SoCal = avocados

I have been eating well while on this vacation.  I love the fresh foods I've had offered to me while in SoCal.  In fact, I commented to my husband, I haven't even seen a McDonalds.  I did see a Wendy's, but it didn't have a drive-through or parking.  I really wanted to get a burger at an In-N-Out Burger, but I didn't come across one.  What I did eat was avocados.  I ate avocados on fish tacos.  I ate avocados on omelettes.  I ate avocados on sushi.  I ate avocados on carnitas.  I bought avocados at the grocery and made guacamole in my hotel room.  I love avocados... and they are SO affordable here.

I'd love to share some of the food I ate with you.  It was DELICIOUS!

In La Jolla (this is pronounced La Hoya.  why?) we went to Sushi on the Rock.  I recommend this place.  Great sushi and perfect location.  Even if you aren't "old money" you can eat in La Jolla.  It's not cheap, but it is yummy.

The Don:  Grilled shrimp, asparagus, crab, AVOCADO, layered with seared tuna and served with ponzu sauce (sorry about the spot on my lens)

Barrio Roll:  Tuna, cilantro and serrano chilies served with fresh salsa and AVOCADO

After dinner, enjoy this sunset

In Old Town San Diego we went to the Old Town Mexican Cafe.  You must order the carnitas.  They are the best.

Yeah, those chips are warm

These are the delicious carintas.  The AVOCADO, cilantro, tomato and onion were on another plate

 Flan ('nuff said)

I want to share the images of the talented women making these delicious tortillas, fresh, every day.

Del Coronado gold

Del Coronado so exclusive
Your beach available to me
I dip my toes in luxury

Sand as soft as talcum powder
Beach pristine and water clear
Turquoise blue laps at a shore

Swirling sparkling sifting sand
Crystal water wraps my ankles
Gold dust clings to me

Sugary grains stick to my skin
Kissed sun bronzed with amber tinge
Sloughing smooth with suntan lotion

No spa could boast such
Rich a service
Gold dust rub and sea weed wrap

Breezes dust the shine upon me
Strong sun soothes my muscles loose
Masseuse reapplies my lotion

Del Coronado thanks for sharing
Riches beyond reach to me
Gold dust beach for all to share

Tacos, the beach and the Big Bay Boom

Today I basked in the sun at Imperial Beach.  I know, not the sexiest beach in San Diego.  It's no Mission Beach, La Jolla Shores or Coronado Beach.  We tried to get to Coronado Beach, but the annual Fourth of July parade was in full swing and there was no way to get there.  It was Fourth of July and EVERYBODY was at the beach.  My husband wanted to check out his favorite taco stand in Imperial Beach from 30 years ago, when he was stationed at NAS North Island.  It was still there.  So, of course, we had lunch.  It was in Imperial Beach, so we went to the beach down there.  I think it was a good choice.

Fish taco combos with hot sauce and limes, YUMMY

It was a perfect day and the beach was wonderful.  It was so fun to people watch.  There were TONS of beach umbrellas and pop-up shelters and tents.  Everyone was making a day of it at the beach.  Check it out.

Gorgeous Pacific Ocean

My feet

Sexy legs (white, REALLY white)

My future home? (yeah the tent, not the white mansion)

Tonight we took in the fireworks called the Big Bay Boom.  There were four barges in the bay with fireworks exploding simultaneously from Coronado to the Convention Center.  My husband likes fireworks more than I do, but it was SPECTACULAR.  Enjoy the finale.

The San Diego Zoo is a "Must See"

We went to the zoo today.  It was crowded.  It is the Sunday of the 4th of July weekend.  Yeah, going to the zoo was a GREAT idea.  I'm not a huge fan of crowds, but they know how to "do zoo" in San Diego.  This is something you must do if you visit paradise.  I was here 21 years ago.  I was pushing a stroller and toting a diaper bag.  This time my hubby and I walked hand in hand and smiled at babies in strollers and in line for events.  Those babies are so cute when they belong to someone else.  :)

I took a few pictures and my goal is to share pics with you all.

Gorilla

Okapi (I had to look this up on Wikipedia)

Monkey (I didn't catch his Latin name.)

A camel with two humps (I hope he is eating marshmallows.) 

A Meerkat (Who can resist these guys.)

California Condor

Elephants

Yeah, he was sleeping standing up.  (I know how he feels.)

Leopard (pacing back and forth.  It took 10 shots to get this one)

A stranger's children (but really, weren't they adorable?)

Yun Zi "Son of Cloud" (worth waiting in line to see)

Fairy-bluebird, female  (gorgeous, btw, male...ugly)

Trampoline acrobat  (my first ACTION shot)

Giraffe

Rhinoceros (and children about to be eaten by them)

Flamingo (they have to feed them by hand, 'cause the SD local birds would let them starve

I bought this hat

I'm San Diego bound

I'm going on vacation, again.  Don't hate me.  :)

I'm going to San Diego this time.  I haven't been to San Diego in 20 years.  I'm sure things have changed.  I know I have.  I know I won't be pushing a stroller this visit.  Yippee.  I'm staying in the Gaslamp Quarter.  I'm excited about this.  Twenty years ago I stayed in the BOQ on Coronado Island.  Trust me, I LOVED it.  I think I'll pass on seeing Shamu this time.  Is Shamu still alive?  But, I think I will go to the zoo again.  I love going for a LONG walk in a pretty place.  I think the zoo will fit that bill.  I'm going to eat good Mexican food.  I'm going to drink a tall tropical drink at Hotel del Coronado.  I'm getting excited just writing all this down.

Now for something I thought I'd never say.  I'm going to meet a fellow blogger.  Joybird, from A Songbird in His Court, said she would come down and meet me.  I'm so excited.  Joybird gave me a Stylish Blogger award.  I was so thrilled by this, as I was very new to blogging.  She gave me such encouragement.  I like her blog very much.  She is a lover of Our Lord and it shows through her words and images.  She's a hiker, and I always wish I could be a hiker.  (I'm really going to have to tell my hiking story one day)  I hope this meeting works out.  I know she has to drive quite a bit to get to me in San Diego.  And, if she bails on this, I TOTALLY understand.

I hope to take pictures and share stories of my visit.  Please stay tuned.  I know I didn't do as well on the pics of my Dayton Beach vacation as I promised, but I'll try harder.

I hope you all have a very happy Fourth of July.  For all my American readers, fly the flag and thank a veteran.  For all my readers from other countries, have a wonderful day and thanks for reading.  :)