Long before arriving in San Diego, the emails were flying back and forth, discussing “What’s on your list while you are here?”   Some of us had longer lists than others, while some had less time to hit the highlights.  The intent was to stagger the activities so the hikes were left for the remaining hikers, while the bike rides were reserved for the arrival of the bikers.

But one common activity that seemed to be on everyone’s list was Balboa Park. The iconic 1,200 acre park is both a cultural and architectural landmark of the downtown area.  We strolled through both man made as well as natural beauty, from rose gardens to dense urban forests, interspersed with beautiful Spanish Colonial architecture.

Botanical Garden structure was closed.

Debbie and I on a mission to find the most fragrant rose in the garden. Sadly, there were few. They apparently have “hybrid-ed” the smell right out of ’em!

This was one wacky cactus in the background.

Of course, the number one item on my “list” was Cabrillo National Monument.  Not because I have an interest in Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo who was believed to be the first European to step ashore on the west coast back in 1542.   Or even because it is an institution within the National Park Service, offering yet another passport stamp.  Nope.  I am there for one reason, and one reason only…

Old Point Loma Lighthouse, 1855 was in service for only 36 years. It was extinguished and the keeper relocated due to fog and low clouds obscuring the light.

The Lantern Room is only open three days out of the year. This is as close as I could get to fondling the Fresnel…

Tide pool area of Point Loma (high tide.)

View of downtown San Diego from the Cabrillo National Monument.

La Jolla Cove deserves an honorable mention.  Unfortunately, the unseasonable cold snap that hit while we were here kept even the most fool hearty of water worshipers (me) out of the water.

And finally, another park that plucked at my heartstrings for an entirely different reason, was the Torrey Pines Glider Port.  Not really a “park” per se, but rather a place to sit and watch the thrill seekers take flight.  Some people stand and watch, muttering “Why?” while I stand and mutter “When?”   I have tried just about every form of “flight” I have the strength for, from hang gliding to paragliding to bungee jumping to sky diving, and it still wasn’t enough.  If it weren’t so darned expensive, I would have been on the other side of the fence around the Torrey Pines Glider Port picnic area.  Da Vinci was right when he said, “For once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will always long to return.”

Paragliding from Torrey Pines Glider Port

Hang gliding differs in that it has a “fixed wing.”

Tandem hang gliding over Sao Conrado Beach with Paolo the Pilot, 2005

Today’s post is paired with a selection from a pub crawl through the funky North Park neighborhood.  Starting with “appetizers” from the tasting room of the Belching Beaver, my flight included Saison de Beaver, Beaver’s Milk Stout, Horchata Imperial Stout, and Peanut Butter Milk Stout, all satisfying selections in spite of the image of the gaseous, guffawing rodent on the label.

Belching Beaver Flight (Someone obviously couldn’t wait until AFTER the photo to taste!)

Given the descriptions of “A dark chocolate Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup in a glass,” it sounds like “Life is short! Eat dessert first!” It would seem that we got our stops reversed, given the attraction of the next stop.  Not only Thorn Street Brewery have some great beers, there is a food truck parked right outside their door!   Place your order, go inside and enjoy a few brews, and they will bring your order to your table.

I have forgotten what beers I sampled here.  Jim and Gayle can correct me, but I am pretty sure it included the Castaway Coconut Porter, Abbey Roof (Belgian Quad) and Santos Coffee Stout, an oatmeal stout flavored with coffee from the Santos Coffee House, the local grinder down the street.  It was no subliminal coincidence that my Thai Food Truck dinner selection was “Drunken Noodles.”

“Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.”
~Benjamin Franklin