SoCal Sojourns

Before heading out to the California deserts, we drive south to the San Diego area in SoCal to meet Peter's two sisters, Jill and Holly, at their family home in Leucadia. They are gathering to conduct some family business.

We leave just as fog burns off at Moss Landing

The earth sighs with relief from the recent rains.

We decide to camp along the old Coast Highway in Ventura County and end up at Faria Park. It's a wonderful little county park right on the beach and we find a campsite along the seawall.

Entrance to Faria Park

Campsite

Peter enjoys the evening's sunset on the seawall

Sunset along the Ventura County coastline

The next morning dawns with clear blue skies (and no smog). So clear, in fact, that we can see the Channel Islands from our campsite. The waves are up and and so are the surfers. We've observed for each surfer in the water there are at least five surfers just sitting and watching the waves from shore.  For breakfast, I'm joined by some furry freeloaders who live in the rocky seawall.

Surf's up

Surfers watching the waves

One of my breakfast companions

After breakfast, we decide to take a short walk along the old Pacific Coast Hwy to check out the campsites along the road. We get a big kick out a camper in particular. Without meeting him in person, here's what we gleaned about him from his camp trailer:

1. Patriotic Disabled Vietnam Veteran
2. Beach Bum (license plate) maybe former surfer (Endless Summer ad)
3. Has memory problems "Ever stop to think... and forget to start again?"
4. Retired "I was tired yesterday, and I'm tired again today"
5. U of Oregon fan
6. Married "Wife and dog missing. Reward for dog"
7. Likes to watch TV (portable satellite dish)
8. Quirky sense of humor

Camping along Old Coast Hwy

A self proclaimed beach bum

Cell towers mixed with real palms. Which is the real one?

A great feature of camping at Faira is the fact it's not far from LA, so we can sneak through on the Diamond Lane mid morning between the morning commuter rush and the lunch crowds. After a fairly painless drive through the LA area (it's never easy), we stop at the Rest Area by Camp Pendleton, which has recently been remodeled.  We notice this rest stop now has more vending machines. "Hey Peter, looks like they still have pain relievers and condoms available, but are out of allergy meds."  We wonder who are the main customers for the condoms... the truckers who regularly stop here or the marines? Probably both.

Ahhh... a wide open Diamond Lane. Our favorite.

Vending machines at Rest Area

Humm ... looks like you can buy all kinds of things here

We reach Simons' RV Resort by early afternoon. Thank you again Simons! Jamie and Suzy have been installing large raised beds for growing veggies. Suzy gives us a tour of her amazing garden. All the veggies look strong and healthy.

Camped at Simons

Suzy gives us a tour of her garden

Beautiful kale

After breakfast, Jamie tends to his chores while Cono waits patiently in the car to be taken to the beach. To prove a point, Jamie finds an old sign he painted in the '70's. This sign hung from the entrance to a house I shared with others in Del Mar for several years.

What? Not too excited by raking leaves?

Yes - it does say "Exit from the Rear"

Cono - Such a patient puppy!

The day is perfect for a stroll on the beach. While Jamie and Suzy play with Cono, I snap a few beachy photos.

Dog day at the beacho

Self portrait

Another surfer scanning the waves

We join up with Holly and Jill to cruise through the Cedros Design District and to run some errands.

This outdoor shower is perfect for Simons (too bad it's out of our price range)

Classic SoCal cruiser

Designer succulents at Cedros

We also make a run through the Leucadia Farmers Market, where we meet some real characters amongst the vendors.

Despite a demo of this "Backsedator",  Mark wasn't buying

Cute mushroom dealer

This vendor would bless any fruit you are interested in

That night, we treat Patti to dinner at one of her favorite restaurants, the Hunter Steakhouse. She elects to stay home while the rest of us trek on to the Belly Up for their evening show Vaud & the Villians (thank you Holly for the treat). Wow - the Belly Up has certainly changed since when we watched Dan Hicks and Maria Muldaur play together.

Uhhh... Patti, maybe you shouldn't drive home tonight

Da-dumm, da-dummm.... the new shark above the bar at the Bell Up

The next afternoon, we all decide to check out Doc Opp's vintage eyeglass frames. We had originally met him through his eBay Store DocOpp's Antiques, when a part of vintage frames Peter brought for me had some problems. We enjoyed talking to him so much over the phone, that we promised to visit him at his home close to San Diego the next time we were around. We are so glad we did.

His home contains a museum of his many years of collecting various eyeglass related items over this long career as an optician in Hollywood. He made his mark by designing frames for many well know performers, including Elton John and Elvis Presley. We learned in the early history of eyeglasses, many were disguised in other objects, as for a long time needing eyeglasses was considered a sign of weakness.

Doc Opp points out a pair of scissor frames he has collected

Optical advertizing .

Rare eyeglass hidden in a fan

Of course, all of us women bought frames from Doc Opp. On our way out, he showed us his prized antique Rolls Royce, which has appeared in several Hollywood movies. In some, Dr Opp appears as the chauffeur driving his own car.

Me, Jill, Doc Opp, and Holly modeling our new frames

Mark and Jill check out Doc Opp's vintage Rolls

The sun is waning by the time we leave the San Diego area on I-15 headed towards the deserts. Needless to say, we don't make it very far and settle in at the RV Resort at the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula. We are delighted at all the amenities this RV park offers for the price. Being too tired to fix dinner that evening we walk over to the casino, where people recommend Kelsey's to us. We enjoy a great informal dinner there, both the food and service are excellent.

Last rays of sun light up my favorite overpass on I-15

Entry chandelier at Pechanga

Colorful light show on entrance fountain

The campsite we select backs up to the hills behind their golf course (Mark and Jill - take note). Even though we are close to the freeway, it's a quiet location so we get a good night's sleep. The next morning dawns with blue skies decorated with high wispy clouds. However, the weather forecast is for high winds in the afternoon, so we get an early start up I-15 towards the desert.

Campsite at Pechanga

Blue skies with high clouds

Pool looks inviting, but we need to go