Trip to San Diego - March 07

Plans:  Our plans are to leave home on the afternoon of Thursday, March 8, 2007 as soon as grandson Austin can get out of school, hopefully about noon.  We hope to be in San Diego at Santee Lakes Campground by Sunday, March 11, 2007.  We will entertain Austin in San Diego until the following Thursday when his dad will fly out to join us for a couple of days.  Austin and his dad will fly back home on Saturday.  The follow Tuesday we will fly to Hawaii for two weeks, one week in and around Honolulu and then a week on Maui.

Thursday, March 8, 2007

We have been loading up the coach for the last couple of days, were ready to leave about noon today.  Donna picked up Austin from school at 10:30, brought him to the house, and Scott came and finished loading all his stuff.  I got back from getting a haircut about the same time.  Shelley managed to get off for lunch from the bank a little after 11, and came to the house to tell Austin bye, and see us off.

We got the truck hooked up in the driveway, and actually drove out of the drive at 11:45.  It was just boggety, boggety, boggety after that.  We went through Dallas about 3:15, through Fort Worth about 4:00.  Our goal was to do about 400 miles before stopping for the night, which would put us just west of Abilene.  We stopped at a Flying J just west of Abilene to top off the tank.  We had left home with a bit over 3/4 tank and were down just under 1/2 tank. 

Another 20 miles on down I-20 we pulled into a Rest Area for the night about 7:00 pm.  We drove almost exactly 400 miles in just a few minutes over 7 hours.  I think we made pretty good time.  Tomorrow we will leave here as early as possible and hopefully get 500 to 600 miles behind us.  We probably have about 1100 miles to go yet.

No mechanical problems, except for getting the DVD player to direct itself to the rear TV so Austin can watch movies in the back while we watch Satellite on the front TV.  I made several attempts after we stopped to get it working, but with no luck.  Maybe I can figure out something tomorrow.

Friday, March 9, 2007

We spent last night at a Rest Area west of Abilene, although it was not a very peaceful sleep.  We were parked real close to the interstate and, of course, the traffic was pretty loud.  We didn't run the generator, or turn on the A/C, because it was cool enough to just use the roof vent fans with the windows open, making things even noisier. We talked to James last night, but he had not been to Charlie's so he had nothing to report.

We were in bed early, and we got up really early, too, leaving at 6:15.  I tried again this morning to get the DVD player to direct the signal to the rear TV, but no luck.  We got to El Paso about noon, and located a Wal-Mart right on  I-10.  Rather tight turns getting in and out of the parking lot, but managed to get parked ok, and not hit anything, or anybody, much to Donna's surprise.  Traffic in and out was real heavy and turns were tight.  I went in, bought a $29 DVD Player, and we hooked it up direct to the rear TV.  Now, Austin can watch his movies while we watch the satellite.

Just before arriving in Arizona, we stopped for fuel at a Love's, still with half a tank, and only needed about 83 gallons.  We didn't want to get too low on fuel, in case we needed the generator tonight.

Shortly after leaving the Love's, Chester called.  He and Jack were at Charlie's, and just wanted to check on us.  Hope we didn't use too many of Chester's minutes.  LOL

We stopped for the night at a Rest Area about 100 miles inside Arizona.  Really nice parking, lots of room, and kinda up on a hill from the interstate, so we can't even hear the traffic tonight.  This Rest Area is right in 'Texas Canyon', and are with large rock outcropping.  I visited with a guy in another motorhome earlier and he told me that this canyon is about 5 miles long, and nothing else like it anywhere.

Click for larger image        

Austin was excited to get out and ride his scooter on the sidewalks, while I visited with the guy and watched Austin. Donna fixed Pizza tonight, really good.

In the 12 hours of driving today, including stops, we drove over 685 miles.  Not a record for Donna and I, but it sure is a record with Austin with us.  LOL  We now have less than 465 miles to go for arrival at Santee Lakes RV Park on Sunday.  So, we will take it easier tomorrow, maybe a little sight seeing tomorrow.

Saturday, March 10, 2007

Whew !!  What a day.  Again we left the over-night stop at a Rest Area about 6:45 with plans to stop again overnight somewhere a 100 miles or so from our destination.  We kept making good time, even stopping frequently, picking up an hour when we entered California.  By 2 pm ( Pacific Standard Time) we were only about 50 miles from our destination.  So, I called the park, managed to get the last site they had available for tonight.  We will have to move tomorrow, since the site we have reserved for a month will not be available until tomorrow.

We made it through Tucson with no problem whatever, since there was no rush hour traffic on Saturday. :)  After passing through Tucson we made a stop at Picacho to visit a store in the area where there are lots of huge Organ Pipe Cactus, many with multiple 'arms'. 

We avoided going through Phoenix, since we took I-8 at Casa Grande just south of Phoenix. From that point to almost into California, we were in mostly just desert, with miles of straight highway.  We passed through Gila Bend and a few other just wide spots in the road, most appearing to have only a few hundred residents, if that many.  Yuma, right on the California / Arizona border appeared to be an interest town, with lots of history.  A place to stop and spend a little time at some future point.

Right after passing through Yuma and crossing the Colorado River, we came upon the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreational Area.  A 'mountain' of light brown sand was on both sides of the freeway, with numerous riders in 4-wheelers, mules, dirt bikes, and dune buggies climbing up and down this large dunes.  We stopped in a little Rest Area for a few minutes and watched the activity.  Of course, Austin want to go join in, and didn't quite want to accept the fact that the motorhome would likely not 'make the trip'. :)  There were hundreds of RV's parked along a side road, apparently day camping and having a grand old time.

A little further on the large dunes gave way to flat land with many RV's just parked out in the boonies.  And keep in mind that the freeway is only 1 to 3 miles from the Mexico border at this point.  We surmised this area must be a BLM area, when one can camp for limited time for free.  It reminded us of what we think Quartzite would be like, except many times over. 

From this area on past El Centro there was a lot of irrigated farm land, mostly alfalfa and lettuce. We saw tons and tons of alfalfa all baled up, ready for shipment.  We also saw field after field of lettuce, some of it being harvested.  Vehicles would be parked on access road in the field, with at least one little trailer with two 'porta-potties'.  Without a really close look, it appeared there was a water tank, with a wash-basin and soap at the back of the 'porta-potties'.  The harvesting was being done with about 6 men following behind a wide trailer, cutting the lettuce and throwing in up to about 6 or 8 other men, who appeared to be trimming and maybe cleaning the lettuce before loading into boxes.

Along the I-8 corridor from Casa Grande to El Cajon (just east of San Diego), there were at least 5 or 6 permanent 'Inspection Station' where you pull off the freeway, drive through a huge covered area and get 'eye-balled' by the Border Patrol and Homeland Security.  Only one of the ones on the west-bound side was manned.  We did however see a 'temporary station' on the East-Bound side, and then we had to go through one on the West-Bound side.  We weren't stopped, and questioned, simply waved on through.  Nor did we see anyone pulled 'out of line' for further 'inspection'.

I'll report more about the park tomorrow.  It's really an interesting place.  We are not sure what we will do tomorrow, since we have to hang around until the folks vacate the space we are moving to.  Besides, we are rather tired tonight, after two and half days of driving.  In fact, it is just now 8pm and Donna and Austin are already in bed.. and I won't be far behind.

Sunday, March 11, 2007

Daylight Savings Time!!  Man was it confusing last night!!  First off, yesterday, we ran the watches 'back' an hour, when we got into Pacific Time Zone, then moved them 'forward' last night before going to bed.  Sure hope we got all that changing right.

It got pretty cool (cold?) here last night, was 45 when I got up the first time around 5am.  Went back to bed, and then Austin woke me up about 7.  I 'think' it was a pretty long night of sleep, at least more than I am accustomed to.

Donna fixed biscuits and sausage for breakfast, really good.  Even Austin ate quite a bit.  While waiting for our assigned site to be vacated, we decided to get dressed and go to Wal-Mart for a few things.  This Wal-Mart was not a Super Center, but did have a few food items that we needed.

When we got back, the site was available, so we moved to it.  This site is quite a bit larger, no neighbors on one side, just grass, plants, and mulch.  Really convenient site.

We then loaded up and headed to Balboa Park, right in downtown San Diego, about a 18 mile drive.  A real traffic jam getting into the park, and really hard to find a parking space, but we finally managed to get one fairly close to the main Museum area.  Since we really had not had any lunch, we stopped at a Japanese Tea House, and all shared a big sandwich and a bowl of Noodle soup with chicken and 'stuff'.  Austin even liked the soup, just avoided the spinach.

      Click for larger version

The Japanese Friendship Garden was right behind the Tea House, but we decided to move on toward the museums and Visitor's Center.  We got a good map of the museum area and walked along the main street, which was closed to traffic.

Our next stop was the San Diego Model Railroad Museum, maintained by the San Diego Model Railroaders Association (or some similar name)  With over 28,000 square, various sections display model railroads in various scales, from Standard to HO to N scale.  Parts of the displays are still under construction, since this is a continually evolving display.  I only took a few pictures, and they weren't too good because I was shooting through glass.  Maybe we will go back before we leave and I can get some better pictures.

We then just wandered around the nearby area, took a look at the Science Museum, but didn't take a tour.  There is also an IMAX theatre in this building, which we hope to go back to later.

Austin really enjoyed several street performers including a Mime that did balloon stuff, a couple of jugglers, and a young man with no arms playing a guitar with his feet.

On the way back to the park, Austin decided he wanted a McDonald's Kid Meal, so we actually found one real easy and got just what he wanted.  His intentions were to have a 'picnic' at our picnic table, but since Donna and I didn't get a 'McDonald's', we just watched him have his 'picnic'.

The rest of the daylight was spending watching Austin ride his scooter and going to one of the playgrounds here in the park.

Monday, March 12, 2007

Our plans for today were to go to the San Diego Zoo, one of the most acclaimed zoo's in the nation. It's been over 60 years since I was there, but I will explain that a little later.  Today's trip to Balboa Park (the zoo is part of the park) was much easier than yesterday, since the navigator (me) had a better sense of where to exit the freeway.

We left the coach a little after 9 and were at the zoo before 9:30.  Lines at the ticket booths were not too bad, we got in fairly quickly, and made our first stop at the scooter rental place.  I learned at Disney World last year that an electric scooter for me and a push scooter for Austin was the perfect solution for a lot of walking.  Sometimes, Austin just holds on to the back of my scooter and pulls himself along without Donna pushing.  He could do the same thing on the steep down-hills, with me acting as a 'brake'.

The zoo is huge, with a deep canyon right down the middle.  There are exhibits all the way down into the canyon, as well as exhibits on both sides.  We stayed close to the entrance area until time for the Sea Lion show and a large amphitheater at 11.

Now to digress to being here over 60 years ago.  During World War II, when I was 2 and 3 years old, my Dad was in the Navy, stationed in San Diego training troops for deployment.  My Dad, Mother, and I visited the zoo numerous time. Although I don't directly remember the zoo, I do remember pictures of a Dancing Bear Show at an amphitheater.  This 'could' be the same amphitheater, but there were no benches then, just concrete tiers. After 60 years, most likely this is not the original, but it sure looked similar.

One exhibit we really wanted to see were the Panda Bears.  Two adults were on display, and the line was long, but completely worth the wait.  The adults are routinely kept separate, although just next door to each other.  The female was quite restless because, as the guide lady explained, she was about to come in heat, which occurs only once a year.  She was constantly pacing her area, back and forth, always moving.  On the other hand, right next door, the male could of cared less.  As you can see he was quietly enjoying his lunch of Bamboo, stalk and all.

There is no way I can discuss every exhibit that we saw, but I can sure say that this is not a zoo that can be seen in one day, or maybe even two or three days.  Although we would like to go back, I doubt we will have the time.

After visiting the zoo, we drove back through Balboa Park to the area where we were yesterday, and found that parking was not a problem.  Sunday is obviously NOT the day to visit the museums, which we figured was the case.

For More Photos - San Diego Zoo

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

We left the coach this morning right at 9am, not really sure where we would go first.  So we went downtown to the waterfront just to see what's there.  We had read about the Hornblower Harbor Cruise, and thought we might do that today.  We arrived at the dock area, found a real convenient free parking space.  Most parking lots are about $10 for 2 or more hours.  Street parking is metered, except the Handicap spots, for which we qualify.

There were two cruise ships docked and, of course, lots of folks around. We checked the Hornblower ticket office, a cruise was leaving in 15 minutes at 10, so we hopped on board. We decided on the 2 hour cruise, since that cruise covers both the North and South Bay.  Although it was fairly cool when we left home, we forgot our jackets in the truck, but still the cruise was mostly fairly comfortable, since the top deck was partially enclosed.

With Austin coaching and helping me pick the shots, I took almost a 100 pictures today, and will hopefully put a few on here before the night is over, in between performers on American Idol. 

A lot of the sights involved the Navy Fleet, both on the North Bay and Coronado Island, and the South Bay past the Coronado Bridge.  We met one Navy ship returning to base after a 6 month deployment to the Persian Gulf.  It was quite a sight to see the sailors lined up along the deck, with Old Glory flying proudly. Almost everybody on our boat were over to the side applauding as we passed by. 

Throughout our cruise we were constantly in sight of a lot of Navy patrol boats, fast moving and very maneuverable craft, some inboard engines and some with twin Mercury outboards and gun placement fore and aft and on both sides.  I am sure their mission was to prevent sabotage, and probably a part of Homeland Security. 

Sharing the dock with our boat were two racing sailboats, the Abracadabra and the Stars and Strips, both of which previously competed in the America's Cup, and both owned by the same guy named Dennis Conner, I think.  We saw them close up at the dock and also at sail in the harbor bay.

We also saw some of the finer homes, hotels, and marinas.

I am working on a 'Photo Site', where a lot more pictures will be posted.  After the cruise, it was time for lunch, so we walked down to a place called 'Anthony's', had a nice lunch at a window table looking out on the harbor.

Then we drove across the Coronado Bridge to Coronado Island, which really is not an island because of a long skinny sliver of land that joins the mainland 30 or 40 miles to the south.  The most famous landmark in Coronado is Hotel Coronado which has been featured in many movies.  It was built about 1850, all wood and wooden pegs, no nails or steel.

Back in San Diego, we visited the Gaslight Area, a redevelopment area of about 10 blocks, homes to lots of clubs, restaurants, and upscale shops.  An amazing selection of cuisine, from Mexican to Asian, to Indian, to Thai, with lots of Italian thrown in.

Then it was back to the coach through one minor traffic jam, then just hanging around outside watching Austin ride his scooter.  Donna decided to run to the grocery store about 1/2 mile away.  While she was gone Austin and I established a rule about where he could ride.  I told him he could ride the streets so far as I could see him, and he could see me.  Of course, he wanted to point out that he might could see me, even if I couldn't see him!  After a few technical discussions on the subject, we finally got the rule established.  LOL

For More Photos - San Diego Harbor Cruise

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

We decided to go back to the Harbor this morning to visit the USS Midway.  Since it did not open until 10, we were in no hurry to leave, considering it was foggy and pretty chilly.  We got there a little after 10, actually found the SAME FREE parking space from yesterday was available.  Don't know if we are just lucky or if Donna is just a GOOD driver.

The USS Midway, basically a museum, is a very well presented display.  As you enter, you are given a digital player of sorts, headphones, and a guide map.  The tour is by numbered stations where you just input the number into the player, and you hear a description of what you are seeing and additional information if you want.  Austin took off like a pro, following the numbers, and really paid attention to what he was hearing.

He also had several opportunities to sit inside an airplane or helicopter, pretending to be a pilot.  Donna and I were amazed at how intent he was at listening to the narrative, including refusing to move too quickly.

The Midway deck contain a display of 30 or so of the type of airplanes that would have used the Midway during its 50 plus years in service.  The flight deck is over 4 acres with separate runways for launch and recovery.  The original deck was much smaller with only one runway for launch and recovery, both.

After visiting the Midway, we drove a few miles north of downtown to 'Old Town' San Diego, now a state park, with quite a few restored old buildings, with many shops and a few restaurants.  This was the original site of San Diego, located here because of the Spanish Mission that was built on a big hill just adjacent to this area.  Years later the mission was moved to a valley a short distance from the original site, hence the Mission Valley. 

Then back to the coach about 4:30 and Austin was back on his scooter, the one that barely still has wheels.  As we drove back from the playground later, he spotted the lady and her dog that he played with yesterday.  He was hanging out the window and as we passed he said to the lady: "Hey, I have been wondering where you were! "  The kid knows no strangers!

I am still having problems with the Photo-Site.  Maybe will get it fixed tonight or tomorrow and will be able to provide many more pictures.

For More Photos - USS Midway

Thursday, March 15, 2007

8:00 am - Okay, I have the photo problem solved, and have added links for the days for which I have the photos published.  Check back and more links will be added as I have time.  Monday is done (go back to Monday report), working on Tuesday.

7:30 pm - Okay, we are back to the coach, went to the playground with Austin, and had that hamburger 'picnic' that Austin has been looking forward to, and he actually ate 'the whole thang'!

Now to tell you about our day.  We left the coach about 9:30 with the eventual destination to be picking up Scott at the airport at 3:30.  A couple of nights ago, while looking through the San Diego Tourist book, I saw an advertisement for a re-development area called Liberty Station.  From the information in the ad, it seemed that this place could just be the Navy base where my dad had been stationed.  Coincidentally my sister had called yesterday to give me an address that my mother had found, where we had lived in Base Housing. My Street Atlas found the address, and it was exactly in the same area as the Victory Station.

I guess I should also mention that not only was my dad stationed here in San Diego, training troops as a Company Commander, but that also Donna's step-father (Mac) went through Boot Camp here.  Small world story:  From old company pictures belonging to both my dad and Mac, we found one picture of an entire company, with 17 year old Mac in the back corner, and my dad, as Company Commander standing front and center.

We found the housing area almost immediately, right across the street from one of the entrances to the Liberty Station.  The original sign of the entrance has been preserved and said Naval Training Center.  This MUST be the place. However, the housing appeared to be all new, with apartment, condo and townhouse looking buildings, none of the street names were the same as on my map from Street Atlas, but the sign referred to the area as 'Military Housing'. Now there was no doubt that this was the right place. 

We entered the Victory Station development to find what must have been the Training Center, with old and re-developed building.  Although most of my family has never believed that I could remember things as a three year old, but as we drove around and I saw the architecture.. well, it was like Yogi said:  "It was Deja Vu, all over again." 

We found the Center Command Center at the center of the Promenade, with the barracks in double rows on either side of the Promenade.

On the left is looking toward the west of the Command Center, an area where redevelopment is completed.  On the right is toward the east of the Command Center, which is in the process of redevelopment.

One particular memory (?) was an auditorium where my parents took me to see USO shows.  We found the Luce Auditorium slated for restoration.  Not sure it was the same, but it sure seemed that it was.

As soon as possible I will post a lot more pictures on the Photo Site.

After leaving the area, we found a Denny's and had lunch, and then with plenty of time, we drove along Harbor Drive which connects the Liberty Station area to downtown, passing by the airport, then we drove back down to the dock area.  Off Harbor Drive was Harbor Island with lots of marina's, restaurants, and two Sheraton hotels.  This island was created from dredging the harbor and depositing the material here.

Then we went over to the airport to pick up Scott.  Austin was really anxious to see his dad, waiting at the bottom of the escalator as he came from his flight.  We could not go to the gate area because only ticketed passengers are allowed to the gate area, so it was necessary to wait outside the secure area.

Back at the park, Austin decided he wanted to ride his scooter to the playground, which is about 1 1/2 miles from our campsite.  Scott finally relented and agree to walk with him, so long as Austin didn't run off and leave him.  Donna and I followed later in the truck and drove them back. 

For More Photos - Naval Training Center

Friday, March 16, 2007

Happy Birthday, Scott (Since he's here with us, we told him personally this morning.)

Now for our day!  Was cold (44) and foggy/cloudy when we got up, but according to Weather.com is was supposed to be 67 by noon and 77 by 2pm.  Our plans were to go to Lego Land and spend the day.  Lego Land is located in Carlsbad, Ca about 35 miles from where we are staying.  And, yes, it was the Carlsbad weather that I checked :).  I am not sure it ever got over 60 today at Lego Land.  Based on the forecast, I wore shorts, but everyone else wore jeans.  Fortunately, we all had jackets.

Lego Land opens from 10-5 this time of the year, and we were there by 9:30. Ticket booth was open, and folks were already entering.  So we did too.  Lego's, as the name implies, is the theme of the park, and everything somehow relates to Lego's.  Almost everything is geared for Pre-Teens and younger, not like the Disney parks.  It is also tremendously smaller that Disney parks. However, it is only $6 cheaper!!

There were lots of school groups there, all ages from pre-k to 6th to 7th graders.  Course they started thinning out by noon, and most were totally gone by 2.  Much less crowed then and lines were shorter.

Austin really did enjoy it, though, and even rode two different roller coasters, one with Scott and one with Donna.  I managed to sit both of them out, and waited near the exit from each ride.  I did get a couple of shots of the one Scott and Austin was on, but not sure if they were any good.

A really interesting part, for all ages, is all the characters built with Lego's, and particularly the towns and buildings built from Lego's.  Areas included New York City, Washington, DC.,  San Francisco, Las Vegas was under construction.

Back to the coach, we hung around, went to a different playground, and Austin got to see his favorite lady with her dog.  He got to tell her bye, and he hoped to see her again, sometime.

For More Photos - Lego Land

Saturday, March 17, 2007

Not a lot to report for today.  We spent the early morning getting Austin packed for his trip back home with Scott.  He made sure he had his ID (Driver's License from the Volvo Driving School yesterday at Lego Land) hanging around his neck.  He had heard Scott say you had to show ID when you checked in.

We then drove Scott through the Naval Training Station where his grand-daddy trained as a 17-year old.  Then on to the airport and up to the check-in for their flight.  The lady checking Scott's bag asked Austin if he had any ID.  He quickly flashed his Driver's License with a big smile. LOL  We then hung around to see them through security, which Austin was not a bit concerned about, just followed instructions like a champ.  Donna and I then left, because we weren't allowed in the gate area.

We drove over to Seaport Village at the Harbor, an area of shops and restaurants, and had a great lunch at Edgewater Grill, then walked around the shops, browsing and resisting!

We then decided to drive north on the Pacific Highway, the Old Historic Route 101, through numerous cities and towns.  It was easy to visualize this as the main route from San Diego to Los Angeles many, many years ago, before Interstate 5 was built.  We went through such areas as Ocean Beach, Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, La Jolla, Del Mar, and Cardiff by the Sea.

Back to the coach, Donna took a nap while I finalized getting pictures from Lego Land uploaded to my Photo Site.

Later we went to Barnes & Noble for a little Hawaii information, then to Best Buy to look at Video Camera's (yup, we bought one). and then to Olive Garden for dinner.  Back to the coach.

No Photos of interest today.

Sunday, March 18, 2007

We really hung around the coach a long time this morning, I guess just recovering.. LOL  It was sure quiet around here without Austin.  After Donna got up, we spent the remainder of the morning just straightening things up and getting things organized again.  Finally, about noon or so we decided to drive down to the border to just look around.  We took the last exit before the border crossing and found a large outlet mall, within walking distance of the border.

We spent about an hour walking around the shops, which included just about all of the major retailers, some with really large stores.  This was a very new, and very nice outlet center.  We had lunch at a Mexican Restaurant called Achiote's.  Then, back to the park about 4pm, a nice long nap for me.

Later, Chester called from Charlie's, so we got a report on things around there, and Donna got to talk to Jack for a minute or so. Then James called and we got further reports from James.  We then ran to Lowe's for some ant killer to put around the coach while we are gone.  Back in the coach, settled in for the night.  Will spend tomorrow packing for the trip, getting last minute things done, then early to bed for a fairly early flight on Tuesday.

Monday, March 19, 2006

Well, we were up and organizing things fairly early this morning.  Looks like we managed to get every thing into two checked bags, and two carry on bags.  One carry on is a back pack with cameras and related equipment.  The other is a new laptop bag we bought, with lots of compartments for other stuff, and with rollers.  So, the only 'toting' we will do will be the back pack.  We hope it will be fairly easy to get through Security, after watching Scott and Austin last Saturday.

About 2pm we went over to the Target store here, and got a few 'travel size' items, rather than the large size we have in the coach.  Then stopped at the IHOP for a bite.  IHOP here is even more expensive that in Lufkin - $1.99 for tea or coffee.  My ham, egg, and cheese crepes was $7.99 and Donna's Philly Sandwich was $8.99.

After we got back I took the Tow Bar stuff off the truck, so it would not tempt a thief while the truck is parked in the long term lot.

Click here for the Trip to Hawaii