Jamul, CA

We arrived into the Jamul area, east of San Diego, into our membership park called Pio Pico TTN on March 1.  There are two sides of the park, one being the older side with less hookups and the other side that has the adult and family pools, activity centers as well as full hookups to include 50 amp service.  We were lucky to get a large site with full hookups where we could park the motorhome, trailer and Explorer.  Overall we had great weather for the three weeks, averaged about 68 – 82, with a couple of days of partial rain.  Even though higher winds were predicted, we felt very little wind due to being in a hole with mountains all around us. 

Considering we were out in the hills, with no phone/WiFi service where we were parked, we could at least walk to another part of the park to get text messages and download our email and FB, by being very patient and standing out in the middle of the road.  For all other service, we would drive into Jamul or Chula Vista.

The first couple of outings we took the motorcycle and drove up highway 94 E to Jacumba, CA where we saw the fence bordering Mexico.  On the next day we drove up to Oakzanita Springs, another Thousand Trails park which we had heard was very small, and of course confirmed that this would not be a park for us.  Beautiful area, but seemed like we were a long way from anything. 

We then went into Chula Vista to Otay Lakes Reservoir to check that out for kayaking and to update our phones, but found that the Lake is only open three days a week and since it’s used as a water source, you can not get into the water, even to get into the kayak.  Driving to the park, we went by the Olympic Training area and later found out they give tours – hopefully something we will do next time.

Chula Vista Olympic Training Center

Otay Lake

We took another day and went out to Point Loma to the Cabrillo National Monument.  Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo was the first European to set foot on the west coast.  The monument was established in 1913 to commemorate his life and exploration for Spain.  The lighthouse was completed in 1854 and was used for the next 36 years to guide Sailors into the San Diego harbor.  They later determined that the lighthouse was two high on the hill and fog and low clouds often obscured the light so they closed in lighthouse in 1891 and built another lighthouse at the bottom of the hill.  Point Loma was also used as a Military facility during World War I and II, building searchlight bunkers, fire control stations and gun batteries. 

Cabrillo Monument

Cabrillo Lighthouse

San Diego Harbor

We took another day outing to drive up to Carlsbad Flower Fields and then on our way back we drove down Hwy 101 through the coastal towns down to La Jolla. The fields consist of approx. 50 acres of Ranunculus bulbs in 13 colors.  There are also about that two acres dedicated to other flowers to include Orchids, Armstrong nurseries, artists gardens, Rose garden, Poinsettias and Sweet Peas.  The founders of this flower field, were instrumental in creating the double Ranunculus, winter Gladiolus, and grew new strains of Freesia, Anemone, and Poinsettias. 

                                 

LaJolla Shoreline

On Sunday, we went out wine tasting and chose three wineries that were all within a 15 mile radius of the park.  The first winery was on Hwy 94 in Dulzura, called the Dulzara Vineyard & Winery, located on the historic Clark Ranch.  The second winery was a very low key winery, ran by a couple of Boeing engineers who worked in Everett, WA, called the Deerhorn Valley winery and the third winery was Granite Lion Cellars.  We enjoyed all three and will definitely go back.

On another outing we went over to Coronado. and enjoyed the sights.  We walked along the bay around the Community Center and then walked the grounds of the Hotel del Coronado, built in 1887.

We then went across the island after viewing some of their old historic homes, to Tidelands Park and then drove back to San Diego across the Coronado Bridge.

Coronado Bridge

 

Ferry Crossing Between Coronado & San Diego
with USS Midway in the background

Continuing our day trips, we decided to do both Balboa Park and Old Town San Diego on the same day as we only leave Lexie about 5 hours.  Both locations could take a full day and definitely better walking shoes than I wore - next time!  

We walked around various gardens in Balboa park (this is where the San Diego Zoo is located but since we had already been there, we skipped the zoo on this trip).  Balboa Park is about 1,200 acres that were initially developed for the 1915-16 Panama-California Exposition and again for the 1935-36 California Pacific International Exposition.  It is home to 15 major museums, performing art venues, gardens and the Zoo.  We Walked through the Botanical Building with is a lath structure, 250 feel long, 75 feet wide and over 60 feet tall.  It is one of the largest lath structures in the world.  We also walked through the Desert Garden and the Rose Garden.  

Botanical Lath Building and Pond

El Prado Street in Balboa Park

Naked Coral Tree

The bloom on the Coral Tree

Orange Clivia

We then went down to Historic Old Town San Diego and walked through Fiesta De Reyes.  

We felt like we did a lot during the three weeks, but there is so much to see.  Next visit we would like to visit some of these locations and or spend more time in some.  Old Town Trolley Tours, Historic Old Town, Balboa Park, Seaport Village, Tour the Chula Vista Olympic Center and of course visit a few more Wineries.

On Tuesday, March 22 we headed north to spend three weeks at another membership park near Menifee.  

Yuma, AZ Continued

While in Yuma, we drove up to the Quartzite RV Show which brings in thousands of RVs, vendors and people.
Quite interesting as we heard so much about the show from fellow RVrs.  At one time the show brought in up to 750,000 people but someone guessed attendance at this show of only about 100,000.

Craig and I visited the Yuma Territorial Prison.  They had a tour guide who was outstanding in giving us the history about the prison that operated from 1876 to 1909.  After the high school burned in Yuma, they actually used the prison as a high school from 1910 - 1914.   There was only one graduating class, class of 1914, but to this day, the school athletic teams are known as "The Criminals".

While at the Prison, we could look across to the Colorado River and see the Ocean to Ocean Bridge.  This bridge was built in 1877 and was the last bridge needed to link the land route between the East and West coast. The one lane bridge is still in operation today.

On Thursdays the park has a group of motorcycle riders, RoadRunners, that get together at 9:00 am and go for various rides.  Craig made two trips with the group so far.  The first one was 325 miles and the second was a shorter ride.


Gillespie Dam Bridge:

Where you see water, you should see concrete - this dam failed.

Cloud Museum in Bard, CA and Martinez Lake, AZ:

Martinez Lake

It was great having my Cousin Debbie and her husband come down from Kingman to visit with us one afternoon.  Erv's sister lives in Yuma so they came down to visit both of us one weekend.  This is the third time during our travels that Debbie and Erv came to see us in various campgrounds.  We also met up a couple of times with one of the guys Craig worked with in Tacoma.  Dale and his wife Shirley have bought a lot about 20 miles outside of Yuma.

On Monday, Feb. 8, our Princess Kyna started having a mild seizure and within three hours, she had two more which were quite severe, the last one she had in the Vets office.  The Vet felt that she most likely had a brain tumor that brought on the seizures and since they were so frequent and severe, she felt they were going to get worse.  She tried giving Kyna sedatives and an anti-seizure medication, but that didn't really settle her down so we had to make the difficult decision to say goodbye to our precious little one.  There will never be another Kyna, as we always joked about having her cloned.

Through Mike and Angie we have met some really great people and have joined in on their various activities.  One couple plays in jams, special events and a Rock and Roll Band so on Valentines we attended a Valentines Dinner and Dance where Mo's Band played.  We also were invited to a Fish Fry one evening by Jim and Beverly.  Jim catches fish in the various canals around Yuma and fried up enough fish to feed about 25 people and then some.  It was striped bass and so, so good. Jim takes "the boys" with him on his fishing trips and other sight seeing adventures and a couple of times joined the circle of friends around the "beach" which is the blue carpet we sit around for Happy Hour and events.

I had mentioned in the last post that we attended Fish Races, which is every Friday evening at 4:00.  The group can be anywhere between 15 - 30 people, betting on 6 fish, to see which one goes across the pavers the fastest by the role of the dice.  First number is the fish, second number is how many blocks the fish is moved.  The fish had numbers as well as names; Nemo, Merlot, Willy, Hot Lips, Bubbles and Ghost.  You can probably guess what fish I bet on?  The "fish lady" was sick this last Friday, so Craig volunteered for the task of fish mover.  (The pictures aren't great due to all the shadowing and bright sun, but you can get the idea).

We spent a day with our friends and went to the Museum of History in Granite in Felicity, CA.  The museum exhibits are made from 100 foot long pieces of granite, like pyramids outlining multiple subjects to include a Korean War Memorial, history of French Aviation, History of Arizona and California, History of United States, History of Humanity, etc.  They will continue to add additional history pieces.  They also have been certified as the Center of the World.

We have decided that on March 1 we will move out of Yuma, as this is the first time we have sat in one place for two months.  It's been great as you really get to know people when you are in one place that long, to include taking part in activities; motorcycles, happy hours, pickle ball, etc.

Yuma, Arizona

We arrived in Yuma on January 1, planning to stay for the month of January at Las Quintas Oasis RV Park.   Friends that we met a couple of winters ago recommended this park as they are here about 5-6 months a year.  So when we arrived, Mike and Angie welcomed us by having dinner for us as soon as we got set up.

Not long after we arrived, we decided to extend our stay through February due to the El Nino weather in California which was where we were heading Feb. 1.  We have attended various activities at the park with Mike and Angie; jam sessions, a burger bash,  pizza get together, fish racing game and a Rock and Roll concert.  We also enjoy happy hours with Mike and Angie as well as others we've met in the park.

Our close friend in Salem, Donna who loves to ride the motorcycle with Craig, came down to stay with other State Farm friends for six days.  Within a couple of days, she was having such a great time that she decided to extend her stay by an additional four days.  We enjoyed spending time with Donna, Elsie and Ray.  Our mutual friends from Phoenix even came down and spent a night so we could all spend an evening together.  We also met up for dinner with two gals who worked in the Salem office with Elsie and I.

The above pictures were from an Elvis tribute show that was put on at the park with Donna.  Below was Craig and Donna's first ride around Yuma.  They were able to take multiple rides while she was here.  

Kim & Pat from Phoenix with Donna in the middle.

We met Donna, Elsie and Ray in downtown Yuma and attended the Tuesday marketplace and then went to lunch at Lutz Casino , which is not really a casino.  It is now a restaurant, and the state's oldest pool hall and domino parlor.  The building was constructed in 1901. 

Donna inside of Lutz Casino. 

Craig and I decided to go to Los Algodones Mexico to have our teeth cleaned.  The dentist was a recommendation from our friends in Phoenix and it was only $30 each.  Quite an adventure.  We walked around a little through the shops but that got old quick as the vendors are all quite assertive and nothing has prices as it's all to be negotiated!!  I don't mind the negotiating but I don't like the aggressive nature of them all trying to get you to look at there products.  This was our first time of being in Mexico.  It was quite easy as there was a parking lot on the US side to park vehicles and then we just walked across.  Definitely easier than driving!!!

Entrance to Mexico if taking vehicle.  

Streets in Los Algodones, Mexico