Old Town

Margaritas with Wayne at the Rockin Lobster Baja

Old Town is the oldest settled area in San Diego, and is the site of the first European Settlement in present-day California.  Originally there was a fort, the Presidio and a Mission.  The Mission eventually moved up river.  Following Mexico's independence the Spanish left town and the Presidio fell into ruins.  Most of the settlers moved to what is now called Old Town.  The Presidio, adjacent to Old Town, is a park with no historical structures remaining. Old Town today is a vibrant area filled with Mexican restaurants and shops with artisan goods.  It's very festive.  We met Kathy, Phil and Matt for Margaritas at the Rockin Lobster Baja.  They were rockin Margaritas!  I would recommend this joint.  We went alone to dinner at Miguel's Cocina.  Everywhere we have eaten at Mexican Restaurants the foodsome of the beautiful plants in Old Town.  

Valentine's Day in the Gaslamp Quarter

Wayne at the Water Grill, Gaslamp District

To celebrate Valentine's Day we drove into the Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego.  It was hopping with people.  I don't know if that is typical for a Sunday or if the holiday brought more out.  It was also unseasonably warm at 80 degrees.  We were searching for a restaurant we ate in several years ago where I had the best calamari eva'.  We never found it, but did find a very nice seafood restaurant, The Water Grill.  Wayne had what he described as the best octopus he's ever eaten.  He also had a new favorite IPA, The Green Flash.It seems San Diego has become prevalent in micro breweries.  Sweetness had a Sloppy Joe.  Said it reminded her of her childhood back in Arkansas when the farmer would bring the slop around.    The Gaslamp Quarter is a quite large historical district of San Diego, 16 blocks. The area was developed in the 1860's as a "new town" closer to the bay .  It has many significant and beautiful Victorian buildings that are actively used.  

Disturbing to see as we approached the Quarter was the high number of homeless people encamped on the sidewalks with tents, carts, etc.  Disturbing not from the people but from the realization that this country is allowing homelessness to not only exist but seemingly grow unexamined and unaddressed.  I felt like we were in a 3rd world country.  

Some of the beautiful Victorian Buildings in the Gaslamp Quarter.

Torrey Pines State Natural Preserve

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, View from The South Fork Trail

Earlier in the week I went to my first work out at IB Fitness.  The instructor Lee announced that he was going to Torrey Pines to hike on Sunday if anyone wanted to join him. Since it was predicted to hit 75 degrees, we decided to take advantage of the invitation.  We met up with Lee at IB Fitness and followed him to the Reserve.  The approach was from high up in the hills with a wide view of the pacific.  There were hundreds of people parked and walking along the road into the park.  We drove to the lodge to start our hike.  It's hard to believe that this pristine area is part of San Diego. It is comprised of 2,000 acres that include chaparral and, obviously, the Torrey pine. I had brief thoughts of descending into Carlsbad Cavern as well as the Cliffs of Moher.  Although neither the walk down and out or the pacific cliffs were nearly as extreme.  

After leaving the Reserve, we drove to La Jolla for lunch.  I was surprised at the size of La Jolla.  It has a population of approximately 43,000 and is part of San Diego.  I remembered it from a few years ago as this little exclusive seaside village.  Apparently we missed the larger portion and only saw the cove area.  We sought out and found the same restaurant from our prior visit.  George's at the Cove sits above the cove with nice blue views.  La Jolla was also hopping with people.  Sunday and good weather brings everyone out.  

Selfie in La Jolla at the cove.

Despite our grumbling and swearing off football, we did watch the Super Bowl this evening. 

More pictures at flickr. 

I'll Even Kiss a Sunset Pig*

Sweetness Getting a Little Sun

Sweetness got her stitches out today, and she looks marvelous.  She asked that I thank everyone for their texts, emails, and phone calls inquiring about her health and offering to take care of the brute who damaged her perfection.  She spent some time sunning at Imperial Beach where dozens of surfers are catching the wave and occasional helicopters circle scouting for Mexican illegals.  

We've been here 4 days and are still exploring possibilities.  We've both joined separate gyms, a necessity to shed the 2 weeks of driving, eating, drinking, eating, drinking, driving.  

Imperial Beach, or IB as the locals call it, is not as upscale as Anna Maria or Bradenton Beach, Florida where we've spent the last 3 winters. There are fewer restaurants and shops.  It's true, one must get into one's car and drive when in California. We finally washed the Arizona dust off our car today.  People were pointing and looking disgusted.  

The sunsets are beautiful and the surf sounds are nice.  The temps are cool mornings and evenings but into the 60s and 70s mid day.  Tonight we go dine with Wayne's niece, husband and daughter near Old Towne.  

*Additional photos and movies at flickr.

*California by Joni Mitchell

California Dreaming*

California Imperial County

Sun, sand dunes, snow and ocean.  We saw it all today.  At one point we were at sea level, and within moments we were 4180 feet above sea level. We began the day at 60 degrees, hit 37 and snow covered hills in the high altitude, and arrived in San Diego with 60 again.    Some 3756 miles from home, we sat down in Imperial Beach for the next 2 months. We did not have one unpleasant encounter, were amazed at the variety and beauty of the country, gasoline was cheap everywhere, BBQ was abundant, music uplifting and the sun shone on us all the way.  We ended our day with an incredible sunset that I promise is not Photoshop enhanced. 

Pacific Ocean view from Imperial Beach, CA

More Pictures at flickr.

California Dreaming by the Mamas and Papas.

Yuma Arizona

Sonoran Desert

Today was quite exciting for everyone.  We had another one of those drives that just amazes one at every turn.  The road from Tucson to Yuma travels through the Sonoran Desert and is surrounded by the Gila Mountains.  (I'm pretty sure this is the border area that Donald Trump promises to build a wall on.  Well, good luck with that. Take a look at this picture and consider building a wall not just to those mountains, but 5 times that far.) The accent from flat desert into the mountains is sudden and surprising.  We have seen the brightest green irrigated farms and acres of pecan trees, 1000's of cattle ready for 5 Guys and solar fields adjacent to 1000's of RVs.  

Wayne overlooking the Colorado River from the Yuma Territorial Prison

Yuma is only about a 3 hour drive from Tucson; short for us.  We arrived early in the day and went to the Yuma Territorial Prison.  The prison opened in 1876. It seems a brutal place.  There were men and women held for things as diverse as adultery to murder.  Sweetness and I temporarily ended up in the clinker because she was mistaken for a pet, and they are not allowed.  Can you imagine how insulted she was?  Wayne had to bail us out.  But things only got worse from there.

Sweetness and Christy Await Bail

On the way out one of the inmates called Sweetness a Razorback and gave the Texas Longhorn sign. She countered with a Wooooo PIG Sooie.  Suddenly a knife was wielded, and an ear was missing.  Man oh man was there squealing and hissing.  The ear retrieved; we booked it for the pig-mergency room.  I kept telling Sweetness that all wasn't that bad.  We could make a silk purse out of the ear.  More squealing and protesting that, "no, no, you can't."  Yuma had an excellent plastic surgeon who stitched the ear back on and promised no scars would be visible.  She's now in bed with Oxycontin.

Waiting for Surgery

Post Op

 More Pictures and Movies at flickr
* Yuma Arizona by Ann Owens

Sabino Canyon*

Sabino Canyon Recreational Area

The Historical District of Tucson looks a lot like 1930's style buildings.  It is primarily located along Congress Street, a wide one way street with 2 lanes, a trolley, and no trees.  It's not a very inviting street to stroll on.  The buildings are uninteresting and the shops also.  But there is one significant spot, The Hotel Congress and its Cup Cafe.  Hotel Congress has bragging rights to the place John Dillinger was arrested, not killed, but arrested.  We were told that the Cup Cafe had a great breakfast/brunch that is served all day.  I can attest to the Huevos Rancheros as the best and biggest I have had and served along with hotel potatoes all for $10. 

Wayne at Sabino Canyon

We spent this afternoon at the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area with about a thousand other people.  Other than trying to find parking, the area did not seem over crowded, though.  The Canyon is located in the Santa Catalina Mountains and the Coronado National Forest.  The Sabino Creek runs through the Canyon and creates large waterfalls. The creek is formed from melting snow in the mountains.  I was surprised at the amount of water and the abundance of wild life.   We rode a trolley to the top and returned to within a mile of the headquarters.  There we got out and walked back.  

Tonight we took Sweetness to the Arizona Opera to hear Carmen.  She was really hoping to hear The Marriage of Pigaro or Pigoletto, but was pleased with her seat and enjoyed watching the cat fights among the cigarette girls.  

More pictures and movies are at flickr.
Sabino Canyon by Tim Mullen

The Sonora Desert*

Sonora Desert, Tucson, Arizona

Today was spent enjoying the Sonora Desert which covers an area of 100,000 miles. It is referred to as arid and with high biological diversity.  The area we visited was ripe with saguaros, blooming barrel cactus and palo verde trees.  We visited the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum which borders the Saguaro National Park.  And, yes, there were acres and acres of saguaro.  I always pictured this cactus growing in flat, bare, white deserts.  But here it appears like a forest and grows up the mountains.  They are also very tall at over 20'.  The Museum is unlike any other I've visited.  It is the very desert and arranged with winding paths that create views of specific desert regions.  The neatest part was attending the raptor exhibit.  Twice a day raptors are released to feed around a viewing area.  They are so accustomed to this activity and humans that they would feed from trees adjacent to us and fly inches above our heads.  Very cool!!  

The temps were in the 70's with really warm sun.  I was forced to buy a new hat since I thought all museums were indoors.  The colors surprised me.  We also saw a lot of the same animals and birds we saw in Costa Rica.  Sweetness was delighted to find a close relative, the javelina.  

Javelina Family with Sweetness

Tonight we began our annual effort to see all the Oscar nominated films before the awards evening.  We started with Spotlight and give it two thumbs up.  Well written, acted and directed.  They didn't even go over board with the Boston accents (except the locals, oy).  

More pics and movies at flickr.

Tucson, Arizona by Dan Fogelberg

Operatif*

Sunset from Speedway Blvd.

We haven't explored too much of the city of Tucson.  There seem to be two major four-lane boulevards that stretch the city's length east to west.  They are sometimes divided by trees.  One, named Speedway is anything but.  There are stop lights every block.  But, stopping gave us the opportunity this evening to marvel at the sunset.  We were on our way to attend an Operatif ,a play on the word aperitif, to discuss Carmen, the Opera we will attend on Saturday.  Unfortunately, our e-tickets said 6:30 pm but the event was for 6:00 pm.  It was a very small group of 9 people.  The music director for the Arizona Opera led the discussion, and what little we heard was interesting.  Also, the woman who took our tickets has promised to reimburse us.  The Arizona Opera performs in both Tucson and Phoenix.  Their seasons are a mixture of popular standards such as Madam Butterfly and Turandot, not so popular standards and new pieces.  The director said this was a choice to increase attendance and get out from under a 5 million dollar debt.  The Music Hall is adjacent to the convention center and near historic downtown Tucson which is mostly comprised of local businesses and museums.  The oldest part of the University of Arizona's campus begins here.  That campus is huge, too.  

More sunset pictures are at flickr.
*Carmen by Georges Bizet

By the Time I Get to Phoenix*

Picacho Peak, Arizona

We drove a couple of hours north to Phoenix today.  Wayne's long-time friend Ralph and his wife, Bobbie live there.  On the way out of Tucson we passed this most unusual shaped mountain, Picacho Peak, which can be seen from parts of Tucson 45 miles away.   It's known for wildflowers that bloom in March and April.  The area between the interstate highway and the Peak is an unspoiled Sonoran Desert packed full of Saguaro cactus.  It was just breath-taking.  I know I keep writing 'breath taking', 'amazing', 'awsome', etc.  But it truly is.  The mountains here are so unusual to my eye.  They are not consistent nor regular in their shapes.  And they surround this huge, vast area of flat farm land that was once the bottom of an interior sea.  

Bobbie, Christy, Sweetness, Ralph and Wayne at the Desert Botanical Garden

In Phoenix we met Bobbie and Ralph Friedly at the Desert Botanical Garden for lunch and a tour.  As we ate Roadrunners and Gambel's Quail visited the table.  I kept looking for Wile E. Coyote!  The gardens are filled with perfect cacti unblemished by man or beast. Sweetness was wondering why there were Teddy Bear cacti but no Swine Spines.  Phoenix was warmer than Tucson despite its northern location.  It sits in Sun Valley, which intensifies the heat.  

Sweetness with the Teddy Bear Cactus.

More pics and movies at flickr.

*By the Time I Get to Phoenix by Glen Campbell

Oops! Back in Texas

Salt Flats, Southwest Texas

Who knew that to get to Tucson from Carlsbad one had to go through Texas. Apparently there is no direct route as the bird flies route.  We dipped down through that little part of Texas that sits under New Mexico and is home to the Guadaloupe Mountains. These mountains are the world's best presentation of a fossil reef from the permian era when the world was one super continent, the pangaea.  In laymen's terms, "wowzer".  We would drive through miles of salt flats and then suddenly be in mountains and canyon interiors.  It kept us entertained for another 7 hour day of driving.  

Guadaloupa Mountains

We are in Tucson for the next 5 days housed in a little studio cottage we found through Air B&B.  George, the owner, greeted us with chocolate deserts and coffee.  We think it will be nice here.  
There are lots of pictures at flick that seem repetitive. It was just so beautiful that I couldn't stop.

Carlsbad Cavern*

Carlsbad Cavern Natural Entrance

The Cavern sits in a natural gully of the Guadaloupe Mountains.  The elevators are not working, and we walked down through the natural entrance.  It was a benefit of sorts; the walk down offering sights one would miss riding directly to the bottom.  The large rooms at the bottom are filled with all the beauties one would expect of a cave.  It's 750' to the bottom, which means it is 750' to the top.  My pictures could not do justice to the vastness, the quiet, the dark the dripping water, the formations.  It was a sight not to be seen anywhere else.  

Chihuahuan Desert

The National Park building sits atop a bluff and offers a panoramic view of the Chihuahuan Desert. There were dust storms racing across the blues, greens, browns as far as the eye could see.  

More pictures at flickr.

*Carlsbad Cavern by DW Declare

Leaving Texas*

Sweetwater, TX 

We struck out for Carlsbad, New Mexico today, some 450 miles from Dallas. The day was one of simply marveling at the land.  I thought Kansas was flat until we were in West Texas.  One of the most interesting sights along the way was around Sweetwater (Sweetness thought it was named for her) where one could see thousands of wind turbines for miles. According to Wikipedia, Sweetwater is the center of the Western Hemisphere's leading wind power generation region and West Texas has more than 4,000 MW of operational wind energy. Nolan County alone would currently rank as the eighth largest "nation" in terms of wind energy generation - with more than 1,500 MW installed. I read that 18 million dollars has been paid to landowners (farmers it seems).  The country is extremely flat, covered in cotton fields and peppered with horse head oil well pumps and refineries. I kept thinking, "it's a perfect location for a movie about desolation and desperation fed by desire". 

Somewhere in West Texas

New Mexico

One nice thing is the temperature, which was 70 today.  

*Leaving Texas by Dan Weber

More desolation can be seen at flickr.

If You're Ever Down in Dallas*

Wayne Bullfrog Riding at Dallas Arboretum 

I told Wayne, "It's BULLS they ride here, not bull frogs."  While our friends and relatives back east are shoveling out of the big storm, we are in Texas enjoying sun and 40 degrees.  We found a nice area, the Bristol Arts District.  It's one of those funky areas that grow up around college kids, artists and entrepreneurs.  We had, what else, bbq at Lockhart's Smoke House which was not nearly as good as Memphis' A&R.  But Sweetness was happy that we were considering beef over pork.  

Wayne and Sweetness dine at Lockhart's Smoke House.  

It was such a nice day that we opted for the Dallas Arboretum rather than the Museum.  There are 64 acres of manicured gardens on the grounds.  Fountains (and frogs) and large beautiful crepe myrtles grace the place.  There were girls of Latino decent celebrating their quinceanera, weddings and engagements being photographed. 

Tonight we attended the Dallas Symphony to hear an evening of Gershwin.  It was much like the Pops.  Sweetness was so excited when he heard us talking about going to the Meyerson Symphony Center designed by IM Pig and listening to some Porgy Pig and Bess. While she was enjoying a Pi(g)not Grigio sWine, we corrected her misunderstandings.  While disappointed she nonetheless enjoyed the performances.

Sweetness Enjoys Gershwin at the Dallas Symphony

More pictures can be seen on flickr.https://www.flickr.com/photos/minkcove/albums/72157663781867106

*If You're Ever Down in Dallas by Lee Ann Womack

On the Road Again*

Pig in a Blanket

We bundled Sweetness up and drove out of Memphis on dry roads and high clouds. We left behind an east coast waiting for a big blizzard.  2-3' are predicted in DC and about 10 inches in Wareham.  I was filled with nostalgia driving over the Mississippi River and into Arkansas.  The day was gray and snow clung to the naked deciduous trees. We had an easy drive, and about 7 hours later we were in Dallas checking into a Homewood Suites.  Tomorrow will be more interesting.  

Crossing the Big Muddy into Arkansas

More Pictures at flickr.

On the Road Again by Willie Nelson.

Walking in Memphis *

Sweetness Stands Her Ground at A&R Barbecue in Memphis

Memphis is a short drive of 3 hours from Nashville.  Before we even began to consider the hotel we found lunch at A&R Barbecue. Never disappointing, Tennessee came through again with pork that was smokey and tender. The joint was the usual converted gas station. But everyone was hospitable and friendly. One woman convinced me to buy a fried peach pie. 

We are here for only one night....wait what's that I hear?  4-6 inches of snow and freezing rain are predicted tonight.  It seems the farther south and west we go the colder it gets.  We're hoping the locals have snow plows and know how to use them because we have reservations in Dallas tomorrow.  To sooth our worried travel souls we walked to Beale street and the Rum Boogie Cafe where we heard a great blues band, Vince Johnson and the Boogie Blues Band.  

More pictures and video can be seen at flickr.

* Walking in Memphis by Marc Cohen

I'm a Little Bit Country...*

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

We spent the early afternoon at the Nashville Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.  A collection of memorabilia that includes vintage video, cars, costumes and wonderful guitars, the place had me tapping my toes.  It was fun to see old tv shows from the 60s and 70s.  Beyond the museum are shops, shops, shops just begging the fan to come in and buy, buy, buy.  

Broadway, Nashville

Tonight we walked to Broadway, the Beale and Bourbon street of Nashville.  Trip Advisor, et al, suggested we go to Robert's Western World, a boot shop by day and a honky tonk by night.  The Dan Kelley Band played a great set.  The Bass player was fabulous, a real showman.  

For a change of venue, we walked down the street to Jimmy Buffet's where we heard some rather low key folksy music by a duet.  It is true what they say about Nashville that on every corner there are 10 musicians with 10 others watching and waiting to take their place.  

For more videos of the music go to flickr.
Donnie and Marie Osmond

This Little Blue Bird*

Preparing the Pig at Martin's BBQ

Whenever we cross the Mason Dixon Line, a search ensues for local barbecue.  Nashville has its share of the smoke with Martin's BBQ coming in first among the aficionados.  The place has a nice jive as well as good bbq.  Good country music serenades, smoke scent fills the air and the staff is typical southern charm and friendliness.  Becks, the bartender loved Sweetness.

Sweetness Charms Becks

As we were leaving two guys emerged from the back hauling a whole pig (Sweetness squealed and hid her eyes) to the pit.  They used a hammer and cleaver to split the chest open.  It was gruesome. For more pics and videos visit flickr.

Nashville, the Athen's of the South, has a full scale replica of the Acropolis' Parthenon.  It is thought provoking to walk around and through the building considering how it affected the Athenians.  Inside is a full size replica of Phidias' Athena Parthenos complete with shield and snake.  The building also houses a small collection of American paintings with nice representations by Bierstadt, Gifford and Church. Sweetness prayed for Athena to protect the pigs of Nashville.

Sweetness marvels at Athena Parthenos

This evening following another meal of bbq at The Peg Leg Pig, we had a great time at The Bluebird Cafe. The Bluebird is a small 90 seat club located in a strip mall pretty far outside downtown. It is famous for acoustic music performed by song writers. Many well known performers were discovered here such as Garth Brooks and Taylor Swift.  You can read more about this fascinating place at Wikipedia.  We heard 4 writers/performers play individually in the round: Rivers Rutherford, John Driskell Hopkins, Brian Collins and Leslie Satcher.

The Bluebird Cafe

More pictures of the day can be seen at flickr.
This Little Bluebird by Christina Perry

Nashville Serendipity

Sweetness at Wholey's Fish Market

We awoke to a frigid 9 degree Pittsburgh morning.  But it had not snowed for which we are grateful.  Thinking we could pick up some sushi for lunch on the road, we went a couple of blocks to the Strip District and Wholey's Fish Market.  The District is a neighborhood historically home to mills and factories that sits on the Allegheny River. Today there remain some wholesalers but most of the spaces have been converted into speciality shops, restaurants and bars.  Sweetness was delighted with Wholey's and wants to spread the word, "eat more fish".  Oh, we were too early for the sushi.  

Some 7 hours later as we were entering Nashville, I checked out the local happenings and discovered Madonna's Rebel Heart Tour was performing that evening at the Brookstone Arena.  We checked in to the hotel, got tickets, and walked the 2 blocks to the Arena. It was a lively crowd of old folks like us, cowboys, and Madonna look-alikes.  We were surprised at how empty the stadium was and asked the usher what time Madonna would be on.  It was then that we realized we were still on EST and an hour early.  Oy!  Another serendipity occurred when the woman who sat next to us said she was from Quincy and just in Nashville on business.  I said to her I couldn't believe how great the seats were, and for only $60.  After her jaw dropped she said, "I paid $200 for this seat."  Guess it pays to buy at the last minute.  The Show!  The Show!  Man was it eye candy.  The technology and dancing rivaled any Cirque du Soleil.  Madonna was her usual irreverent self; her singing is as you know mechanical, but her message is still provocative.  At 2am we crawled into bed.

Brookstone Arena, Nashville, TN with Madonna

More pictures and videos can be see at flickr.

Heinz, Heinz and more Heinz

Wayne at the Heinz History Museum

I'm surprised this city has not been renamed Heinzburgh since everything else here seems carry that name.  The Senator John Heinz History Center is directly across the street from our hotel.  We scurried over there this morning dodging snow flakes.  The museum's focus is on 250 years of history in Western PA.  It is a conglomeration of sports, culture, sports, exploration, sports, settlements, sports, and more sports.  There is an entire floor dedicated to the Heinz corporation and all 57+ brands that they produced.  

This afternoon we attended the Pittsburgh Symphony at, you got it, Heinz Hall.  To get there we had to drive past Heinz Field, home to the Pittsburgh Steelers.  More on them later. We heard a disparate program of Beethoven, Philip Glass and Respighi.  Right away Sweetness was enthralled that ResPIGhi was being performed.  She even finagled some time at the conductor's stand.  

Dinner was at Lidia's, a suggestion from the gentleman seated next to me at Heinz Hall.  Lidia's was okay with a nice setting, quiet and a great waiter, but not superb, nor what one would expect from a celebrity chef.  Back at the ranch we watched the Steelers loose a game they were winning for almost 4 quarters to Denver.  We're sad about that.  Means the Patriots will have to play in Denver and not at home.  Tomorrow is a long drive to Nashville.  

More pictures and videos can be seen at flickr.