Linking up with Marg at The Intrepid Reader
March 2025 -
Weekly Recap Jan 4 - Jan 10 Best Coffee
Weekly Recap Jan 11 - Jan 17 Cafe Lucille
Weekly Recap Jan 25 - Jan 31 2025 Cafe Mon Amour
Weekly Recap Mar 1 - Mar 7 2025 San Diego CA - On the Road North
Amore Caffe Palazzo Las Vegas NV
Saturday we called an Uber ($18 w/ tip) for 11 and headed to Old Town.
Established in 1968, the Old Town San Diego State Historic Park is a living history museum that commemorates and preserves numerous historic buildings dating from the 19th century. The most visited state park in California, the attraction incorporates various aspects of San Diego’s early history and culture from 1820 until 1870 as it transitioned from Mexican to American rule. In addition to heritage architecture, the historic district features shops and restaurants offering authentic handicrafts and cuisine.
Cave Johnson Couts, a brash lieutenant in the U.S. Army Dragoons, built a hotel called the Colorado House. Couts soon became more interested in ranching than his hotel and subdivided it to provide space for many business offices, such as a newspaper, a surgeon, a hairdresser, a jeweler, and others.
We did sit down here but they didn't do breakfast so the server suggested a couple of places.
Turns out John left his backpack at the first place and rushed back. The server had it and said he had tried to run after us.
Nacho warmer.
The Whaley family left the house in 1858. It would be ten years until they would live in it again. The Whaley house was home to a theatre troupe, a courthouse, and a general store. It is believed that boat thief Yankee Jim Robinson was hanged right on the grounds where the Whaley House now stands.
Here lies Yankee Jim.
We decided to grab another Uber ($9)from Old Town to Liberty Station.
In 2014 when we were here, it was not developed as Liberty Station, it was simply the Naval Training base.
We stopped at The Lot.
Uber then from Liberty Station to "home" ($24).
Sunday we had coffee and headed out at 9:15 to drive to Escondido to meet friends. We had met them in 2018 in Spain and hit it off immediately. The guys have kept in touch.
We missed them when they were in Toronto in January as we were on the road south.
We drove 30 minutes to meet them at Brigantine in Ecsondido for breakfast. John and I had bacon, eggs, sausage, home fires and biscuits.
We then drove to their place.
They grow avocados, kumquats, finger limes, mandarin Cara Cara oranges are a type of navel orange with pink or red flesh. They are also known as red-fleshed navel oranges. cherimoya—aka the custard apple.
Drive home.
We got home at 5 and started packing up. the suitcases will stay in the car for the drive home so we sorted what we needed. Also packed up the non-perishables that we won't need on the way home.
John mapped out distances and I booked the hotels. We will lose 3 hours as we head north, plus DST will kick in on Sunday.
Monday it rained overnight and we had heavy downpours on and off. We left around 10:15 to walk to breakfast in Hillcrest about 8 minutes away. The skies looked dark and heavy with rain.
Hillcrest is the center of San Diego’s LGBT scene, with buzzing gay bars and the city’s massive annual Pride parade.
It was packed so we opted to sit outside with a couple of heaters and were cosy. But the rain appeared and our server quickly found us a table inside.
I had enough leftover for our breakfast tomorrow morning!
Outside the Breakfast Republic.
We walked around and then headed back. We were stuffed so we had a nap, before heading out for a walk in Balboa Park around 2:30.
Balboa Park is a 1,200-acre historic urban cultural park in San Diego, California. Placed in reserve in 1835, the park's site is one of the oldest in the United States dedicated to public recreational use. The park hosts various museums, theaters, restaurants, and the San Diego Zoo.
The California Tower is an architectural and literal highpoint of structures designed by Bertram Goodhue for the 1915 Panama California Exposition. After a closure of almost 80 years, ARG began work with the Museum of Man (now the Museum of Us) to reopen the tower to the public.
The California Quadrangle, California Building, and California Tower are historic structures located in Balboa Park in San Diego, California. They were built for the 1915–16 Panama–California Exposition and served as the grand entry to the event.[3] The buildings and courtyard were designed by architect Bertram Goodhue. They were added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 17, 1974.
Modeled after Shakespeare’s Old Globe in London, the Old Globe Theatre was built in 1935 for the presentation of abridged versions of Shakespeare’s plays as part of the California Pacific International Exposition. At the conclusion of the exposition in 1937, a non-profit producing corporation, the San Diego Community Theatre, leased the theatre and adjacent buildings from the City of San Diego (an arrangement that continues today) and renovated the theatre for ongoing use.
Botanical Garden and Lily Pond, is free!
John caught the bride later as she went for photos.
STEPS 15,335
We finished as much packing as we could and then walked over to Jimmy Carter's Mexican (again) to have a drink and order takeout.
Tuesday March 4 up at 6:50, final packing (cooler), breakfast and check out and headed to Tucson AZ at 8:10!
One of A's cara cara oranges.
Originally we were going to stay two nights but we are done with the States and want to get home.
This was one of our longest drives, the other being our last day as we push into Canada. We also lose an hour heading into Arizona.
We made two bathroom breaks and 1 for gas $31, John waited until we were out of California before filling up!
We were surprised to see Winter Conditions warnings. However, we have learned not to sneer at those, having learned our lesson in March 2013!!
We checked into the Hampton Inn downtown Tucson 4PM, parking $20.
We quickly headed out and found traffic bumper to bumper, turned onto Congress, no cars, just police motorcycles, when asked he said "oh just some protest". Yeah, right, once I saw the upside down flags I knew it was a tRump protest in downtown Tucson.
John's favourite.
We've been in Tucson before.
December 2013 which also includes Bowie, where we stopped on Wednesday.
March 2014. includes downtown and breakfast at The Congress Hotel.
December 2014 includes Mesilla, where we also stopped on Wednesday.
Tucson is undergoing a revitalization downtown and there is a lot of outdoor art.
We stopped in Chela’s Latin Cuisine for some delicious nachos, salsa (very hot) and guacamole, made like John's likes, very smooth.
We then walked over to Broadway for dinner at Charro Steak & Del Rey. Neither of us was in the mood for something large (too much nachos and dips). We laughed because we had bought this wine at the grocery store for $6 and it was $33 here!
I had the ahi tuna, a much smaller portion that I had in San Diego and it was mounted on a lot of cabbage.
John had the mussels and fries. The sauce was delicious but the mussels were rather large and tough.
From there it was a short walk back to the hotel.
Wednesday up at 7 and we were finished breakfast (free) and back in our room by 8:10, on the road by 8:45 9 as John had trouble getting out of the parking garage.
We don't have as much stuff to lug in and out.
We stopped for gas ($34), 2 bathroom breaks, 1 Bowie break and 1 lunch break (McD) in Deming.
We passed by Tombstone, we were there in 1998!
Bowie (2013 link above), Arizona gained attention when it was revealed that it was action icon John Rambo's hometown. This was first unveiled in Rambo: First Blood Part II and later elaborated on in Rambo III.
For more than 30 years Fort Bowie and Apache Pass were the focal point of military operations eventually culminating in the surrender of Geronimo in 1886 and the banishment of the Chiricahuas to Florida and Alabama. The fort was abandoned in 1894.
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We understand that Jerky Lovers are very health conscience. So, no matter what flavors you choose they will all be very high in protein and bursting with flavor. Every individual Jerky recipe has been a painstakingly developed. Our Beef Jerky line-up also includes Wagyu Beef, Tri-Tip and Beef Brisket. Oh, did we mention our exotic Jerky line-up. We try to keep a dozen or so flavors in stock including Elk, Wild Boar, Kangaroo, Camel, Shark, Venison, Gator, Buffalo, Duck and the list goes on and on.
We also picked up some ginger.
We were hoping for some pecans, but the season hasn't started yet, obviously, by these trees.
A bathroom stop in New Mexico.
It was only 2 PM when we reached Las Cruces and a beautiful day so we decided to go into Mesilla (link to previous visit above).
We did try to get a beer at Double Eagle but the server was definitely a single tasker.
We went to La Posta instead.
Checked into The Garden Inn Las Cruces and relaxed until dinner.
For dinner the menu said Nashville hot chicken tenders, honey butter biscuits and dill pickles. I got chicken tenders, buns and fries. John had the street tacos with pulled pork.
Thursday we were up at 7 and had Greek yogurt bowls at the hotel before checking out and hitting the road at 8:30.
Alamogordo means "fat cottonwood." Gordo = fat; alamo = poplar or cottonwood.
Alamogordo is widely known for its connection with the 1945 Trinity test, which was the first ever explosion of an atomic bomb. We had visited it and White Sands National Park in spring 2015.
This is the most boring drive, with nothing to see or do. Plus we lost another hour.
We stopped for gas $32, a couple of bathroom breaks and were delayed at a border inspection in Texas.
We were soon in Texas.
El Paso is a big city to get through. We stayed overnight in December 2013.
Never, have we ever, eaten jerky!! This was really good! It would be great thrown in a stir-fry. We will have to find more. This was lunch as there wasn't anywhere to stop for a decent meal.
Boring and construction!
Kermit is nicknamed the armpit of Texas. It is the corner of the state that intersects with New Mexico and it actually has an interesting plaque.
Our destination, however GPS could not find the hotel, the clerk said it is a known problem that she has tried to fix with Google.
Monahan's has been called “Texas's Largest Beach Without an Ocean.” That's true, but it's also a rugged West Texas town that sits atop a massive dune field that reaches deep into New Mexico.
Friday free breakfast at the hotel.
We were on the road about 8:30, planning on stopping in Abilene for lunch and some walking.
Construction again!
Abilene is known as the “Official Storybook Capital of America” because it has the largest public collection of sculptural storybook characters in the state. Visit downtown Abilene and snap a selfie with six sculptures of Dr. Seuss characters, which are among over 40 statues in the area.
.
Book: “E. Aster Bunnymund and the Warrior Eggs at the Earth’s Core!”
Author/Illustrator: William Joyce
Location: Corner of Cedar and N. 1st Streets
Sculptor: Steve Neves
A philosophical warrior rabbit skilled in martial arts, E. Aster Bunnymund is one of William Joyce’s Guardians of Childhood.
And then St. Nicholas, I knew we had his photo.
Great bartender, service at the hotel, we split a steak. Delicious!
Nothing!
Mary Jane Oliver was an American poet known for her vivid imagery, clear observations, and awe-inspired observations of nature.
Tooth fairy (Queen Toothiana) statue
Gloria’ s Grill – Emily Elliot, assisted by Stephanie Prosser – “Home”
Back in the car. We often talk about the great ham sandwiches we picked up here in April 2013.
It was 6 PM when we checked in, after multiple wrong turns in Dallas - Fort Worth Friday afternoon rush hour traffic! We encountered several slowdowns due to construction as well.
Safe and sound at Hilton Garden Inn, but both elevators were out of service!
We were having a great chat with the bartender when another guest arrived and sat at the bar. He joined in the conversation, here for funeral, drives a semi, blah blah. Learns we are Canadian and makes snide comments inferring the Americans were the better team in the 4 Nations Cup. NOT.
Then out of the blue, refers to his time in the army, and that he had learned how badly Canadians had behaved during the war when he was "taught" about the Geneva Convention.
So long, bye-bye, we were out of there.
COOKING
Saturday OUT breakfast Old Town
leftovers
Sunday OUT breakfast Escondido
shrimp from LV
Monday OUT
taquitos and fajitas take out from Jimmy Carter's
Tuesday leftover flapjacks and fruit
OUT Tucson
Wednesday potato chips
OUT Las Cruces
Thursday b/f hotel
cheese and crackers hotel
Friday B/f hotel Cracker Barrel lunch
OUT
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ON THIS DAY (OTD) Coober Pedy Australia March 2015.
WATCHING
Caught up on our recorded shows.
READING
Nothing!
Another wonderful post, thank you!
ReplyDeleteLove especially the colorful Mexican style, art, food. And friendliness - so niche the bag was taken care of.
The egg seats sure are inviting. As is the parade - would love to see many more people standing up, because orange lies do matter.
But... I leave you very hungry but with a happy smile.
Such an eventful trip! I'm glad you made your way through southern NM (my home state) and were able to enjoy some fun sights and tastes. Thanks for bringing us along!
ReplyDeleteSan Diego brought back memories. I chuckled to read about construction and traffic in TX. You're doing great with long drives. I bet you can't wait to get home. Thank you for your weekend coffee share. Safe travels!
ReplyDeleteOld Town is so colorful! What a terrific place to visit. And, then, Hillcrest is colorful in a different way. Now I'm dreaming of a trip to San Diego. It would be a nice relief from our variable winter weather.
ReplyDeleteThere does seem to be protests everywhere. I knew about at least three yesterday in my area and, also, several meetings for planning other types of resistance. I attended a vigil and two meetings -- a big Saturday for me!
I had no idea that there was an “Official Storybook Capital of America.” Fun!
The colors, the plants, the blue skies---I'd love to see San Diego. And I did not know that Abilene had more storybook statues than anywhere else. That's a good reason for me to visit there.
ReplyDelete