Wine and Gardens! Oh My

Deerhorn Winery

  Being there are so many wineries in the area, we definitely had to get a tasting in. We picked the perfect winery. Diane, the owner, was a blast, very knowledgeable, willing to educate, and as we were the only ones there at the time sat down, and joined us at the tasting. We enjoyed hearing her and her husband's story. They have owned the winery and vineyards for seven years. They retired from their careers with at an aviation company in Washington, sold everything, and bought the Deerhorn Winery with no real prior experience with wines except enjoying them. 

They have turned a place almost out of business into one of the best in area, selling not only wine but fabulous vinegars and olive oils. Yes, they are available for tasting as well. She must have enjoyed our company as she put out a board with each vinegar and oil with lots of fresh bread for dipping. Usually, the offer is for 5 samples of wine but she had us sample each available that day which I believe was 8. Oh my, but one was better than the next. We've done many tasting in the past and usually, if there is one maybe two we like enough to drink again we consider ourselves lucky. Here, well, I think there was one I didn't care for and one that was okay, all the rest where so good. And the vinegars and oils, oh my. One of the vinegar is a 25 year old Balsamic that is so smooth you could give me that, a loaf of bread, and a couple good tomatoes and I would be a happy camper! 

Do seek them out if in the area, you won't be disappointed.

Oh almost forgot they also raise rainbow chickens that lay teal colored eggs! That was a first.
 

San Diego Botanical Gardens

This too was one of our favorite daytrips. Great place, with so many plants, boasting 4 miles of trails and on 37 acres. You could walk for hours and not see all as the trails tuck in and out of areas. Being in this environment, there are many tropicals that can grow and thrive year round so there is only a small conservatory needed. One of the few places here with a very reasonable ticket cost. 

Will let you just enjoy some of the photos we took there.

Ta!

Love the Dr Seuss trees!

Playing Tourist in San Diego

 While there is a lot to do in San Diego, most of them aren't going to be done on this trip, as mentioned the temperatures, crowds, remaining COVID threats, well, so many things just aren't appealing. We have managed to play tourist from time to time. Over the next several days I will be posting some of our adventures.

Balboa Park

Okay so this one was rather disappointing to us. Balboa Park boasts 17 museums and cultural institutions, 90% were closed when we were there. Kind of takes the fun out of things. We did enjoy the many pocket gardens, so that was something. One of the places of interest to me would have been the Botanical Museum, but, alas, that is closed indefinitely. Maybe next trip. Basically, the only things available besides the gardens were a whole lot of street vendors. There is a beautiful old carousel there and would have loved to perhaps take a ride on it but it only goes once every hour and the line was already lengthen with a 45 minute wait. 

Unfortunately for reasons never to be known, we didn't take many pictures there and those we took didn't come out. Oh well, at least we can say we went to Balboa Park. Again, perhaps when we come back to the area things will be different and we can enjoy more.

Whale Watch

Oh now this was fun. We went out on the San Diego Whale Watch boat. We always enjoy this type of activity. You had to make advanced reservations and only about half the usual amount of people were allowed per trip. (Social Distancing is something I hope continues) The crew was friendly and the captain was a wealth of information on the area and the sea life. We didn't see any of the big whales but oh my, the sea was filled with dolphins and porpoises. Also saw Harbor Seals, Sea Lions, and many shore birds including pelicans, and a egret rather interested in the sleeping Sea lions. 

Was fun watching one of the deck hands save a balloon! What a cheer that went up from all on board.

Would recommend this to anyone looking for something to do.

Ta!

Made up for the lack of photos in Balboa Park with the many here, 

Enjoy the Dolphins and Friends Show!