Temecula, CA

February 3 ~ 12

Mostly come here for a little R&R, catching up on life chores, to visit some wineries and because it's only an hour from San Diego.  Outdoor Resorts (outdoor-resorts.com) has a place here called Rancho California.  It's very nice; our site has an outdoor kitchen, fireplace and large patio overlooking a lake.  Only downside, it's in Anguanga which it turns out is 15 miles from Temecula. 

The weather is pretty miserable the entire time, cold and rainy.  But we get a good break one day to visit the South Coast Winery (southcoastwinery.com)and opt for the tour with private tasting. ($25 pp). 

It's an interesting tour, taking us places we've never been in a winery before. Our small group consists of three young couples from scattered places throughout the country and us.  We quite enjoy their company.

Our guide leads us from the fields, to the large vat holding rooms where we get to have a few tastings, through the barrel and bottling rooms.

The tasting room is large and mobbed.... far more crowded than the ones we visited in Santa Barbara.

We're go to a private dining room off their restaurant (this is also a resort and  spa) where we're led through a very good tasting with paired cheeses and fruit.

The wine is good, not spectacular, but it's a very pleasant afternoon.

The weather, on the whole however, is not cooperating for us to take advantage of the small par 3 course on the property.  But, on a couple of nights, we get to enjoy the setting.

There's a casino in Temecula called Pechanga (pechanga.com) that has what sounds like a very good golf course.  Besides a hotel, the resort also has RV facilities (which we've found a lot of casinos do).  We decide to move there for a couple of days.  We'll be closer to things and also we find out being a resort guest reduces the greens fees from $150 pp to $75 and to $49 playing after noon.  Too good to pass up.

Pechanga Casino Resort

The RV facilities are adequate and we decide to "play" a little before dinner.  I quickly win $75 on the slots (had it up to $103, but of course let that slide).  Have dinner at their Asian restaurant which is pretty awful and promptly give back my winnings at my former lucky slot.

Journey Golf Course is a lovely Arthur Hills design that's only been open two years.  The surrounding terrain is mountainous with huge changes in elevation and puncuated with a good bit of water.  Played from the whites, it's a good test for us....from the back tees, yikes!

The course is dotted with Indian landmarks...never could find an explanation of them, but they were interesting to see on a course.

We knew we wouldn't make it around because we didn't get off until 1:30 and it gets cold and dark here real fast as the sun drops behind the mountains.  Okay with me, playing horribly and must admit the "Beware of Rattlesnake" signs, plus the howl of coyotes from the mountains (and one running across the fairway) were beginning to creep me out!

Had the obligatory gin and tonic around the fire in the clubhouse. 

We are definitely in the mood to seek some sun...we're heading back to Indio tomorrow....seems to be the only place in the entire country that's warm.

San Diego ~ Old Town, Balboa Park & The Del

February 1 ~ 2

We all feel the need for an easy day.  Spend the morning at the pool teaching Ian to use snorkeling equipment readying him for an upcoming trip to Cancun. Not everyone is so lucky though! Poor Chip has to go to a conference in Vegas and spends the morning with the laptop reviewing his presentation.

Old Town (oldtownsandiegoguide.com) for lunch and a little poking around.  Picked an attractive, but turned out not to be very good, restaurant called Casa Guadalajara.  Pretty little garden, though.

Old Town is considered the "birthplace" of California and the first permanent Spanish settlement in California. In 1769, the first mission in a chain of 21 missions in the state was built here leading to the colonization of the state.  Unfortunately we didn't have time to wander much 'cuz we needed to get Chip to the airport.   The shops and the restaurant in the square are cute.  But it appears that most of the buildings in the historic portion are recreations.  Can't fairly judge though since we really didn't spend the time.

Making a conconction for dinner that I call Margharita Shrimp.  Basically, make a big unchilled margharita and marinate shrimp for about 30 minutes and grill on skewers.  Boil the marinade sauce, thicken with cornstarch and serve over rice.  I also like to grill pineapple and serve on the side. 

Balboa Park

Kelly and Ian have to leave this morning and we hate to let them go.  After a tearful goodbye, we try to cheer up and go to Balboa Park (balboapark.org).  It is the touted as the nation's largest cultural park and is home to the zoo, 15 museums and a beautiful botanical garden. The park first started to take shape in the early 1900's but the 1915 Panama-California Exoposition gave it the stunningly grand buildings that today house the museums.

Our last afternoon in San Diego just has to be capped off with a sunset drink at The Del (hoteldel.com).  The sun didn't cooperate, but it's a fitting ending to a great time in San Diego.

Leaving San Diego tomorrow.  On the way to Temecula for a little more vineyard stuff.

San Diego ~ Wild Animal Park

January 31

Opted for the San Diego Wild Animal Park (sandiegozoo.org) in Escondido instead of the primary zoo in town.  Figured it was something different and we all have been at the wonderful National Zoo so many times. Parts of the zoo are similar to others. But, this guy on the left was the most active animal I've ever seen in a zoo...he apparently wasn't too happy with his companion, stood up, pounded his chest and let out one heck of a sound.


There're lots of educational tools. An open aviary which we all apparently found pretty fascinating.

And a few rides that include a carousel that no one seems to ever get too old for.

But the real difference at Wild Animal Park is the tram ride through an extensive natural habit facility with the known and the more unusual.

We poop out earlier than usual given the pace of the last few days.  We're eating in night.  Grilling mussels... a terrific, easy preparation.  Throw them on, when they open (about 10 minutes), they're done.  Frites, garlic butter, a salad and a baguette are all you need.  Roasting marshmallows is just icing on the cake!

San Diego ~ Seaworld

January 30

Everyone's convinced, particularly Ian, that nothing can equal Legoland....everyone is pleasantly surprised with Seaworld (seaworld.com)!  Even Ian thinks it's "just as much fun, in a different way".

Shamu and friends still have the biggest wow factor!

But there's so much more to do.  A family favorite, believe it or not, is the " petting zoo"!  Ian really gets into this and is not only petting starfish, but feeding the rays fish out of his hand. We all tried it and was rather cool, if not a little bit creepy.

There are some very interesting bird habitats scattered throughout the park.

A few rides, aquariums and a couple of other shows round out the park, but Seaworld is definitely all about the whales.

Kelly and Chip have dinner with old Navy friends in Coronado and the three of us have a fabulous kid's night and cook pizzas on the grill, spend much time in the game room topped off with ice cream from the snack shop. 

San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park is tomorrow's outing.

San Diego ~ The Kids Arrive & The Party Starts ~ Legoland

January 28 ~ 29

Today  is Kelly's birthday and greeting them all at the airport is a very joyous moment!  We've missed them so. We settle Kelly and Chip in at the hotel and we head back to Tor with Ian who has happily decided he wants to stay with us.  We'll have a big time five day sleep-over!

We're having dinner at Karl Strauss (karlstrauss.com) a brew pub where Kelly and Chip first met nearly 15 years ago. The trip down memory lane is fun for everyone....and I'd highly recomment the black garlic fondue appetizer!

It's early to bed for all of them due to the time change and with great anticipation for Legoland (legoland.com) in Carlsbad tomorrow.

Ian is so excited, he's jumping out of his socks!  Turns out he's not the only one who loves it...this is one terrific place for everyone!  It's largely an amusement park with rides that suit most everyone.

 The park is full of large scale Lego figures which are adorable.

What the adults find most fascinating is the recreation of pretty much all the major cities in the world...all in Legos. "Visiting" DC, our favorite is along the canal in Georgetown, the last inauguration, complete with the Obama family riding around in a car and the monuments.

.

And some of our favorite places in NY.

Rick's been champing at the bit to take Ian to Mindstorms, a building in the park devoted to Lego robots and offering a 45 minute class for kids in programming. 

Ian loves it and proves a  natural programming his robot to follow a specific path, pick up barrels and place them on a shelf.  He shouts "My calculations proved correct!" The proud grandfather is just beaming!

We're there 'til closing and are all a bit exhuasted. And we need to gear up for Seaworld tomorrow!