San Diego, Oceanside and Borrego Springs Monsters

I continue to realize I know almost nothing…

1 February to 3 February 2015 

On the drive to San Diego on I-8 I expected lots of hills since we were traversing the Laguna Mountains. No idea why I thought it would be flatter in San Diego. It is not.

Looking up behind San Diego Avenue. All hills.

Took a couple of tours (Old Town Trolley) plus a walk in Old Town. This was the San Diego express package since we are not fans of hotels, not even the nice ones, so we only stayed 1 night.

But we got around. Walked Old Town and the historic village re-creation:

San Diego Avenue. Tourist trap? - Si. Lots of restaurants. And beer.

Please memorize. There will be a test at 5 o'clock.

Garden in a reconstructed villa. Real plants in bloom. Weird.

Old town graveyard on San Diego Avenue.

Coronado Island:

Hotel Del Coronado. Rear. Sometimes backsides are very interesting.

The Hotel's kitchen garden.

On the La Jolla tour we rode to the top of Mount Soledad - an impressive war memorial:

Not just a movie hero.

Another war and screen hero.

After the tours we drove up the coast to Oceanside proving that we can cover a lot of ground if we leave 22,000 pounds of our stuff at home (Harvey).

Land to sea

Sea to land

Surfer dude

Bait thief aka ibis

What?

Fresh hot thick fries. Big juicy burger. Drool.

There may be a lot more to Oceanside than a 1940’ long fishing pier and Angelo’s Burgers but we didn’t see it – we’re starting to look like one-night standers -  except we came and went in the same car and used our real names at the hotel.
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Norene has talked about mysterious giant sculptures near Borrego Springs CA for as long as I can remember. Maybe even longer than a week.

So we took the shorter more scenic route on winding Highway S22 since we had our agile little CRV. After the descent down S22 to Borrego Springs I was pretty damn glad we shucked the 22,000 pounds – this was not the place I wanted to take Harvey downhill. Only a couple of pictures here – for a more intense view take a look at this link and you’ll head over to a short slide show. There may be sweaty parts.

Doesn't look so far down from here...

That's 25 miles per hour not those little kilometer thingies.

 

Heading for Christmas Tree Circle - biggest traffic roundabout I have ever seen.

Make sure you’re here at one of your feeding times. And take a look at Los Jilbertos Taco Shop – huge portions of really good food at rock bottom prices.

Oh yeah – the sculptures. Both north and south of Christmas Tree Circle (north is best is you are short of time). BTW if you are short of time why exactly did you come way out here?

Rusty dromedaries in the desert.

Had to be a bit aggressive to get these 2 to pose.

Wheee! Finally get to touch the serpent!

Look up Norene - he seems a bit testy.

Norene was right – these sculptures are awesome. That’s using the “awesome” word with its original meaning. Not as in today’s overuse e.g., “My peanut butter sandwich is sooooo awesome dude”.

More sculptures. Click here - you know what will happen. Go ahead - your chores can wait.

Drove home. You do not have to come to Costco in El Centro with us on the way.