Checkin' in from the road-day8.. >>
Posted By: Ricky
Lee McBroom
Date: Sunday, 26 June 2005, at 8:34 p.m.
Day 8 (June 25): Las Vegas, NV > San Diego, CA
Another relatively short day in the saddle (316 miles). But we have family in San Diego & wanted to get an early start. So, despite being out late, we were up and moving by 06:30, and on the road by 08:00.
Near Nevada-California line Given the stifling hot temps of the previous day, we expected more of the same. But the day started off cool, and we had to don our jackets. "It won't last," I told Pam. "We'll be sweltering again by noon." But much to my surprise, it stayed cool all day long, even across the Mojave desert. Indeed, Pam wore her jacket all day, except for a few minutes during the rest stops.
We made good time to the California state line. I was, initially, a little taken aback. California has this almost mythical reputation, at least with us Eastern types. So I expected.. well, I dunno what I expected, exactly. But I didn't expect it to look exactly like Nevada.
World's Tallest Thermometer, Baker, CA We'd planned on taking a side-trip through Death Valley. But when we got to Baker, 'The Gateway To Death Valley', and learned that it would add a minimum of 4 hours to the trip, we decided to skip it.
We continued on towards San Diego, and things soon became more upscale and more like my idealized California.
Near San Bernadino, CA One thing I should have expected, but didn't, was the horrendous traffic. We hit a traffic jam in San Bernadino, and two in San Diego. Madness! But we soldiered on, and arrived at our family's home at 15:30.
Victoria & Anthony
Pam & Collette Pam's step-daughter and grand-children (by her previous marriage), and great folks! She hadn't seen them for more than 5 years, and she lost no time in catching up. That made for a busy few hours, and it was soon time for dinner.
Downtown San Diego We took a stroll around the harbor, and checked out the Maritime Museum;
San Diego Bay
Maritime Museum, San Diego
Maritime Museum, San Diego Then it was off to a great dinner;
Anthony's Fish Grotto, San Diego Mmmm, mmmm, good! I recommend their home-brewed Pale Ale, too.
A full day.. maybe the best of the trip so far!
-Ricky
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