The Colors and Shapes of California

It has come time to say farewell to the San Diego, California area for another year. We spent our last few days absorbing all the "colors".

Since mangoes and strawberries are in season, I couldn't resist canning some for another day.

All the while I was canning, the hummingbirds were busy filling up at the feeder.

On Sunday, we visited the La Jolla Farmer's Market to stock up on fresh produce and flowers.

We have visited the La Jolla Coves to see the sea lions many times in the past but this time we spent more time a bit farther south and enjoyed the tide pools and unique formations along this coastline... and skyline.

Parts of the shore almost look like a moonscape... or a mountain range from high above in an airplane.

Yes, we did stop and see the sea lions and learned that to date, 42 babies have been born this season; I was able to capture only one mom and babe. Both of us remembered how much Kaci loved this area when we were here as a family. On another day we headed for Mt. Laguna, a part of Cleveland National Forest. Neighbors told us about a drive they had taken and we thought it sounded like a good idea ... besides we never can resist new territory. We headed east on "The 8" and took a left at the designated mile marker. After we climbed a few thousand feet, this is what 8 looked like.

It wasn't long before we found the gravel road and then the objects that sent us up 6000 feet into snow country... giant pine cones! I am not kidding you. These cones are huge! I bet they weigh 8-10 pounds each cuz they are full of sap. Our neighbors collected a bunch and use them for fire starters. We spent over an hour searching for the biggest and the best and yes, we now have 7 or 8 of these mammoth creatures in the car... ready for a Minnesota campfire. They made Mike's hand look small! And mine. Here you see them in comparison to other cones of normal to big size. And then of course there were the spectacular vistas from the mountain top. You see, once we had gathered the cones and enjoyed lunch, it was still early so we drove a bit further into this forested mountain. And from this height, Mike spotted a road down there somewhere SO we consulted a map and decided to do "a big loop" back to the 8. We stopped several times on the descent to take in the magnificent colors and shapes. And once we reached the lower elevation, it was desert into which we were driving. What we had seen from atop was an old stagecoach trail turned county road ... with more colors and shapes.

We actually found a campground with hot springs that we may return to another year. Great Drive!

When we finally reached the 8, it was getting close to dinner time so we drove to The Little Acorn Casino ... seemed like a logical place. After dinner and an hour of gaming, we headed for home. It was a 12 hour day and we had put over 230 miles on the car. It was worth every penny!

Today we headed for Nevada. Just before the border, I took this last picture of California color in the median.

After a maybe not so quick stop at Bass Pro Shops, we are off to Pahrump, Nevada for a couple of weeks. Death Valley, a daytrip to Vegas and maybe some golf awaits us there. Till later...