Day 18: A beautiful day in the neighborhood

Today, it seemed like everyone was outside, enjoying the warmth (+20 C) with various activities, including remote control plane and kite flying in addition to the usual beach fun. Interesting to see people biking with a surfboard! Families and kids of all ages took advantage of the Saturday on the beaches or highways. Bryan enjoyed biking along with other cyclists and talking with them. While he waited for me at a coffee shop at San Clemente, he found out that some take the Amtrak to a point and then bike back or do the reverse.

Bryan felt in good company with so many others who are his age or older. These Californians are an active group; in fact, I think they may have reduced the national waist size. The fitness level among those living near the ocean seems to be higher than what we have observed in other states, even if there is fast food available everywhere.

Bryan was invited to join a group of cyclists to navigate through the vast Camp Pendleton military base, which is noted for its strict boundaries, but  we had already decided that he would hop in with me and take the #5 to Oceanside. After that, he completed his 92 km ride at Terry Pines Park on a very positive note.

My day was also positive. I enjoyed Skype dates with both Lisa and Jenna and their girls before heading into light traffic. I was glad that my two connections with Bryan were seamless even though we were in urban areas all the way. I also had time to take a walk along the beach in Oceanside, including a cool retro store. It was like reliving my life from the 60's to the 80's.

Although we didn't see the famous Torry Pines golf course due to a construction detour, we had no trouble getting into San Diego and to our motel for the next two days. After a relaxing time beside the pool there, soaking up the sun, we strolled the historic Old Town not too far away. Even in the off season, there were crowds checking out the museum displays, spending money on anything you might think of, and having supper at a variety of restaurants.

Unfortunately, I forgot to take my camera whenever I went walkabout today. However, I decided that I should capture some of the flowers that I have enjoyed all along this part of our trip. Wherever we go, on city boulevards, in yards, and along the highways, bright spots of color make my day. Our motel has a beautiful courtyard, using different flowering shrubs and trees, as well as focal points of flowers like bird of paradise. What you can accomplish in landscaping without being interrupted with winter here!

I think that we will be very comfortable here for the next couple of days. Tomorrow, we will explore all that Sea World has to offer. With our adventure soon completed, there are a few places to take in before we carry on.