Sunday, April 1, 2012

San Diego, Again!

It's been a whole year since we'd been to San Diego, so Jesse couldn't resist when I said that was where I wanted to go. For those of you that don't know, San Diego, or better yet, the ocean there, is my happy place. I don't have to really do anything there, I just need to be there! So, on the 19th, our SEVENTH anniversary, we headed west. There was one BIG change this time... We took our dogs, Rudy (a pit bull) and Rufus (a dachshund) with us. You should know that the boys don't get out very often. Rufus gets to walk to the mailbox, occasionally, but when we put him in the car he shakes and whimpers and basically doesn't enjoy the ride. Rudy, NEVER gets to go out. Rudy was a rescue dog; I found him in a ditch when I was looking for some cotton. He had a broken leg at the time, and since we couldn't afford the surgery, the vet said he'd learn to walk on 3 legs. Well, in the 6 years since we found him, he's become the STRONGEST DOG, EVER! Seriously! The last time I took him out for a walk he literally ran me into a bush. And, I was grateful for the bush, cuz the alternative was a face-plant in the rocks. So, this was a BIG adventure for the boys, and us! And, the ride started out RUFF!!! Ha! Ha! They were barking at everything, including stoplights, and I thought Jesse was gonna abandon ship. Fortunately, once we got on the freeway they both settled down. Our first "official" stop was just west of Yuma, in Algodones, Mexico. The plan was to buy my pain medicine there, since I thought I could get it without a prescription. Unfortunately, they had the muscle relaxer, but they wanted more for it than I pay with my insurance, and neither of the pharmacies we went to had the pain killer. So, our trip to Mexico was a bust. However, we learned that you really should take your passport if you plan to cross the border, even if they can see it on the computer, as long as you give them your ID.
About an hour before entering San Diego you have to drive through the Cuyamaca mountains. It's hard to believe, but we ran into a snow storm! It was foggy and snowy/rainy and cold and YUCK! Seriously, we saw more snow heading to San Diego, in March than we saw in Utah in December! So, of course I had to stop and take a picture!
We stayed at the Motel 6 in Motel Circle, cuz YES, they allow pets! I was so pleased with the boys' behavior... Neither one had ever even seen an elevator before, but when the doors opened they both walked right in, like they knew what they were doing! And, considering how much Rudy likes to bark, he was sooooooooo good! But, I was very careful with him around other dogs, cuz he's very protective of us. That being said, we headed down on the elevator, on our way to the beach, and wouldn't ya know it, another pit bull was waiting to get on. Jesse got off with Rufus, but I shut the elevator door and went back up, and decided to take the stairs down, instead. Good idea, huh?!? NOT! Rudy refused to go down the stairs! Elevator, yes! Stairs, NO!!! Such a goofy dog!!! We finally made it to the ocean. This time we decided to check out Ocean Beach, which is just south of Mission Beach. I like it a lot better! We didn't go to any shops there (they're not right on the beach like at Mission Beach), but there were fewer people, a huge pier, rocks to climb around on, and a "dog beach!"
We also found out if you drive south of Ocean Beach there are lots of lookout points! Beautiful views of the ocean!
We drove south along the coast, heading for Silver Strand Beach, becuz normally, this place is pretty much deserted. We figured this was the best place to take the boys to the beach, and I seriously couldn't wait to see Rudy's expression when he saw the ocean, cuz Rudy HATES water!!! But, darn it! The sign said, "No dogs!" So we kept driving down to Imperial Beach, but when we got there the sign said, "Danger: Open sewer... " Eeeewwwwww! On day two we finally took the boys onto the beach! I was surprised that Rudy walked right to the water, but as soon as a wave came up, and the water got his feet wet, well... He was done! And, as much as he likes to sun himself in the backyard, there was just too much to see on the beach to get him to lay still; he got sand everywhere! Rufus, on the other hand did GREAT! He didn't mind the water at all, but it was too cold to let him play in it. And, as long as he could be by me he just laid out in the sun.
It was cold, though! I desperately need a suntan, but it was just too cold to stay on the beach, so we bounced around between the motel and a few other beaches. After warming up, we managed to make it back down to the beach for the sunset... Beautiful as always!
While warming up in the motel on Tuesday the news had a segment on the "Field of Flowers." It said it was located in Carlsbad (between San Diego and Los Angeles), and that the flowers were in prime bloom. So, as a surprise to Jesse, who has a degree in botany, on the way home that's where we went! I think the pictures speak for themselves!!!
Notice behind me you can see the ocean... I like Carlsbad... I could live there!!!
Not far from Carlsbad is Oceanside Beach... This might be a good place to vacation, too!
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