When you open yourself up to life, Life opens up to you!: San Diego

We are in San Diego!

There are over 3 million residents within its borders of 4,200 sq. miles of San Diego County. A place of continuous sprawl as far as the eyes can see; there is not a hill, mountain, valley without housing, storefronts or multi-laned Interstates. Speaking of Interstates there are five of them here and it is damn near impossible to go any distance without having to get on one of them or several. Eleven major highways, some just as crazy as the Interstates. And the drivers here make New Jersey seem sane!! Motorcyclists live by their own rules, thinking nothing of riding up the middle between lanes, zipping up the wrong side of the road to the front of the stopped cars at a traffic light to be first through the green, using the bicycle lanes and shoulders as their own and this is in the midst of the cars going in excess of 80 mph zipping in and out of lanes as if they were alone not caring how close they come nor of making you swerve to get out of their way. Total madness out here.

With all that, I do have to say in most parts they keep it beautiful here, the streets are tree and flower lined, with crews often seen doing cleanups. Yes, there are sketchy parts but it is a city. Just to darn busy for the likes of me. I do understand why this is a great vacation destination, there is so much to do here. There is the beach, beach towns, museums, Sea World, botanical gardens, San Diego Zoo, hiking, biking, wineries, and so much more. (will write about the places we go in different post). Especially, if you stay at one of the beach towns, such as Coronado, which is the nicest we seen so far, though I hear the ones a bit further north of there are nice as well. But again this time of year, crazy busy. Was totally unimpressed with Imperial Beach: for my NJ people, think lower end shore towns.

One of the many things that surprised us was how mountainous this area is and California in general. Yes, we knew there were hills and such but good grief, I'm not sure there is much flat land at all. At
least not in this part of the state. The changing environments are interesting though: beach, city, mountains, desert, all within an hours drive. Amazing.

On this visit we will be staying in the San Diego area and mostly hanging out with Sara and the boys as we can. Between the extreme heat in many areas, crowds at the places we want to see, and being fire season with several large ones already burning in the north we won't be venturing elsewhere. Plenty to keep us busy right here. We do look forward to our next visit which will be in the more late fall/winter season and at that time will be exploring more of this great state.

Our time here will be split between two campgrounds: Pio Pico and Sweetwater.

Pio Pico is one of our Thousand Trails membership campgrounds. We can stay there up to 3 weeks at a time, then need to leave for 1 week. It is large campground in the Jamul section of San Diego County: southeast of San Diego proper and Sara's. Set in the valley of the Mountains of the same name in what is considered the coastal desert area. Having over 500 campsites split between both sides of Otay Lakes Road one can always find a place there. The south side boasts two pools, a lodge, activity center, mini golf, horseshoes, basketball court, baseball field, and a store, with all sites having full hookups. Not to be out done the north side has a dog park, several sections of it's own sports complex, Equestrian campsites, nature trail, and RC Race Track. The sites here have water and electric with a dump station available. Both sides have several bathhouses, laundry facilities, as well as tent sites and cabins. We love the setting when we can get a site on the outer loops enabling us to sit enjoying the mountains with the many different birds including: Acorn Woodpeckers, California Scrub Jay, the beautiful Hooded Oriole, and, of course, the California Quail. We get to share our site with white shouldered squirrels, rabbits, and yes, even the coyotes stop by once in a while. To hear the coyotes yip, yap, and howl during the night is a stirring sound. One I love and will miss.

We have met many people here and have made several friendships that we shall hold dear for many years. Hopefully, some of these same people will be back when we come again.

Sweetwater Campground is part of the Sweetwater Summit Regional Park: a beauty county park in the San Diego County Parks system. It consists of 150 sites in a combination of full hookups, water/electric sites, tent sites and several Equestrian sites (campsites with small corrals) with clean bathhouses, Amphitheater, playground, and horseshoes. Each site in the The North Loop with full hookups have level cement pads, large gravel areas with picnic table and fire rings. The South Loop has gravel pads. The park has picnic pavilions, a community building, playground, splash pad, and picnic areas. Further out it has baseball fields and a BMX biking complex. This is surrounded by many trails that are part of an amazing trail system throughout the area. The campground sits on top of a hill overlooking to the north Sweetwater Reservoir and to the south the baseball fields and the Bonita Golf Course. Beautiful setting. This is a great place to get some hiking in.

Along many of the trails people have placed Geocaches, so that has been fun with us scoring several.

Many though are located in the high grass areas along fences which after seeing this “beauty” we won't go near! Glad I have zoom on my phone camera!