August 25th: Back to Encinitas

Crabgrass

As I was mowing the grass at Matt and Wendy's I noticed the crabgrass was doing very well. It's kind of fun to pull it out because the runners can be a foot long or so and come our pretty easily if you rake it first. I just started doing a little patch be the patio, but then I became a little obsessed. Not much else to do, might as well pull the crabgrass out. I ended up with a nice little pile.

Glow in the dark 500 piece puzzle

When I finished my Father's day puzzle, I had forgotten it glowed in the dark. When I turned the lights off to go to bed one night, I noticed the puzzle glowing. It's actually pretty neat. The picture doesn't do it justice but it's the best I could get.

View from my window

The weather has been changing a little. August and September are the hottest months here in Encinitas. The temperatures are still comfortable and we are getting marine fog most mornings. It actually makes my morning walks very comfortable as far as the temperature goes. It also keeps more people off the beach and stairs, as long as I go early. The sun is usually out before noon and we haven't had rain since I arrived.

Peace garden

I took a different walking route through Encinitas the other day and ran across this Peace Garden. There was an explanation. The owner of the house, which has a postage stamp sized lawn, said he/she was dismayed with all the stress people were enduring in today's world but wondered what one person could do to help. That person created this little "Peace Garden". A welcome to stop, relax and enjoy the day sign was posted.






There are numerous fun plants and seating provided for passersby who are invited to stop, relax and think positive thoughts. It was in the shade, very comfortable and peaceful. What a great idea!

One of the signs in the Peace Garden

I continued my walk to the beach and saw great big bubbles in the air as I climbed down the stairs. This gentleman was entertaining himself, many of us and the kids with his bubble apparatus. It was fun. The wind off the ocean would carry the bubbles very high, unless the kids could pop them first.

Bubbles at Moonlight Beach

It reminded me of Linda's Master of Mathematics Degree thesis. She researched the mathematics behind the different shapes of soap bubbles created from a variety of geometric shapes. She had fun building the shapes out of copper wire and using them to make bubbles! If you know Linda, I know you are not surprised. A happy memory.

Moonlight Beach Cliff

I continued my walk down the beach where people like to pile rocks on a shelf below the cliff. When the high tide comes in the rocks will get washed away, so it can be a daily activity!

Trevi

Rebecca sent a couple fun pictures of Trevi. For some reason she likes to sleep between the back of the couch and the cushions. Actually, it looks pretty cozy. The picture on the right is so you can see how she looks when not squished!.

Trevi sleeping in the couch

I've been going through old photos and came across this one. Dick, Linda's youngest brother had this 1959 MGA that was in need of repair. Linda was working in a gas station/repair shop at the time. It was very tough to get a teaching job in 1971. I had gotten a job thanks to my dual certification in Biology and Mathematics. Just happened to be what they needed at Norton, High School. Linda  wasn't able to get a job teaching math in the same area. She had always wanted to work at a gas station. (Don't ask me, I cannot explain it other than she grew upon a farm with four brothers.) She learned a lot because the gas station owner also built his own stock car and worked on it in the shop when time allowed. We decided we could repair the MGA and did, successfully, with some help from my machinist Dad who made some parts for us. Not the most practical car, but we had a lot of fun. Note the zebra skin door panel Linda made!

Steve, with hair, 1972 with our 1959 MGA

August 20th: Trying to keep busy while staying safe

Back yard Magnolia tree

Matt and Wendy were still in Colorado so there was nobody here in Encinitas to play with. I knew I'd be looking for things to do so I had offered to take care of the house and yard in their absence. Nice to have something to do, although it didn't require much.

Hill and Magnolia tree
trunk behind the house,
hundreds of leaves raked up!

There is a very steep hill in the back yard with a large Magnolia tree. Matt climbed it and trimmed it just before he left so the neighbors, behind their house on top of the hill, could see their ocean view. I told Matt and Wendy I would clean up the leaves and branches. The leaves are very tough, like leather. The city picks up one green waste barrel every Thursday, so this was an on-going project.







I also noticed the large bush in front of the house was overtaking the driveway. Unfortunately, I didn't think to take a before picture, but trust me, it was due for some serious trimming.



I learned in the past to be careful with this beautiful bush with the  pretty flowers. It also has serious thorns! Guess how I found that out. Who would have guessed?

As I was trimming, I happily noticed numerous honey bees on the flowers. It's been a long time since I've seen such a collection of honey bees. Very nice to see. I tried to get a picture with several bees, but the little buggers wouldn't cooperate, so I settled for this one, the star!

Last pile of green waste

Bird of Paradise

I finally stuffed the last of the debris into the green Waste Barrel, I wanted to finish before Matt and Wendy returned.

 The Bird of Paradise Plant in front of the house has a beautiful blossom. Matt really likes these plants. So do I and the hummingbirds. Very fun to watch the hummingbirds. I think the blossom will last until Matt returns.



I decided to drive to San Diego and hike around the Juan Cabrillo National Monument. It is a beautiful park with a 360 degree view from the cliffs overlooking San Diego and San Diego Harbor. There is also access to Point Loma and the Point Loma Tidal pools below the cliffs on the ocean side. I've been there a number of times and always enjoyed it. Once you drive to the top of the cliffs, you drive through the Fort Rosecranz National Cemetery on the way to the Monument park.

On my way to the park I realized I didn't have my wallet because I had my hiking shorts on. My wallet has my "Senior pass" to get in free. Oh well, no big deal, I had money so I'd make a contribution to the park. Sounded good but when I arrived there was a sign that said, "Credit cards only, Coronavirus".

Fort Rosecranz National Cemetery overlooking San Diego Harbor

Hmmmm! I decided to see if I could walk around the National Cemetery. No problem as long as you wore a mask and it was completely open. The walk was an impressive and a sobering experience. It is 77.5 acres and has just over 100,000 graves.

Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery

For those of you who are history buffs, you'll find plenty of information to keep you entertained at this site. History of Fort Rosecrans



A few days later I was going a little stir crazy. I called Craig and Karen to see if they were ready for another visit and hike. Turned out Craig had plans to go hiking with a friend the next morning. Good timing. I was once again invited to come up and spend the night before the morning hike.

Bike path to the ocean along
the San Juan River

When I arrived in the afternoon, I learned that Craig still had the neighbors peddle assist electric bikes. So of course we went for a nice bike ride around San Juan Capistrano. The bike paths are amazing. One very close to their house runs along side the San Juan river to the ocean, about 6 miles. It's all very smooth asphalt or concrete. We left the path about half way to the ocean to tour part of San Juan Capistrano. We stopped at the desalination plant. It is a Reverse Osmosis Groundwater Recovery operation. Couldn't see a lot but the concept is interesting. Here is how it works

Craig in front of the San Juan Capistrano desalination plant

We then rode through the Los Rios Street Historic District. The street dates back to 1794, or earlier. Check out a brief history here

Typical store on Los Rios Street

Note the turtles on the wall

There are a lot of nice little restaurants and shops but unfortunately most things were closed due to CO#19. But it was a nice place to ride around and was mostly in the shade. I'd like to go back when everything is open.


After the ride we enjoyed a very pleasant evening on the patio. I was able to get some good pictures.

Patio at twilight

Water sculpture vases at twilight

We spent an enjoyable evening in their back yard. It was very picturesque as darkness settled in.

Patio at night

I love the large vase water fountains. The water gurgles and once it is dark the light is reflected on to the patio. Very relaxing.

Susie and Craig

We went to bed early because we were meeting Susie, the hiking friend, at 8:00 am. We wanted to beat the heat. Craig and Susie picked our route.

As you can see in the picture, Susie's stride is half of Craig's. No problem for her, she was like the Energizer bunny. Of course Craig and I figured we weigh twice as much so we tired more easily, at least that was our story.

Steve heading down

This hike started at the top of a mountain that overlooks Laguna Beach. We hiked quite a ways on top of the ridge and then went down to the valley. It was quite steep. The picture is of me on the way down.  As you can see we still were enjoying quite a bit of cloud cover and marine mist.






Of course we had to hike back up, but we picked a trail that was smooth and not as steep. Our plan to beat the heat worked mostly. The picture on the left was taken as we started. The one on the right was taken from the same spot as we were almost back







Overall, the hike was a big loop and again the scenery was great. The picture on the left was taken on our way back, after we hiked back up to almost the top of the ridge. It was getting pretty warm, but everything was very pretty with the blue sky and the bright sunshine. We finished the hike about 11:30 am so we beat the avoided the hottest part of the day.

August 8th: Time alone in Encinitas

Kid's adventure zone

Wendy and Matt are still in Colorado having a lot of fun. I am enjoying their trip vicariously as they send pictures. I believe most of us are looking for something different so I'll include some of their photos, even though I wasn't there.










I'm not sure where these are from but they are fun.













And of course the scenery is still spectacular!


















Be sure to click on the picture on the right to enlarge it. I think they were trying to tell visitors something!

Back home in Encinitas nothing has changed. I get my daily walks in, play a little with Wendy's art stuff and read. I made these
stickers to decorate my computer. I like this vinyl because it changes colors depending upon the angle of the light.



I have made a point of calling and talking to people more often. Being so restricted by the C0#19 sure makes me miss being able to travel and get together with friends. I decided even though travel is out, we can still stay in touch. I find the phone and/or Face Time does help.


I can't get current photos but I decided as I talk to people I can include some fun photos from the past.

Warren, Linda, Pat, Dick & Tom

I have been communicating regularly with Linda's brothers. This is a favorite picture. The Drouhard "Kids" making apple butter during the Loudonville Fair. They are in front of the log cabin Linda's brother Pat re-constructed in the Loudonville town square.

Paul & Miriam Pendleton out West

Our life-long friends, Paul and Miriam Pendleton, gave me a call a few days ago. We met in Galion in 1976 and basically raised our kids together. We went on many fun trips. Our trip out west to Tombstone was one of the best.






In some of the neighborhoods, decorating mail boxes seems to have become contagious. As I've been walking I took pictures of some of the fun ones.

I should have "raised" the shark fin!

We kept Linda's parents Black Labradors for many years over the winters as they went South. They were great dogs so I really appreciated this one.

The weather has been great and I've enjoyed hanging out part of the time in Matt & Wendy's back yard. The swing is a great place to relax and/or take a nap. I seem to have acquired a friend! The neighbor's cat likes the swing as much as I do. I'm allergic to some cats but she doesn't seem to bother my allergies.