Whaley House, Old Town San Diego
For Mother's Day, our family went down to Casa de Reyes Restaurant in the Bazaar del Mundo, part of Old Town San Diego. After a delicious lunch, we took a walk. Along our route was the infamous Whaley House, a well-known place where paranormal activity has taken place. Believe it or not, we've lived in San Diego County over 30 years and have never toured the Whaley House, so we decided it was high time.
https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7771/1...d9f258bc_z.jpgIMG_1648 by jeanniesisters, on Flickr
Admission on weekends, for a self-guided tour (docents available) was a reasonable $6 for an adult. The others in our party headed for home, so it was just hubby and I doing this tour. If you follow the written tour, things are easy to identify and described in the brochure one is given.
The first stop is the courthouse. Over the years, a number of paranormal activities have happened in this room.
https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5467/1...bd1118f9_z.jpgIMG_1649 by jeanniesisters, on Flickr
Our docent herself has witnessed 4 activities in her ten years at the House. One notable one was to walk into this dining room and the smell of bacon was very strong. Yet, walk outside or into another room, and she did not smell it. The odor went away about as quickly as it came, she described.
https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5329/1...3393b1e3_z.jpgIMG_1653 by jeanniesisters, on Flickr
I was surprised to see a theater in this place. It definitely had a small stage, and the audience might hold about 30 people at the most.
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7659/1...bcfd5105_z.jpgIMG_1656 by jeanniesisters, on Flickr
The rocking chair in this particular bedroom has been known to rock at the strangest times. A local TV show, "Ken Kramer's About San Diego", featured this rocking chair and talked about this phenomenon.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8692/1...f82d9a48_z.jpgIMG_1658 by jeanniesisters, on Flickr
The parlor is the last part of the inside tour. I personally loved looking at the instruments in there. The docent told us that the pump organ works, but only the former director had ever played it. The rest of them were never allowed to do so. It hasn't been played since the former director moved on to a new job. That's a shame, as instruments should be played periodically!
https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5335/1...a56ffb5d_z.jpgIMG_1679 by jeanniesisters, on Flickr
Outside there were some bushes, a few older buildings (one was a private office) and what had been a small garden. With our drought, however, it seems to have been neglected a little bit.
https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5462/1...38656962_z.jpgIMG_1685 by jeanniesisters, on Flickr
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7793/1...a5801ca4_z.jpgIMG_1687 by jeanniesisters, on Flickr
After touring the Whaley House, we walked back to our car and headed back for home. It was a lovely day. Happy Mother's Day, everyone!
Donna
Summer portion of Staycation: Julian!
This morning, with 2 cars loaded, 5 adults and 3 small children, we headed toward Julian. This means going up Rt 67 to Ramona, then CA-78 through Santa Ysabel and into Julian.
First real stop was at Dudley's Bakery in Santa Ysabel. This is known county-wide for delicious breads, rolls, and cookies made right there on the premises. On a windy day, you can catch the delicious smells if you are downwind. We stopped for a late breakfast, picking out rolls and cookies to eat on the stop. (Diet, schmy-et, while my family is visiting!) Showing what a small town I teach in not that far away, I ran into a colleague's son and his grandma. They had driven up JUST to pick up some bread. Now that shows you the popularity of this bakery locally!
Next stop was in Julian itself. Julian is an old mining town whose fame now runs to apples (during the correct season) and wineries (any season). It's worth just walking around and looking at the many little stores (no chain stores or restaurants), doing wine tasting if you like at the 4 or 5 wineries in town, checking out the used bookstore. Today's temperatures were actually warmer in Julian than down in the north inland county.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/259/18...b37c90b7_z.jpg
Julian 002 by jeanniesisters, on Flickr
https://c4.staticflickr.com/4/3732/1...54be46c6_z.jpg
Julian 004 by jeanniesisters, on Flickr
https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/472/18...b26d9fa2_z.jpg
Julian 010 by jeanniesisters, on Flickr
A word to the wise about visiting in Julian: bring a quarter. It's one of the few places in CA that has coin-op public bathrooms, and most of the stores and restaurants won't let you use their facilities unless, of course, you have done a bit of business there or had lunch. (A lot of the stores won't even allow that, as they state, "No Public Restrooms".)
We had a lovely lunch at a place that served old-fashioned small town cafe' food, Rong Branch Restaurant. My husband had the chicken pot pie and said it was delicious. My younger daughter and I both had sandwiches on sourdough bread which was wonderful. Their kids' menu was pretty decent, too.
We stopped for eggs at the egg ranch on the way back down the hill.
JUNE 2019 UPDATE: We haven't been up to Julian for four years, but a return trip on Saturday, June 15th, gave us new information. The public pay toilets have been "upgraded" to free. So at the moment, one does not need a quarter. However, this status could change at any time. So bring a quarter (or two) just in case!
Donna
Another trip to Sea World!
With a Fun Pass this year (basically a half season pass), we decided to head out as a family and do up Sea World again. So we went in three cars -- each daughter and her family, and us. We had guest passes for our oldest daughter and her family, so we only had to pick up a ticket for my husband. We went with a Fun Pass for him, too, so that he and I could return any time this summer for only the cost of parking and food. Hubby had the same reservations about Sea World that I'd had back in April, but came out with a better feeling like I'd had: "under new management, it seems a lot better".
We took the children to the kiddieland, Sesame Street Bay of Discovery. Kids and adults rode two rides and the kids played on the bounce mat.
https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3695/1...aeafcaaa_z.jpg
Sea World 003 by jeanniesisters, on Flickr
https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/347/18...d12256c0_z.jpg
Sea World 013 by jeanniesisters, on Flickr
https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/272/18...366b62a1_z.jpg
Sea World 020 by jeanniesisters, on Flickr
Then we headed for the east side, stopping at the flamingos (always my favorite), the penguins, and the Wild Arctic Zone.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/487/18...040015f1_k.jpg
Sea World 037 by jeanniesisters, on Flickr
https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/501/18...bc69385e_z.jpg
Sea World 050 by jeanniesisters, on Flickr
https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/333/18...ccdd6aff_z.jpg
Sea World 059 by jeanniesisters, on Flickr
A bit of lunch again, then off to the west side of the park: The Turtle Reef, Dolphin zone, the Manta (where hubby, one daughter and her husband rode the rollercoaster and had a blast), and the sea lions.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/338/18...046dce95_z.jpg
Sea World 100 by jeanniesisters, on Flickr
https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3669/1...aed41d7d_z.jpg
Sea World 130 by jeanniesisters, on Flickr
And so ended our day at Sea World. No, we didn't see any of the shows. Our grandchildren are all 3 and under, and won't get much out of the shows for a few more years. Perhaps my husband and I will return to Sea World, later this summer, and do up all of the new shows.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/510/18...3022701d_z.jpg
Sea World 141 by jeanniesisters, on Flickr
Donna
Beach Day: La Jolla Shores
Today was Beach Day, part of our Stay-Cation 2015. However, the menfolk decided that they didn't want to go. One was already sunburned from yesterday's Sea World trip, another dislikes the beach intensely and the other just didn't want to go anywhere today of importance. Besides, the men had an alternative plan.
Instead of our "usual" beach, which is located down on one of the Navy bases, we decided to go to a public beach, La Jolla Shores. It's located between "downtown" La Jolla, and Torrey Pines area. Sitting on the beach, you look north to the Torrey Pines area, where you can see the hang gliders and the cliffs of the State Park. Looking south, you can see La Jolla. La Jolla Shores Beach and Park has much to offer. Part of the beach is closed to "swimmers and boogie-boarders", and open to surfers. That's where we parked ourselves on the beach (less people). The other part of the beach, a short walk away, is the swimmers and boogie boarder side.
I took one granddaughter and we went for a long walk down towards the Scripps Pier. She loved feeling the sand on her feet and taking a walk with just Grammy, no little sister tagging along. A little later, I took little sister and we went for a walk down the other way towards the swimming portion of the beach. She isn't mobile yet, so she just spent time looking around and over Grammy's shoulder.
Looking north toward Torrey Pines and Scripps Pier:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/441/18...2db9b62a_z.jpgIMG_1819 by jeanniesisters, on Flickr
The Pacific Ocean, on a gorgeous day:
https://c4.staticflickr.com/4/3900/1...046d5623_z.jpgIMG_1823 by jeanniesisters, on Flickr
Looking at La Jolla:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/509/18...6db05b6f_z.jpgIMG_1824 by jeanniesisters, on Flickr
Since it's a Saturday, the Lifeguards were out in full force at this particular beach. They patrolled up and down in gas vehicles and quads, there were lifeguards in every station including the one directly behind us. That one had to politely ask a family to move their beach canopy because he could not see the ocean from his station.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/335/18...7432574d_z.jpgIMG_1826 by jeanniesisters, on Flickr
There are probably restaurants down the way, but this is one of the beaches in which you must BYO food. We packed a picnic and brought it with us. It's also a very popular beach -- parking lot was full when we arrived at 10, but like any Target at Christmastime, just drive around and you'll catch someone leaving! The early crowds are mostly surfers, and your after-lunch crowds are mostly families. We came between, and managed to snag two parking spots abandoned by surfers.
Donna
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Today's activity was the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, located just east of Escondido. It is a sister park to the San Diego Zoo, and used to be called the San Diego Wild Animal Park until just a few years ago. The Safari Park is a large park, with a lot of acreage dedicated to roaming animals and the local flora/Fauna. There are many ways to see the park. The most common ways are walking, and the tram, included in the admission. Less common, but available for extra costs, are cart safaris (on a golf-cart type thing), caravan safaris, and a few others.
If it's a long-legged bird, I want to see it. These were about the first fauna there for the public to see, except perhaps the macaw (who was hiding today):
https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/516/19...2aefd74b_z.jpg
Safari Park 003 by jeanniesisters, on Flickr
We walked all day, other than when we rode the tram. The kids loved the petting zoo, where my older granddaughter and my grandson enjoyed petting the goats. There was some sort of hog, with a park ranger giving a talk:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/312/19...b9250e84_z.jpg
Safari Park 006 by jeanniesisters, on Flickr
The bats were just hanging around:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/292/19...0b32bc7a_z.jpg
Safari Park 020 by jeanniesisters, on Flickr
For those that want to be very active, one can go ziplining, or you can traipse through the trees on wood slats ... for an extra price.
https://c4.staticflickr.com/4/3904/1...4f9035f5_z.jpg
Safari Park 021 by jeanniesisters, on Flickr
Giraffes:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/370/18...4278d242_z.jpg
Safari Park 058 by jeanniesisters, on Flickr
These are the trams that you can ride to see the giraffes, rhinos, antelope, and many other African plains animals:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/552/19...39908c38_z.jpg
Safari Park 069 by jeanniesisters, on Flickr
Gooses! Geeses!
https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/418/19...16ac4a87_z.jpg
Safari Park 090 by jeanniesisters, on Flickr
A mama gorilla and her little one. There was also an older gorilla, age 57, that the sign proclaimed was a great-great-great-grandma. Wow!
https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/435/19...8c58404d_z.jpg
Safari Park 084 by jeanniesisters, on Flickr
Our national bird. The sign said that these were birds injured in the wild and can never fly again, so they are being kept at the Safari Park for their protection.
https://c4.staticflickr.com/4/3749/1...33943177_z.jpg
Safari Park 107 by jeanniesisters, on Flickr
We were privileged to see the California Condor fly. My husband and I have been in San Diego County for so long, we remember when the Wild Animal Park had a condor hatch an egg, and the excitement that caused in the county.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/554/18...fb9b98b2_z.jpg
Safari Park 110 by jeanniesisters, on Flickr
One of the last things we saw -- a sleeping tiger:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/523/19...e0c4a2b5_z.jpg
Safari Park 120 by jeanniesisters, on Flickr
Price-wise, it's about $48 per adult for a day ticket, $38 for a child 3-12. My husband and I decided that this year, we would get a zoological society membership. We were able to "renew", even though we had not been members for a good 20 years. All you need is your old zoo membership number. Basically, it pays for itself at the third visit in the year. Food is less expensive than at Sea World. You can get a zoological society souvenir cup for $10.99, refill it as many times as you want on the day you buy it (I refilled mine 4x), and then bring it back on subsequent trips and have it refilled for $1.29. The park doesn't get annoyed if you bring your own food or drinks in, though.
We were there for about 6 hours, I put 5 miles on my feet (according to my pedometer), and we all went home tired and happy!
Donna
Antique-ing of a different sort
On my daughter's last day visiting us, we left the oldest granddaughter with her dad and grandpa, and she and I (and baby) went "antiquing" -- to the thrift stores. One city near San Diego, Poway, has a whole shopping mall full of thrift stores and bargain stores. It's an old strip mall that is rented out, mostly to charities and churches, for lower rent. (The downside is that the buildings also don't get much maintenance, but that's another story.) This strip mall used to house a small 1-screen movie theater, a couple of restaurants, and a dancing school. Now it's home to thrift stores belonging mostly to local churches -- Catholic, independent charismatic, Lutheran, Presbyterian -- and to the Bargain Hunters "chain". There is also a consignment shop or two in the "mall".
You can start on one end of the strip mall and go from store to store. Most carry clothing, furniture, dishes, small appliances, books, DVD/VHS, CDs and vinyl, sporting equipment, and miscellaneous. Of course, any thrift store is 'hit and miss' if you are looking for specific items. Sometimes you hit things just right, and other times you don't. My daughter and I went looking for good baby and preschool clothing, and yesterday's trip resulted in two decent summer outfits for the baby and nothing for the older one. (A couple of years ago, I bought a used Christmas dress for the older one, tags still on it. It was gorgeous. $2.) We looked for books for the children, and my other grandchild, and got a lot. I also snagged three board games, one of them still with the original wrapper on it (ensuring that all the pieces were probably there). YAY!
All of these thrift stores like donations, though they each have their "rules" about them. Most of them take the donations through the back door of the store, or via their pickup service. As we went through them, I saw a tent in one of them, and a very old Coleman gas stove that was probably in good shape (Coleman has parts dating back into their 1930s equipment). Seeing these things made me think of RTA, as we occasionally suggest that people buy camping equipment for a trip and then donate it to a thrift shop at the end of their trip if they can't take it home.
It was a nice time with my daughter (and the baby). They had to leave this morning, the long road trip back to MO. They are going through Phoenix to visit with my parents, then up to I-40 through Albuquerque and OKC, then I-44. It's the way they came out, but the I-15 to I-70 route would be out of their way considering where they live in MO, now. The two girls traveled quite well, all-in-all-given-their-ages. Mama doesn't mind putting on a DVD if the older one gets whiney, and the noise puts the baby to sleep, so she gets a rest. This is their first long-distance road trip, and as my daughter says, hopefully the first of many as they develop their travel style.
Donna
