California Dreamin'

Thanksgiving means family, and the family member we don't get to see very often is Patrick. Sandy's third-born lives in Fallbrook, CA - a fair commute from our small town home of New Braunfels, TX.

After mulling it over, Sandy decides she doesn't really care for flying that much, and Rick can do without the airport hassle. 

So road trip it is!

We get an early start Saturday, November 20, and are soon on IH 10W heading for the desert. Our first rest stop is in Fort Stockton.

Dusk falls as we leave El Paso (and Texas) in the rear view mirror. By late Saturday night we finally pull into Las Cruces, NM for a well-earned night's rest.

Sunday morning finds us back on the IH 10 for round two. Our mid-day rest stop is at the Texas Canyon rest stop in Arizona, famous for its Dragoons rock formations.

In Casa Grande AZ, we say goodbye to good old IH-10, and take I-8 towards San Diego. Making it to the high mountain pass of the Cleveland National Forest just as dusk falls, we "enjoy" an exciting night time adventure, buffeted by high winds and passed by high-speed maniacs on the twisting mountain road.

Our Sunday night treat is a stay at the beachfront La Jolla Inn, in one of the Pacific coast's most beautiful areas. A chilly morning doesn't deter us from enjoying the stunning La Jolla beach.

Tide Pool

We meet up with Patrick and his family to take a tour of Old Town San Diego.

Above you see Nicole, Patrick, and Sandy (top), and Trent, Payton, Dylan, and Bailey (front).


Rick and Sandy with the kids at the old San Diego Union newspaper building.

Yes, you have big shoes to fill, Dylan.





Sandy and Rick sneak away to take a ferry ride from Sand Diego terminal to Coronado Island.

San Diego from Coronado Island

A nice ferry ride brings us to the Coronado landing.








Fallbrook is a verdant green, the opposite of what you might imagine of the southern California desert area. It's called the avocado capital of the world, and I can believe it. Avocado trees line the hillsides just about everywhere.

You can see the avocados hanging on the tree in the foreground. This view is from Grandpa Ed's home. It's a fun place for the kids too.

Robert and Patrick decide to enjoy a game of horseshoes - 'close' counts in this game!


Patrick is also in charge of turkey frying. Smell's good!

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