Winding Down...

San Diego Metro KOA
Chula Vista, CA
February 7, February 13, 2015

What a treat it is to meet up with friends for dinner. Lynn and Dave have been stomping around these parts for quite some time now and one of their favorite places to visit is Cafe Coyote in Old Town San Diego. 


  Cafe Coyote has been serving up award winning Mexican for over 25 years. Dave made reservations (The line was long...reservations are recommended for the week-ends.) for 5:00pm on the upstairs outdoor patio.

How nice it was to visit with Dave, Lynn and their son Richard as the sun's setting glow lit up the hillside across the street.. And yes, if you see a frozen concoction on the table, it would be mine. Absolutely the best Margarita made with the best Tequila I have ever had! In fact, Cafe Coyote has Tequila Ambassadors to educate and entertain guests. Over 100 tequilas are on the list that are served there. Did you know that...

More tequila is sold in Old Town San Diego than anywhere else in the world...

And, Cafe Coyote is a certified "Tequila House" by the Academia del tequila, Mexico City and is one of only two in the United States. 

This was our first visit to Historic Old Town at night. What a difference the night makes. It is way more festive and alive! 

Last Friday, we all decided to take a bike ride from the Bernado Shores RV Park where The Perkin's have lived for the past few weeks after a stay at Mission Bay Resort. The bikepath to Coronado is just down the street...how convenient is that? Well, we didnt make it all the way to Coronado, but we did ride to Silver Strand Public Beach area.

 Meet Allie...Dave and Lynn's 15 yr old Yorkie. What a cutie and a trooper she is. She is loving life with her family after two bouts of cancer and  with kidney issues that require dialysis.  

Bayshore Bikeway lined with bright yellow California Sunflowers...

We worked up a good appetite so it was off to Imperial Beach for lunch and a walk on the beach...once again, Dave and Lynn hit the jackpot. Their choice was Barrels Wine and Beer. It hasn't been open very long, but has become a popular spot to gather for a glass of wine with a view of the pier and beautiful sunsets.  

We all had way too much food with homemade chips and fries...but that didn't stop some of us from cleaning our plates!

Imperial Beach park just next door to Barrels was a flurry of activity...

We did drive to the south end of the beach...

There is a boardwalk and watershed where we parked along the Tijuana River.

Tijuana River with Tijuana on the hill in the far distance.

Imperial Beach Pier from the south end of the beach...

A beautiful sight, sound, feel and smell...

 Until next time, take care, and...

...happy trails!

Hollenbeck Canyon Trail

San Diego Metro KOA
February 11, 2015
Chula Vista, CA

 Hollenbeck Canyon is located about 24 miles from the Chula Vista KOA...an easy drive on the 805 north, east on 94, and a right turn in Jamul, CA onto Campo Rd.   What beautiful country that is! Rolling hills and  large green meadows graced us on both sides of this county road as we drove along...I could feel the excitement building! 

Campo Rd.

This trail is a 5 mile loop through Hollenbeck Canyon. 






Leaving the parking lot, the trail took us through a  grassy meadow. We were surrounded by quietness...the sweet sound of silence. Then, as we crested a rise, eyebrows raised and jaws dropped as we walked right into... 

 a trail lined with majestic live oak trees. Cool shade, leaves rustling, and shadows looming meant we walked a little slower looking for birds, twisted limbs, and sun leaves.

A nice break in the shade... 

...then an uphill trek to a fork in the road. On our left were the remains of an old building. After a few seconds of map study, we (actually me!) decided our trail went on straight.

Lesson here is "don't give me the map unless you want to get lost". After 3/4 of a mile or so out,we realized this was not the loop...a decent hike, but not the loop. 



Our hiking legs are still not quite what they used to be. Alot of the "oops!" was a washed away, slippery steep incline section of trail used by bikers mostly.



We turned around, took our time on the decent and didn't have time nor energy to finish the loop.  

Looking up...

Our trail back...

And there's Pearl...until next time, take care and...

...happy trails!

We went home a different way via Otay Lakes Road and had a nice walk along the shore of Otay Lake.

Have a great week!