts. 




The Cottages were built in 1930 and have a history of guests enjoying the unique experience of "sleeping over the ocean".  

The end of trail for us is the north end where the trail runs  atop a 75-foot bluff.  


Ronnie and Carol enjoy the view and the sunshine !

On Thursday before the rains and winds settled in for the weekend and beyond, we met Hans and Lisa at The Blue Guitar, a guitar shop in San Diego.  

Joe watches on as Hans and DeForrest, the owner, talk guitars.

 

We all enjoyed lunch at El Pollo Loco.  Joe and I chose the stuffed chicken quesadilla...way to much food, but guess who ate every bite !







So until next time, take care and...

HAPPY TRAILS !

Music, Movie, Marina and a Market

San Diego Metro KOA
Chula Vista, CA
January 12, 13, 14, and 15, 2017

After the tide pools on Tuesday, we had two days of down pours, a day of on and off showers then finally Saturday dawned with blue skies.

So what to do on a rainy day?  Well, one of those heavy rainy days we did absolutely nothing unless you count napping, cuddling with the pups and old movies !  Thursday,  we decided to ride over to El Cajon (about 16 miles) to visit Taylor Guitar.   Joe read Guitar Lessons: A Life's Journey Turning Passion into Business  by Bob Taylor so a return trip (We visited Taylor Guitar 3 years ago.) for this artistic and free tour was on the to-do list for this year.  
The tour starts at 1:00 pm ( Monday - Thursday). We were a few minutes early on purpose so we could browse the gift shop and see the guitar room.  All the guitars in the showroom can be played.


In 1974 when the business started,  the goal was to build and sell 6 guitars the first year.  Back in the day, Bob built those guitars by hand.  Today machines and robotics speed up the process, but there is still alot of hands on work to reach the finished instrument.  The goal today is 500 a day !

Even if you are not musical like me,  the tour is well worth your time (only about 1 1/2 hours) to see first hand how these beautiful acoustic guitars are made from beginning to end. 

Something Joe and I do not do on any regular basis is go to the movies.  But, with iffy weather, it was an easy decision especially when there is popcorn included !  Matinees are always our choice and Hidden Figures was playing.  It was a great movie ! 

Finally, sunshine on Saturday. There is a bike trail next to the KOA that follows Sweetwater River to the Marina and Pepper Park.  Its a nice ride and Saturday the creek was full of birds.  I saw Snowy Egrets,  Blue Herons, Whimbrels, Coots and an assortment of ducks as we followed the river to San Diego Bay. 

First we stopped at the Marina...    



 then Pepper Park. 


 When I walked out onto the pier, I was face to face with a pair of Brown Pelicans.  I've never been that close to a pelican before.  

Today was farmer's market day.  Joe researched local markets and decided we would give Hillcrest Farmer's Market a go.  It was awesome !  There are two sections...  one for fresh produce, flowers and a few crafts and another for food vendors.  The colors, the smells, the sounds, the textures, and the free samples definitely overloaded our senses.

Until next time, 

The purple bike is mine !

 HAPPY TRAILS !   

Cabrillo Tidepools

San Diego Metro KOA
Cula Vista, CA
January 10, 2017

I visit the beach to walk and enjoy the pups and surf.  I go to the tide pools to explore and experience.  Yesterday, the low tide was at 2:03 pm and the weather cooperated for a fun day of doing just that...exploring and experiencing.  I'll say from the get-go, I didn't see many marine species.  A disappointment yes, but that didn't spoil my excitement for looking and being there. 

The Kellet's Whelk is the largest sea snail.  

 The home of a Wavy Turban Snail (characterized by having a heavily sculptured spiral shell) sits on a clump of surf grass. 

 The algae was especially brilliant.

Once these Gooseneck Barnacles attach to the rocks as larvae, they do not move their entire lives. 
 A Bat Star hiding under a rock.  
The solitary sea anemone is the largest of the Southern California anemones. Their color comes from the symbiotic algae that live in them.

Sand-castle worms are tube builders and almost always found in a colony.  Even though the worm is only 2 inches long, they cement together tiny grains of sand and shells to create reefs up to 6 feet long. 

Exploring works up an appetite. Snack with a view...

 And one last look before we go...

 The ride to the tidepools at Point Loma take you through Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.  It's a beautiful and somber drive.

Until next time, let the good times roll.

 HAPPY TRAILS !

P.S. Check out last years tidepool day in the featured post  (top right side tool bar).  I saw three stars !