Cuyamaca Peak

On Sunday, we went on a hike up Cuyamaca Peak. It is the second highest point in San Diego County with its summit a 6,512 feet above sea level. One of the nice things about San Diego is its location, being so close to both ocean and mountains. We drove less than an hour east of San Diego and we were in the mountains.

The hike was a short hike, only five miles roundtrip, but it was a strenuous one as the first 2.5 miles was uphill and very steep. It was steep enough that the next day my gluteals and hamstrings were achy! But it was definitely worth it as I got a really good workout and the view was beautiful.

Farmer's Markets

Due to San Diego' perfect weather, farmer's markets can be found almost every day of the week (except Mondays). So far we've been to two markets, Solana Beach and Hillcrest. All produce are locally grown, certified organic and absolutely delicious. We bought apricots and pluots that were bursting with flavor and so juicy. I'm thinking of banning grocery store fruits and start buying all my fruits and vegetables at the farmer's market.

I'm trying to eat more green vegetables and one way that I enjoy them is in the form of juice. It's just so much easier because it's less preparation. We bought a refillable 32 ounce bottle of GreenFix, a refreshing juice with kale, chard, collard greens, romaine and green leaf lettuce, spinach, dandelion greens, parsley, apple, banana and flax seed. It was surprisingly tasty and can't wait to refill my bottle.

Apartment Hunting

This weekend Chuck and I focused on finding an apartment in several urban neighborhoods of San Diego. We are looking for a neighborhood similar to our much beloved Phinney Ridge in Seattle with its cute shops, cafes, and restaurants. The top contenders are La Jolla, Hillcrest, University Heights, and Ocean Beach.

La Jolla is the "Kirkland" of San Diego.  It is a wealthy seaside resort community on the coast north of San Diego.  La Jolla definitely has a small-town atmosphere, albeit the upscale boutiques and gourmet restaurants.  The weather is beautiful with average daily temperatures of 71 degrees.  

We found several apartments near the beach in our price range and will be continuing to search for one in this area.  It is a further drive for Chuck as it is located 12 miles north of San Diego.  As for me, there are job openings at the Scripps La Jolla Hospital.  

Seattle has its Pigs on Parade and La Jolla exhibits Cows on Parade.  CowParade La Jolla celebrates La Jolla's artistic talent with contributions from all segments of their arts community.  Forty cow sculptures are on display until June 15th and the post-exhibition auctions will generate money for La Jolla charities Rady Children's Hospital and the Zoological Society of San Diego.  

CowParade is the world's largest and foremost public art event.  It has been held in more than 50 cities on six continents.  

Hillcrest reminds me of a mix between Capitol Hill and University District.  It is considered to be San Diego's most diverse, lively, hip and colorful neighborhood.  Hillcrest is a bustling neighborhood of ethnic restaurants and coffeehouses, stylish thrift stores and nightlife, and independent specialty stores.  It is a gay-friendly neighborhood.  Whole Foods and Trader Joes are located here.  Hillcrest is located north of Balboa Park.  

University Heights has the same feel as Phinney Ridge or Greenwood. It is located between Hillcrest and North Park. Park Boulevard which turns into Adams Avenue is filled with cute coffee shops, restaurants, boutiques, and artist's studios. Trolley Barn Park is popular with young families and hosts free concerts on Friday evenings in the summer.

The last part of San Diego were looking at is Ocean Beach. It is considered more like a town within the city. O.B. has resisted gentrification, thus retaining its funky charm.

Stay tuned and we'll post pictures of our new place when we finally find one.

Memorial Day Weekend

Since Chuck had a four day weekend, we decided to take a road trip to the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas. We left for the eight hour drive to the south rim of the Grand Canyon on Thursday night, leaving at 11 o'clock at night and arriving at seven in the morning. We were uncertain on the availability of camp sites at the Canyon, being Memorial Day weekend, and left at night to find a camp site early in the morning. Mather Campground, which takes reservations, was full; but we found a site at the Desert View Campground which are first come-first served.

After setting up camp, we head to the Grand Canyon Village to hike part of the Rim Trail. It is an easy hike and was a good warm up for tomorrow's hike into and thus, climb back up the Canyon. The Rim Trail offers views of the inner canyon and is relatively flat. Despite that, we were pretty tired and achy after traversing eight miles.

Unfortunately, the weather forecast called for scattered thunderstorms. During our hike on Friday, the weather was cooperating with the occasional misty showers. The temperature was perfect for hiking, at least for me, being around 65 degrees. However, by the time we drove back to our camp site for dinner, it was raining hard. Who knew that it rained in Arizona!! We had to move our tent as it was sitting in a pool of water, but luckily it was still dry inside. Our neighbors next door offered us shelter and dinner in their RV, which we gratefully accepted. Fortunately, the rain stopped after a couple of hours and we were able to enjoy a camp fire before we headed off to bed. It did rain hard all night and finally eased off around eight in the morning. We enjoyed better weather on Saturday and were relieved we would not be hiking down into the Grand Canyon in the pouring rain, no less with thunder and lightening!

We take the South Kaibab trail into the Grand Canyon. The trail is steep, but offers best views for a relatively short hike, round trip distance of six miles. The hardest part of the trip was the weather. After descending down three miles into the Canyon with no shade from the sweltering sun, I was exhausted. We found reprieve in the shade, refueling with food and water, before the ascent out of the Canyon. Fortunately, the thunderstorms were a-brewing and provided us with the much needed cooler temperatures and breeze. Because of that, the hike back up to the Canyon was not difficult at all.

Because of the weather, hiking into the Grand Canyon can be dangerous; especially those who are unprepared and attempt to hike from the rim to the river and back in one day. Chuck and I are planning to hike the Grand Canyon again. Hopefully, we will be able to hike overnight into the Canyon and to the Colorado River.

Unfortunately, we were so tired from hiking that we didn't truly experience Las Vegas. We tried to see a show, but couldn't find one with seats together and didn't cost over $200. But we had a wonderful dinner and walk around The Strip. I am not much of a gambler and suck at cards, so no casinos for me!! But I am planning a sisters' trip to Vegas in October and plan to live it up in Vegas....sans the gambling.

On The Road Again

The second day on the road was a long and exhausting one.  We left Portland around ten o'clock in the morning and drove fifteen hours (with rest breaks, too many according to Chuck!) to Fresno, California.  Initially, we were going to stop at Sacramento which was going to make our last leg of the trip eight hours long compared to five hours from Fresno.  Though we were very tired of driving, we drove on three more hours to Fresno and arrived sleepy-eyed at one-thirty in the morning.  Six hours later, we were back on the road again.  Anyways, it ended up to be an eight hour drive to San Diego as we encountered Los Angeles traffic.  Despite the traffic, we arrived in San Diego in time to get our keys for our apartment.  

Chuck going crazy from too much driving!

View of Mt. Shasta from I-5

Portland, Oregon

After a late start, we are finally in Portland.  Nursing post-Cinco de Mayo hangovers and packing up the cars, we didn't hit the road until before lunch.  Fortunately, all the boxes and two suitcases fit snugly in the cars.  We did have to empty the box full of hangers and shimmied them in between the nooks and crannies.  

The drive south to Portland was frustrating and stressful.  It was pouring down rain the whole way there and was so thick that it was really difficult to see more than a couple feet ahead.  Chuck's bike on the roof rack was my lifesaver as it was pretty much the only thing I could see and follow.  As we headed into Portland, the rain let up with clear blue skies.  I am looking forward to much needed warmth and sun!  The Seattle weather will not be missed...well, except for August and September which I plan on returning for vacation!!

I was very excited to find my new road bike!  We went to River City Bicycles and I test drove a Specialized Women's Specific Design as well as a Cannondale one.  I instantly fell in love with the Specialized as it was lightweight and rode really smoothly.  It was a bit pricey, but will get good use from it and we didn't pay any sales tax!  Thanks honey for my new bike!!

For the second time, we are staying overnight at The Kennedy School.  It's such a cool place to stay as it's a brewery with a hot pool and movie theater!  As I'm writing this blog, I'm enjoying a nice brew in the Cypress Room and later this evening will be re-watching The Wrestler (as I fell asleep the first time I watched it last weekend).  

Chuck's IPA was really good, but wasn't so impressed with my lemonade.

My new bike in our room.

The Cherry Tree Room, named aptly so for the Cherry Blossom tree in front of our window.

In general, our first day on the road was relaxing (minus the rain) and short (only three hours of driving).  Tomorrow will be the long haul as we plan to drive more than ten hours into California.  It will be my longest stretch of driving in my life...I will definitely need to find an Apple store for a car adapter for my iPhone to listen to much needed music!!  Wish me luck:)

Countdown to San Diego!

I can't believe tomorrow is my last day of work and of living in Seattle!  Sad to say, but I'm relieved to spend a few months unemployed.  I've been thoroughly exhausted, mostly mentally than physically, from work; especially since working sporadically last year.  I got used to having a few months off between working full-time and it is definitely time for that rest break!!  

So, Chuck and I begin our road trip Wednesday morning.  We plan to spend the day in Portland and stay overnight.  I am in the market for a new road bicycle and since Oregon has no sales tax, we decided to buy my bike there.  We left my old bike, sans my Egg Beater pedals, in Italy since it wasn't worth the money to fly it back to the States. I'm excited to add California road miles to my brand new bike! 

We haven't planned the rest of the trip, but we plan to drive long and far the second day; hopefully, making it to northern California.  We just have to make it to San Diego by Friday afternoon to get the keys to our apartment.  Hopefully, I'll have wifi and will post pictures of our trip along the way!

Until then, it was really nice to see a few of our family and friends before we hit the road and start anew in another city.  It has been a very hectic last week in Seattle, but definitely worth it!