What an incredible month this has been! I can't believe that it is over.
As I sit to write this, pool side, under the huge full moon, in the warm ocean breezes, I can't stop thinking about how incredibly lucky I have been. This leg of the journey has far surpassed all of my expectations. I have met some wonderful people, reconnected with some great friends, done some new and exciting things in this great city and, of course, revisited some of my very favorite haunts. I never get tired of San Diego, weird as that sounds. It just has so much to see and do. I never get tired of the sights, sounds and smells of this great city.
World famous San Diego Zoo....great place.
Stupid clouds got in the way of what might otherwise have
been a lovely photo! haha
Moon and palm trees....not bad!
Surf
Beach
Does life get any better than this?
More surf
Aboard the USS Midway Museum,
a decommissioned aircraft carrier, 4 acres long and held 3,500-4,500 men at it's peak.
Low tide at Torrey Pines.
I had to walk back to the car to get my camera to get these pictures.
Am I ever glad I did.
Black garlic fondue at Karl Strauss Brewery.
O.M.G!!
So, I am nearly all packed up and ready to leave tomorrow. I will be back for two days...in time to do some laundry, repack and refocus. Thursday I leave for Washington DC, into total uncharted territories. I have never been there before, but have every confidence that Rich and Mona will have lots of excellent suggestions and recommendations for great adventures. They have yet to steer me wrong!! So while I am saddened to leave San Diego, as always, I am looking forward to seeing what the other side of the continent has to offer.
One of my goals for this year is to get more exercise. According to my NikePlus running device, today I met and exceeded 500 miles of running since the last day of school on June 29!! Who'd-a-thunk-it?
500 miles and counting....
And when I hit 500 miles, THIS was the panoramic view!
Last night, I went to a concert by one of my favorite local artists named Steve Poltz. I first found out about him when I was living here and going to grad school in 1997. He is a talented dude who writes quirky, poignant, reflective, funny songs that I really like. He is a great story teller and always seem to be having the time of his life.
Crowd surfing during the show
The event is called The Green Flash series and the venue is the Birch Aquarium in La Jolla. It was standing room only, on an outdoor terrace, facing the ocean, at sunset. So, all in all, not a bad way to spend an evening!! As he played, the sun set, the moon rose, the crowd hushed, the ocean breeze softly blew and the surf crashed below. It was, in short, a rather intoxicating atmosphere.
The first song he sang was one I had never heard before. It is called "Slovenia Breeze" and if you substitute the name "Slovenia" for "San Diego", it pretty much sums up my thoughts and feelings of the past month here. I love this song. It is my new favorite!
To say that September started off well would be an understatement! The bar has been set fairly high, that's for sure!
What a fantastic way to begin the official start to this year but by returning to my favorite city for the entire month and staying in a part of the city that is new to me. And I have lucked into the most incredible place to call home for the month. I could easily get used to living in such style!!
Courtyard leading down to my suite!
My home complete with my own private pool! Not too bad at all!
The house is incredible and owned by the friendliest and most interesting people. The place was built in the 1960s and was originally the Danish Embassy. The couple who own it are very interesting. He is an Emmy winning journalist and she is a PR rep for her daughter, Sarah Reinertsen, who is the first female parathlete to complete the Ironman Triathalon in Kona, Hawaii.
This great place is located in the Point Loma area of the city, which I have never really spent much time in. It is beautiful. The place sits at the top of a hill, half a mile west is the ocean and a beautiful area, which is aptly known as Sunset Cliffs. Half a mile going east is the harbor. It is win-win either no matter which way you go! :) Highlights of the trip so far include the heat and sunny skies, spectacular sunsets, Tall Ships Festival, sand sculpture competition, scenic beaches, Dave Matthews concert, Ocean Beach farmer's market, time with friends at a Padres game, great runs along the unbelievable beaches and vistas of the Pacific Ocean, time to read, relax and reflect. I think pictures say more than words, so:
Spectacular views at Sunset Cliffs
Wow!
Ocean Beach Farmer's Market--Awesome!
Don't think I will ever get tired of seeing things like this!
Rockin' my favorite new t-shirt at the Padres game
And that is just the first half of this first incredible month! Pinch me!! Whose life have I stumbled into? Here's to much more of the same!! Hope it keeps coming like this!
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