Nick arrived last Sunday for a 5 day visit. We went directly from the airport to the San Diego waterfront for a taste of Comicon.
We climbed the Convention Center stairs for a view of the zaniness. From Comicon we drove up the coast for lunch at Le Papagayo and a stroll around Gardens by the Sea, one of our favorite succulent nurseries. After coming home, Gail made incredible appetizers, and we played Global Pursuit out in the patio until late. We've had warm nights with lows around 70 degrees. Yummy accepts Nick!
On Monday, we went up the coast to Laguna Beach for a little romp in the surf and some snorkeling. However, there was too much swell for snorkeling, so we dodged waves in the shore pound. The water was 73 degrees, the air around 82. Nick managed to catch and survive a wave on his Boogie Board. We came home, made a salad, had pizza, and watched Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978).
Nick and I teamed up to make the carrot, radicchio, and pistachio salad. Gail did presentation and appetizers.
Tuesday morning, Nick and I did a couple hours of stand up paddle boarding at Hedionda Lagoon. In the afternoon, the three of us went to Balboa Park where we took in the Photographic Arts Museum.
These little electric carts are a new addition. It was fun to see tourists from around the world cruising around. Playing Pokeymon Go?
We all enjoyed the different botanical gardens around the park.
Plants and photography, an interest the three of us share.
Nick takes shelter inside a tree trunk. I'm not sure if this is a baobab tree.
Well, it was time to get some food and drink, so we headed on over to the Thorn Street Brewery, a smallish neighborhood pub in North Park. We got food there from the food truck Bite Me, Asian fusion fare. We then hopped over to the Mike Hess Brewery for more research. Gail was our designated driver - thanks, Hon! Later at home, Penelope lets Nick pet her!
Wednesday, after getting up slowly, we went to the cinema in Vista and saw The Hunt for the Wilderpeople which we all loved. Three thumbs up! From there, we walked over to the Yellow Delli which is quite amazing. It is operated by Twelve Tribes, a christian organization that believes that humans must return to an ancient communal way of living. We enjoyed some refreshment and talking to the people around us. From here we went home to get the cats in, and then down to Garcia's for Mexican food. As night fell, we walked along the ocean pathway, first stopping at a record store on the way.
Thursday arrived all too soon. In the morning we walked around The Self Realization Ashram gardens, otherwise known as Swami's. Ravi Shankar lived nearby and spent much time here with his daughter Anoushkka. In the background is the famous Swami's surf break.
There are several koi ponds in the garden.
Next, we headed down to the San Elijo Lagoon for a little hike.
Hiking with Nick means you slow down and smell the plants, sometimes tasting them, and checking out little insects, etc. This is good!
Back home for lunch, before leaving for the airport, Nick performed on our Kudu horn. Thanks, Nick, for your visit!
