Vaughans Gone Wild in San Diego

A few weeks ago on my Spring Break from school, Hubby and I took a five-day vacation in San Diego, California.  This charming coastal town is an easy five-hour drive from our fair city of Tempe, AZ.  It was our first visit in 18 years!  We’d taken the kids to Sea World when they were little, but for whatever reason, we didn’t have a good time AND it was expensive, so we crossed it off our list.  After all these years, I’m happy to report that I HEART SAN DIEGO!!!  Mountain views, beautiful foliage and flowers, charming restaurants, great people watching, and clean beaches—-I can’t wait to go back!

And now I will attempt write a Very Professional Trip Report, and not drivel on and on like an idget like I usually do.

PROS:

• We saw way more elderly couples than college students, which was a happy surprise.  (I was worried about obnoxious crowds of frat boys.)
• We stayed at the Bahia Resort at Mission Beach, which was affordable and on the bay, but not within walking distance of any restaurants off site. But I felt the location between Pacific and Ocean Beaches was a good compromise. Next time we would want to stay near Pacific Beach.
• Our hotel room was right on the bay, and directly out our sliding glass window was the marina where around 200 boats were anchored.  The two Riverboats which the hotel uses to transport hotel guests north to the Catamaran Resort go in and out of this bay.  (We never were there at the right time to ride the river boats.) We had little foot traffic by our room, except for the mandarin ducks and mud hens, which often pecked at the closed glass door to our hotel room.
• San Diego Breweries:  There are a zillion charming places at which to drink delicious craft beers.  (Apologies for the overuse of the word “charming” but seriously, San Diego oozes charm!)  There are tap rooms which do not serve food, and there are brew pubs with full menus. We Ubered to Stone Brewery our first night, since it is, without a doubt, the mecca of breweries in the Southwest.  The service and food were incredible (quite pricey meals at $30 per plate), and the building itself is super cool with HUGE amounts of seating. Nobody has cooler t-shirts or better beer, hands down.  Lots of good people watching, too!
• Travelling off-season, we had easy parking and no waiting at restaurants. I’m certain this is not true in the summer months.  Nice though that there was still a fun, tourist vibe . . . even though it was off season.
• We live in the desert where it NEVER RAINS.  So though we had a few cloudy days with sprinkles of rain, that was actually a plus for us.  WEATHER! YAY!
• Visiting the Birch Aquarium at Scripp’s was so much fun.  We arrived just in time to see the fish feeding in the humongous kelp fish tank.  Two divers swim into the tank, and the crowd can ask them questions.  It was super fun, and also very informative.  We patted ourselves on the backs for visiting this busy tourist venue at the perfect hour—NAP TIME!  All the families cleared out around 1:30, and we had the place mostly to ourselves.  We saw so many strange and wondrous sea creatures, and also enjoyed the amazing views of La Jolla from our high vantage point.
• We visited a shell shop from which you can access a sea cave.  I’m glad I was brave and decided to follow Hubby on the 120 slippery steps down to see the cave. The cave was dug in the 1920’s, and I’m sure every owner since then has been making money hand over fist.  The line was out the door to pay our $5 per person to see the cave.
• We had Eggs Benedict every day.  The best one was at World Famous on Pacific Beach.  It featured a crab cake base, instead of an English Muffin.  YUMMMMY!

NEGATIVES: 

• Our Bahia Hotel was old, thus the walls were thin. The first night the neighbors (two adult men) next to us talked all night until 6am in boisterous voices.  They drew my attention later in the day, sitting at the bar, and I felt like approaching them, but instead decided to ask at the desk.  They had checked out . . . whew!  I was tired after a night of holding a pillow over my head to block the noise.  We had one quiet night, then the weirdest thing of all:  The new neighbors had their tv turned on high to a religious station. I kid you not, every few minutes I heard the preacher saying the word, “Lucifer,” in bold, chiding tones.  The next morning I went to the front desk, and they assured me they would assist me, even if it was just a loud tv.  Lucky for me, we had another quiet night.  (Hubby sleeps like the dead and heard none of it.)  (Note to self:  Investigate into sleepy drugs for our next vacation.)
• Driving in San Diego is pretty tricky.  Thank God for Google directions, which often said, “In .2 miles, cross four lanes of speeding traffic to turn right.”  Certainly not safe after ANY alcohol, so we Ubered a lot, which added to our vacation budget, for sure.   Also driving over the mountain areas one-hour out of San Diego, we had thick fog which was a bit unnerving.  Hubby has nerves of steel, and we arrived safe and sound.
• The Uber drivers we’ve had in the Phoenix area are very professional and good drivers.  HOLY MOLY!  Our first San Diego Uber experience was disgusting; the driver had obviously chain-smoked in his car, then sprayed some noxious odor-remover.  I rolled down my window and tried to not smell.  The next night, our driver was a young man who appeared to be a) in a hurry or b) on some sort of stimulant.  We careened down the highway, miles past our hotel when I spoke up and said, “Ummm, I believe you’ve gone past our hotel.”  Not saying a word, he made a U-Turn and had us back on track toward our hotel.  90 mph, not braking for turns, it was a Wild Ride for certain.  I said a prayer, “Thank you, Universe, for my wild and splendid life.  It appears it may be ending in a few minutes.  Amen.”  And then we arrived at our hotel.  I caught my breath and said, “Wow!  That was VERY EXCITING!” with a laugh.  In the rear-view mirror, I caught a glimpse of smile.  Until you walk in someone’s shoes, right? I don’t know what his deal was, but wow, it was frightening.  Yet we lived to have another fun day in beautiful San Diego, my new go-to for Spring Break.  Who’s in to go with us in March 2018???

Cheers,

Mary

 

Spring Break 2018

I’m feeling very happy this evening because I have only ONE MORE DAY of school before it’s my SPRING BREAK!!!  WOOT WOOT!!!  I love my job, but I’m ready for a week away from our preschool monkeys, er um, students.  I love them, but I think I’ll love them more after a week off.  Truly we have so much fun with picnics on the big playground or picnics in our garden, dancing to new songs, playing with Beanie Babies, playing dress up, crafting so hard, and having special visitors, like Tyler’s pet guinea pig, Mr. Sparkles.  I LOVE HIM! (I meant Mr. Sparkles, but I love Tyler, too.)

Hubby and I dithered over vacation destinations and settled on San Diego.  I almost booked us to Cabo (cheap this time of year) and found out it’s a hot destination for ASU fraternities and sororities.  GOOD GRIEF!  I would have been sooooo mad spending our money to be in the middle of a scene from Girls Gone Wild!  The last time we were in San Diego, William was in a stroller (now he is 20).  So likely 18 years ago. It’s a five-hour drive, and I’m enticed not by the beaches (California beaches are terrible compared to our beloved Puerto Penasco, MX beaches), but by the seafood and breweries!  I’m calling our trip a “brewcation.” I’ve mapped out our favorite craft breweries—we’ll visit Stone, Ballast Point, St. Archer, and Coronado Brewing Co.  I’ve booked us a whale watching trip one afternoon.  I’m skeptical if we’ll really see a whale, but the boat has cocktails and snacks, so I’m all in!

The best thing is we’ll come home mid-week, and I’ll still have four free days before going back to work.  I plan to get some stuff done around the house and do some hiking and see friends.  On Friday night, William returns home from college for his Spring Break!  I miss him sooooo much.  (We all do.)  We’ll have him for a whole nine days—LIFE IS GOOD!

I’m getting the laundry done so I’ll have all my clothes to choose from to pack for our trip.  It’s going to be about ten degrees colder than here, so brrrrrrr that it will be only in the mid-60’s and cloudy every day . . . but don’t you just know most tourists will be wearing sun dresses and flip flops.  And I will want to wear sweaters and boots, because 65 and cloudy is COLD.  We desert dwellers are an odd lot, this I know for sure.  Our new-ish clothes washer sings a beautiful little ditty to announce the load is done.  I thinks it’s the greatest thing ever, and I need to know if there is a job called “Appliance Composer,” and if so, how does one get that job?  How many man hours did it take to create the 25-second melody?  Did several musicians spend weeks dreaming up the perfect tune?  Did executives in pin-stripe suits solemnly sit around a conference table while said ditties were presented and chosen?  To me, the whole thing is very curious.  I have questions.

And now I have to share with you the YUMMIEST recipe.  It’s currently in direct competition with broccoli soup for my favorite lunch dish.  It’s Creamed Spinach with jalapeno peppers . . . and it’s absolutely heaven on a plate.  I found the recipe online and changed several things.  For one, the original recipe called for evaporate milk.  WHAT???  I substituted regular milk, and it was great.  It occurred to me you could skip the oven and do it stove top to save time, but I think baking it gives it a better texture.  ALSO, it only made enough for maybe six people.  Next time I will double it to have leftovers.

CREAMED SPINACH WITH JALAPENO PEPPERS

2 12-ounce packages frozen leaf spinach
4 Tablespoons butter
2 Tablespoons flour
1/2 cup yellow onion, minced fine
3 cloves garlic, minced fine (I often use the stuff from the jar–don’t judge)
1/3 cup whole milk (or half and half)
1/2 teaspoons each salt, and white pepper
8 ounces Monterey Jack Cheese, cubed
1 jalapeno pepper, minced fine (add another pepper if you like spicier)
1/4 cup bread crumbs (optional)

Cook spinach according to package instructions, saving the spinach water (I use a Pampered Chef microwave steamer).

In a medium pan, melt butter, then add the flour to create the roux.   Add onion, cooking for about five minutes.  Add spinach and remaining ingredients, stirring over low heat until mixed well.

Place in a greased 9×13 casserole.  Sprinkle with bread crumbs and bake at 350 for 25 minutes.

Cheers,
Mary

 

 

Wednesday Wrap Up

It’s Spring Break. To have a week off when the weather is so lovely is a true gift. I’ve been torn between Being a Slug . . . and Getting Things Done. The Devil on my shoulder has won for most of the week, and not only have I coffeed, lunched, and happy houred most days this week, I’ve also binge-watched Friday Night Lights.   I’m chagrined to admit this will be the THIRD time through FNL, and I can happily report that the Dillon Panthers are (again) having a great season, and what’s going to happen with the love triangle between Jason, Lyla, and Tim?  I’ve been watching it via laptop while sitting on our back patio, where the Lady Banks roses are in full bloom, along with the orange trees, and where I can watch Ruby and Cosmo nap in the tall grass.

Between socializing and watching Netflix, I’ve been sorting through the stacks of paperwork and we are almost ready to take our tax stuff to our accountant.  When I was a teenager, I couldn’t wait to be an adult, but seriously, there are so many times that I shake my head and think that being a grown up can be really tedious (especially at tax time).  I recently saw a meme which read, “I miss being a kid.  My only responsibilities were running around and laughing a lot.  And someone else was in charge of my hair.”  Exactly.

Another thing I was able to tick off my list was taking Ruby the Wonder Spaniel to the vet.    I love our vet and usually don’t mind this errand, however, today when Ruby and I went out to get in the car, I saw I’d been mistakenly left with the Miata. Gadzoots! I’d let Hubby take the Prius! Poor Ruby got so car sick in our little go-cart of a vehicle and was acking and coughing and almost barfed in my purse.  At the vet, she was still so green that she nipped at the vet which is so unlike her. Afterwards in the parking lot, I helped her gently into the passenger seat (making sure her beautiful plumy tail was not caught in the door), but by the time I got around to my side, she had situated herself into the driver’s seat. I led her out and back around, and we did this THREE TIMES before she decided to stay in her own seat. I was laughing hysterically.  On the drive home, Ruby tried her best to help me with the stick shift and in one dangerous moment, moved the emergency brake.

Earlier in the week, I ventured over to TJ Maxx in search of new skirts and sandals. Bupkiss, nada, zilch! I hate my clothes. I’ve said this in the past, but seriously, my clothes are terrible. It’s mostly because I’m still not sure how to dress my robust figure which no longer can be compared to any movie star body, excepting maybe Winnie the Pooh’s. (I gained 20 pounds a few years ago and can’t figure out the clothes.)  I know I should go to the mall, but the prices are terrifying and the stores are unfamiliar. Forever 21? The clothes are so poorly made and are not flattering to anyone with a “full figure.” Where is Forever 51 when you need it? Chico’s is only relevant if you are planning a trip to Palm Springs or going on a geriatric cruise (which I am not). You’d think a store called Fossil would have stuff for old broads, but alas, it’s all overpriced and geared toward the Young and Beautiful. I was hoping H&M stood for Hefty & Mature, but again, nope.

I know these are all First World Problems and really, I’m having a great week off. I’m soooo happy to have quality time with my pets. It’s been amazing to dawdle in my jammies each morning. I’ve been cooking like a fiend (Mixed Berry Pie and Quiche Lorraine for “Pi Day,” Hog Heaven Chili, and Applesauce Muffins.)  It’s fed my soul to catch up with most of my oldest-bestest friends all week. And I’m looking forward to attending an art show opening at The Hive Gallery in Phoenix on Friday night where a friend is showing a piece. When you attend a dance recital, you take flowers. What do you take to a friend in an art show?  Crayons?  An Etch-a-Sketch?

Cheers,
Mary

Huge

It is Spring Break, and I am in Mexico.

We left Tempe at the crack of 8 o’clock because all week we’d heard about HUGE lines of cars waiting to enter Mexico, some people waiting four hours to cross the border.  I’m patting myself on the back for choosing less sleep—we only waited 20 minutes and had an easy ride through the beautiful desert, which is currently showing off wildflowers and fiery-red Ocotillo flowers.

Huge were the crowds of teenage spring breakers in town. We patiently waited through traffic and were rewarded with a good parking spot near our favorite wharf restaurant, Aqui Es Con Flavio.  We sat on  the sunny patio sipping Dos XX lagers with lime, tasty shrimp tacos dripping over our fingers.  What a HUGE relief to have arrived at our favorite beach town safe and  sound.

We had to rent a condo this weekend since it was not our turn at our multi-owner condo just a few doors down. This place is clean and charming, with rustic chandeliers in every room and a grassy palapa umbrella shading the patio. After a few hours, we had ten new friends (tourists at neighboring condos) all of us happy to share beach stories while watching the sea.  Yesterday afternoon two HUGE sea lions cavorted near enough to the shore line that we could see them without binoculars. Everyone stopped what they were doing to enjoy the show, then again to watch the sun set  (Hubby and I swear we saw a green flash).

I’m thinking this condo must be owned by Giants.  The bathroom counter tops begin just under by breasts and the mirror is so high that I can only see my face if I stand on tip toe (I am 5’5″). The step down into the tile showers is an entire foot!  The beach stairs are fine excepting they end about two feet above the sand where one has to bravely jump (or just use the neighbor’s stairs, as I have done.)  And the bed?  The bed has such a HUGE dent in the middle that I’m convinced a 500-pound person slept alone on it for 20 years. All night long, Hubby and I were rolled into the pit, and on top of that, the sheets are not big enough and pulled off the corners of the mattress.  But overall, I am HUGELY happy to ahe found a place to rent on this very busy weekend here in Rocky Point (and HUGELY surprised to see the place has high-speed internet.  Sorry, Ianet, for asking you to create the Powerpoint for the band meeting—who knew?).

Tonight Hubby and I will drive to the top of Whale Hill to Casa Capitain. Their views of the ocean and the town are incredible, and they make delicious margaritas as HUGE as your head.  I don’t know the magic recipe, but never, EVER, order two.  The first one is just right, but after the second one, you will begin speaking in tongues and feel a pressing urge to dance. At least that’s what happens to me . . . and the next morning, I have a HUGE headache!

Though I wish our children would have chosen to come with us, this weekend is as perfect as one could ask for.  Watching the sunlight make diamonds on the ocean yesterday afternoon and listening to the ocean sounds, I was filled with peace and gratitude for the chance to get away to this perfect beach with my sweetie.  And that’s HUGE.

Cheers,

Mary