More Bike, Hike, Beer

 

Debbie and Kim left us Saturday for greener pastures, so Friday afternoon we went out for one last happy hour. Slater’s 50/50 is well known for its huge burgers, including a very good veggie burger. They also have over 100 beers on tap, so we were all able to find something we liked. They are located in Liberty Station, an interesting area of residences, shops, restaurants and galleries in what used to be the former Naval Training Center in Point Loma.

Saturday we took a walk along the bay and just took it easy while Suzanne visited with a friend. On Sunday we did a six mile hike in nearby Tecolote Canyon. It isn’t the greatest place to hike but we got a good workout going up and down all the steep hills, and even came to a cool riparian area along a creek.

We had a good view of the UC San Diego Catholic Church.

There is also a nice little nature center with a helpful volunteer who told us about several other places to hike. Just outside the building were these Matilija poppies (or fried egg flowers) full of bees. Jim managed to get some good shots without getting stung.

Check out the pollen baskets on their legs.

Jim and Allison arrived that afternoon and we had a long happy hour catching up. They are glad to finally be out of Tucson and are enjoying the much cooler San Diego weather.

On Monday we all rode bikes around the bay loop and along the boardwalks of Ocean and Pacific Beaches. It’s obvious spring break is over as the beach crowds are much smaller, and Mission Bay RV park is more than half empty. We’re ecstatic that the kids are back in school!

Suzanne was anxious to try Barrel Republic, an interesting high tech brew pub in Pacific Beach where you can taste as much or little of any of the beers and pay by the ounce. You get a wrist band which you hold up to a sensor and it opens the tap. There is an iPad at each one that describes the beer. Unfortunately we were early and they didn’t open until four so we had time to ride home, eat lunch, shower and go back in the car. Out of over forty beers we only found one we really liked, but it’s a neat concept and a good way to sample a little of everything.

Tuesday we all drove up to Poway, about 25 miles northeast, to hike the popular trail to Mount Woodson. About a quarter mile from the summit is what has become the much photographed Potato Chip Rock. Apparently this rock has been sitting here forever, but within the past five years or so someone noticed it, climbed on it, got their photo taken, posted it to social media, and it was “discovered”.

 

 

Since we waited for this hike until spring break was over, and did it on a weekday, there were not many people. We’ve heard during busy times you might have to wait 30-45 minutes just to get your turn on the rock.

Out of the five of us, only the two brave women, Allison and Suzanne, had the guts to get out there. In fact Allison was up and on it before we even knew it. She said if she thought about it she would never have done it. Good for her! I thought way too long and watched her and Suzanne jump across and slide down, and I just couldn’t bring myself to attempt it. Jim was having images of brain bleeds from hitting his head on the rock, and the other Jim is not crazy about heights, either, so we passed and took photos instead.

Allison couldn’t quite bring herself to stand up, but at least she got out there.

The long slide down.

Suzanne, on the other hand, hammed it up for the cameras.

We continued up to the 2800’ summit and had our peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on a much bigger, less precarious rock.

Even if Potato Chip Rock breaks off tomorrow (hopefully while nobody is standing on it), this is a great trail. We logged 7.5 miles with a 2,000’ elevation gain, quite a steep little trek. But the company and scenery helped make it such a fun hike.

A little trick photography.

Suzanne and Jim wondering if the climb is ever going to end.

 

Lake Poway, a surprise to see so much water in a California lake.

 

A playground for rock lovers.

 

 

I am the walrus.

Summit view.

 

Busy at the top.

 

We were all ready for a beer after the hike, and there just happened to be a Karl Strauss on the way home, and it just happened to be happy hour.

Jim, Suzanne, Allison and Jim, happy to be sitting after five hours on the trail.

We liked just about every beer we tried there, and the food was good, too.

 

Traffic was still pretty heavy when we finished, so Jim, Suzanne and I decided to make one more stop, this time at Alesmith Brewing Company. It’s one that Paul and Nina recommended, and we must say this is now our favorite brewery in San Diego. We got a flight of four different beers and they were all excellent.

Another fine day in San Diego.

Busy Week In San Diego

 

 

Debbie, Kim (Travels of Kimbopolo), and Suzanne (Take To The Highway) arrived on Saturday. We went for a walk along Mission Bay and had a fun happy hour. Hector and Brenda (Island Girl Walkabout) joined the party, too. First time a bottle has broken trying to open a beer, but Jim wasn’t going to waste a drop. And yes, there were pieces of glass in the strainer.

That evening we walked along the bay again to catch the rising of the full moon.

 

We were not alone.

On Easter Sunday we went to the Hillcrest farmer’s market. Didn’t buy much but it was fun looking around and people watching. We didn’t even realize Hillcrest Brewery was on the same street as the market so we just had to stop for a tasting. 11:30 am on Easter Sunday and we weren’t the only ones there. The beer was good but not our favorite. We forgot our camera but Kim got this candid shot of the Easter Bunny enjoying a probably much needed cold one.

Jim had his follow up appointment with the ophthalmologist on Monday so we went back to La Jolla while Debbie, Kim and Suzanne visited Cabrillo National Monument since we had already been. Jim’s eye is doing well and his vision is greatly improved.

On Tuesday Suzanne joined us for a bike ride around Mission Bay and along the boardwalks of Mission and Pacific beaches. We hadn’t planned on a beer stop but she suggested it so we couldn’t disappoint her. We ended up back at Draft, a brewpub on Pacific beach with a huge number of beers on tap. We really liked a few by Karl Strauss and decided we needed to visit their brewery. That evening we went to dinner at OB Noodle House at Ocean Beach. The food was good and they have a huge beer selection but it was quite crowded and the music was so loud we could barely hear each other talk. I would hate to have to work in a place that noisy.

The next day we were in need of a hike so we went back to La Jolla to Torrey Pines State Reserve. We parked for free along the beach, which means having to walk up a long steep hill to enter the park. You can also drive up the hill and pay $10 to park. Since we needed the exercise and the views were so nice it felt good to make the climb.

It was a gorgeous day, but then they’ve all been like this since we got to San Diego. We hiked nearly all of the trails in the park, about 7.5 miles worth. Most of them are fairly easy and very scenic. The park is home to the rare Torrey pine tree.

Such a beautiful place. I would recommend coming on a weekday to avoid the crowds. There were enough people there during the week.

Happy hikers Kim, Suzanne, Jim and Gayle. It was a bit windy!

Badlands and ocean. What a great combination.

We could see quite a few parasails and hang gliders so after the hike we drove to the launch area and watched some takeoffs and landings. Wish I had the nerve to do this. Maybe in my next life I won’t have such a fear of heights.

Since it was now going on 5 pm we just had to stop somewhere to sit out rush hour. Just so happened to be a Karl Strauss tasting room in La Jolla right on our way home. Suzanne found the love of her life, 26th Anniversary Belgian Dark Strong Ale. I think we all fell in love with that one.

And a selfie with a little help from the mirror.

We had to walk off some of that beer and were parked just a couple blocks from the beach so we went to check out La Jolla Cove. Lots of kayaks in the water, plenty of birds, and a few lazy sea lions.

 

I think Suzanne was a bit too close to the wildlife. Just last week a man got his arm bit and was dragged into Mission Bay by a sea lion. Of course he was getting his picture taken while holding up a fish he just caught, so there was a good reason for the attack.

 

Yesterday we went to Balboa Park to walk around and admire the buildings and gardens. Another lovely day.

Debbie and Kim just had to stop and smell the roses but surprisingly most of them didn’t smell like much of anything.

Bet you can guess we stopped off at a couple breweries on the way home. We went back to Belching Beaver and Thorn St. where we went with Paul and Nina on our first day in San Diego. This bike was parked outside of Thorn St.

So far these along with Karl Strauss are our favorite beers of all we’ve tried here. But we have one more week to go so that may change!