We drove north to the San Bernardino area for another scenic drive. This one was called "Rim of the World Scenic Byway".
The scenic part started in this area, Mormon Rocks. Again, I wanted to get a bit of exercise before a day in the car, so I walked up this half mile loop trail for some nice views (our car is parked on the other side of that building).
The drive was amazing...climbing the mountains with a series of switch backs, curves and more curves, lots of pull-outs to take in the views or stretch your legs.
This is an overlook at Silverwood Lake.
Two photos of another overlook, one with the car to give an idea of the vast distance one could see. Breathtaking!
Miles later we back-tracked a bit after reaching Big Bear Lake. True to the name...we did see bear... in a tree.
We wouldn't have noticed except there were people swarming the area with cameras out and pointing upward.
Can you see it? It's about three fourths of the way up in the center tree.
I felt sorry for it with all the commotion down below.
Lonnie said that goes to show that one could not escape an angry bear by climbing up a tree!
On the way back to Escondido we made a stop in Temecula. Our AAA tour book highly recommended the Great Oak Steakhouse there.
It was a very nice restaurant...but...it's inside an Indian casino! We had to park in their garage and walk a good distance (there were some moving walkways) then trek through the loud and smokey casino to reach the restaurant doors.
Once inside though, it was quiet and elegant. The steaks were good!
For our last day, we decided on a relaxing beach day. We first made a stop at Target to buy a couple of towels and some snacks, then headed straight west to Oceanside Beach.
Lonnie's brother, Jimmy, had been a lifeguard there years ago...as a young Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton, so Lonnie thought it would be nice to spend some time there.
On this day though, the beach seemed a bit crowded, so we drove south down the coast...back to La Jolla Shores Beach.
Wide beach, free parking, restrooms, showers, life guards.
The sand along the water's edge was hard packed and perfect for beach walking.
At first I thought I'd just sit on the beach and do some reading and people watching.
And even some sewing....
By the time I decided to actually get in the water it had turned rougher and surfers were out there.
So I spent a while being pummeled and somersaulted by the incoming waves...then I got out beyond them and was immediately swept down the coastline and out deeper than I wanted to be.
That was enough of a swim for me for the day and we just enjoyed soaking up the late afternoon sun.
For dinner that evening we went back (for the 3rd time on this trip) to In-N-Out Burger.
They are the best burgers. Good quality beef and cheese and generous toppings. That's the "Double Double" for Lonnie there in front and in the back is a lettuce wrapped burger for me.
I was trying to stay away from carbohydrates but sort of blew it by eating about half of those cheese fries.
Lonnie and I both really like California and look forward to a trip back there again one day.
No comments:
Post a Comment