December 30, 2018 - San Diego, CA

We met Tyler, Katie, and Charlotte at the Ocean Beach pier this morning. We had fun walking to the end of the pier and watching the surfers. You must need to be a special breed of person to have a desire to get out in the cold ocean water! Air temperature was about 55 with a slight breeze – much cooler than my ideal beach temperature!This pelican posed for us and didn’t seem a bit bothered by all the folks walking on the pier! He seemed most appreciative when Charlotte said goodbye to him! Tyler and Katie took Charlotte down to the water so she could get her toes in the Pacific. I think she liked it, but it was pretty chilly.This is Ocean Beach’s community Christmas tree which was put up on November 27. Apparently it has become a tradition to have the “left-leaning” tree which is somewhat symbolic of the political leanings of the area. http://sdnews.com/view/full_story/27615349/article-Locally-sourced-Christmas-tree-adds-to-holiday-spirit-in-Ocean-Beach-?instance=most_popular1

After a lunch stop for Charlotte, we said our goodbyes to Katie and Charlotte who headed back to Colorado this afternoon.

Tobey and I got the motorcycle and ran some errands. We had a stop at the hardware store for screws to replace the mud flap and sheet metal around the wheel well and pick up some groceries. We also found a great Mexican restaurant, Cotijas Mexican Food, for lunch in Lemon Grove, CA – not far from the RV park. Tobey had the carne asada burrito and I had the quesadillas de cameron (shrimp) and horchata (a rice milk drink). Oh my gosh! It was amazing (mine was better). I thought we had been transported back to Michoacán, Mexico. The portions were so large we both took half of our meals home.

Back at the RV, Tyler arrived after getting the girls to the airport. Tobey helped Tyler do the RV repairs and then Tyler got his gear stowed before dinner. A big shout out to our great neighbors and friends from home, Dante and Lisa, who sent delicious homemade meatballs and pasta sauce with us. The guys needed to carb up for the ride which begins tomorrow. Dinner was fantastic and we have enough for a lunch, too!

The weather forecast for tomorrow isn’t great (rain, wind and possibly snow at their higher elevations), but we are hopeful it holds off until they finish tomorrow’s ride. Stay tuned!

December 29, 2018 - Sea World, San Diego, CA

We had a busy, busy day today!

We took an Uber to Sea World with Tyler, Katie, and Charlotte today. It was chilly when we arrived around 9 am, but the sun was shining and perfect for a family outing.We had the opportunity to see the park through the eyes of a two year old and it was great fun. Everything was new and exciting. She loved the sea lions, penguins, flamingos and turtles and was always polite to say goodbye to the animals before moving on to the next exhibit!The weather cooled down quite a bit as the sun was setting and we all donned our coats and hats and mittens for the orca show!After dinner, we revisited a couple of the exhibits before leaving the park.We were back to the RV by 8pm and ready to kick back and relax.

December 28, 2018 - Scottsdale, AZ to San Diego, CA

What a day this has been! After spending a great Christmas with our families in Scottsdale, we loaded the RV for our trek to California where Tobey and Tyler will begin their bike trip.

It is quite different traveling with our son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter than just the two of us! We got all of the gear stowed, baby car seat installed, and everyone in and on the road by 10 am. We had a couple stops to make in Surprise, Arizona, and then it was time for lunch. Tummies filled, Charlotte buckled in for her nap, and off we went.

Wind and rough roads made for a rough go. We started hearing new rattles (really LOUD rattles) that made us stop three different times. On the first stop they adjusted the motorcycle rack. On the second stop, they took off one of the mud flaps that had lost a couple screws. On the last stop, they removed a piece of sheet metal (which was the real culprit) that is part of the wheel well that had come loose. The rattles finally stopped!

Near Yuma, Arizona, we went by miles of sand dunes – and blowing sand. Charlotte had fun seeing some of the dune buggies going up and down the hills.We had a stop in Alpine, CA for dinner before delivering our kids at their hotel for the night and heading to the RV park for us.

Once we got settled, I heard water dripping … a new leak under our kitchen sink. UGGHHH. We pulled all the pans and cleaned the mess. Tobey thinks we will need to replace the faucet and re-caulk the sink. Where is our mobile RV repairman from home when we need him??? We will try rearranging things and keeping a dishpan under the faucet for the time being.

We will get a good night’s sleep then do some tourist things with our family tomorrow. It should be a fun day and we are looking forward to spending it with our granddaughter!

December 26, 2018 - Scottsdale, Arizona

We are just about ready to start our next big adventure. Tobey will be riding his bicycle across the United States – from San Diego, California to St. Augustine, Florida – about 3000 miles beginning December 31!

We are in Arizona for the holidays so Tobey did a few rides to keep in shape, and has already had his one mishap that I am allowing for this trip.

He rode from Scottsdale to Sun City West and was returning when he and his bicycle tangled with a car. He wasn’t sure who hit who, but, fortunately, he wasn’t hurt too much. Some walkers stopped to assist, as well as the driver of the car. They went to a business and got some wet cloths to clean the small cut over his nose, a band aid, and made sure he was okay. He said his concussion protocol was to hold up two fingers and say, “yes, there are two.”  At least it didn’t hurt his sense of humor! He was able to ride the rest of the way home and asked when dinner would be ready! I guess after a 90 mile ride, you know where his priorities lie!

The next day he rode his bike to the repair shop to have it checked out and they determined he was good to go. He stopped to get his glasses adjusted and they are fixed, too. His helmet protected his head, but cracked so he needed to replace it. He has a new helmet purchased so he is ready to go.

I hope that will be the most “excitement” we have on this trip!