2011 San Diego pictures

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Here’s a quick overview of what we did. Oh yes, there will be pictures. Later. For now, thrill to the exciting recap of… “Our Trip to San Diego”!

Monday – April 25th

It’s a long way to San Diego. Even though we had six days of vacation, two of them (one on each end) were driving days. On this one, we headed south from Sacramento, on our way. A few hours  into the trip, we stopped for brunch in Kettleman City, at Mike’s Roadhouse Cafe. Really! It was big and hearty. Then back on the road. It’s not the most beautiful drive but it’s ok. Finally, in the Los Angeles area, we stopped in Coast Mesa at Native Foods, an all-vegan restaurant that has some truly delicious food. How did we know that? We had been to three of their other locations on previous trips. I really wish they had a location closer than 400 miles away! But anyway, we had a tasty meal and then continued on our way. In the evening, we finally arrived at the condo and checked in. We unpacked and relaxed for a little bit and that was that for the first (travel) day.

Tuesday – April 26th

After some food at the condo, we headed out to Balboa Park, specifically the San Diego Zoo. Everyone says it is a great zoo and now I know, they are right. It was huge and we saw, well, most of it. Thankfully they had shuttles that help you get to and from the various parts of the Zoo. More animals than you can shake a stick at (if that’s your idea of a good time). And the granddaughter loved it! This is THE zoo to see. Afterward we had dinner at nearby Pokez, Mexican food with lots of vegetarian options. Once back at the condo, the granddaughter had a little time to get in a quick swim (more like play) at the  pool.

Wednesday – April 27th

Another breakfast at the condo and then out to the Zoo Safari Park. A little way outside San Diego proper, they have animals roaming in an “open” (more open at least) area. Giraffes, antelopes, zebras, etc… And in smaller, but still generous areas, lions, tigers, gorillas. Oh yeah, the gorillas were pretty cool. Did you know they are vegan? Again, the granddaughter had a great time. But this place is just too big to see it all and there were no shuttles, so a lot more walking. But it was still big fun even if we missed a few things. We had dinner at Sipz Fusion Cafe, an all-vegan (except for one or two items that were “only” vegetarian) restaurant. It was really good, wish it was in our town instead!

Thursday – April 28th

After a little breakfast at the condo, we headed to nearby Carlsbad, home of our destination, Legoland. Yes, the famous interlocking blocks have their own theme parks. It was truly a theme park, meaning waiting in line for a long time for couple-minute rides, crowds, expensive and lame food, but kids love that experience! We tried to see most of it and had a good time. The granddaughter got terrified on a pretty tame roller coaster and we got soaked on a water ride. But everyone had fun and that’s what counts! We had dinner at Sipz (like last night) and it was great again. There was a bit of time after, so the granddaughter had a half hour or so in the pool, which she absolutely loves.

Friday – April 29th

Breakfast at the condo. You know the drill by now. Then it was off to Balboa Park. Lots and lots and lots to see there but we only picked a few things and it still filled most of the day! First was the Spanish Village, a group of 35-40 artists shops and studios. Lots of art and crafts and many spaces are studios where the artists actually work too. Very cool. Then we went to the Ruben H. Fleet Science Center, a science museum geared toward kids but interesting for adults too. Dinner was at a vegan fast-food place (really!) called Evolution. Yeah, burgers, chili cheese fries, etc, all vegan. Then back to the condo where Josephine had a few minutes in the pool before bedtime.

Saturday – April 30th

Time to go home. It always comes too soon! We stopped for lunch at Native Foods in Tustin (near Los Angeles) and while we were there we actually met Chef Tanya, the owner of the chain and inventor of all the awesome vegan food that they serve. I’m telling you, this place is great, click on the link and check out the menu. My Rueben sandwich was to die for. After that, a long drive home, with a quick stop later at Taco Bell for dinner. Well, the meals can’t all be great 

A really fun trip for the granddaughter and actually it was for us too. Plus we were given a wheresgeorge bill along the way too. All good…

What do YOU think?

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Our granddaughter (the seven year old, not the nine year old) did this music-themed art in her class recently. Very cool, don’t you think?

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It was just totally a nice visit with the grandkids. They love Fairytale Town and we went there with them lots of times, a few years ago. But today, after a long time waiting, was special. Of course, they are kids and they are sisters, so they sometimes have a little rivaly or a bit of bickering, but they are great and lovable and, of course, so are we   so we had a great time. Love those kids…

Doh! Almost forgot, after we dropped the kids off we went to 524 Mexican Food. Mmmmm. That was pretty good too.

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Leave me a comment below. Tell me the kids are cute!

Today’s culinary tip: What kind of wine should one enjoy with a fake “turkey”? Most experts, including myself, would suggest limiting it to either red, white or pink. Anything else would be a major faux pas.

Now, could you kindly please pass the Tofurky, the nut loaf, the potatoes, the stuffing, the corn, the soup, the bread, the gravy (of course), and both kinds of pie? You can keep the cranberry sauce ;-p

You can see from the second picture what the completed portion of the Yellow Brick Road looks like. It is right outside the entrance to the theme park, across the street from the Sacramento Zoo. There are still bricks for sale if you are interested in helping this very worthy cause. You can get almost anything you want printed on a brick (within reason, of course). Why not stop by there and check out our brick! It’s fun to look for it and see all the others and what people put on theirs. Check it out, and let us know if you do!

So, lets get up to date about the grandkids, Josephine, Jasmine, and Raziel. As you know, we don’t see them much due to some, shall we say, issues with their parents. That is one word for it. But anyway, we saw the kids last weekend for a few hours at their new house and it was a fairly pleasant visit. The kids were really happy to see us, especially the girls, who have spent so much time with us in the past. Hopefully they will again in the future.

Their house is nice, with a yard and bedrooms for each child. Here’s a weird coincidence – it is on the very same street that I lived on the first year or two after I was born, back when dinosaurs roamed the earth.  But I digress. Josephine gave us some pictures that she had drawn. Jasmine is more independent but was glad to see us too. And Raziel is in his own world but he seemed to like us being there. As a complete surprise to us, the parents also invited us to the back-to-school night at the girls’ school. That was this past Wednesday the 24th and we went. Of course we went! We got to meet both teachers and talk to them, and also to see the elementary school. Things went fine and even though it was a focused and short visit we were happy to see them and the feeling was mutual.

Hopefully we will see them again in the near furture…

The girls spent a lot of time playing on the playground swings and slides and we took over a hundred pictures. Well, you know, you gotta take ‘em when you can. It was great to see the girls this past week.