San Diego Part 1

Dan and Mickey have been wonderful guides out here in SoCal!   Each day we have a list of places to go - and we have pretty much hit them all by the end of the day!

One of our first stops was the USS Midway Tour in San Diego Harbor -- The carrier was used from 1945 to 1991.  The tour included the flight deck and the bridge, where all the flight control happens, the "city at sea", where everyone lived, ate, slept, etc.    There was a variety of planes and helicopters on the flight deck.  Lowell and I spent almost 4 hours on the carrier - and missed the engine room ! AECHHHH - we (or at least Lowell) might have to go back for that..
USS Midway

Next day (Friday) - The Leo Carillo Ranch, Torrey Pines State Park, The Mission San Diego de Alcala....
Dan was able to take the day off, so we had a full day of touring.
Leo (aka Pancho, of Cisco Kid fame!) was an actor in the 40's who owned a huge ranch in Carlsbad.  It was very fancy for it's time - a pool and guest houses for all his Hollywood pals! Today, most of the land has been developed, so the drive is through a couple of neighborhoods, into a little valley with the house and out buildings.  The ranch is now a park and being restored.  Peacocks wander freely - and the flowers were blooming.  Movie posters and memorabilia decorated the walls - a fun little excursion!
Pancho's Ranch!!

Torrey Pines State Park adjoins the famous Torrey Pines Golf Course - we took a great hike up the hill, down the cliffs and along the beach. Beautiful vistas and a nice workout as well!   By the time we left there, the clouds were rolling in so we headed to the Mission San Diego de Alcala - the first spanish mission in California.  It was founded in 1769 by Padre Junipero Serra.  The Mission was used for a variety of purposes after the U.S.-Mexican War in 1848, including being a military post.  It was abandoned for many years, but is now in the process of restoration and is currently an active church.
Torrey Pines State Park
Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala

After a long day of sightseeing, we headed to The Brigantine restaurant for dinner - Oh My!  Fabulous food - we had great dinners, but the real treat was a Shrimp & Crab Fondue appetizer!!  We were able to talk the chef into sharing the recipe - after swearing that I did not own a restaurant or catering company.   We were pumped! Until we got home and realized that it will take a bit of adjusting - it calls for 9 pounds of cream cheese!!!  I guess it might work for a Koch gathering, but we're busy dividing....

Saturday - A picnic in La Jolla, walking the waterfront there and watching the seals and sea lions on the beach, listening to the protestors argue the dangers/merits of people sharing the beaches with the seals!  La Jolla is a great little town - we wander through the town and went into a couple of photographers galleries - Thomas Mangelsen and Peter Lik. Both are great landscape photographers with very different styles.

Last stop, before Mass, Mount Soledad Veterans Memorial - on one of the highest, peaks in San Diego 822' above sea level. Another beautiful monument with amazing vistas!

It's a lazy Sunday morning here - we went to church last night, so are enjoying catching up on newspapers, pictures, etc.   Today's adventure includes wine tasting and watching the Oscars - we are all participating in a pool - thank you Jodi - and so will be cheering for various films that we have not seen!